Sunday, February 23News That Matters

Tag: Disaster management

CDRI Launches Major Funding Initiative to Enhance Infrastructure Resilience in Small Island Developing States

CDRI Launches Major Funding Initiative to Enhance Infrastructure Resilience in Small Island Developing States

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) has unveiled a substantial funding initiative aimed at bolstering infrastructure resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The announcement was made during the United Nations 4th International Conference on SIDS, held in Antigua and Barbuda. The initiative is open to all 57 SIDS nations and offers a comprehensive package of technical support, knowledge resources, and financial assistance. The goal is to fortify critical infrastructure sectors, including transport, power, telecommunications, water, health, and education, against the escalating threats posed by natural disasters and climate change. "This funding will support SIDS with the knowledge products, tools, and partnerships needed to achieve climate and disas...
Delhi Sizzles Near 50°C: Why Such Scorching Heat? When Can We Expect a Respite? FAQs Answered

Delhi Sizzles Near 50°C: Why Such Scorching Heat? When Can We Expect a Respite? FAQs Answered

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Delhi, India - May 29, 2024, 01:23 PM IST: Delhi is experiencing an extreme heatwave, with temperatures soaring to nearly 50 degrees Celsius. Mungeshpur and Narela recorded 49.9°C, followed by Najafgarh at 49.8°C, marking the highest temperatures ever recorded in the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the next two days due to severe heatwave conditions. Why Is Delhi So Hot? Several factors are contributing to the scorching temperatures: Hot Winds from Rajasthan: Hot winds from Rajasthan are affecting Delhi, particularly the outskirts. Open Areas and Vacant Land: Increased radiation in open areas without shade leads to exceptionally high temperatures. Lack of Western Disturbances: The absence of western disturbances, which typically b...
Cyclone Remal Devastates Northeastern States in India: 36 Dead, Widespread Disruptions

Cyclone Remal Devastates Northeastern States in India: 36 Dead, Widespread Disruptions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The onslaught of Cyclone Remal has resulted in the tragic loss of 36 lives across four northeastern states in India, with Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya bearing the brunt of heavy rains and landslides on Tuesday. The severe weather conditions have brought daily life to a standstill across the region, disrupting transportation and utilities. Mizoram: The state suffered the highest casualties, with 27 people killed, including 21 victims of a quarry collapse in Aizawl district. Multiple landslides in the district claimed additional lives and left ten people missing. Disaster management and police officials have recovered 21 bodies from the quarry site located between Melthum and Hlimen, with several more feared trapped under debris. Other fatalities were reported in Salem, Aibawk,...
Papua New Guinea Faces Catastrophe: Landslide Buries 2,000, Sparks Urgent Evacuations

Papua New Guinea Faces Catastrophe: Landslide Buries 2,000, Sparks Urgent Evacuations

Breaking News, Disasters
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has led to the urgent evacuation of approximately 7,900 people from remote villages, with fears of further landslips looming. The disaster struck on May 24, burying an estimated 2,000 people under a vast expanse of yellow and grey debris. The remote location, severed road access, ongoing heavy rainfall, and nearby tribal violence have severely hindered rescue and relief operations. Enga provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka described the continuing peril as "the tragedy is still active," with continuous rockfalls from Mount Mungalo. Satellite images revealed the massive scale of the landslide, which has cut through verdant bushland and severed the region's only road. Locals have been desperately digging throu...
Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu: No Tsunami warning issued by agency

Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu: No Tsunami warning issued by agency

