disaster Archives - Page 2 of 5

Feb32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Kobe 1995 Deadly Earthquake Legacy Shapes Japan’s Disaster Preparedness

On January 17, 1995, a devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Kobe, Japan, killing over 6,400 people and leaving a lasting impact on the country’s disaster preparedness. The Hanshin region bore the brunt of the destruction, with tens of thousands injured and hundreds of thousands displaced. The economic toll was staggering, reaching approximately $130 billion as infrastructure, homes, and businesses crumbled under the quake’s force. The disaster exposed critical weaknesses in urban planning and construction, prompting sweeping reforms. Stricter building codes, retrofitting programs, and advancements in early warning systems became the foundation of Japan’s strengthened approach to earthquake resilience. The tragedy also led to a surge in earthquake insurance coverage, bolstering fi...

Jan302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Made LA Wildfires 35% More Likely, Study Finds

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check

Los Angeles witnessed one of its worst wildfire outbreaks in January 2025, and according to a new World Weather Attribution (WWA) report, human-induced climate change played a key role in making the conditions 35% more likely. The fires, which began on January 7 in Palisades and Eaton counties, quickly spread, fueled by dry vegetation and strong Santa Ana winds. Over the following weeks, additional fires erupted in San Diego County, ultimately burning over 57,000 acres and causing 28 deaths. For the first time in history, global temperatures surpassed 1.5°C in 2024. The WWA report warns that if temperatures rise to 2.6°C by 2100, the likelihood of such wildfire-friendly conditions will increase by another 35%. Clair Barnes, a researcher at Imperial College London, emphasized how p...

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...

Jan252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Landslide Risks in La Paz: A Persistent Threat to Lives and Livelihoods

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check

La Paz, Bolivia’s high-altitude capital city, faces significant challenges due to its susceptibility to landslides. With its steep slopes, active geological processes, and socio-economic dynamics, the city has become a hotspot for landslide disasters, endangering lives and disrupting livelihoods. A recent overview by AFP sheds light on the persistent hazards posed by landslides in La Paz. The city's terrain, coupled with socio-economic pressures, exacerbates these risks. Notably, government policies aimed at addressing housing deficits unintentionally incentivize residents to settle in high-risk areas. By granting land ownership to illegal settlers, the policy inadvertently encourages habitation in unstable and dangerous locations. History of Devastating Landslides La Paz has a lo...

Jan242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earthquakes in Ethiopia’s Afar and Oromia Raise Fears of Volcanic Eruptions Amid Widespread Evacuations

Breaking News, Disasters

Since the start of 2025, Ethiopia's Afar and Oromia regions have been rocked by a series of earthquakes, the strongest measuring 5.7 in magnitude on January 4. The quake's epicenter, 142 km east of Addis Ababa, followed a 5.5-magnitude tremor the previous day. Over the weekend of January 11, two more significant quakes were reported, heightening concerns of further seismic and volcanic activity. The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Council has responded by relocating approximately 60,000 residents to temporary shelters to safeguard lives. The tremors have also sparked fears of potential eruptions at the Fentale and Dofen volcanoes, both located near the quake zones. Unusual Seismic Activity Linked to Magma Movement The current spate of earthquakes is attributed to magmatic activ...

Jan232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Gas Leak at Sikandarabad Battery Plant Claims Two Lives

Breaking News, Disasters

A gas leak at BATX Energies, a battery recycling facility in Sikandarabad, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the tragic deaths of two workers and left one injured. The incident occurred during the plant’s commissioning phase, raising questions about safety measures in place. Emergency services promptly transported the victims to the hospital, where two workers succumbed to their injuries. The third worker, identified as Girish, is undergoing treatment. District Magistrate Shruti announced a detailed investigation into the incident and assured full support for the affected families. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his condolences to the victims' families and directed officials to expedite relief efforts. The factory management is now under scrutiny as authorities assess compliance...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Fire at Turkish Ski Resort Hotel Kills 66, Leaves Dozens Injured

Breaking News, Disasters

A raging fire engulfed the Grand Kartal Hotel at a popular ski resort in Turkey’s northwestern Bolu province early Tuesday, claiming the lives of 66 people, including two who jumped from the building to escape the flames. At least 51 others were injured, with one reported to be in critical condition. The disaster occurred in Kartalkaya, located in the Koroglu mountains, approximately 300 kilometers east of Istanbul. The hotel, a favorite destination for tourists during Turkey’s two-week winter school holiday, was packed with 238 registered guests at the time of the incident. The fire began at approximately 3:27 a.m., reportedly in the restaurant section of the 12-story hotel. Guests were thrown into panic as the flames quickly spread, engulfing the upper floors and filling the buildi...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Official Statistics Key to Climate Action Paris Agreement Reporting

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A new publication reveals how official statistics can play a pivotal role in supporting climate action, helping countries meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement. The guide outlines how National Statistical Offices (NSOs) can contribute to climate change mitigation, adaptation efforts, and ensuring a just transition while providing essential data to inform the public and measure financial flows related to climate policies. The report emphasizes that NSOs have a critical part to play in shaping climate action by providing robust data that addresses current gaps and anticipates future needs. It explains how statistical systems can align their work with the policy context to better serve governments, international organizations, and the wider public. One of the central themes o...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Storms Lash New South Wales Power Outages and Flood Warnings Leave Thousands Stranded

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Severe storms sweeping through New South Wales have wreaked havoc across the Australian state, leaving tens of thousands without power and prompting widespread flood warnings. The relentless low-pressure system has unleashed powerful winds and torrential rains, plunging communities into crisis as emergency services rush to respond. Electricity Cut, Cities Affected In Sydney, Australia’s largest city, approximately 28,000 residents are grappling with power outages, with significant impacts also reported in Newcastle and the Hunter region, where an additional 15,000 households remain in darkness. Ausgrid, the state’s primary electricity provider, is working tirelessly to restore power, but officials warn that conditions may delay repairs as storms continue to batter the region. New ...

Jan182025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNICEF Provides Critical Aid to Earthquake-Hit Tibet, Supporting Children and Families

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

UNICEF has mobilized emergency relief efforts to assist families and children affected by the devastating magnitude-6.8 earthquake that struck Dingri County in Tibet's Xizang Autonomous Region on January 7, 2025. The disaster, which also impacted nearby Sajia County, caused over 126 fatalities, injured 188 individuals, and displaced more than 30,000 people into temporary shelters. Amid freezing nighttime temperatures plunging to -17°C, over 10,000 children under the age of seven are enduring severe challenges in makeshift shelters. Pregnant women and infants face heightened vulnerabilities in such conditions. UNICEF Representative to China, Amakobe Sande, underscored the critical need for targeted support: “Children and pregnant women have specific needs in emergencies. UNICEF is act...