Natural Disasters

Cyclone Ditwah devastation to cost Sri Lanka up to $7 billion: Official

Sri Lanka's total economic loss from Cyclone Ditwah is estimated to be between USD 6 billion and 7 billion, which is roughly 3-5 per cent of the island nation's GDP, a senior official overseeing recovery efforts said on Wednesday. At least 465 people died so far, and 366 remain missing as Sri Lanka grapples with widespread flooding, landslides and severe infrastructure collapse, leaving several districts isolated and severely straining the country's disaster-response capacity. "Given that all 25 districts are affected, we estimate the cost would be USD 6-7 billion," Prabath Chandrakirthi, Commissioner General of Essential Services, told reporters here. Over 1.4 million people have been affected, with more than 233,000 sheltering in 1,441 relief centres. Chandrakirthi said new legal provisions would be required to speed up post-disaster procedures. "For example, under current laws, death certificates can only be issued after six months. We have to bring in new laws to reduce this .

Deadly Asian floods no fluke, they're climate warning, say scientists

Southeast Asia is being pummelled by unusually severe floods this year, as late-arriving storms and relentless rains wreak havoc that has caught many places off guard. Deaths have topped 1,200 across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, with more than 800 still missing in floods and landslides. In Indonesia, entire villages remain cut off after bridges and roads were swept away. Thousands in Sri Lanka lack clean water, while Thailand's prime minister acknowledged shortcomings in his government's response. Malaysia is still reeling from one its worst floods, which killed three and displaced thousands. Meanwhile, Vietnam and the Philippines have faced a year of punishing storms and floods that have left hundreds dead. What feels unprecedented is exactly what climate scientists expect: A new normal of punishing storms, floods and devastation. Southeast Asia should brace for a likely continuation and potential worsening of extreme weather in 2026 and for many years immediately following

42 glacial lakes in Nepal at high risk of catastrophic bursts: Experts

Forty-two glacial lakes in Nepal have been identified as being at critical risk of bursting, according to experts. A potential glacial lake outburst flood could result in massive loss of life and severe damage to infrastructure, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) expert Sharad Prasad Joshi warned on Friday during a discussion held in Khandbari, the headquarters of Sankhuwasabha district. A glacial lake is a body of water that originates from a glacier. It typically forms at the foot of a glacier, but may form on, in, or under it. Joshi said an ICIMOD report titled 'Risks Arising From Rapid Changes in Nepal's Glaciers and Glacial Lakes' had classified 42 of the 2,069 glacial lakes across the country as "highly at risk", all located in the Koshi province. In Sankhuwasabha, four glacial lakes, including those in the Bhotkhola and Makalu areas, have been listed as high risk, he said. The Tallopokhari glacial lake in the lower Barun area has been identifi

India to work with APDIM to reduce disaster risks across Asia-Pacific

India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation on disaster risk reduction, working closely with Asian and Pacific Centre for Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) and regional partners to reduce disaster and climate risks across Asia-Pacific, a government statement said Saturday. Addressing the 10th Session of the APDIM hosted by India, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Disaster Management Nityanand Rai said India would champion a broad capacity-building agenda during its chairmanship. Rai, who led the Indian delegation, emphasised the country's commitment to regional disaster resilience and cooperation. The outcomes of this meeting will guide APDIM's overall programme of work and also contribute to advancing the goals of the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the statement said. The minister said that under India's chairmanship and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India will champion a ...

Climate disasters killed 80K, hit 1.3 billion in India since 1995: Report

India ranks ninth globally among countries most impacted by climate disasters over the past three decades, with nearly 430 extreme weather events killing more than 80,000 people, according to a new report. The Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026 released by the environment think tank Germanwatch at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, on Tuesday said climate disasters affected 1.3 billion people and caused economic losses worth almost USD 170 billion from 1995 to 2024. The report said the country's losses stemmed largely from repeated floods, cyclones, droughts and heat waves that have intensified with global warming. Events such as the 1998 Gujarat cyclone, the 1999 Odisha super cyclone, the 2013 Uttarakhand floods and recent deadly heat waves are among those that contributed to India's high ranking on the index, it said. The report said India's situation represents a "continuous threat" rather than isolated disasters, as recurring weather extremes have steadily eroded development gains and undermin

Super Typhoon Fung-wong kills two, displaces over a million in Philippines

Super Typhoon Fung-wong battered the Philippines' northeastern coast ahead of landfall on Sunday, leaving at least two people dead and forcing more than a million people to evacuate from areas at risk of flash floods, landslide and tidal surges, officials said. The typhoon could cover two-thirds of the Southeast Asian archipelago with its 1,800-kilometre-wide rain and wind band, forecasters said. It approached from the Pacific while the Philippines was still dealing with the devastation wrought by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left at least 224 people dead in central provinces on Tuesday before pummelling Vietnam, where at least five were killed. A villager drowned in flash floods in the eastern province of Catanduanes and another died in Catbalogan city in eastern Samar province when she was pinned by debris, officials said. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of emergency due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected calamity from ...

