hazards Archives - Disasters News

Dec202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Massive Fire After Truck Collision at Jaipur Petrol Pump Claims Life, Rescue Operations Underway

At least one person has died and several others are feared dead in a massive fire that broke out after a truck collided with multiple vehicles near a petrol pump on Ajmer Road in Jaipur, Rajasthan, early Friday morning. The incident occurred around 5:30 am when a parked CNG tanker caught fire due to the collision. The blaze quickly spread, engulfing several vehicles parked nearby, including cars and trucks. Visuals from the site show towering flames and thick black smoke visible from several kilometers away. Efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing, with rescue teams rushing victims to nearby hospitals. Preliminary reports suggest that the truck involved in the collision was carrying chemicals, potentially exacerbating the fire. "The fire has engulfed several trucks, and the exact ...

Nov212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Snow to West Coast Bomb Cyclone and Atmospheric River Bring Heavy Rain

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The West Coast's rainy season has arrived with a dramatic start as an atmospheric river carrying tropical moisture collides with a powerful bomb cyclone off the Pacific Northwest coast. This weather duo is unleashing widespread heavy rainfall, strong winds, and mountain snow from Northern California to Washington. On Nov. 19, 2024, heavy wet snow began blanketing mountain regions while bursts of rain battered the coasts of Oregon and Northern California. Winds exceeding 70 mph have been recorded in parts of Washington as the bomb cyclone intensifies offshore. This storm’s strength is driven by the meeting of two potent weather phenomena. The atmospheric river a "river in the sky" transporting moisture from the subtropics feeds the bomb cyclone, a rapidly intensifying low-pressure sys...

Jul92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Source of Chemical Pollution Found in Electric Vehicle Batteries: Study Claims

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Scientists have uncovered a new source of hazardous "forever chemical" pollution: the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries found in most electric vehicles (EVs). This discovery highlights a significant trade-off in the transition to cleaner energy solutions, as the drive to reduce carbon emissions inadvertently introduces other environmental and health risks. Role of PFAS in Lithium-Ion Batteries Certain lithium-ion battery technologies use a class of PFAS chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which help make batteries less flammable and more efficient at conducting electricity. These PFAS chemicals, specifically bis-perfluoroalkyl sulfonimides (bis-FASIs), have been found in various environmental samples near plants manufacturing these chemicals in the US, Belgium, ...

Jun252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Informing Multi-Hazard Risks for Decision Makers in Moldova’s Agriculture Sector

Breaking News, Climate Actions

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Moldova's economy, comprising nearly 74% of its territory and being the primary livelihood for 70% of the rural population. However, the sector faces significant threats from prolonged droughts and climate change, particularly in regions like Anenii Noi known for their fertile chernozem soils. These conditions can degrade soil health, reduce crop yields, and increase food prices, illustrating the cascading effects on food security and the economy. IMPACT, in collaboration with the STRIVE Consortium (comprising Acted, Libraries Without Borders, and REACH), and funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), conducted an ABRA to understand and mitigate these risks. The assessment utilized geospatial data to identify natural hazards and social vulnera...