Page 5 - Storm

Climate change made Libya's flooding even more devastating: Scientists

The devastating storm that dumped torrential rains along the Libyan coast this month was up to 50 times more likely to occur and 50% more intense because of human-caused climate change, according to an analysis released on Tuesday. Before crossing the Mediterranean, the storm raged for four days and caused extensive damage in central Greece and parts of Bulgaria and Turkey, a region where such extreme storms are up to 10 times more likely and up to 40% more intense because of climate change, scientists said. Heavy one-day rains from Mediterranean storm Daniel caused massive flooding across eastern Libya that overwhelmed two dams, sending a wall of water through the coastal city of Derna that destroyed entire neighborhoods and swept bridges, cars and people out to sea. The death toll has varied, with government officials and aid agencies giving tallies ranging from about 4,000 to 11,000 dead. The analysis was conducted by the World Weather Attribution group, which aims to quickly ...

Storm Lee delivers high winds, rain before forecasters call off warnings

Storm Lee made landfall late Saturday afternoon in Nova Scotia, Canada, at near-hurricane strength, but not before it brought high winds, rough surf and torrential rains to a large swath of New England and Maritime Canada, toppling trees, swamping coastlines, cutting power to tens of thousands and claiming one life. With sustained winds of 110 kph, the centre of the post-tropical cyclone came ashore about 215 kilometers west of Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, according to the US National Hurricane Centre. That's about 80 kilometers southeast of Eastport, Maine, US weather officials said. The storm was expected to weaken as it moves into New Brunswick and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, forecasters said. In the United States, a tropical storm warning was in effect for a 370-kilometer stretch from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to the eastern end of Maine. That included Bar Harbor, the touristy gateway to Acadia National Park, where a whale watch vessel broke free of its mooring and crashe

Ganga's tropical storms to intensify by 20% by 2050, finds new research

Fewer yet more intense tropical storms are predicted for Asian rivers, including India's Ganga, according to a new modelling study. By the 2050s, tropical storms in the Ganga could intensify by nearly 20 per cent, the study led by the Newcastle University, UK, projected after performing storm modelling studies on high-resolution data under a high emissions scenario. The storms are, however, projected to become less frequent by over 50 per cent by the same time across both the low-lying delta river basins of Ganga and Mekong, the study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters said. The Mekong river runs from the Himalayan Plateau, its source, through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam and falls into the South China Sea. Due to their limited adaptive capacity and preparedness, low-lying delta systems on the east coast of India and those in Bangladesh and Vietnam are vulnerable not only to the massive damage and losses to life and property caused by .

Storm Idalia takes aim at Gulf of Mexico on possible track toward US

Tropical Storm Idalia formed Sunday off the coast of Mexico on a potential track to come ashore as a hurricane in the southern US, the National Hurricane Centre said. At 5 pm Sunday, the storm was about 153 kilometers east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, moving northeast at 4.8 kph with highest sustained winds of 64 kph, forecasters said. Hurricanes have winds of 119 kph and above. Forecasters said they expected Idalia to become a hurricane on Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico and then curve northeast toward the west coast of Florida. Idalia could approach Florida on Wednesday with winds of up to 160 kph, according to the latest forecasts from the Hurricane Centre. That would make it a Category 2 hurricane. Along a vast stretch of Florida's west coast, up to 3.4 metres of ocean water could surge on shore, raising fears of destructive flooding. At a Sunday afternoon briefing, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis noted that much uncertainty remains in the forecast. "This thing hasn't even gotte

Powerful storm kills 2 people, leaves 1.1 mn without power in eastern US

At least two people died, thousands of U.S. flights were canceled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost power Monday as severe storms, including hail and lightning, moved through the eastern U.S. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the greater D.C. area, lasting until 9 p.m. A special Weather Service statement warned, There is a significant threat for damaging and locally destructive hurricane-force winds, along with the potential for large hail and tornadoes, even strong tornadoes. The storms' spread was massive, with tornado watches and warnings posted across 10 states from Tennessee to New York. The National Weather Service said more than 29.5 million people were under a tornado watch Monday afternoon. In Anderson, South Carolina, a 15-year-old boy who arrived at his grandparent's house during the storm was struck and killed when a tree fell on him as he got out of a car, according to the Anderson County Office of the Coroner. In ...

