Tuesday, July 1News That Matters

Tag: death

Assam Floods Affect 5.35 Lakh; Death Toll at 11, CM Warns of ‘Water Bomb’ Risk from Dam Release

Assam Floods Affect 5.35 Lakh; Death Toll at 11, CM Warns of ‘Water Bomb’ Risk from Dam Release

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
The flood situation in Assam has turned dire, affecting over 5.35 lakh people across 22 districts, as relentless rainfall and swollen rivers continue to wreak havoc. The death toll from floods and landslides has risen to 11, while two persons remain missing. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), a total of 5,15,039 people across 1,254 villages in 65 revenue circles have been hit. Sribhumi is the worst-affected district with 1.94 lakh people impacted, followed by Cachar (77,961) and Nagaon (67,880). Fifteen rivers are currently in spate, including the Brahmaputra flowing above danger level at Neamatighat and Tezpur and Barak, Subansiri, Dhansiri, Kopili, and others. Embankments have been breached in three locations and damaged in two more, while crop dama...
Niger state reels as floods kill 117 and submerge thousands of homes

Niger state reels as floods kill 117 and submerge thousands of homes

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Catastrophic flooding has left a trail of devastation across Niger state, where at least 117 people have been confirmed dead and more than 3,000 homes have been submerged. The death toll, which surged dramatically within a day, highlights the growing severity of seasonal floods in the region. The disaster struck two communities hardest, where torrential rainfall on Wednesday night into early Thursday morning caused rivers to overflow, inundating residential areas and sweeping away structures. The impact has been overwhelming, with dozens still unaccounted for and entire neighborhoods now under water. This tragedy bears grim similarities to Nigeria’s 2022 floods, the deadliest in over a decade, which claimed more than 600 lives and displaced approximately 1.4 million people across the...
Devastating Windstorm Batters Nepal: Four Dead, Dozens Injured, and Infrastructure Severely Damaged

Devastating Windstorm Batters Nepal: Four Dead, Dozens Injured, and Infrastructure Severely Damaged

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Nepal faced a deadly natural calamity on Friday as a powerful windstorm swept through several regions, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm claimed the lives of at least four individuals, injured 28 more, and caused widespread damage estimated at over NPR 1.08 billion. Authorities and citizens alike were left reeling from the intensity and unexpected nature of the event. Lives Lost Across Multiple Districts Tragically, four people lost their lives in different parts of the country. The victims included 14-year-old Shukna Kewat from Kapilvastu, 54-year-old Rambha Devi Dhanuk from Bara, 30-year-old Mira Bayambu, and 40-year-old Durga Bahadur Pun from Nawalparasi West. Each death represents not only a personal loss for grieving families but also a stark reminder of the ...
Flood Horror in DR Congo: 100+ Dead as Torrential Rains Ravage South Kivu

Flood Horror in DR Congo: 100+ Dead as Torrential Rains Ravage South Kivu

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Fizi Territory submerged as deadly floods destroy homes, trigger disease fears amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis More than 100 people have been confirmed dead in the Fizi territory of South Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after torrential rains triggered catastrophic floods over the weekend. The relentless downpour began late Friday and continued through Saturday, submerging entire villages and wiping out homes. According to local officials, flash floods devastated the Kasaba locality, destroying at least 150 houses, leaving hundreds homeless and entire families missing. The death toll, still provisional, is expected to rise as rescue operations continue in remote and inaccessible areas. Fears Mount Over Health Crisis Amid Ongoing Rainfall The pro...
15,000 Deaths from Wildfire Smoke Linked to Climate Change in U.S. Study Finds

15,000 Deaths from Wildfire Smoke Linked to Climate Change in U.S. Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A landmark study has found that human-caused climate change led to 15,000 additional deaths from wildfire air pollution in the continental United States over a 15-year period ending in 2020. The research, led by Oregon State University and published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, is the first to quantify how many people have died as a result of climate-driven increases in wildfire-related fine particulate pollution (PM2.5). The study reveals that 2020 alone accounted for over a third of these deaths, during which massive wildfires burned across California, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, and the Pacific Northwest. These fires released vast quantities of fine particulate matter—PM2.5—tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing and worsenin...
Heatwave Deaths in India Vastly Undercounted Researchers Warn

