disasters Archives - Page 2 of 5

Dec42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

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

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...

Nov252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Japan and UNDP to Build 12 Evacuation Centers in Laos to Strengthen Disaster Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Vientiane: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan, is set to construct 12 evacuation centers in the provinces of Khammouane, Salavan, and Champasack over the next three years. This initiative, valued at approximately USD 3.8 million, aims to enhance disaster preparedness and safeguard vulnerable communities in Laos. At the signing ceremony, H.E. Mr. Koizumi Tsutomu, Ambassador of Japan to Laos, emphasized the broader goals of the project: "Through this project, we aim to enhance disaster resilience, not only by ensuring the safety of people during emergencies but also by fostering a culture of disaster awareness and preparedness in advance." The "Strengthening Disaster Response Capacity through the Improvement of Evacuation Shelt...

Nov232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Japan and UNDP Join Hands to Build Disaster-Resilient Evacuation Centers in Laos

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Vientiane, November 24, 2024: The Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered to construct 12 state-of-the-art evacuation centers in the disaster-prone provinces of Khammouane, Salavan, and Champasack in Laos over the next three years. The initiative, valued at $3.8 million, aims to enhance disaster resilience and foster a culture of preparedness in the region. At the signing ceremony, H.E. Mr. Koizumi Tsutomu, Japan's Ambassador to Laos, emphasized the importance of the project: "This initiative not only ensures safety during emergencies but also promotes disaster awareness and preparedness. Japan remains committed to strengthening Laos' resilience as a strategic partner." A Lifeline for Vulnerable Communities The Strengthening Disast...

Nov122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Florida Faces a Critical Choice: Building Resiliently for the Future After 2024’s Hurricanes

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

As Florida and the Southeast recover from 2024's hurricanes, many residents and experts are asking how to rebuild in ways that prevent future losses. Civil engineering and disaster recovery experts are finding ways to build homes more resilient to extreme weather, but homeowners often encounter obstacles. One challenge is the high up-front costs of sustainable building materials, especially when the demand surge after a disaster raises prices and strains supply. Additionally, insurance coverage tends to fund only basic rebuilding, leaving residents without resources to add resilience-focused upgrades. Cost and Complexity: Rebuilding Challenges When disaster strikes, the urgency to restore housing clashes with the time and costs of "building back better." With FEMA's stretched reso...

Nov82024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Bank of England Climate Risk Update Spurs Greener Lending, But Experts Call for Government Action to Ensure Equity

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The Bank of England has recently strengthened its commitment to climate risk management by updating its collateral framework, particularly focusing on residential mortgage assets. These updates, aimed at reflecting climate risks, not only protect the Bank's balance sheet but also encourage a green shift in commercial banks' lending practices. Experts, however, argue that complementary government policies are essential to ensure fair outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups. The Bank of England’s collateral framework determines the assets commercial banks can use to borrow, setting terms to reflect asset risks. By adjusting the criteria to account for climate-related risks, the Bank has introduced measures with the potential to influence lending decisions and support the UK’s transit...

Oct152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

“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...

Oct12024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Reveals COVID-19 Lockdown Led to Drop in Lunar Temperatures

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

A new study by Indian researchers has discovered a surprising effect of the global COVID-19 lockdown: a noticeable decrease in lunar surface temperatures. The study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters, shows that the Moon's nighttime temperatures dropped by 8-10 Kelvin during the peak lockdown in 2020. The research, led by K Durga Prasad and G Ambily from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in India, analyzed data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which revealed that the decrease in lunar temperatures coincided with a sharp reduction in human activity on Earth. The lockdown led to a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions and aerosols, which altered Earth's atmospheric radiation and may have triggered this cooling effect on the Mo...

Aug52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

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

Breaking News, Disasters

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...

Jun172024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Nepal’s Wildfires Intensify: Over 5,000 Blazes Recorded in 2024 Amidst Climate Change and Forest Mismanagement Concerns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Nepal is grappling with an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, with nearly 5,000 incidents recorded this year alone. This makes 2024 the second-worst year for wildfires since records began in 2002, surpassed only by the devastating fire season of 2021, which saw over 6,300 outbreaks. In the past 12 months, more than 100 people have lost their lives due to wildfires, and the capital city, Kathmandu, was shrouded in hazardous wildfire smog for days on end. Climate models predict that Nepal will continue to experience more frequent drought conditions in the future, likely exacerbating the wildfire situation. However, forest scientists suggest that the increasing incidence of wildfires is not solely due to climate change. They point to changes in Nepalese communit...

Jun112024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Progress and Challenges in Disaster Management Amid Climate Change

Breaking News, Disasters

Despite the increasing intensity and frequency of climate-related disasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts, global deaths from these catastrophes are decreasing thanks to improved warning systems, planning, and resilience measures, according to Kamal Kishore, the new United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for disaster risk reduction. Kishore highlights a significant shift in disaster outcomes: "Twenty years ago, there was no tsunami early warning system except for one small part of the world. Now the whole world is covered by a tsunami warning system." This improvement has drastically reduced fatalities from tsunamis since the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed approximately 230,000 lives. Similarly, early warnings for tropical cyclones have significantly d...