In 2024, the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) recorded 393 natural hazard-related disasters. These events caused 16,753 fatalities and affected 167.2 million people. Economic losses totaled US$241.95 billion. The year 2024 was marked by extreme temperature events in Asia that caused thousands of deaths, severe droughts in Africa affecting over 25 …
The number of Atlantic storms with magnitude similar to killer Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, could rise sharply this century, environmental researchers reported on Monday. Scientists have long studied the relationship between warmer sea surface temperatures and cyclonic, slowly spinning storms in the Atlantic Ocean, …
Such a scenario is possible by the end of the century due to climate change, according to a study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The frequency of extreme storm surges — the deadly and devastating walls of water that roar ashore during hurricanes — …
At least six people died in a spate of snow-related incidents as blizzards swept across the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido over the weekend, police and news reports said Sunday. A 40-year-old woman and her three teenaged children were found dead late Saturday in a car buried under snow in …
The signs of rising water are everywhere in this seaport city: yellow "Streets May Flood" notices are common at highway underpasses, in low-lying neighborhoods and along the sprawling waterfront. Built at sea level on reclaimed wetland, Norfolk has faced floods throughout its 400-year history. But as the Atlantic Ocean warms …
A powerful winter storm that's already blamed for one death in Oklahoma could dump more than a foot of snow in the nation's heartland on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Winter storm warnings have been issued from Colorado through Illinois. Officials feared the storm would be the worst …
New Englanders struggled to resume their normal routines on Monday in the wake of a blizzard that dumped 40 inches of snow across parts of the region, with Boston's subway service running again and roadways largely plowed, though still treacherous. Two more deaths were reported in Massachusetts, raising the total …
Authorities were cleaning up and assessing the damage on Monday after a number of tornadoes and severe weather tore through nine Mississippi counties, injuring dozens of people as homes and other buildings were torn apart. Governor Phil Bryant said at least 63 people were injured and about 200 homes damaged …
Americans are increasingly convinced that the planet's climate is changing and show more support for regulating greenhouse gas emissions, finds a Duke University online survey released Thursday. The share of Americans who say climate change is occurring — 50% say definitely and 34% say probably — has rebounded, reaching what …
The Amazon rainforest is less vulnerable to die off because of global warming than widely believed because the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide also acts as an airborne fertilizer, a study showed on Wednesday. The boost to growth from CO2, the main gas from burning fossil fuels blamed for causing climate …
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which brought historic flooding to the greater New York area, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said on Tuesday his coastal city will step up efforts to prepare for the effects of rising sea levels Boston was spared the catastrophic damage that Sandy brought to New …
A wide area of the central and southeast United States faces the unusual threat of tornadoes in January over the next 12 to 18 hours as an approaching cold front clashes with unusually warm air, a meteorologist said on Tuesday. The first tornado warning of the approaching storm was issued …
Report shows vast forest, shared by India and Bangladesh, is being rapidly destroyed by environmental change A vast mangrove forest shared by India and Bangladesh that is home to possibly 500 Bengal tigers is being rapidly destroyed by erosion, rising sea levels and storm surges, according to a major study …
U.S. President Barack Obama won praise abroad on Tuesday for his pledge to lead the fight against climate change, which has faltered as nations argue over who should foot the bill to lower carbon emissions. Two decades of summits and resolutions have not stopped mankind pumping growing quantities of greenhouse …
The world must spend an extra $700 billion a year to curb its addiction to fossil fuels blamed for worsening floods and heat waves and rising sea levels, a study issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF) showed on Monday. As government and business leaders prepare to meet at the …
After fierce lobbying by political leaders in states across the Northeast, the House of Representatives on Tuesday night approved a long-awaited $50.7 billion emergency bill to provide help to victims of Hurricane Sandy. The aid package passed 241 to 180, with 49 Republicans joining 192 Democrats. The Senate is expected …
Scientists Report Steady Fall In Temp In US State Since Beginning Of 21st Century London: Bucking the overall global warming trend, Alaska may actually be heading for an ice age with scientists reporting a steady temperature decline in the snow covered US state. A new study by Alaska Climate Research …
The roof of a house ripped off in Lanumodara, Habaraduwa; a completely damaged house and Habaraduwa Divisional Secretary Ayesha Gunathilake Kariyawasam inspects affected areas in Habaraduwa, Galle. Pictures by Mahinda P .Liyanage, Galle Daily News correspondent About 35 houses in Pitiduwa and Lanumodara Grama Niladhari Divisions of Habaraduwa, Galle were …
Climate during 2012 was warm in respect of temperature. Annual mean temperature anomaly for the country as a whole during the year 2012 was +0.49oC above the 1961-1990 period average making it the eighth warmest year on record since 1901. The monsoon seasonal temperature over India was above normal by …
Tropical Storm Wukong left six people dead and two missing as it cut through the central Philippines, following devastating Typhoon Bopha that killed hundreds earlier this month, officials said yesterday. The toll from the latest storm was relatively low as the public, alarmed by the huge number of fatalities left …
A massive Christmas storm that whipped up tornadoes, ice and snow from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes has killed at least seven people and grounded more than 2,000 US flights. The storm snarled holiday travel as people were warned to stay home rather than brave the strong …