Philippines declares emergency after typhoon leaves 241 dead, missing

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of emergency on Thursday after Typhoon Kalmaegi left at least 241 people dead and missing in central provinces in the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country this year. Kalmaegi left at least 114 people dead, mostly from drowning in flash floods, and 127 missing, many in the hard-hit central province of Cebu, before the tropical cyclone blew out of the archipelago on Wednesday into the South China Sea. The typhoon's onslaught, which affected nearly 2 million people, displaced more than 560,000 villagers, including nearly 450,000 who were evacuated to emergency shelters. Marcos's emergency declaration, made during a meeting with disaster-response officials to assess the typhoon's aftermath, would allow the government to disburse emergency funds faster and prevent food hoarding and overpricing.

Cyclone fury fading: Storm intensity dips even as Bay of Bengal stays prone

Cyclone Montha batters India's east coast as data shows a sharp drop in cyclone frequency and fatalities, with the Bay of Bengal still accounting for most storms since 2019

Typhoon Kalmaegi kills 66 in Philippine province still reeling from quake

Typhoon Kalmaegi has left at least 66 people dead with 26 others missing in the central Philippines, many in widespread flooding that trapped people on their roofs and swept away scores of cars in a hard-hit province still recovering from a deadly earthquake, officials said on Wednesday. Among the dead were six people who were killed in a separate incident when a Philippine air force helicopter crashed in the southern province of Agusan del Sur on Tuesday while en route to help provide humanitarian help to provinces battered by Kalmaegi, the military said without providing other details, including what could have caused the crash. Kalmaegi blew away from western Palawan province into the South China Sea before noon on Wednesday with sustained winds of up to 130 kph (81 mph) and gusts of up to 180 kph (112 mph), according to forecasters. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence, and provincial officials said most of the deaths were reported

4.9-magnitude earthquake strikes western Nepal, no damage reported

A 4.9-magnitude earthquake jolted western Nepal's Sudurpashchim province on Thursday. There were no immediate reports of any damage caused by the earthquake. The earthquake was recorded at 1:08 am, with its epicentre located at the Dantola area of Bajhang district, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring Centre. The Bajhang district is situated around 475 km West of Kathmandu. Tremors were also felt in the neighbouring districts of Bajura, Baitadi and Darchula. There was no immediate report about any damage caused by the tremor. Nepal lies in one of the most active tectonic zones (Seismic zones IV and V), making it extremely vulnerable to earthquakes. It experiences multiple quakes in any given year.

Climate-linked insurance scheme: Why govt is exploring it and what's ahead

The scheme could help someone in Uttarakhand or Punjab whose house was washed away in the floods. Let's unfold the climate-linked insurance scheme and understand how it can help people

Brightcom teams up with US' Project DYNAMO to use AI for disaster response

Global tech firm Brightcom on Friday announced a collaboration with US-based humanitarian organization Project DYNAMO to integrate defence-grade AI systems for advancing disaster preparedness. The partnership aims to leverage Brightcom's command and decision-support platforms to enhance crisis response, evacuation coordination, and disaster recovery operations globally, the company said in a regulatory filing. Project DYNAMO is known for high-risk evacuations from conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Israel, will contribute its operational expertise and field-tested methods. These will be integrated into Brightcom's AI-driven workflows for situational awareness, communications, and mission planning. "Partnering with Brightcom lets us scale our methods globally with AI-driven coordination, so responders can move from chaos to clarity in minutes, not hours," Mario A Duarte, CEO of Project DYNAMO, said. The collaboration is positioned in line with the priorities set by th

Darjeeling landslides: Toll rises to 24; rescue ops on as several missing

At least 23 people, including children, were killed as relentless rain triggered one of the worst landslides in a decade in Darjeeling hills and adjoining areas on Sunday, sweeping away homes, cutting off roads, isolating villages, and leaving hundreds of stranded tourists amid widespread devastation, officials said. According to reports compiled by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the West Bengal's Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri district administrations, fatalities were reported from several locations - Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Mirik Lake area and the Nagrakata area in Jalpaiguri district. According to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), a total of 18 people have died in Darjeeling, with 11 fatalities in Mirik, the worst-hit area, and seven more in the Darjeeling subdivision, including Jorebunglow, Sukia Pokhri, and Sadar Police Station areas. In a separate rescue operation in Nagrakata, located in the nearby Jalpaiguri district, five

