Friday, April 4News That Matters

Tag: disasters

Afghanistan Floods: Taliban Dispatch Helicopters as Devastating Floods Claim Over 300 Lives in Afghanistan

Afghanistan Floods: Taliban Dispatch Helicopters as Devastating Floods Claim Over 300 Lives in Afghanistan

Breaking News, Disasters
Amidst a deluge of torrential rain battering northern and northwestern Afghanistan, devastating floods have claimed the lives of over 300 people, according to the UN Food Program. The catastrophic floods have wreaked havoc, with more than 1,000 houses destroyed in the wake of the relentless downpour. "Flash floods ravage #Afghanistan, killing more than 300 people in Baghlan and destroying more than 1000 houses," announced the UN Food Program, highlighting the severity of the situation exacerbated by unusually heavy rainfall. The World Health Organization (WHO) underscored the dire humanitarian crisis, noting that countless individuals have been rendered homeless, while essential services such as transportation, water, and waste systems have been severely disrupted. "The impact has...
Record-Breaking April Temperatures Grip Eastern and Peninsular India Amid General Elections

Record-Breaking April Temperatures Grip Eastern and Peninsular India Amid General Elections

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
As the nation remains gripped by the ongoing polling for the 2024 general elections, eastern and peninsular India has been facing an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures soaring to record-breaking levels throughout April. Scientists attribute this scorching heat to the looming climate crisis, underscoring the urgent need for climate action. According to data from the Meteorological Department, April marked the warmest on record in eastern and northeastern India in terms of night temperatures since 1901, and the third warmest in mean temperatures. Similarly, it was the second warmest April in the peninsula in terms of maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures. The sweltering conditions have been exacerbated by factors such as El Nino and climate change, as explained by OP Sreejith,...
Strong Earthquake Strikes Taiwan: Fear of Casualties and Tsunamis

Strong Earthquake Strikes Taiwan: Fear of Casualties and Tsunamis

Breaking News, Disasters
Taiwan has been rattled by a powerful earthquake, triggering concerns of people being trapped in collapsed buildings and causing disruptions to electricity supply and train services. A tsunami alert has been issued for Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines in the wake of the seismic activity. The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale, jolted Taiwan's capital, Taipei, inflicting widespread destruction and power outages. Train operations were halted across the country, exacerbating the chaos following the tremors. Beyond Taiwan's borders, the earthquake led to a tsunami hitting two islands of Japan. Initial reports confirm four fatalities in Taiwan, with over fifty individuals sustaining injuries. However, authorities anticipate these numbers to rise as the situa...
Tragedy Strikes: MP Harda Factory Fire Updates: 11 Killed, 200 Injured in Explosive Unit Blasts; 3 Held

Tragedy Strikes: MP Harda Factory Fire Updates: 11 Killed, 200 Injured in Explosive Unit Blasts; 3 Held

Breaking News, Disasters
Madhya Pradesh's Harda district was engulfed in tragedy as a series of explosions rocked a fireworks factory on Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least 11 individuals and leaving nearly 200 others wounded. The harrowing incident unfolded with terrifying intensity, captured in videos circulating on social media, depicting flames leaping skyward and plumes of smoke billowing as explosions reverberated through the area. NDRF, SDRF Efforts Continue Amidst Devastation In the aftermath of the blasts, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) sprang into action, tirelessly working to clear debris and render aid to the injured. Despite the challenging conditions, their efforts remained steadfast as they navigated the chaos to provide assi...
Is Flood Hazards one of the man created Disasters?: Lets Understand and Analyze

Is Flood Hazards one of the man created Disasters?: Lets Understand and Analyze

Breaking News, Disasters, Thoughts & Talks
Flood disasters have profound impacts on communities, causing widespread devastation and posing significant challenges for both immediate response and long-term recovery. These natural disasters occur when water exceeds normal levels, inundating land and infrastructure. The consequences of floods range from loss of lives and displacement of populations to damage to homes, agriculture, and vital services. One of the primary causes of floods is heavy rainfall, often exacerbated by factors like deforestation, urbanization, and poor land management. Additionally, storm surges, melting snow, and dam failures can contribute to the escalation of flooding events. The aftermath of floods includes the destruction of homes, displacement of families, and disruptions to critical infrastructure such ...
Unprecedented Geological Changes Unveiled by Drone Footage due to recent Japan 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake: Massive Ground Uplift observed

