early warning system Archives - Page 2 of 3

Jan252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Drones Poised to Revolutionize Weather Forecasting, Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech

As the climate crisis intensifies, accurate weather forecasting has never been more critical. From predicting devastating hurricanes to preparing for record-breaking heatwaves, numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems have become vital in safeguarding lives and livelihoods. However, these systems rely heavily on costly and complex data collection methods, including weather balloons and ground-based stations. A groundbreaking study from Japan has now demonstrated that drones equipped with meteorological sensors could provide a practical and affordable alternative, revolutionizing the way atmospheric data is gathered. Led by Professor Jun Inoue from the National Institute of Polar Research, the research team conducted a two-month field campaign in Tsukuba City to test the feasibility of...

Jan242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNESCO, WMO Unveil 2025 as Year for Glacier Preservation

Breaking News, Climate Actions

UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP), emphasizing the urgency of addressing glacier retreat and its global implications. The initiative was officially launched on January 21, aiming to protect Earth's "water towers" essential sources of freshwater for over 2 billion people. The declaration follows a UN General Assembly resolution from December 2022, marking March 21 as World Day for Glaciers annually. With glaciers covering 700,000 square kilometers and storing 70% of the world’s freshwater, their rapid melting poses severe threats such as water scarcity, rising sea levels, and ecosystem collapse. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the severity of the crisis "In 2023, glaciers su...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Tragedy in Odisha Cement Plant Collapse Claims Three Lives

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

A devastating accident in Odisha’s Sundergarh district has left three laborers dead following the collapse of an iron structure at a cement plant. After a grueling 36-hour rescue operation, authorities recovered the bodies of the missing workers from the debris, bringing the tragedy into sharp focus. The collapse occurred on Thursday evening at the captive power section of a cement plant in Rajgangpur. The victims, identified as Susanta Rout, Ranjit Bhol, and Dashrath Patra, were contractors working at the site when a coal hopper gave way, burying them under tons of debris. More than 60 workers who were present at the site during the accident were rescued promptly, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the fire service department, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and local ...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Storms Lash New South Wales Power Outages and Flood Warnings Leave Thousands Stranded

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Severe storms sweeping through New South Wales have wreaked havoc across the Australian state, leaving tens of thousands without power and prompting widespread flood warnings. The relentless low-pressure system has unleashed powerful winds and torrential rains, plunging communities into crisis as emergency services rush to respond. Electricity Cut, Cities Affected In Sydney, Australia’s largest city, approximately 28,000 residents are grappling with power outages, with significant impacts also reported in Newcastle and the Hunter region, where an additional 15,000 households remain in darkness. Ausgrid, the state’s primary electricity provider, is working tirelessly to restore power, but officials warn that conditions may delay repairs as storms continue to batter the region. New ...

Jan172025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Revolutionizing Rainfall Predictions: Japanese Researchers Develop Advanced Climate Modeling Technique

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Tech

Tokyo, Japan – With climate change amplifying the frequency and intensity of water-related disasters like floods and droughts, accurate global precipitation estimates are more crucial than ever. However, the lack of sufficient rain gauge data in many regions poses significant challenges to these predictions. In a groundbreaking study published in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, researchers from Chiba University, Japan, have developed a cutting-edge method using the Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (LETKF) to bridge this data gap. Assistant Professor Yuka Muto and Professor Shunji Kotsuki have combined advanced algorithms with real-world data to refine global precipitation estimates, promising a transformative impact on disaster preparedness and water resource management. T...

Jan132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Warn Undersea Volcano Off U.S. Coast Likely to Erupt by 2025

Breaking News, Disasters, Tech

A team of researchers has issued a striking forecast: Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano located 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, is primed for an eruption by the end of 2025. This prediction has made waves in the scientific community, as it brings humanity closer to understanding and forecasting submarine volcanic activity. Axial Seamount, situated along the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the northeast Pacific, is the region’s most active submarine volcano. Its frequent activity has made it a prime site for research, housing the world’s first underwater volcano observatory since 1997. Over the years, scientists have meticulously studied its behavior, uncovering patterns that hint at impending eruptions. Key to predicting Axial’s eruptions is the inflation of its surface, caused by magma...

Nov272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Timor-Leste Fight Against Climate Disasters Blend of Technology and Community Action

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech

Timor-Leste, a small island nation in Southeast Asia, is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, grappling with the devastating impacts of extreme weather. However, a combination of local knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and support from the United Nations is helping its communities better prepare for disasters. In April 2021, catastrophic flash floods swept through Timor-Leste, killing over 30 people and destroying 4,000 homes. Orlalan, a remote village of nearly 6,000 people, was among the worst-hit areas. With limited disaster preparedness, residents were caught off guard as landslides and floodwaters surged. Today, community leaders like Armandina Valentina are driving grassroots efforts to ensure their neighbors are better equipped for the next disaster. She tirelessly educa...

Nov112024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

USC Unveils Breakthrough Low-Cost Wildfire Detection System Using Mobile Phones to Alert Within Seconds

Breaking News, Environment, Idea & Innovations, Tech

In a significant advancement for wildfire detection, researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have developed an innovative system named FireLoc that leverages everyday mobile phones to detect wildfires within seconds of ignition. This new approach aims to provide critical early alerts, reducing the time needed to identify and respond to fires and potentially saving lives and properties in high-risk wildfire areas. How FireLoc Works: A Low-Cost, Community-Centric Solution FireLoc, presented at the ACM SenSys conference on November 5, employs a network of strategically placed, affordable mobile phones equipped with basic cameras and sensors, all mounted on properties in fire-prone regions. These devices act as early-warning sensors, scanning their surroundings for tel...

Nov92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cyclone Freddy Shows the Life-Saving Impact of Early Warning Systems in Mozambique

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations, Tech

In a dramatic contrast to Cyclone Idai's devastation in 2019, the powerful Cyclone Freddy, which struck Mozambique twice in 2023, demonstrated the life-saving potential of an Early Warning System (EWS). Mozambique’s preparedness, boosted by United Nations and World Bank support, helped protect communities, saving hundreds of lives and significantly reducing economic damage. This success story showcases how investment in EWS can drastically change outcomes in disaster-prone areas. When Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique in 2019 with winds reaching 195 km/h, it left over 600 people dead and caused catastrophic flooding. The country faced widespread destruction, with estimated damages soaring to US$3 billion. Schools, infrastructure, and critical services were decimated, underscoring the need for...

Oct82024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Speculations Arise Over Possible Nuclear Test in Iran Following 4.5 Magnitude Earthquake Near Nuclear Facility

Breaking News, Disasters

Speculation surrounding the 4.5 magnitude earthquake recorded in Iran’s Semnan province on October 5 has led to rumors that the tremors might be linked to a nuclear test, especially due to its proximity to a nuclear facility. However, these claims have neither been confirmed nor denied by Iranian officials. Some users on social media have drawn comparisons to past instances, such as North Korea’s 2013 nuclear test that was initially registered as an earthquake. The speculation is fueled by long-standing accusations from the West that Iran has been developing a military nuclear program, despite the country’s insistence that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful. Iran is known to be capable of enriching enough fissile material in a short period of time, but concrete evidence of a nuclear tes...