Page 25 - Natural Disasters

The promise and pain of insuring natural disasters at the state level

While claims and compensation for victims are settled expeditiously, the pressures on revenues prevent many states from making top-up contribution to the SDRF and NDRF

Earthquakes recorded near Alaska volcano dormant for 800 years

The cause of the quakes under Mount Edgecumbe, a volcano near Sitka that resembles Mount Fuji in Japan, are not known

Ensure disaster alerts reach remote areas timely; engage all agencies: Shah

The minister said special focus should be given to cases of lightning strikes where time is less and it should be ensured that accurate alert reaches the intended village and its inhabitants.

5.6 magnitude earthquake hits off Japan's northeast, no tsunami threat

An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 jolted northeastern Japan prefecture of Iwate late Friday, however, there is no threat of a tsunami.

Cyclone Asani: Andaman MP asks disaster machinery to be on high alert

With the year's first cyclone Asani brewing over the Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands MP urged Lieutenant Governor to put the disaster management machinery on high alert

Thousands of Japan homes without electricity after earthquake kills 4

Companies race to assess the impact of the magnitude 7.4 quake, which struck shortly before midnight on Wednesday.

Study finds human actions speed up climate-driven floods, droughts

A new study has found that streams altered by human activity are at a higher risk of flooding.The research was published in the journal Nature Sustainability.The study from the University of Waterloo analyzed the seasonal flow patterns of 2,272 streams in Canada and the U.S. and found that human-managed streams - those impacted by developments like dams, canals, or heavy urbanization - had significantly different flow patterns compared to streams in natural watersheds.Greater flow increases in managed watersheds indicate more severe flooding -- possibly as a result of the increased paved surfaces in urban regions. Flow dampening on the other hand can lead to water shortages and a loss in biodiversity in managed streams.The study used natural watersheds untouched by human activity to measure the impact of climate change on streamflow. Using them as a baseline, the researchers then compared flow in managed streams within a radius of 115 kilometres to measure the impact of human ...

Unavoidable multiple climate hazards in next 2 decades, warns IPPC report

This report is a dire warning about the consequences of inaction, said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC while releasing the report Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability

Death toll reaches 204 from landslides, floods in Brazil; 51 still missing

On February 15, Petropolis, a city located 68 km from Rio de Janeiro, was slammed with heavy rains that caused more than 50 mudslides and floods.

Death toll in Brazil mudslides reaches 146 on fifth day of rescue efforts

The number of missing stands at 191

Brazil mudslide death toll is at 117, police say 116 missing

The Rio de Janeiro state government confirmed the rising loss of life, with many feared buried in mud beneath the German-influenced city nestled in the mountains above the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Earthquake measuring 3.5 on Richter scale hits Jammu and Kashmir's Katra

The quake took place at a depth of five kilometres and about 84 kilometres East of Katra

Aid flight lands in Tonga; phones partially restored as airport reopens

The explosion of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano on Saturday killed at least three people, sent tsunami waves rolling across the archipelago.

Three of Tonga's smaller islands suffer serious damage by tsunami

Three of Tonga's smaller islands suffered serious damage from tsunami waves, as a wider picture begins to emerge of the destruction caused by the eruption of an undersea volcano

Colorado wind-fuelled wildfires burn hundreds of homes, force evacuations

An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping centre have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fuelled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening.

Govt releases additional Rs 3,063 cr to 6 states hit by floods, cyclones

The additional assistance is over and above the funds released by the Centre to the states in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), already placed at the disposal of the states

5.3 magnitude earthquake hits Jammu and Kashmir; no damage reported so far

Tremors were felt around 7.01 pm, officials said

Extreme weather events cost the world billions in 2021, shows study

They include some of the disasters hit rapidly, like Cyclone Yaas, which struck India and Bangladesh in May and caused losses valued at $3 billion in just a few days

Philippines typhoon death toll reaches 208, 52 still missing

Bohol in the central Philippines is one of the hardest-hit

MFIN to launch natural catastrophe insurance cover for micro borrowers

The MicroFinance Institutions' Network is planning to introduce this product with Cholamandalam MS General Insurance as insurer