Unprecedented Geological Changes Unveiled by Drone Footage due to recent Japan 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake: Massive Ground Uplift observed

Breaking News, Disasters, Thoughts & Talks
In the wake of the catastrophic 7.5 magnitude earthquake that jolted Japan on January 1, 2024, shocking drone footage has emerged, exposing a harrowing reality. The ground in various locations across Japan has risen, reaching staggering heights of up to 13 feet. Watch the drone footage here to witness the dramatic transformation of the landscape. Earlier reports detailed the substantial shift of Japan's coasts by more than 800 feet after the seismic event struck the Noto Peninsula. The earthquake's impact is now vividly displayed in the drone footage, revealing raised land and altered topography. Satellite images captured the stark changes in the affected areas, showcasing a significant retreat of the sea by 820 feet. This retreat has led to the emergence of once-submerged land, r...
Study Reveals Major US Atlantic Coast Cities Are Sinking at Alarming Rates

Study Reveals Major US Atlantic Coast Cities Are Sinking at Alarming Rates

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks
A recent study has uncovered a concerning reality for major cities on the US Atlantic coast, including New York City, Long Island, and other coastal regions – they are sinking at a rate of 2mm per year. The sinking land poses significant threats, raising concerns about flooding, long-term viability, and the potential impact on densely populated areas. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, sheds light on the impact of sinking land on major metropolitan areas like Baltimore, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. These coastal cities are already susceptible to flooding, and the additional threat of sinking land amplifies the risks. While the sinking may appear gradual, researchers emphasize that the consequences are real and pose a serious threat to th...
New York City’s Record Snow Drought Persists Despite Winter Storm: 692-Day Streak Continues

New York City’s Record Snow Drought Persists Despite Winter Storm: 692-Day Streak Continues

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
New York City's historic two-year snow drought may not end with the current winter storm system. Despite the arrival of the storm passing through the East Coast, as of 7 p.m. Saturday, only 0.2 inches had been recorded in Central Park. The National Weather Service forecasted only 0.8 inches of accumulation before the storm moves out to sea late on Sunday night. The city's 8.5 million residents have not seen more than 1 inch of snowfall in Manhattan's Central Park since February 13, 2022, marking a record-long streak of 692 days. The lack of snow in New York City is considered another sign of how climate change is affecting global weather patterns.
Groundbreaking Effort: IIT Delhi Researchers Develop India’s First High Resolution Landslide Risk Map

Groundbreaking Effort: IIT Delhi Researchers Develop India’s First High Resolution Landslide Risk Map

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations
In a pioneering effort, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have successfully developed the first-of-its-kind national landslide risk map. The lack of a comprehensive map has been a significant challenge, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters. The map, which is set to be published in the February 2024 issue of the journal Catena, aims to revolutionize disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies across the country. Unique Challenge: Landslides in India Landslides pose a unique and deadly challenge in India, affecting localized areas and making them harder to track and study with traditional methods such as satellite imaging. Unlike floods, landslides occur in approximately 1-2% of the country, making data collection more challenging due to thei...
Japan Earthquake Updates: Death Toll rises to 62 as Rescuers Race Against Time

Japan Earthquake Updates: Death Toll rises to 62 as Rescuers Race Against Time

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
The Japan Earthquake death toll rising day by day from a series of powerful earthquakes in Japan, including a magnitude 7.5 quake, it has risen to 62, according to NHK World, citing officials from the hard-hit Ishikawa prefecture. Most fatalities have been confirmed in Wajima and Suzu on the Noto Peninsula. Over 20 people are reported to be seriously injured, with rescuers facing the challenge of confirming the number of people still missing. Many individuals are feared trapped under collapsed houses. The earthquakes struck the Noto Peninsula in the central Ishikawa prefecture on Monday, causing buildings to collapse and triggering tsunami warnings as far away as eastern Russia. According to the country's meteorological office, a total of 155 earthquakes were reported on that day ...