Solar storms will strike earth today, NASA warns. All you need to know

NASA warns the collision of two solar storms with earth could influence the planet's magnetic field today at around 5.30 pm. The incident could cause many life disruptions

Extreme weather events claim 233 lives, between January, April: CSE

Extreme weather events claimed 233 lives and damaged 0.95 million hectare of cropland in the first four months of this year, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Such events impacted 32 states and Union territories this time as against 27 last year. Rajasthan and Maharashtra reported the maximum number of extreme weather days (30 each), followed by Himachal Pradesh (28) and Bihar and Madhya Pradesh (27). Delhi reported extreme weather on 12 days as against 25 during the period last year. Between January and April 2022, extreme weather events claimed 86 lives and damaged 0.03 million hectare of cropland, according to the report. Lightning and storms occurred on 58 days this time as compared to 35 days during the corresponding period in 2022. Most of these events occurred in March and April. The country recorded just 15 heatwave days in the first four months of 2023 as compared to 40 days last year. Meteorologists attribute fewer heatwave days to

Cyclonic storm moves north in Arabian Sea, may pass near Mumbai: IMD

A cyclonic depression forming in the south-east Arabian Sea is now moving towards the far north and will intensify over the east-central part in the next 12 hours, the IMD said here on Tuesday

Tropical storm intensifies rains in Japan, threatens floods in some regions

Heavy rains intensified by Tropical Storm Mawar fell on Japan's main archipelago on Friday, halting trains and transit and threatening floods and mudslides in central and western regions, while residents were urged to use caution. Warnings were issued in parts of western and central Japan, with up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) of rain forecast through Saturday evening. Residents in vulnerable areas, including those in Mie, Wakayama, Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures in central Japan, were warned of the potential for flooding and mudslides and advised to go to evacuation centers if possible. Television footage showed swollen rivers in residential areas in Wakayama city, including one where brown water rose as high as the bottom of a bridge over it. In Tokyo, the few pedestrians on the rainy streets clutched umbrellas as winds blew tree branches around. Afternoon classes were also cancelled at some schools. Ferry operations in the Tokyo Bay were cancelled for the rest of Friday. Heavy

Pajaro river's levee ruptures, flood problems grow in California

Crews rushed to repair a levee break on a storm-swollen river in California's central coast before yet another atmospheric river arrives Monday night, further walloping the state's swamped farmland and agricultural communities. The Pajaro River's first levee rupture grew to at least 400 feet (120 meters) since it failed late Friday, officials said. More than 8,500 people were forced to evacuate, and around 50 people had to be rescued as the water rose that night. A second breach opened up another 100 feet (30.48 meters) of the levee closer to the Pacific coast, providing a relief valve for the floodwaters to recede near the mouth of the river, officials said Monday during a news conference. Built in the late 1940s to provide flood protection, the levee has been a known risk for decades and had several breaches in the 1990s. Emergency repairs to a section of the berm were undertaken in January. A USD 400 million rebuild is set to begin in the next few years. Forecasters warned of mo

As atmospheric river exits, new storm threatens California with rain

Wet, miserable weather continued across huge swaths of California on Sunday as an atmospheric river that caused major flooding flowed eastward, while a new storm threatened another onslaught of rain, snow and gusting winds as soon as Monday. The National Weather Service said the next system could exacerbate severe flooding that overwhelmed the area in recent days, prompting a levee failure and widespread evacuations Saturday in farming communities near the state's central coast. The new storm is not expected to bring as much rain, but forecasters warned that considerable flooding could occur at lower elevations from additional rain and creeks and streams swollen with snowmelt. Definitely prepare for some more flooding impacts. The ground is very saturated. We're already seeing some impacts from some light amounts," National Weather Service forecaster Eleanor Dhuyvetter said. A tornado briefly touched down in Tuolumne County during severe thunderstorms Saturday that also dumped an i

Over 17mn people across California under flood watches ahead of a storm

More than 17.5 mn people across central and Northern California, including the San Francisco Bay area and state capital Sacramento, were under flood watches ahead of a storm set to lash the region

