Earth ChangesS


Seismograph

Shallow 6.4 magnitude earthquake southwest of Fiji

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An earthquake of 6.4 magnitude struck the Suva in Fiji during the early hours of Wednesday (local time), the National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported.

The depth of the earthquake was measured at 10 km and the epicentre was 591 km South-West of Suva in Fiji.

"Earthquake of Magnitude: 6.4, Occurred on 27-03-2024, 06:58:17 IST, Lat: -21.21 & Long: 173.85, Depth: 10 Km, Location: 591km SW of Suva, Fiji," said the NCS in a post on X.

The National Center for Seismology (NCS) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for monitoring earthquake activity.

No casualties have been reported so far. Further details are awaited.

Cloud Precipitation

Global cooling: Record outback rains in Australia

So far this month hundreds of millimetres of rain has fallen across the NT as far south as Alice Springs.
© ABC NewsSo far this month hundreds of millimetres of rain has fallen across the NT as far south as Alice Springs.
An exceptional soaking across outback Australia has broken all-time rain records, caused dry Northern Territory rivers to flood, and will supply another boost to waters already flowing south into Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.

The current rain event has triggered flood watches for more than 40 Queensland and NT rivers, prolonging a productive northern wet season which has brought frequent soakings deep into the country's interior.

And there's still more rain to come this week — the spell of showers and thunderstorms will continue across much of northern and central Australia this week, before possibly moving south this Easter, and potentially dampening the back half of the long weekend in parts of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.


Comment: A report from about a week prior: Heavy rain, and possible flooding for Northern Territory, Australia as ex-Tropical Cyclone Megan crosses


Cloud Precipitation

Iran hit by heavy rains, flooding disrupts communication routes

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Torrential downpours in several Iranian provinces have caused widespread disruption as floodwater blocked communication routes in dozens of villages.

Authorities have issued warnings about rising water levels at several dams, and flooding has already begun in some areas.

On Monday, the Iranian Meteorological Organization issued red warnings for Khuzestan, Lorestan, Kohgiluyeh, and Boyer Ahmad provinces, while 15 others received orange warnings.

Omid Mesadi, deputy head of the Crisis Management Organization, reported that roughly 110 roads, primarily rural routes, had been blocked by Monday evening.


Nebula

Northern lights shine over erupting volcano in Iceland

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Timelapse video has shown a volcano in the Icelandic town of Grindavik erupting against the backdrop of the Northern Lights.

The volcano there is continuing to erupt - but to a lesser extent than it did in January and February when it sent lava rushing towards Grindavik.

The Icelandic Met Office says it is possible that the deep magma supply and the lava outflow might have found a balance where it continues to erupt but with reduced power.

Grindavik's population of about 3,800 people were evacuated in November following a series of earthquakes that opened large cracks in the earth between the town and Sýlingarfell, a small mountain to the north and it was evacuated again in January the night before the latest eruption started.


Boat

Burundi floods submerge homes and farms

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Neither homes nor farmland have been spared by the relentless rise of Burundi's Lake Tanganyika.

Increased rains, linked to climate change, have upped the water level by 27 centimeters in recent months.

In the community of Kibenga, residents have erected sand bank defenses as they attempt, often in vain, to hold back the tide of floodwater.

Apolline Kankindi says she used to grow crops such as cassava and beans.

Now, she says, the lake has destroyed it all.


Cloud Precipitation

Heavy rains kill four people in Nairobi, Kenya as overnight floods wreak havoc

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A vehicle partially submurged in one of the city estates on March 25, 2024
At least four people were killed separately following heavy rains experienced in Nairobi.

The deceased include a police officer who was rescuing trapped families in the Kamukunji area.

His body is yet to be recovered, police said.

The officer from Kamukunji police station had responded to a distress call to rescue a family that had been trapped in a flooded house.

According to Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei, the officer and his colleagues managed to rescue the family and as they were leaving the house he stepped on an open manhole.


Arrow Down

Landslide after torrential rain in Indonesia's West Java leaves 5 dead, 5 missing (UPDATE)

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A landslide struck a village in the Indonesian province of West Java on March 24, killing a woman while nine others including children went missing, the local authority announced on March 25.

The disaster took place in Cibenda village in West Bandung regency after torrential rain reportedly poured over the area for about two hours.

Acting Regent of West Bandung Arsan Latif said that nine villagers were feared to have been buried alive. On early March 25 morning, rescuers found a woman killed in the landslide.

Latif said that about 400 villagers had to flee to temporary shelters as dozens of houses were destroyed.

Floods and landslides often occur in Indonesia during the rainy season, particularly in areas which suffer from deforestation and prolonged torrential rain.

Earlier this month, flash floods and landslides on Sumatra island killed at least 30 people and many others are still missing. In December last year, a landslide and flood swept away dozens of houses, destroyed a hotel near Toba lake on Sumatra island, and killed at least two people.


Comment: Update March 27

Bernama reports:
Rescuers have recovered five bodies, including children, buried in a landslide hitting two villages in Indonesia's West Java province recently, an official of the local search and rescue agency said on Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

The fifth body was found on Wednesday morning near a river, around 20 km from the victim's last known location prior to the disaster, according to Supriono, head of the operation unit of the provincial search and rescue office.

Apart from the deceased, five people are still missing.



Attention

Submarine volcanic activity bubbles up near Iwo Jima, Japan on March 16

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The Japan Coast Guard captured a video of bubbly, frothy water emitting large clouds of smoke and steam. What's going on? This is a highly active region for volcanic activity and this is the result of a submarine eruption.


Cloud Lightning

Lightning strike claims life of man in Kuwait

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A Bangladeshi national employed at a jewelry store in Bar Al-Liyah tragically lost his life due to a lightning strike.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the incident upon receiving a report, but paramedics confirmed his death upon arrival.

Witnesses recounted that he was struck by lightning, prompting the investigator to order the body's removal for examination before referring it to the forensic department.

Windsock

'There's been no increase': Scientists debunk climate change claims about hurricanes

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© The Epoch Times, Getty Images, Shutterstock
This year's hurricane season, which officially starts June 1, is being predicted by WeatherBELL as the "hurricane season from hell," with weather patterns similar to those of 2005, 2017, and 2020.

Along with it, says the firm's meteorologist and chief forecaster Joe Bastardi, will come the climate change blame game, which he calls a false narrative.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, killing an estimated 1,833 people and causing approximately $161 billion in damages. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, Irma hit the Caribbean, and Maria hit the Caribbean and Puerto Rico, resulting in at least 3,364 fatalities and a combined cost of over $294 billion in damages.

In 2020, six major hurricanes landed, resulting in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) dubbing 2020 the "most active season in recorded history."

Following each season, government officials, committees, and scientists were quick to blame climate change.