disaster Archives - Page 8 of 10

Jan142025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Plastic Waste Crisis Only 9% Recycled, Systemic Change Urged

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Despite growing awareness of the plastic waste crisis, the world continues to fall short in addressing the problem effectively. According to data from the OECD, only 9% of global plastic waste was recycled in 2023, with the rest either incinerated (19%), mismanaged (22%), or landfilled (49%). The United States, as the world’s largest plastic polluter, recycles a mere 5% of its household plastic waste. Around the globe, plastic waste mismanagement remains a pressing environmental challenge, with much of it ending up in oceans or other ecosystems. Why Recycling Falls Short The illusion of effective recycling hides deeper systemic flaws. The recycling process is hindered by the incompatibility of many plastic types, with only PET (#1) and HDPE (#2) being widely recyclable. Sorting an...

Jan92025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Six Dead in Tirupati Temple Stampede, PM and CM Express Condolences

Breaking News, Disasters

A tragic stampede at Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati temple late Wednesday claimed the lives of six devotees and left several others injured. The incident occurred near the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan ticketing center as a large crowd gathered to secure tokens for the 10-day Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam, which starts on January 10. The stampede broke out as hundreds of devotees rushed to obtain tickets. Injured individuals were immediately taken to the Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General Hospital for treatment. One of the victims, Mallika, tragically lost her life in the stampede. Her grieving husband stated, "While my wife and others were trying to obtain Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tickets, a stampede occurred, resulting in her death. I have informed our relatives, and they are on th...

Jan82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

First US Death from H5N1 Bird Flu Sparks Concern, But Public Risk Remains Low

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

In a first for the United States, a Louisiana man has died from H5N1 bird flu, a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Health experts, however, reassure that the risk to the general public remains low. The Louisiana Department of Health reported on January 6 that the man, aged over 65 and with pre-existing medical conditions, contracted the virus after exposure to backyard poultry and wild birds. Officials confirmed there was no evidence of person-to-person transmission in this case. The man, identified as the country’s first severe H5N1 patient, was hospitalized in December with respiratory symptoms. Health authorities diagnosed him with the D1.1 subtype of the virus on December 13. This strain has been spreading widely in U.S. poultry and wild birds. The D1.1 subty...

Jan82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rescue Ops Underway for 11 Miners Trapped in Assam’s Rat-Hole Mine

Breaking News, Disasters

Teams from the Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, NDRF, and SDRF are racing against time to rescue 11 miners trapped since Monday in a flooded "rat-hole" coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district. The mine, located in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, was inundated after an underground water channel breach, leaving rescuers grappling with nearly 100 feet of water inside. Rescuers initially entered the waterlogged mine and discovered personal belongings like shoes and sandals but found no signs of the miners. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that the workers might be in horizontal rat holes, emphasizing dewatering as the only viable option. Specialist pumps from ONGC are currently in use, with Coal India set to join the operations with their equipment on Wednesday. Defence PRO Lt Col M Rawat...

Jan72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

9 Laborers Trapped in Assam Coal Mine Rescue Efforts Underway

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Nine laborers were reported trapped in a coal mine in the Umrangso region of Assam's Dima Hasao district on Monday. The incident occurred after water unexpectedly entered the mine, raising fears about their safety. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the situation and said all efforts are being made to rescue the trapped workers. Chief Minister Sarma, sharing the names and details of the laborers on his X handle, expressed deep concern over the situation. He said that assistance from the army has been sought while rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are en route to the site. "Distressing news from Umrangso, where laborers are trapped in a coal mine. The exact number and status are yet unknown. The D...

Dec312024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Toddler Narrowly Escapes 400-Foot Plunge into Kilauea Volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Hawaii: A family visiting the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park experienced a harrowing moment last week when their toddler wandered away and nearly fell into the heart of the active volcano. According to report, the quick reflexes of the boy’s mother saved him “just in the nick of time,” preventing what could have been a tragic accident. The toddler had split from his family and ran straight toward the edge of Kilauea's 400-foot caldera a massive crater formed by volcanic activity. Park officials confirmed that the child would not have survived the fall had he plunged into the caldera. Incident in a Restricted Area The family was reportedly visiting a closed area behind the post-and-cable barrier at the Kilauea Overlook when the incident occurred. National park of...

Dec302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Announce Axial Seamount Undersea Volcano Blast Oregon Coast in 2025

Breaking News, Disasters, Learning & Developments

An undersea volcano located approximately 470 kilometers off the coast of Oregon, Axial Seamount, is showing signs of an impending eruption. Researchers have identified critical indicators such as ground deformation, increased seismic activity, and magma buildup beneath the surface. These findings suggest that the volcano could erupt as early as 2025, marking a significant milestone in volcanic monitoring, where predictions of eruptions are rarely this precise. Axial Seamount, one of the world’s most closely observed submarine volcanoes, has been the subject of continuous study through state-of-the-art instruments installed on the seafloor. These devices record real-time data, enabling scientists to track its activity. A study presented at the American Geophysical Union meeting title...

Dec302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cold Wave to Sweep North India as Temperatures Plummet, Dense Fog Predicted

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

North India is bracing for a spell of intense cold and dense fog, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a significant drop in temperatures over the coming days. Nighttime temperatures in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan are expected to dip by 3-4°C, beginning Monday, as the region experiences the full force of winter. The IMD has issued cold wave warnings for parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, with conditions likely to persist into the New Year. Punjab and Haryana are expected to face severe cold from December 31 to January 2, while Rajasthan may experience biting cold from December 30 through January 2. Daytime temperatures are predicted to range between 12°C and 16°C, even under clear skies, providing little relief from the icy conditions. For the n...

Dec302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Massive Underwater Landslide Discovered in Krishna-Godavari Basin: Potential Tsunami Threat Identified

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check

A massive underwater landslide in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin, reaching depths of 950 meters to 1.1 kilometers below the ocean surface, has raised concerns about its potential to trigger a tsunami and disrupt critical infrastructure. The discovery was announced by the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), which described the landslide as one of the largest ever recorded in this part of the Bay of Bengal. The landslide, which could have occurred between 2009 and 2015, displaced an estimated 11 cubic kilometers of sediment—enough to fill around 44 lakh Olympic-sized swimming pools. At some points, sediment deposits from the landslide are as thick as 60 meters, covering an area of approximately 70 square kilometers, equivalent to 10,000 football fields. “The enormous d...

Dec282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

35 Years After Newcastle Earthquake, Calls for Better Preparedness Grow

Breaking News, Disasters, Learning & Developments

On December 29, A 5.6-magnitude earthquake shook Newcastle, New South Wales, leaving a trail of devastation that claimed 13 lives, injured 162 people, and caused widespread destruction. Thirty-five years later, former Lord Mayor John McNaughton, a key figure in the city’s response, warns that Newcastle may still be unprepared for a future disaster of similar magnitude. The earthquake, lasting just six seconds, leveled buildings, toppled power lines, and brought life to a standstill. Among the hardest-hit sites was the Newcastle Workers Club, where nine people perished, and others were trapped beneath the rubble. McNaughton, now 87, recalls the chaos vividly. “I was on our sailing boat at Tea Gardens when I felt the quake. When I got ashore, people were in shock, not realizing how dev...