Nepal landslides: PM Modi says India ready to provide all possible help

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing and asserted that as a friendly neighbour and first responder, India remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required. At least 40 people have been killed in different places of eastern Nepal till Sunday morning and five have gone missing due to landslides and floods triggered by downpour since last night. Of 40 deaths, 37 were reported from different areas of Ilam district in Koshi province due to landslides following heavy rainfall on Saturday night, Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said in a press release. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, "The loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing. We stand with the people and Government of Nepal in this difficult time." "As a friendly neighbour and first responder, India remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required

40 killed in Nepal as heavy rain triggers deadly landslides and floods

At least 40 people have been killed in different places of eastern Nepal till Sunday morning and five have gone missing due to landslides and floods triggered by downpour since last night. As many as 37 people were killed in different places of Ilam district in Koshi province due to landslides following heavy rainfall on Saturday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said in a press release. Of the 37, eight people each were killed in Deumai and Maijogmai municipalities, six each in Ilam municipality and Sandakpur rural municipality, five in Suryodaya municipality, three in Mangsebung and one in Fakfokthum village, according to the NDRRMA. One person died in Panchthar due to landslide and one each were killed in Khotang and Udayapur districts as they were swept away by floods, said the official. Four people have gone missing from Rasuwa district as they were swept away by floods. A person buried in landslide in Panchthar district has also gon

Northwest Turkiye hit by magnitude 5.4 earthquake, no casualties reported

A powerful earthquake shook northwestern Turkiye Sunday, causing people to flee their homes, emergency services said. No casualties were immediately reported. The magnitude 5.4 quake was centred in the town of Simav in Kutahya province at a depth of 8 kilometres (5 miles), emergency agency AFAD said. The quake struck at 12.59 pm (0959 GMT) and was followed by a magnitude 4.0 aftershock. It was also felt in Istanbul, Turkiye's largest city some 100 kilometres (62 miles) to the north, according to media reports. TV footage showed people in Kutahya gathering in squares and parks following the tremor. In August, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Sindirgi, in the neighbouring province of Balikesir. One person died and dozens were injured. Since then, the region around Balikesir has been hit by smaller shocks. Turkiye sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent. In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkiye and destroyed or damaged hundr

Super Typhoon Ragasa kills 14 in Taiwan, China evacuates over 1 million

Super typhoon Ragasa left 14 people dead and 18 injured in Taiwan, while China's southern Guangdong province, a key global manufacturing hub, evacuated over a million residents in preparation for the powerful storm's landfall expected later on Wednesday. Described as the most powerful storm to hit the Chinese coast this year, Ragasa, the 18th typhoon of the season, is forecast to make landfall along the coastline of Guangdong province, official media here reported. It could become the most powerful storm to strike China so far this year, the state-run CGTN TV said. In Taiwan, typhoon Ragasa left 14 dead and 18 injured, local authorities said. According to the island's emergency operation centre, about 100 people remain trapped in various parts of the region and are awaiting rescue. As Ragasa moved closer to making landfall, its impact was already being felt in the Pearl River Delta region, according to the National Meteorological Centre. Wind speeds of 212 km per hour were record

Hong Kong bankers book luxury hotels near offices for typhoon trading

Super Typhoon Ragasa marks the biggest test yet for a change implemented last year by the Hong Kong stock exchange to keep trading open during severe weather

5.8-magnitude quake hits North East; no loss of life, damage reported

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Assam to inaugurate projects, including energy projects worth over ₹18,000 crore

₹1,600 cr 'token' for immediate works, more help to be given: Punjab Guv

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Wednesday said Rs 1,600-crore assistance announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for flood-hit state is a 'token' amount for immediate relief works and asserted that more assistance will be given. After PM Modi announced the financial aid on Tuesday, ministers of the AAP government in Punjab lashed out at the Centre terming it a "cruel joke" and an "insult" for a state staring at losses exceeding Rs 20,000 crore. Asserting that Rs 1,600 crore is a "token" amount, Governor Kataria said after assessment, what maximum help can be given to the farmers and people whose houses have been damaged, farmers who lost their animals in floods and suffered other damage, will be given. When asked if more central assistance can come for flood-hit Punjab, the Governor, who was replying to questions from reporters in Mohali, said, "Hundred percent it will come. This is only a token." "This is for immediate (relief) works being done, it is like a token for tha