Friday, December 20News That Matters

Tag: flood

Thailand Flooding Death Toll Rises to 25, Heavy Rain Expected to Continue

Thailand Flooding Death Toll Rises to 25, Heavy Rain Expected to Continue

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The death toll from devastating floods in southern Thailand has climbed to 25, with more than 660,000 homes affected since the deluge began on November 22, according to the country’s disaster management agency. Officials warned of days of continued heavy rain as the Thai weather agency forecast downpours to persist until December 5. The flooding, which has wreaked havoc across Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Yala provinces, has displaced over 22,000 residents. The Thai government’s public relations department confirmed the scale of the disaster, which has overwhelmed local communities and left many struggling to rebuild. Among those severely impacted is Suwas Bin-Uma, a chicken farmer from Songkhla, who lost his entire flock of more than 10,000 birds. “I’ve lost at least 3 million...
Study Reveals U.S. Cities Successfully Limit Floodplain Development Using Existing Tools

Study Reveals U.S. Cities Successfully Limit Floodplain Development Using Existing Tools

Breaking News, Disasters
Contrary to common belief, most U.S. cities are effectively managing floodplain development, preventing costly disasters by utilizing established ordinances, plans, and programs rather than relying on novel strategies. This is the central finding of a new study titled "How local governments avoid floodplain development through consistent implementation of routine municipal ordinances, plans, and programs," published in Oxford Open Climate Change. Despite significant investments in flood mitigation, the cost of disasters in the United States has continued to rise, with floods being the most frequent and expensive disaster. The main driver behind these increasing costs is not just climate change, but also the growing concentration of people and infrastructure in flood-prone areas. A no...
Alarming Climate Shift in India: Study Reveals Swapping Trends in Weather Patterns

Alarming Climate Shift in India: Study Reveals Swapping Trends in Weather Patterns

Breaking News, Climate Actions
A groundbreaking study by IPE-Global and Esri India has revealed a worrying trend in India's climate, with traditionally flood-prone areas now experiencing droughts and drought-affected regions witnessing floods. This "swapping trend" is reshaping the nation's climate risk landscape, putting millions of lives and livelihoods in jeopardy. The research, which analyzed climate data from 1973 to 2023, found that over 85% of India's districts are vulnerable to extreme weather events, with nearly 45% showing evidence of this dramatic shift. The study reported a four-fold increase in the frequency, intensity, and unpredictability of climate extremes over recent decades, with the past 10 years seeing a five-fold surge. Abinash Mohanty, Head of Climate Change and Sustainability Practice at IP...
Global Flooding Hazards Projected to Surge by 49% by 2100: New Study Warns

Global Flooding Hazards Projected to Surge by 49% by 2100: New Study Warns

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations
A new study warns that global flooding hazards are set to increase by 49% between 2020 and 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. The research, published in Water Resources Research, highlights the regions most at risk, including the coasts of the North Atlantic, Indian Ocean, southeastern Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The study utilized advanced modeling techniques to create a Global Flood Map (GFM), which considers floods induced by rainfall, river discharge, and rising sea levels. The research team, led by Professor Paul Bates from the University of Bristol Cabot Institute for the Environment, noted that previously used flood maps lacked accuracy in simulating real floods. By applying new techniques, the team gained more precise insights into future flood risks. The ...
Climatopias: The Future of Flood-Resilient Urban Planning or a Property Market Fantasy?

Climatopias: The Future of Flood-Resilient Urban Planning or a Property Market Fantasy?

Breaking News, Disasters
As coastal communities face the growing threat of rising sea levels and extreme weather, innovative solutions like flood-resilient settlements, or "climatopias," are emerging as potential game-changers in urban planning. These futuristic designs aim to provide a sustainable response to climate change by creating high-tech, floating cities that not only mitigate flooding but also offer eco-friendly living environments. Governments and developers are promoting these projects as a way to expand housing availability, alleviate land pressure, enhance energy efficiency, and encourage green transportation. Climatopias are envisioned as self-sufficient, technologically advanced cities equipped with solar power, deep-sea cooling systems, and comprehensive facilities, including health care, educa...