Wednesday, April 23News That Matters

Tag: Disaster management

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...
Tanzania Launches Landmark Early Warning System to Tackle Climate Threats

Tanzania Launches Landmark Early Warning System to Tackle Climate Threats

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
Tanzania has taken a major step in disaster preparedness by launching the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative, aiming to safeguard lives from worsening climate hazards like floods, droughts, and extreme storms. Strengthening Climate Resilience The initiative aligns Tanzania with East African nations such as Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda, pushing for universal early warning coverage by 2027, in line with a UN call to action. A high-level consultative workshop held in Dodoma from March 19–20, 2025, brought together government officials, international agencies, scientists, and community leaders. Organized by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) with support from Denmark, the event focused on integrating global best practices into national strategies. Urgen...
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, ...
Landslide Near Manikaran Sahib Kills Six, Rescue Ops Underway

Landslide Near Manikaran Sahib Kills Six, Rescue Ops Underway

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A deadly landslide struck Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday, killing six people and injuring three after a tree collapsed on multiple vehicles near Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib. Among the victims were a tourist from Bangalore and two locals. Triggered by a storm, the tree was uprooted from a mountain slope, crushing vehicles and small roadside stalls. Rescue teams, police, and medical staff rushed to the site, transporting the injured to a nearby hospital. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed condolences and directed officials to provide immediate relief to victims' families. Eyewitnesses reported delays in assistance, with videos of the disaster circulating widely on social media. Rescue efforts are still ongoing, and officials are monitoring the situation as further...
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...
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...
Cyclone Alfred Forces Mass 1000 House Evacuations in Brisbane Australia

Cyclone Alfred Forces Mass 1000 House Evacuations in Brisbane Australia

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
Thousands of residents in eastern Australia have been ordered to evacuate as Tropical Cyclone Alfred moves closer to the coast. The powerful storm has already brought heavy rainfall strong winds, and massive waves cutting off power to thousands of homes and shutting down major airports. Authorities have warned that the cyclone could bring prolonged rainfall, leading to severe flooding. The storm is expected to make landfall as a Category 2 cyclone north of Brisbane, Australia third-largest city. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged residents to have an evacuation plan, emphasizing that evacuation centers should be a last resort. Wind speeds exceeding 100 kph (62 mph) have already battered Queensland and New South Wales, with over 80,000 homes losing electricity. Brisbane Airport...