Friday, April 4News That Matters

Tag: disaster

Severe Storms Tornadoes Trigger Generational Floods Across U.S. Heartland

Severe Storms Tornadoes Trigger Generational Floods Across U.S. Heartland

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Powerful storms have unleashed chaos across the southern and Midwestern United States, with the National Weather Service warning of “generational” floods. From Texas to Michigan, violent weather has spawned 19 tornadoes, leaving widespread destruction, injuries, and massive power outages. Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi face a dire threat, with forecasts predicting up to 15 inches of rainfall by the weekend. Emergency officials have reported injuries but no fatalities so far. In Bay, Arkansas, a freight train derailment was linked to the extreme weather. Governors in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee have declared states of emergency as emergency response teams work to assess the damage. Missouri officials reported train cars flipped by the storm’s powerful winds, addi...
Experts Stress Urgent Need for Gender-Disaggregated Data in Climate Disaster Policies as Odisha Pioneers Inclusive Risk

Experts Stress Urgent Need for Gender-Disaggregated Data in Climate Disaster Policies as Odisha Pioneers Inclusive Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
As climate disasters intensify across the globe experts are raising concerns over the lack of gender-disaggregated data in disaster response and policy formulation. Women, particularly those in vulnerable communities bear the brunt of climate-induced crises, yet there is a glaring gap in data collection that could inform targeted policies and resources. A recent scoping study by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development highlights that women and children are 14 times more likely to perish in disasters compared to men. Despite this alarming statistic, essential data such as the number of women affected, their socioeconomic status, and their specific needs often remain unavailable making it difficult to craft inclusive climate resilience policies. Women at the Heart of Disaster...
Massive Firecracker Warehouse Explosion in Gujarat Claims 18 Lives

Massive Firecracker Warehouse Explosion in Gujarat Claims 18 Lives

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A tragic explosion at a firecracker storage unit in Gujarat's Banaskantha district has left 18 workers dead and five others injured. The blast, which occurred around 9:45 a.m. in an industrial zone near Deesa town, caused the building to collapse, trapping several workers under the debris. Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana confirmed that all the victims were laborers from Madhya Pradesh. Initial reports had misidentified the facility as a firecracker manufacturing unit, but authorities later clarified that it was used solely for storage. In response to the disaster, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed deep condolences and announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased. Additionally, the Madhya Pradesh government has assured aid for the affected ...
ISRO Releases Satellite Images of Devastating Myanmar 7.7 Earthquake

ISRO Releases Satellite Images of Devastating Myanmar 7.7 Earthquake

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released high-resolution satellite images capturing the aftermath of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The disaster, centered near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, has claimed over 1,700 lives and caused widespread destruction. Using data from Cartosat-3, an Earth-imaging satellite capable of capturing images with a resolution of  less than 50 centimeters, ISRO has documented the scale of the devastation from an altitude of 500 kilometers. The images highlight the collapse of a major bridge over the Irrawaddy River, extensive damage to Mandalay University, and the destruction of several historical and residential structures. Mandalay & Sagaing Region major infrastructure, including roads, ...
Myanmar Earthquake Kills 1,600, China Sends Aid and Relief Teams

Myanmar Earthquake Kills 1,600, China Sends Aid and Relief Teams

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, leaving over 1,600 people dead and injuring 14 Chinese nationals, according to reports from Chinese authorities. The quake, which hit near Mandalay, also caused strong tremors across the China-Myanmar border, forcing residents in Yunnan Province to evacuate their homes. In response, China has pledged 100 million yuan (USD 13.9 million) in humanitarian aid and dispatched relief teams to assist in rescue efforts. A chartered flight from Kunming has already delivered 7.3 tonnes of emergency supplies to the affected areas. The tremors were widely felt in Yunnan, including Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Baoshan, Dehong, and Pu'er, leading many to seek safety outdoors. Two injuries have been reported in the province, though no fatalities have be...
Climate-Driven Disasters Surge in US Urgent Action Needed

Climate-Driven Disasters Surge in US Urgent Action Needed

Breaking News, Climate Actions
A new analysis of 30 years of FEMA disaster data reveals a sharp rise in climate-related disasters across the United States. The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), in collaboration with CNN, found that 2024 saw 90 major disaster declarations, nearly double the 30-year average of 55 per year. This means the country faced a new major disaster every four days on average. By cross-referencing FEMA data with census records, researchers estimate that 137 million people 41% of the U.S. population were affected by a major disaster or emergency declaration in 2024. These disasters, including tornadoes, wildfires, tropical storms, and floods, highlight the increasing toll of climate change on American communities. "Millions of Americans are being affected by climat...
Bangkok Skyscraper Collapses After Myanmar Earthquake Rescue Operations Underway

Bangkok Skyscraper Collapses After Myanmar Earthquake Rescue Operations Underway

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday triggered a devastating collapse of a 33-storey high-rise under construction in Bangkok over 1,000 km from the epicenter. The incident has raised serious concerns about building safety, with experts questioning the structural integrity of the skyscraper. Rescuers are racing against time to locate and extract those trapped beneath the rubble. So far eight bodies have been recovered, while thermal imaging drones have detected at least 15 people who may still be alive. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered a rapid inquiry into why the high-rise crumbled while other buildings withstood the tremors. The structure was being built as the new headquarters of Thailand’s State Audit Office (SAO), a pro...
Is Delhi Prepared for a Massive Earthquake? Experts Raise Alarm Over Seismic Risks

Is Delhi Prepared for a Massive Earthquake? Experts Raise Alarm Over Seismic Risks

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
March 30, 2025 – The recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has once again raised concerns about Delhi’s ability to withstand a major seismic event. The tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, where a viral video showed a multi-story building collapsing in seconds, sending shockwaves across the region. With Delhi NCR falling in Seismic Zone 4, experts are questioning whether the national capital is prepared for a similar disaster. How Vulnerable is Delhi NCR? Delhi's geographical location places it in a high-risk earthquake zone, making it extremely vulnerable to seismic activity. According to experts, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake could cause severe destruction, with buildings collapsing, roads cracking, and thousands of lives at risk. A 2020 Ministry of Earth Sciences and Municipa...
India Sends 80 NDRF Personnel to Myanmar for Earthquake Relief

India Sends 80 NDRF Personnel to Myanmar for Earthquake Relief

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
New Delhi, March 29, 2025 – India is deploying an 80-member National Disaster Response Force( NDRF) team to assist in rescue and search operations in earthquake hit Myanmar where nearly 700 people have died. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck northwest of Sagaing city on Friday afternoon followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock, flattening buildings and causing severe damage in Mandalay and surrounding areas. The disaster has left over 1,700 people injured, with casualties also reported in Thailand. A senior NDRF officer confirmed that the team from the 8th battalion in Ghaziabad, which previously assisted in Turkey’s 2023 earthquake rescue efforts, is carrying specialized equipment for immediate deployment. Depending on the ground situation, more personnel may be sent. This marks In...
Massive 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar, Aftershocks Rattle Region

Massive 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar, Aftershocks Rattle Region

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday March 28, causing widespread damage in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city. The quake, recorded at a depth of 10 km by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock. Tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand, where several buildings shook, and in parts of India and Bangladesh. In Mandalay, parts of the historic former royal palace suffered damage, and multiple buildings collapsed. The Sagaing region, southwest of Mandalay, reported the collapse of a 90-year-old bridge and damage to sections of the highway linking Mandalay to Yangon. In the capital Naypyitaw, religious shrines and homes sustained damage, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. Tha...