California hit hard by winter storm leading to heavy rainfall, snowfall

The powerful winter storm has continued to lash California, bringing heavy rainfall, snowfall and strong winds that led to road closure, flooding, power outage, among other damages

Large tornado damages buildings, uproots trees in Selma, Alabama in US

A large tornado damaged homes and uprooted trees in Alabama on Thursday as a powerful storm system pushed through the South

California braces for more stormy weather, rain and potential floods

California braced for more stormy weather with rain expected to sweep across the northern part the state on Saturday, raising the potential for road flooding, rising rivers and mudslides. Rain was forecast for the Bay Area Saturday with a brief dry period on Sunday and heavier storms due to arrive Monday. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for a large swath of Northern and Central California with 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of rain expected through Wednesday in the Sacramento-area foothills. In the Los Angeles area, light rain was forecast for the weekend with stormy conditions expected to return Monday with the potential for up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain in the foothills. The wet weather comes after days of rain in California from Pacific storms. A series of recent weather systems have knocked out power to thousands, flooded streets, battered the coastline and caused at least six deaths. The storms won't be enough to officially end California's .

'Powerful' winter storm to batter parts of US through the end of week

A "powerful" winter storm will batter the central and eastern parts of the US through the end of the week, forecasters said

Tornadoes hit US south, two fatalities reported in Alabama, several injured

Two people died after severe storms with tornadoes hit the south of the US

Hong Kong braces for Storm Nalgae's impact; businesses forced to close

Severe tropical storm Nalgae edged closer to Hong Kong on Wednesday and forced businesses to close, but a finance summit that's meant to restore the city's image as an international financial hub pressed ahead. As the city braced itself, temporary shelters were opened and theme parks were closed. The Hong Kong Jockey Club scrapped the evening's horse race. The Hong Kong Observatory raised its No. 8 typhoon signal, the third-highest warning under the city's weather system, Wednesday afternoon as Nalgae's maximum sustained winds hit 90 kilometres (56 miles) per hour. The warning, which prompted workers to return home, would remain in force until 6 pm. Whether the signal would be downgraded later would hinge on the strength of the storm and its distance from the city, the observatory said. Nalgae killed more than 130 people in the Philippines days ago before moving closer to China's southeastern and southern coastal regions. Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to China's rule

47 dead, dozens feared missing as storm lashes parts of Philippines

Flash floods and landslides set off by torrential rains left at least 47 people dead, including in a hard-hit southern Philippine province, where as many as 60 villagers are feared missing and buried in a deluge of rainwater, mud, rocks and trees, officials said Saturday. At least 42 people were swept away by rampaging floodwaters and drowned or were hit by debris-filled mudslides in three towns in Maguindanao province from Thursday night to early Friday, said Naguib Sinarimbo, the interior minister for a five-province Muslim autonomous region run by former separatist guerrillas. Five other people died elsewhere from the onslaught of Tropical Storm Nalgae, which slammed into the eastern province of Camarines Sur early Saturday, the government's disaster-response agency said. But the worst storm impact so far was a mudslide laden with rainwater, rocks and trees that buried dozens of houses with as many as 60 people in the tribal village of Kusiong in Maguindanao's Datu Odin Sinsuat .

Cyclone Sitrang likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm today: IMD

The deep depression over Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclone on Sunday evening and is very likely to gather further strength becoming a severe cyclonic storm before crossing the Bangladesh coast on October 25 morning, the IMD said. The cyclone, named Sitrang by Thailand, is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Monday with wind speed reaching 90 to 100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. It is likely to cause heavy to very heavy rain in the coastal districts of West Bengal and isolated heavy rain in north coastal Odisha, it said. At 5.30 pm on Sunday, the cyclone was 580 km south of Sagar Island in West Bengal and 740 km south-southwest of Barisal in Bangladesh, it said. It will mainly affect the Sunderbans spread over West Bengal and Bangladesh as tidal waves are likely to reach a height of six metres owing to the twin effect of the weather system and new moon, deputy director-general of the Regional Met Centre in Kolka