Friday, December 20News That Matters

Tag: disasters news

India’s Cyclone Disaster Management Initiatives and Projects for Safeguarding Coastal Communities

India’s Cyclone Disaster Management Initiatives and Projects for Safeguarding Coastal Communities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
India with its vast coastline of over 7,500 km, is highly vulnerable to cyclones that often wreak havoc on lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. To address these challenges, the country has implemented several forward-looking initiatives aimed at minimizing the impact of cyclones and ensuring the safety and resilience of its coastal communities. These initiatives combine structural improvements, policy reforms, and advanced forecasting systems, underscoring India's commitment to disaster preparedness and mitigation. National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) is a flagship initiative launched to reduce the vulnerability of coastal states and Union Territories to cyclonic disasters. The project takes a two-pronged approach, i...
Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Jolts Telangana, Tremors Felt Across Central and Northern India

Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Jolts Telangana, Tremors Felt Across Central and Northern India

Breaking News, Disasters
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the Eturnagaram forest area in Telangana on Tuesday morning, sending tremors across central and northern India. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the quake occurred at 7:27 a.m., originating 40 kilometers below the surface. The epicenter was located 185 kilometers north-northeast of Nalgonda and 219 kilometers east-northeast of Hyderabad. Residents in Warangal, Bhadrachalam, Godavarkhani, Khammam, Vijayawada, Bhupalpally, Chandanagar, and Nallagandla were among those who reported feeling the tremors. Many described the sensation as brief but noticeable, lasting only a few seconds. Although there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the earthquake caused mild panic in some areas, with residents rushing out of their hom...
Tonga Strengthens Disaster Preparedness With Tsunami Drills

Tonga Strengthens Disaster Preparedness With Tsunami Drills

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
According to our sources Residents of Tonga including students participated in a series of tsunami drills designed to enhance awareness and preparedness for future natural disasters. The drills focused on rapid evacuation and community coordination, crucial skills for the island nation, which is highly vulnerable to tsunamis. These exercises reflect Tonga's commitment to building resilience against climate-induced disasters. Preserving Pacific Heritage: Coconut Leaf Weaving Traditions Across the Pacific, the art of coconut leaf weaving continues to thrive, preserving a centuries-old cultural tradition. This intricate craft holds different meanings for Pacific communities, from practical uses like roofing and baskets to symbolic significance in ceremonies. Efforts to pass on this skil...
“We Must Learn to Live with Disasters,” Says CM Sukhu, Urges Preparedness for Future Challenges

“We Must Learn to Live with Disasters,” Says CM Sukhu, Urges Preparedness for Future Challenges

Breaking News, Disasters
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the importance of adapting to disasters caused by climate change, during the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction event, Samarth-2024. He highlighted that with the increasing frequency of natural disasters, the key to minimizing damage and loss is heightened awareness and preparedness. Presiding over the event in Shimla, CM Sukhu outlined the state government's proactive measures to mitigate disaster risks. He noted that a project worth Rs. 800 crore is being executed in partnership with the French agency AFD, alongside Rs. 500 crore allocated from the state’s mitigation fund. A major announcement included the establishment of a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) training institute in Palampur, along wit...
Impact of the Teesta Valley GLOF: Photo Feature on Krishnagram – A Sinking Zone in Teesta Bazar

Impact of the Teesta Valley GLOF: Photo Feature on Krishnagram – A Sinking Zone in Teesta Bazar

Breaking News, Disasters
In a poignant revisit to Krishnagram, a sinking zone in the Teesta Bazar, the devastation wrought by the October 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) remains starkly evident. Documented by Junkeri Studio in collaboration with SaveTheHills, this photo feature highlights the ongoing crisis faced by the residents of this beleaguered area. Bhasuwa Renamed Krishnagram: A Submerging Reality Coordinates: 27°03'41.7"N, 88°25'29.2"E, Elevation 248m Formerly known as Bhasuwa, Krishnagram has experienced a dramatic increase in subsidence since the GLOF raised the Teesta river levels by 4-5 meters. The river now flows perilously close, exacerbating erosion and ground instability. Desperation Amidst Destruction Ganga Sarki's Plight Mrs. Ganga Sarki, 55, and her paralyzed elder brot...
New Tool Developed by University of Hawai  Scientists Enhances Long-Term Forecasting of El Niño Events

New Tool Developed by University of Hawai Scientists Enhances Long-Term Forecasting of El Niño Events

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Tech
As severe weather events draw increasing global attention, scientists at the University of Hawai at Mānoa are making strides in improving the forecasting of droughts, floods, and other climate scenarios. Researchers from the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) have developed a novel tool that allows for the prediction of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events up to 18 months in advance. The research, which integrates insights into the physics of the ocean and atmosphere with predictive accuracy, was recently published in the prestigious journal Nature. "We have developed a new conceptual model - the so-called extended nonlinear recharge oscillator (XRO) model - that significantly improves predictive skill of ENSO events over one year in advance, better than g...
Extreme Heatwave Claims Over 100 Lives in Mexico as Climate Change Intensifies

Extreme Heatwave Claims Over 100 Lives in Mexico as Climate Change Intensifies

Breaking News, Climate Actions
An unprecedented and relentless heatwave, exacerbated by climate change, has gripped southwestern parts of the United States, Mexico, and northern Central America, leading to over 100 fatalities in Mexico alone. This extreme heat event, driven by a persistent high-pressure system known as a heat dome, has shattered daytime and nighttime temperature records across the region, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and the southwestern United States. The heat dome phenomenon, which traps hot air near the ground and intensifies under clear skies and sunshine, has resulted in severe and widespread impacts. Mexico has reported 125 heat-related deaths since March, with the ongoing drought conditions further aggravating the situation. The drought has not only reduced water availability but als...
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...
Second Earthquake Strikes Japan Within a Week: Magnitude 6.0 Tremor Adds to Nation’s Woes

Second Earthquake Strikes Japan Within a Week: Magnitude 6.0 Tremor Adds to Nation’s Woes

Breaking News, Disasters
Japan experienced another earthquake on Tuesday, registering a magnitude of 6.0. The recent quake comes just over a week after the country's deadliest quake in nearly eight years, which occurred on January 1, with a magnitude of 7.6. The January 1 earthquake resulted in significant damage to properties, loss of lives, and triggered tsunami waves on the west coast. The death toll from the earlier earthquake has now exceeded 100, with over 200 people still missing. The recent magnitude 6.0 quake caused strong shaking, though no tsunami warning has been issued by authorities so far. The series of earthquakes has left thousands of homes without power and displaced tens of thousands, with ongoing rescue and relief efforts. The situation remains challenging as the country copes with the af...
Undersea Earthquake slackened up Coast of Tonga with 5.6 mag without damage

Undersea Earthquake slackened up Coast of Tonga with 5.6 mag without damage

Breaking News, Disasters
On January 9, 2024, at 10:41 AM (Tongatapu Time), an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 struck under the South Pacific Ocean, approximately 175 kilometers off the coast of Tonga. The earthquake occurred at a very shallow depth of 10 kilometers, making it potentially impactful, as shallow earthquakes tend to have a larger effect. Key Details: Location: 242 km ENE of Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu, Tonga. Coordinates: 20°2'15"S 173°11'29"W. Depth: 10 km (6 mi), classified as a very shallow depth. Magnitude: 5.3, detected by 49 stations. Maximum Error Range: ±0.085. Low tsunami risk, as earthquakes under magnitude 6.5 usually do not cause tsunamis. The earthquake may have been felt in Tonga, with Nuku‘alofa being the nearest significant population center, located 242 kilometers...