extreme weather events Archives - Page 2 of 4

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 ...

Feb272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heavy Snowfall Rain Kill 39 in Afghanistan Dozens of Homes Damaged

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

At least 39 people have died due to heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and flash floods across three Afghan provinces, disaster management officials confirmed on Wednesday. Flash floods in western Farah province swept away 21 people on Tuesday, while three more lost their lives when a hailstorm caused their house to collapse. In Helmand province, six people were killed, including a child struck by lightning. In southern Kandahar, nine people, including women and children, died in several locations due to heavy rains. In a tragic incident, four women washing clothes were carried away by floodwaters, with only one managing to survive, according to local officials. Afghanistan has faced prolonged drought conditions, including in flood-hit Farah, which has struggled with water shortages sinc...

Feb272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Africa Faces Climate Crisis as Warming Threatens Burn Agriculture

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions Africa is bearing the brunt of climate change. A new study warns that the continent is “highly likely” to surpass 1.5°C of warming by 2040, worsening extreme weather and threatening agriculture-based livelihoods. Africa’s annual average temperature has been rising at over 0.5°C per decade for 30 years. Southern Africa has already warmed by 1.2°C since pre-industrial times, with North, Southern, and West Africa expected to experience the most intense temperature increases. While rainfall patterns remain unpredictable, many regions especially in the north and west are seeing significant declines. Meanwhile, East and Central African highlands have recorded more frequent heavy rains and floods. Coastal regions also face...

Feb252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Links Extreme Weather to Rising Power Outages Across U.S. Frequently

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A new study published in PLOS Climate reveals that power outages are becoming increasingly frequent alongside extreme weather events in the U.S., highlighting regional differences in outage causes and the urgent need for preparedness. Researchers analyzed county-level data from 2018 to 2020 and found that 73% of counties experienced at least one day where a severe weather event coincided with a power outage. In 54% of counties, two simultaneous weather hazards such as hurricanes and heavy rain occurred alongside outages, raising the risk of widespread disruption. Hurricanes were the leading cause of outages, followed by snowstorms and heavy rain. However, the impact varied by region: heavy rain was a major factor in the Northeast and Gulf Coast, while extreme heat and power failures ...