Heatwave Archives - Disasters News

Mar122025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Extreme Heat in Eastern Africa Climate Change Worsens Crisis in South Sudan

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A severe heatwave has gripped Eastern Africa since mid-February, with South Sudan facing extreme daytime temperatures that have devastated vulnerable communities. Schools have been shut nationwide after dozens of children collapsed from heatstroke in Juba, while outdoor workers and those in poor housing conditions struggle to cope with the relentless heat. The heatwave has exacerbated existing hardships in South Sudan, where a third of Juba’s population lacks access to clean water, and only 1% of the city offers green spaces for respite. Houses, often built with iron roofs and no cooling systems, trap heat, making indoor conditions nearly unbearable. Women and girls face disproportionate risks as they spend hours working in agriculture, collecting water, and cooking in extreme temperatu...

Mar92025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Oceans in Crisis Marine Heatwaves Surge by 240% in Just Two Years

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The world’s oceans are heating up at an alarming rate, with marine heatwaves (MHWs) surging by 240% over the last two years according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change. From 2023 to 2024 nearly 10% of the world’s oceans recorded their highest-ever sea surface temperatures (SST), reaching levels four times higher than historical averages. Scientists attribute this rapid warming to human-induced climate change, El Niño, and record-low global cloud cover. The impact of prolonged MHWs has been devastating. The rising ocean temperatures contributed to heatwaves in the UK, North America, and Japan, as well as severe flooding in Ecuador, Libya, and Australia. These heatwaves also supercharged hurricanes, including Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused $14 billion in damages in New...

Mar72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Marine Heat Waves Surge by 240% Threatening Ocean Life and Climate Stability

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

New Delhi: Scientists have raised alarms over a dramatic rise in marine heat waves with recent studies revealing a 240% surge in their frequency over the past year. These prolonged temperature spikes are wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems, intensifying storms and disrupting the delicate balance of oceanic life. Unprecedented Rise in Ocean Temperatures A study published in Nature Climate Change highlights how vast regions of the world’s oceans are now experiencing sustained heat waves at levels never seen before. Researchers from Australia and the U.K. warn that such extreme warming accelerates evaporation, leading to more intense weather events. The devastating Cyclone Gabrielle, which struck New Zealand in 2023, has been directly linked to this oceanic warming, underscoring the far...

Mar42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Warns of Monsoon Cyclone Forecast Risks as US Climate Cuts Shake Global Weather Tracking

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Opinions

Indian scientists have raised alarms over job cuts at the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, warning that reduced climate observations could disrupt India’s monsoon forecasts and cyclone tracking. The layoffs, part of the Donald Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce, have affected hundreds of meteorologists and climate experts responsible for weather monitoring and forecasting. Union Ministry of Earth Sciences Secretary M Ravichandran expressed concerns about the potential impact on weather predictions. He explained that fewer ocean observations mean less data for forecast models, ultimately reducing predictability. Climate scientist Roxy Mathew Koll from the Indian Institute for Tropical Meteorology called the NOAA layoffs a global ...

Feb222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Heatwave Breaks Records Sparks Wildfires and Water Crises Canada

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A historic heatwave is sweeping across the Northern Hemisphere, breaking temperature records and triggering widespread wildfires, droughts, and power outages. With multiple countries facing extreme weather conditions, scientists warn that the crisis is a direct consequence of accelerating climate change. Records Shattered Across Continents The heatwave has gripped vast regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, pushing temperatures to unprecedented levels. In Phoenix, Arizona, thermometers hit 53°C (127°F), making it the hottest day in the city’s history. Across the Atlantic, Paris, France, recorded 45.9°C (114.6°F), forcing the government to issue emergency health warnings. In India’s capital, New Delhi, the mercury soared past 50°C (122°F) for the first time ever, causing mass hos...

Feb212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Arctic Marine Mammals Facing High Mortality, Low Reproduction Due to Marine Heatwaves

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Marine mammals in the Arctic and Subarctic are suffering from increased mortality, reduced reproduction rates, and heightened vulnerability to disease due to marine heatwaves (MHWs), according to a new study. MHWs are periods of significantly elevated sea temperatures lasting from days to years, and the Arctic Ocean is predicted to be a future hotspot for such events. These temperature spikes can cover vast areas, ranging from a few kilometers to thousands. The study analyzed MHWs in the Bering and Barents Seas key pathways to the Arctic Ocean focusing on the 2017-2019 MHWs in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and the infamous 2014-2016 "Blob" in the northeast Pacific. Marine mammals like whales and sea lions often show delayed responses to MHWs due to their higher mobility and blubber ...

Feb112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Record January Heat Shows La Niña Struggling to Cool a Warming World

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

January 2025 has shattered temperature records, marking the hottest start to a year ever recorded 1.7°C above pre-industrial levels. Many climate watchers expected a cooling effect due to the natural La Niña phenomenon, but global warming appears to be overpowering it. Scientists now warn that human-driven ocean warming is beginning to overwhelm natural climate patterns, making temporary cooling phases like La Niña less effective. La Niña is part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climate pattern that influences global temperatures by shifting ocean heat between basins. While El Niño causes warming, La Niña typically brings cooler global temperatures by shifting heat away from the eastern Pacific. Historically, La Niña has helped suppress temperature spikes, but this year, ev...

Feb52025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Kerala Faces Early Heatwave as Munnar Remains a Chilly Haven

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Kerala is experiencing an unexpected surge in temperatures, months before summer officially begins. With the lingering effects of El Niño and the Uttarayan shift intensifying the heat, several districts are already witnessing scorching conditions, raising concerns about climate patterns and their impact on daily life. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has linked this rise in temperature to the sun’s northward movement, which brings it directly over the Tropic of Cancer. While most of Kerala struggles with unseasonal heat, Munnar the picturesque hill town in Idukki stands apart, recording freezing temperatures as low as zero degrees Celsius. Heatwave-Like Conditions Arrive Early January and February, usually mild months, have seen temperatures climb to alarming levels. Kann...

Jan242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heatwaves in North America, Europe Could Intensify Twice as Expected Due to Soil Moisture Variations

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A new study has revealed that heatwaves in Eastern North America and Central Europe could become twice as intense as previously predicted, driven by variations in soil moisture. Published in Nature Communications, the research, led by Professor Douglas Maraun at the University of Graz with contributions from the University of Reading, highlights the potential for devastating temperature surges if global warming reaches 2°C. The study warns that extreme heat events in these regions could rise by up to 4°C, significantly outpacing moderate heatwave projections. This alarming trend mirrors the catastrophic heatwaves that hit Canada in 2021, India in 2022, and the Mediterranean in 2023. Reinhard Schiemann, a co-author of the study from the University of Reading, explained "While it’s kno...

Sep212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Summer of 2024 Breaks Heat Records as New Research Unveils Human-Caused Disruption in Earth’s Air Circulation Systems

Breaking News, Climate Actions

The summer of 2024 has officially become the hottest on record, marking a worrying milestone in a trend that scientists had long predicted. The intensifying heat and dryness, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, have fueled severe droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and crop failures across North America and Europe. These escalating conditions are increasingly threatening societies worldwide. A major contributor to these extreme weather patterns is the weakening of Earth's air circulation systems, a phenomenon that scientists now attribute directly to human activities. Two groundbreaking studies led by Dr. Rei Chemke of the Weizmann Institute of Science have uncovered the underlying cause of this weakening. Published in leading scientific journals, these studies reveal that manmade emis...