disasters risk Archives - Page 4 of 5

Jan262025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Megaberg A23a Threatens Wildlife Haven South Georgia

A23a, the world’s largest iceberg, weighing over a trillion tons, is on a collision course with South Georgia, a remote British island in Antarctica. According to a BBC report, this "megaberg," spanning 3,900 square kilometers about three times the size of New York City is currently just 280 kilometers from the island and is expected to make contact within two to four weeks, depending on ocean currents. A Wildlife Haven at Risk South Georgia, often called a wildlife paradise, is home to large populations of king penguins, elephant seals, and fur seals. Experts warn that if A23a grounds near the island, fragmented icebergs could block access to vital feeding grounds for years. Marine ecologist Mark Belchier, who advises South Georgia's government, explained the region’s vulnerabili...

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...

Jan252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Disaster Losses Hit $368 Billion in 2024, Underscoring Urgency of Climate Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Economic losses from disaster events worldwide surged to $368 billion in 2024, driven by devastating hurricanes, severe storms, and widespread flooding. Hurricanes Milton and Helene caused significant destruction in the United States, while severe convective storms and flooding ravaged parts of Europe. These disasters highlight the critical need for robust adaptation and mitigation measures to protect lives and enhance resilience against climate-driven risks. According to Aon’s latest Climate and Catastrophe Insight report, the escalating impact of climate risks tells two vital stories. Firstly, weather-related disasters and climate risks now influence nearly every aspect of business operations, from selecting facility locations to ensuring employee safety. Secondly, the report emphasiz...

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

Ghana’s Coastal Erosion Crisis Threatens Communities and Heritage

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The relentless advance of the sea along Ghana’s coast has not only erased significant portions of its landscape but also consumed key historical sites, leaving communities and livelihoods in jeopardy. Among the losses is the UNESCO World Heritage site once used to hold enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. Today, only remnants of the fort remain, with 90% of its structure swallowed by the ocean. “In 1907, the erosion started,” recalls James Ocloo Akorli, a historian and caretaker of the fort's remains. “First, it was the coconut trees. Then, the houses went. By 1980, when it was still being used as a prison, the damage was already severe.” The fate of Fort Kongestein in Ada Foah, built in 1783 and integral to the European slave trade, echoes this story. It has been ...

Jan162025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Kilauea volcano 200 feet Eruption Lead to Disaster crowds with Spectacular Lava Fountains

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island continues to captivate visitors with its periodic eruptions. After a series of pauses since the eruption began on December 23, the volcano resumed activity on Wednesday morning with a "small sluggish lava flow," according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. By the afternoon, the eruption intensified into a fountain reaching heights of approximately 200 feet (60 meters). Jessica Ferracane, spokesperson for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, highlighted the growing excitement: “The park is already very busy with people eager to see the eruption, and we expect visitation to increase as the news gets out again.” Visitors to the national park were treated to the sight of two lava fountains visible from popular overlooks. Observers noted the potenti...

Jan162025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cyclone Floods Drive India’s Catastrophe Losses to $12 Billion in 2023

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

In 2023, natural disasters caused unprecedented economic losses of $12 billion (₹1 lakh crore) in India, according to a Swiss Re report. The year saw devastating floods and tropical cyclones (TCs) Biparjoy and Michaung, far surpassing the decade’s annual average of $8 billion in losses. Cyclone Biparjoy, a Category 3 storm, made landfall in Gujarat’s Kutch region on June 16, 2023, causing widespread destruction. Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges shut down major ports, including Kandla and Mundra, while neighboring Maharashtra and Rajasthan also suffered damages. Chennai Battered by Cyclone Michaung Cyclone Michaung struck Chennai on December 5, 2023, bringing torrential rains that inflicted heavy economic losses on Tamil Nadu. Between July 10-15, 2023, northern Ind...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Hydroclimate Whiplash Intensifies Amid Global Warming, Researchers Warn

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Rapid swings between extreme wet and dry weather known as hydroclimate whiplash are accelerating globally due to climate change, with further escalation expected as temperatures rise, according to a study led by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. The study, published in Nature Reviews, highlights the role of the "expanding atmospheric sponge," a phenomenon where the atmosphere absorbs, evaporates, and releases 7% more water for every degree Celsius of global warming. This process intensifies the swings between droughts and floods, posing new challenges for water and disaster management. California offers a vivid illustration of hydroclimate whiplash. Following years of drought, the state experienced record-breaking precipitation during the winters of 2022-23, triggering floods, sno...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

11 Dead Thousands Displaced as Fires Ravage Los Angeles Area

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

At least 11 people have died, and thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed as massive fires tear through the Los Angeles area. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blazes, which have devastated neighborhoods and forced widespread evacuations. The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive, began in Pacific Palisades and quickly spread through the hilly, wooded area. The fire reportedly started behind a house on Piedra Morada Drive. Among the homes destroyed were those of Hollywood stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal, highlighting the fire's indiscriminate path of destruction. The Eaton Fire, which ignited in east Los Angeles County, has also wreaked havoc, destroying hundreds of homes. Together, the two fires have left a trail of devastation, wit...