Disaster management Archives

Feb222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Heatwave Breaks Records Sparks Wildfires and Water Crises Canada

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A historic heatwave is sweeping across the Northern Hemisphere, breaking temperature records and triggering widespread wildfires, droughts, and power outages. With multiple countries facing extreme weather conditions, scientists warn that the crisis is a direct consequence of accelerating climate change. Records Shattered Across Continents The heatwave has gripped vast regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, pushing temperatures to unprecedented levels. In Phoenix, Arizona, thermometers hit 53°C (127°F), making it the hottest day in the city’s history. Across the Atlantic, Paris, France, recorded 45.9°C (114.6°F), forcing the government to issue emergency health warnings. In India’s capital, New Delhi, the mercury soared past 50°C (122°F) for the first time ever, causing mass hos...

Feb132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNDRR, WMO Launch Global Early Warning System Investment Observatory

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have launched the Global Observatory for Early Warning System (EWS) Investments to improve tracking and coordination of funding for disaster preparedness. This initiative aims to support the UN’s goal of global EWS coverage by 2027, announced by Secretary-General António Guterres in 2022. Early warning systems are critical in saving lives during extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to the climate crisis. However, fragmented financing has limited their global reach. Launched in December 2024, the Observatory provides an overview of funding flows from nine key financing institutions. It identifies gaps, avoids duplication, and ensures investme...

Feb122025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Harvey Mudd College Launches Course Exploring STEM’s Role in Wildfire Mitigation

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Harvey Mudd College has introduced a groundbreaking course designed to help STEM students critically analyze the societal impact of scientific and technological interventions. Developed as part of the college’s revised Core Curriculum in 2020, the course aims to address the long-standing challenge of ensuring students fully grasp the consequences of their work beyond technical proficiency. Taught by a team of eight instructors spanning disciplines such as biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, media studies, political science, religious studies, and science and technology studies, the course focuses on California wildfires. By examining the intersection of science, policy, and historical context, students explore how decisions in STEM fields shape real-world outcomes. One...

Feb122025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Satellite Data Uncovers Years of Warning Signs Before Anak Krakatau’s Devastating 2018 Eruption and Tsunami

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Tech

A groundbreaking analysis of satellite data has revealed that the catastrophic 2018 eruption and collapse of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano which triggered a deadly tsunami was preceded by years of subtle but accelerating movements along its mountainside. Researchers at Penn State University found that the volcano's flank had been slipping for over a decade, showing signs that could have potentially served as an early warning if monitored in real time. The study, recently published in Geophysical Research Letters, highlights how advanced radar satellites can detect minute ground deformations, helping scientists track unstable ocean volcanoes and predict possible collapses before they occur. "Ocean volcanoes, when unstable, can collapse catastrophically and generate tsunamis," expl...

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

State of Emergency Declared in Santorini as Earthquake Swarm Intensifies

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The Greek government has declared a state of emergency on the island of Santorini as the region experiences a relentless series of earthquakes. The "earthquake swarm," which began as minor tremors in late January, has escalated into a significant seismic event, shaking the island multiple times a day. The tremors are also affecting nearby islands in the Aegean Sea, with some quakes occurring just minutes apart. Escalating Seismic Activity Over the past two weeks, seismologists have recorded thousands of earthquakes, with as many as 30 daily exceeding magnitude 4.0. The largest so far, a magnitude 5.1 quake on February 6, was felt in Athens, Crete, and even parts of Turkey, more than 240 kilometers away. The earthquakes, occurring at depths of less than 10 kilometers, are shallow enou...

Feb32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Bhutan Bold Move Weather, Climate Overhaul for a Resilient Future

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In the heart of the Himalayas, Bhutan a nation renowned for pioneering Gross National Happiness faces an escalating battle against climate-induced disasters. Yet, within this challenge lies a transformative opportunity to revolutionize its approach to weather, water, climate, and early warning services. The urgency is clear. In August, a flash flood, intensified by upstream landslides, devastated 70 households in Thimphu. A year earlier, another flash flood claimed 23 lives and severely damaged the Yungichhu hydropower project construction site. In 2021, extreme rainfall affected 2,500 acres of farmland across 18 Dzongkhags, destroying 2,400 metric tons of crops. Bhutan’s vulnerability is undeniable: the country hosts 700 glaciers and 567 glacial lakes, with 17 classified as high-risk f...

Jan302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Centre Approves ₹3,027 Crore for Disaster Mitigation Projects

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Fact Check

New Delhi: The Union Government has approved ₹3,027.86 crore for disaster mitigation projects across multiple states, focusing on drought resilience and lightning safety. The decision was made by a high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and comprising Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman. Major Allocations of ₹2,022.16 crore for drought mitigation in 12 most drought-prone states are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. ₹186.78 crore for lightning safety measures in 10 state are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh,...

Jan302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

How Schools Can Stay Open Amid Disasters: Six Key Strategies

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Children are often the first to suffer when disasters strike, facing serious threats to their safety, health, and education. According to UNICEF, nearly a billion children worldwide live in countries classified as “extremely high risk” due to climate change. In 2024 alone, over 242 million students experienced school disruptions due to climate-related hazards, with floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes damaging thousands of schools globally. Between 2015 and 2021, data from the Sendai Framework Monitor recorded more than half a million schools being either destroyed or severely impacted. Schools play a critical role in disaster response, often doubling as emergency shelters and community centers, providing safety and continuity in education. Beyond this, they also serve as spaces for disa...

Jan302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Why Disaster Evacuations Take Longer Than Expected & How Technology Can Help

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

When a wildfire evacuation alert flashes on your phone, panic can set in. You might not see smoke, but the message tells you to grab your "go bag" and leave. As you scramble to gather documents, medications, and essentials, another message arrives this time urging immediate evacuation. Outside, chaos unfolds. Some neighbors are still packing, while others hesitate, unsure of what to do. Traffic clogs the streets, and a plume of black smoke rises in the distance. This frantic scenario highlights a major challenge in disaster evacuations: they often take much longer than people expect, increasing risks for evacuees and emergency responders. Researchers are now turning to computer simulations to predict where evacuation delays will occur and how to prevent them. Confusion and delays ...

Jan252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction: The Need for Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in SFDRR Implementation

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR) emphasizes the critical importance of engaging a broad range of stakeholders to reduce disaster risks effectively. While governments have made strides in integrating the framework into national policies, significant gaps in stakeholder involvement, resource allocation, and governance continue to limit its overall impact. Regional intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and collaborative networks play a pivotal role in advancing the SFDRR agenda. These entities facilitate partnerships among civil society, the private sector, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, youth, and marginalized groups, ensuring that disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts are inclusive and community-oriented. Co-Production: Bridging Polic...