Breaking News, Disasters
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Sunday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor occurred at 9:23 am local time at a depth of approximately 29 kilometers (18 miles) below the ocean's surface. Its epicenter was located about 83 kilometers (51 miles) northwest of Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila. Despite the earthquake's significant magnitude, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that it is not expected to generate a tsunami. The quake struck near a sparsely populated cluster of islands, reducing the immediate threat to heavily populated areas. As of now, there have been no reports of damage or casualties. Authorities in Vanuatu are monitoring the situation closely and have advised residents to stay alert for potent...
Tornado Outbreak Claims 15 Lives in Central U.S., Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Tornado Outbreak Claims 15 Lives in Central U.S., Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Breaking News, Disasters
Washington: At least 15 people have lost their lives across the central United States as a series of tornadoes and extreme storms wreaked havoc in several states, including Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Officials reported ongoing rescue efforts and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of customers after the severe weather hit the Southern Plains region starting late Saturday. Texas Hit Hard by Deadly Tornado In Texas, the Valley View area, north of Dallas, bore the brunt of a devastating tornado. Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington confirmed that seven people died in the disaster. The twister caused extensive damage, demolishing homes and a gas station, and overturning vehicles on an interstate highway. "The damage is pretty extensive," Sappington said in an inte...
IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Seven Kerala Districts Amidst Heavy Rainfall

IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Seven Kerala Districts Amidst Heavy Rainfall

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised concerns over the persisting heavy rainfall in Kerala by issuing a yellow alert for seven districts. According to the latest forecast, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod are expected to witness significant rainfall, ranging from 6 cm to 11 cm, on Saturday. State Revenue Minister K. Rajan shared alarming statistics, revealing that Kerala has witnessed 11 rain-related deaths from May 9 to May 23. These fatalities include six drownings, two quarry accidents, two lightning strikes, and one house collapse, painting a grim picture of the ongoing weather challenges. In response to the escalating situation, Minister Rajan urged residents to exercise caution and avoid venturing into water bodie...
Pre-Cyclone Watch: Severe Weather Warnings for West Bengal Coast

Pre-Cyclone Watch: Severe Weather Warnings for West Bengal Coast

Breaking News, Disasters
The depression over the central Bay of Bengal, reported by IMD at 0830 hours IST on 24th May 2024, has moved northeastwards. It is currently centered near latitude 15.5° N and longitude 88.7° E, approximately 730 km south-southwest of Khepupara, Bangladesh, and 750 km south of Canning, West Bengal. This system is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by the morning of 25th May and further strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by the night of 25th May. It is projected to move northwards, crossing between Sagar Island (India) and Khepupara (Bangladesh) around midnight on 26th May as a severe cyclonic storm indicated by India Meteorological Department (IMD). Heavy Rainfall Predictions Significant rainfall is anticipated across various regions due to the depression: West Benga...
Devastating Landslide in Papua New Guinea: Over 100 Feared Dead

Devastating Landslide in Papua New Guinea: Over 100 Feared Dead

Breaking News, Disasters
On Friday, May 24, 2024, a catastrophic landslide struck Kaokalam Village in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea, resulting in the feared deaths of over 100 people, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The disaster occurred around 3 a.m. local time, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Port Moresby, the nation's capital. The Aftermath Residents have reported that the current death toll estimates exceed 100, although these figures have yet to be officially confirmed by authorities. Eyewitness accounts and social media videos depict locals desperately attempting to rescue and recover bodies buried under the debris. Response and Challenges The Papua New Guinea government and police have not yet issued an official response or confirmed the casualty figures. ...
Massive Factory Explosion in Thane 8 Dead, Dozens Injured, and Many Feared Trapped

Massive Factory Explosion in Thane 8 Dead, Dozens Injured, and Many Feared Trapped

Breaking News, Disasters
A catastrophic explosion at a chemical factory in Thane's Dombivli near Mumbai has resulted in the deaths of eight people, with at least 60 others injured. The blast occurred on Thursday following the explosion of a boiler inside the factory, leading to a massive fire. Witnesses reported hearing three explosions from the factory, located in MIDC Phase 2. The impact of the explosion created a large crater, with shockwaves damaging nearby factories and shattering windows in adjacent buildings. The explosion caused heavy iron beams to bend and blew off the roofs of neighboring structures, resulting in extensive damage. The fire spread to two other buildings, including a car showroom. Rescue teams, including NDRF, TDRF, and the fire brigade, have been deployed to the site, with around 15...