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Tag: extreme weather

India Weather Alert: IMD Warns of Heavy Rainfall in Northeast and Heatwaves in Large Parts of Country

India Weather Alert: IMD Warns of Heavy Rainfall in Northeast and Heatwaves in Large Parts of Country

Breaking News, Climate Actions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a nationwide alert as extreme weather patterns continue to grip different regions of the country. While the Northeast braces for intense rainfall, large parts of central, eastern, western, and southern India are expected to experience heatwave conditions through the week. Extremely Heavy Rainfall in Meghalaya on May 13 The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over Meghalaya on May 13, 2025. The Northeast will continue to receive fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph, occasionally gusting up to 50 kmph, over the next five days. Heavy Showers for Sub-Himalayan Regions and Nicobar Islands The eastern Himalayan foothills wi...
Climate Toll in India: Heat & Cold Extremes Kill 35,000 in Two Decades from heatstroke

Climate Toll in India: Heat & Cold Extremes Kill 35,000 in Two Decades from heatstroke

Breaking News, Climate Actions
As India faces a future of increasing climate extremes, new research reveals a stark toll already being paid. A study published in the journal Temperature has found that nearly 35,000 people died from extreme heat and cold between 2001 and 2019, with heatstroke emerging as the deadlier threat and men, particularly working-age men, disproportionately affected. The study, led by Pradeep Guin of OP Jindal Global University (JGU), analysed temperature data from the India Meteorological Department and mortality records from the National Crime Records Bureau. The researchers found 19,693 deaths due to heatstroke and 15,197 from cold exposure over the two-decade period, with a clear increase in deaths over time. The year 2015 stood out as the deadliest year, recording 1,907 heat-related and 1,...
Delhi Morning Turns Deadly as Rainstorm Leaves 4 Dead, Flights Canceled

Delhi Morning Turns Deadly as Rainstorm Leaves 4 Dead, Flights Canceled

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Sudden May 2 downpour reveals complex climate patterns shaping NCR’s extreme weather. In the early hours of May 2, 2025, Delhi-NCR was slammed by a fierce rainstorm that killed four people, uprooted trees, flooded streets, and forced the cancellation of over 100 flights. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 77 mm of rainfall at Safdarjung and 78 mm at Lodhi Road, all within a span of just three hours (5:15 am to 8:30 am). Alongside the heavy rain, winds gusting at 80–90 km/hr caused significant damage across the capital. According to IMD and experts, this extreme weather was the result of a rare confluence of multiple atmospheric systems: A strong western disturbance from the Mediterranean region, Two cyclonic circulations over Rajasthan, And dual anti...
When the Wind Hits Different: Why Downbursts Are More Destructive Than Hurricanes

When the Wind Hits Different: Why Downbursts Are More Destructive Than Hurricanes

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
In May 2024, downtown Houston saw a surprising twist in storm damage. A powerful downburst, part of a derecho storm, blew out windows and ripped away building facades damage that even Hurricane Beryl, with similar wind speeds, failed to cause just months later. Engineers now believe the reason lies not in the strength of the winds but in how they behave. What Is a Downburst and Why Is It So Dangerous? Downbursts are often mistaken for heavy rain from a distance, but their power lies in what happens at ground level. As cold, dense air from high altitudes plunges downward during a thunderstorm, it accelerates rapidly. Once it hits the ground, it has nowhere to go but outwards sending winds blasting horizontally in all directions. These horizontal gusts can reach over 150 mph on ...
Extreme Weather Surges Cost Trillions, Exposing Insurance Gaps and Need for Climate Resilience

Extreme Weather Surges Cost Trillions, Exposing Insurance Gaps and Need for Climate Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
Rising losses from floods, fires and storms reveal urgent call for public-private action in climate risk management. Over the last decade, extreme weather events from tornados and hurricanes to floods and wildfires have inflicted a staggering toll on both people and economies worldwide. Between 2014 and 2023, these events caused around USD 2 trillion in economic losses globally, and the outlook is only becoming more concerning. Driven by shifting climate patterns, storms are growing more frequent and severe, with rising sea levels, erratic precipitation, and warming temperatures disrupting ecosystems, food production, and public health. The compounding impact of these changes threatens to cause long-term environmental and financial damage. Insurance supports recovery but cover...
New Computer Model Promises Faster Flood Forecasts for Cyclone and 100 Million Affected Coastal Communities