Heatwave Deaths in India Vastly Undercounted Researchers Warn

Breaking News, Climate Actions
New Delhi, April 10, 2025 — India soaring heat is killing far more people than official numbers suggest according to new research that reveals serious flaws in how heatwave-related deaths are tracked and reported. Experts say that doctors often fail to list extreme heat as a cause of death, instead writing down only immediate medical reasons like heart failure or dehydration. This leads to a critical underestimation of the true toll, which in turn affects how governments respond and allocate resources to tackle rising temperatures. Between 2000 and 2020, different government bodies reported vastly different figures from around 10,500 to over 20,000 deaths from heat-related causes. But these numbers pale in comparison to peer-reviewed studies, which suggest tens of thousands may be dy...
Texas Child Dies from Measles in First US Fatality in a Decade

Texas Child Dies from Measles in First US Fatality in a Decade

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A measles outbreak in West Texas has taken a tragic turn with the death of an unvaccinated child, marking the first measles-related fatality in the United States in ten years, state health officials reported Wednesday. The child, who succumbed overnight at a children's hospital, was among the more than 130 cases reported across Texas and eastern New Mexico. The outbreak has primarily affected children, with health experts linking its spread to a large under-vaccinated population in a rural Mennonite community. Texas health officials have warned of the disease’s severity, emphasizing its high hospitalization rate. A press conference with local and state health authorities is scheduled to provide updates and address community concerns. From News Desk
Australians Face Death Risk in Heatwaves: Study Reveals Cities as Hotspots for Extreme Temperature & HVI

Australians Face Death Risk in Heatwaves: Study Reveals Cities as Hotspots for Extreme Temperature & HVI

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University of Queensland and Griffith University has revealed that urban residents in Australia face a significantly higher risk of death during heatwaves compared to their rural counterparts. The research, published in the Environmental Impact Assessment Review in March 2025, examined two decades of temperature and mortality data across Australia’s major cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Perth, and Darwin. The study utilized the Heatwave Vulnerability Index (HVI) to identify regions most susceptible to heatwave-related fatalities. Even during mild heatwaves, there was a notable correlation between deaths and HVI scores in Australia’s capital cities. The far north and southern regions of Western Aust...
B.C. Health Workers Face Mounting Climate Crisis Strain

B.C. Health Workers Face Mounting Climate Crisis Strain

Breaking News, Climate Actions
British Columbia has faced a series of climate-related extreme weather events in recent years, with severe consequences for both residents and health services. The 2021 heat dome led to over 600 heat-related deaths and overwhelmed emergency services, while wildfires caused increased illnesses and forced the evacuation of thousands. B.C.’s health system, already strained by staffing shortages and burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic, has worked to respond to these emergencies. However, many health service workers reported physical and mental health challenges during and after climate events. Front-line staff, such as paramedics and home health workers, faced exposure to heat and poor air quality, especially when facilities lacked proper cooling and air filtration systems. The mental tol...
Gas Leak at Sikandarabad Battery Plant Claims Two Lives

Gas Leak at Sikandarabad Battery Plant Claims Two Lives

Breaking News, Disasters
A gas leak at BATX Energies, a battery recycling facility in Sikandarabad, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the tragic deaths of two workers and left one injured. The incident occurred during the plant’s commissioning phase, raising questions about safety measures in place. Emergency services promptly transported the victims to the hospital, where two workers succumbed to their injuries. The third worker, identified as Girish, is undergoing treatment. District Magistrate Shruti announced a detailed investigation into the incident and assured full support for the affected families. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his condolences to the victims' families and directed officials to expedite relief efforts. The factory management is now under scrutiny as authorities assess compliance...