disaster news Archives - Page 6 of 7

Aug52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

High Level Committee Approves Major Disaster Mitigation and Capacity Building Projects Across India

In a significant move towards strengthening disaster resilience across the country, a High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has approved numerous disaster mitigation and capacity-building projects for various states. The meeting, held in New Delhi today, also included Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog as members. The HLC reviewed and approved nine proposals for funding from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). These projects aim to combat urban flooding in six cities, mitigate Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) in four hill states, and enhance fire services in three states. Additionally, the committee endorsed the implementation of t...

Jul312024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Wayanad Landslides Scientists Point to Climate Change, Excessive Mining, and Deforestation as Key Factors

Breaking News, Disasters

The devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, which resulted in over 147 deaths and 128 injuries, are being attributed by scientists to a combination of climate change, excessive mining, and the loss of forest cover in the region. The catastrophic event, triggered by heavy rains, has left many still feared trapped under debris, with the Met Office warning of more rainfall in the coming days. Climate Change and Extreme Weather Patterns Heavy rain on Tuesday initiated the landslides in Wayanad district. According to S. Abhilash, director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the warming of the Arabian Sea is a significant factor contributing to the extreme and unpredictable rainfall patterns in Kerala. "Our resear...

Jul192024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Advanced 3D Modeling Framework for Predicting Flood Risks

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a cutting-edge 3D modeling framework to predict long-term flooding risks by capturing the intricate dynamics of water flow across landscapes. This tool is designed to provide crucial insights into community vulnerabilities as climate conditions change, specifically for urban areas like Southeast Texas. Framework Overview The model offers powerful capabilities for urban planning, generating robust estimates of both frequent and rare flood events by simulating physical processes that turn rainfall into runoff. By incorporating factors such as land cover, soil properties, and land slope, along with population density data, the framework provides a comprehensive perspective on flood risks across ...

Jul192024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Strong 6.5 Earthquake Hits Near Antofagasta Chile

Breaking News, Disasters

Antofagasta, Chile – A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 struck 265 kilometers east of the coastal city of Antofagasta, Chile, at a depth of 128 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor occurred at 9:51 PM local time, and there were no immediate reports of damage. Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that no tsunami warning has been issued following the earthquake. In January, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the northern Chilean region of Tarapaca at a depth of 118 kilometers, with no loss reported at the time. Chile's Earthquake Prone History Chile, located on the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries. This seismically active region is notorious for frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes....

Jul72024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Floods in Assam Claim Six Lives in 24 Hours: Desperate Search for Missing Boy Continues

Breaking News, Disasters

Guwahati: The flood situation in Assam has taken a dire turn, claiming six lives over the past 24 hours. In Guwahati, the state's largest city, the relentless search for eight-year-old Abhinash Sarkar continues. Abhinash slipped into a flooded drain three days ago, and his father, Hiralal Sarkar, has not given up hope. Armed with an iron rod, Hiralal has been tirelessly searching the sewage, but has only managed to find his son's slippers. Displaying the pair, he lamented, "I have been searching with an iron rod and have managed to find my son's sandals. I possibly cannot find him with the rod. The government has the machinery, they must find my boy." Hiralal handed over the slippers to the police for verification. Abhinash had slipped from his father's scooter and fallen into the drain...

Jun302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Transformative AI Initiative Revolutionizes Extreme Weather Forecasting in East Africa

Breaking News, Disasters, Tech

In a pioneering effort to revolutionize extreme weather forecasting and early warning systems, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Oxford University Physics Department, IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), and various national meteorology agencies across East Africa have joined forces. This initiative comes at a crucial time for East Africa, where climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, from devastating droughts to deadly floods. Dr. Shruti Nath, a climate scientist at Oxford University Physics, emphasized the transformative potential of the new AI-based weather forecasting approach. Traditional models often fall short in predicting extreme weather, particularly in regions with limited resources and infrastructu...

Jun282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Iceland’s Ongoing Volcanic Eruptions Pose Long Term Threats, Researchers Warn

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula is facing ongoing volcanic eruptions that could persist for years to decades, jeopardizing the region's densely populated areas and critical infrastructure, according to researchers studying local earthquake and geochemical data. The series of eight eruptions since 2021 have prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency in this southwestern region, which houses 70 percent of Iceland's population, its sole international airport, and multiple geothermal power plants. The latest eruptions in May and June forced evacuations, including from the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, highlighting the volatility of the situation. Despite Iceland's volcanic activity being linked to its location atop a hot spot, the Reykjanes Peninsula had remained dormant fo...

Jun262024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Highlights Alarming Changes in Oceans Due to Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Breaking News, Climate Actions

Greenhouse gases affect the Earth's water body, as NASA visualizes the ocean. Taking to Instagram, he shared a visualization showing sea level flux based on NASA's Climate Change, Assessment of Ocean Circulation and Climate, Phase II Model (ECCO2). In the paper, the space agency wrote that human emissions are changing the oceans. "Our oceans are changing," the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said in a statement. "Covering 70% of the planet's surface, the ocean is an important driver of the Earth's global climate. However, increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are changing the ocean before our eyes. NASA and its partners want to learn more," said NASA further. Also, detailing the visualization, NASA says that the different colors represent the ave...

Jun252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Building Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty: IDA’s Role in Mitigating Global Disasters and Enhancing Preparedness

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations

Over 400 natural disasters occur worldwide each year, placing millions of people at risk, particularly those living in countries supported by the International Development Association (IDA). In 2023, these disasters resulted in a staggering $250 billion loss and claimed 74,000 lives globally. Severe regional storms were responsible for 76% of the economic losses. Furthermore, the looming threat of climate change is expected to trigger even more destructive weather events in coastal regions worldwide, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Disasters can be natural (e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, floods) or human-made (e.g., war, climate change, accidents). The Oxford English Dictionary defines a disaster as "An event or occurrence of a ruinous or very distressing nature; a...

Jun242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Sued After Space Junk Projectile Crashes Into Florida Home

Breaking News, Environment, Space

An American family is seeking over $80,000 in damages from NASA after a piece of space debris crashed through the roof of their Florida home. The incident has spotlighted the growing issue of space junk as spatial traffic increases, potentially setting a precedent for future claims against space agencies. On March 8, Alejandro Otero's home in Naples, Florida, was struck by an object weighing 700 grams, creating a hole in the roof. NASA later confirmed that the debris was part of a cargo pallet of used batteries, released as waste from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2021. Contrary to expectations, the pallet did not fully disintegrate during reentry and a section remained intact, impacting the Otero residence. Incident and Legal Action Alejandro Otero's son was home at the ti...