New Computer Model Promises Faster Flood Forecasts for Cyclone and 100 Million Affected Coastal Communities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
Tropical storms and cyclones have already impacted hundreds of millions living along the world’s coasts. As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, understanding all the factors that contribute to flooding storm surges, rainfall, and waves is crucial. Now, new research by Tim Leijnse from Deltares and VU Amsterdam offers a powerful solution through an advanced flood model called SFINCS, enabling faster, more accurate flood risk forecasts. New Open-Source Model: SFINCS Over recent years, Tim Leijnse and his research team developed SFINCS (Super-Fast INundation of CoastS), a groundbreaking open-source model designed to assess different types of flood risks efficiently. Unlike traditional flood models that require heavy computing resources, SFINCS simplifies complexi...
Telangana Leads Nation in Heatwave Response with New Relief Measures

Telangana Leads Nation in Heatwave Response with New Relief Measures

Breaking News, Climate Actions
In a landmark step toward climate resilience Telangana has officially declared heatwave and sunstroke as 'State-Specific Disasters' making it possibly the first Indian state to do so. The announcement includes a significant ₹4 lakh ex gratia for families of victims who lose their lives due to extreme heat. This decision marks a shift from the earlier Apathbandhu scheme, which provided ₹50,000 compensation. The move comes in response to the growing but often under-reported impact of heatwaves on vulnerable populations especially the elderly, children, and women. According to the latest Government Order, 28 of Telangana’s 33 districts have already endured over 15 days of intense heatwave conditions this year. The state is now rolling out district-specific heatwave action plans, increas...
Tanzania Records Hottest Year in History Nighttime Heat and Heavy Rains Signal Deepening Climate Crisis

Tanzania Records Hottest Year in History Nighttime Heat and Heavy Rains Signal Deepening Climate Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
Tanzania experienced its hottest year on record in 2024 driven by unusually high nighttime temperatures and a surge in extreme rainfall events according to the latest annual climate report by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA). The country average annual minimum temperature a crucial indicator of nighttime heat  climbed to 19.3°C, a sharp 1.1°C above the long-term average. This rise in minimum temperatures outpaced the increase in daytime highs, which averaged 28.8°C, only 0.4°C above normal. The disparity signals a clear trend of warming nights, with scientists warning of its growing impact on human health, agriculture and ecosystems. Nighttime warming leads the trend The warming trend was widespread, with northeastern highlands, Lake Victoria basin, southern regions, an...
Unseasonal Rainstorms Kill Nearly 100 Across India and Nepal, More Bad Weather Ahead

Unseasonal Rainstorms Kill Nearly 100 Across India and Nepal, More Bad Weather Ahead

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Heavy rains and thunderstorms sweeping through parts of India and Nepal since Wednesday have led to nearly 100 deaths, with more severe weather forecasted in the coming days. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh warnings, cautioning the public about a combination of heatwaves in western India and continued thunderstorms in the central and eastern regions. Bihar has been the hardest hit, where at least 64 people have died in various rain-related incidents. In Uttar Pradesh, local authorities have reported over 20 fatalities, as strong winds, lightning, and flash floods wreaked havoc across districts. Across the border in Nepal, the National Disaster Authority confirmed that at least eight people lost their lives due to lightning strikes and rain-triggered accidents...
Hurricane Lab Breakthrough Miami Scientists Unlock Secrets of Wave Growth in Extreme Winds

Hurricane Lab Breakthrough Miami Scientists Unlock Secrets of Wave Growth in Extreme Winds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
In a first-of-its-kind experiment scientists at the University of Miami’s SUSTAIN (SUrge‐Structure Atmosphere INteraction) lab have taken a major leap in understanding how ocean waves form and grow under extreme wind conditions including hurricanes. This pioneering research offers fresh insights into the air-sea interaction process, which is key to improving weather forecasts, hurricane modeling, and coastal resilience planning. The study, conducted in the university’s high-tech wind-wave tank capable of simulating Category 5 hurricane-force winds, captured a high-resolution profile of air pressure and airflow above moving water. Using a combination of Constant Temperature Anemometry, Particle Image Velocimetry, and Multi-beam Imaging, the team measured more than 1,000 data points per s...