extreme weather events Archives

Mar222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Hidden Climate Clues Help Scientists Predict Unseen Extreme Weather

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Learning & Developments

A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications unveils new methods to forecast extreme weather events that modern records have never captured. Conducted by researchers from the Climate Adaptation Services Foundation, the University of Reading, and other global institutions, the study expands the understanding of climate extremes beyond the last century’s conventional weather records. By tapping into nature archives such as tree rings and forgotten historical documents scientists have uncovered centuries of climate data that modern instruments missed. Lead author Timo Kelder emphasized the significance of this breakthrough, stating, “We’ve been limited by thinking extreme weather is only as bad as what we’ve measured. But looking back hundreds or even thousands of years reveal...

Mar202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Records Earliest Heatwave and Warm Nights in 2025 Break 125 Year Old Records

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

India has recorded its earliest heatwave and warm nights in 2025, marking a concerning trend in rising temperatures. On February 25, 2025, Goa and Maharashtra experienced the first heatwave of the year making it the first time a heatwave has been recorded during winter (January–February) according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). IMD also confirmed that February 2025 was the hottest February in 125 years. The impact of extreme temperatures has been felt in Odisha and Jharkhand which recorded their earliest heatwaves in four years. On March 15 Odisha’s Boudh registered the highest temperature in India, reaching 43.6°C on March 16. Jharsuguda followed with 42°C, while Bolangir recorded 41.7°C. These extreme heat conditions arrived much earlier than in previous years indicatin...

Mar132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Marine Heatwaves Surge 240% in Two Years, Triggering Global Disruptions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A new study has revealed a 240% increase in marine heatwave (MHW) days worldwide during the 2023-24 summers, marking an unprecedented rise in ocean temperatures due to climate change, El Niño, and record-low cloud cover. The research, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that 10% of the world's oceans recorded their highest-ever sea surface temperatures (SSTs), reaching levels four times above historical averages. Extreme Weather and Oceanic Disruptions The prolonged marine heatwaves had far-reaching effects, influencing global weather patterns and triggering severe storms, flooding, and cyclones: Heatwaves struck the UK, North America, and Japan Severe flooding hit Ecuador, Libya, Japan, and Australia The Atlantic hurricane season saw near-record storms MHWs in...

Mar122025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change and Sewage Linked Viruses Growing Health Risks

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Rising temperatures and extreme weather events may be increasing the risk of virus exposure from sewage-contaminated waters, a new study warns. Scientists have found that viruses from raw sewage can persist in rivers, lakes, and seas for days, raising public health concerns. Heavy rainstorms often overload sewer systems, leading to untreated sewage being discharged into natural water bodies. This waste carries viruses such as enterovirus and norovirus, which can remain infectious for days, even after passing through wastewater treatment plants. In seawater, enteric viruses stayed infectious for up to three days at 30°C, while cooler temperatures extended their lifespan to a week. Sunlight reduced their viability to less than 24 hours on sunny days, but they survived for 2.5 days in clou...

Mar72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rising Threat of Compound Climate Events Calls for Urgent Adaptation Measures

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

New Delhi: The increasing frequency of extreme weather events worldwide has exposed critical resilience gaps as disasters now often strike in combination rather than in isolation. Scientists and climate experts warn that compound events where two or more hazards such as heatwaves and floods occur simultaneously or in rapid succession are becoming more common leading to heightened destruction and economic strain In 2022, Pakistan endured a record-breaking heatwave, swiftly followed by catastrophic monsoon rains. The extreme heat dried out the soil, reducing its ability to absorb water, which amplified flooding that submerged nearly a third of the country and displaced over 33 million people. The aftermath saw widespread disease outbreaks and a staggering $30 billion in economic losses, d...

Mar42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Unplanned Urbanisation Fuels Rising Heat Managing Blue-Green Spaces Key to Mitigation

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Urbanisation is coming at the cost of natural blue and green spaces leading to a surge in surface temperatures and exacerbating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. Researchers warn that without sustainable urban planning or urban centres especially in developing nations like India will face hazardous heat stress, threatening both human health and local ecosystems. Urbanisation and Rising Temperatures The C(UN) estimates that by 2050, 68% of the global population will live in urban areas, with 90% of this growth concentrated in Asia and Africa. As a result, the rate of urban land expansion is already twice as fast as population growth, leading to a dramatic transformation of landscapes. Studies project that by the end of the 21st century, the Land Surface Temperature (LST) could ri...

Mar32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

IMD Reports India Faces Hottest February in 125 Years

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Opinions

February 2025 has been the hottest in India since 1901, with the average mean temperature reaching 22.04°C, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The month also recorded the second-highest maximum temperature at 29.07°C, nearly 1.5°C above normal. Experts attribute this extreme heat to climate change and the absence of western disturbances. Unprecedented Heat and Rainfall Deficit The IMD report highlights that February 2025 was not only abnormally warm but also among the driest in 125 years. The country received less than half of its usual rainfall, with an overall deficit of 59% during the winter season (January-February). Central India was hit hardest, recording an 89.3% rainfall deficit, while Northwest India saw a 64.4% shortfall. The cumulative rainfa...

Mar12025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Experts Warn of Rising Urban Heat and Extreme Weather at Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2025

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks

At the Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2025, climate experts painted a grim picture of India's worsening extreme weather, highlighting urban heat, rising nighttime temperatures, and the growing impact of climate change on agriculture. Urban Heat and Warm Nights on the Rise In the session titled "In the Red: Why Are Our Cities Heating Up?", experts discussed how increasing urban heat islands and warm nights are endangering public health and livelihoods. Climate scientist Roxy Mathew Koll from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, explained that India is highly vulnerable to extreme weather due to its tropical location and rapidly warming oceans. “The Indian Ocean may enter a permanent heatwave state by 2050,” Koll warned, adding that oceanic heatwaves could increase from 20–50 ...

Feb282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Texas Child Dies from Measles in First US Fatality in a Decade

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A measles outbreak in West Texas has taken a tragic turn with the death of an unvaccinated child, marking the first measles-related fatality in the United States in ten years, state health officials reported Wednesday. The child, who succumbed overnight at a children's hospital, was among the more than 130 cases reported across Texas and eastern New Mexico. The outbreak has primarily affected children, with health experts linking its spread to a large under-vaccinated population in a rural Mennonite community. Texas health officials have warned of the disease’s severity, emphasizing its high hospitalization rate. A press conference with local and state health authorities is scheduled to provide updates and address community concerns. From News Desk

Feb282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heavy Snowfall Hits Himachal Higher Reaches IMD Predicts heavy Rain Snowfall

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The higher-altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh have been blanketed in fresh snowfall, while widespread rainfall has drenched the state over the past 24 hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued snowfall in upper reaches and rain across most regions for the next 48 hours. According to IMD’s Senior Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Kullu received 22 mm of rain, while Manali witnessed 20 cm of snowfall. Other higher-altitude areas, including Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur, recorded nearly one to one and a half feet of snow overnight. The snowfall is expected to persist in districts like Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, Shimla, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kinnaur, with heavy rainfall likely in parts of Kangra. Daytime temperatures across Himachal Pradesh are currently ...