Earth ChangesS


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Evacuations ordered in Texas due to life-threatening flooding after torrential rainfall of 10 inches in 24 hours

This image shows a road that was washed away by raging floodwaters in Walker County, Texas, on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
© Walker County Pct 4 Commissioners OfficeThis image shows a road that was washed away by raging floodwaters in Walker County, Texas, on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
A life-threatening situation continues to unfold across portions of Southeast Texas on Thursday as torrential rain and severe weather pounded the region, causing rivers and streams to overflow their banks, flood numerous communities along the Trinity and San Jacinto rivers and trigger urgent evacuations.

That region of Texas has been pounded by relentless rain since Sunday, with rain gauges near Trinity reporting 6-9 inches and Groveton picking up nearly 11 inches of rain from a round of storms at the end of last weekend and into the start of the workweek.

Multiple Flash Flood Warnings were in effect Thursday for several Texas communities as more precipitation fell across many of the same areas Tuesday and Wednesday, only adding to the epic rainfall totals.

Waterwood picked up more than 10 inches of rain Wednesday, and Sebastopol wasn't far behind with 9 inches.


Cloud Lightning

Lightning strikes kill 11 in 5 districts of Bangladesh

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At least 11 people died and nine others were injured in lightning strikes in five districts on Thursday.

In Cumilla, four people, including two farmers, were killed in lightning strikes in Chandina, Sadar South, Debidwar, and Bhurichang upazilas in the evening.

The victims are Daulatur Rahman, 47, of Chandina, Atikul Islam, 50, of Sadar South upazila, Mukhlesur Rahman, 58, of Debidwar, and Alam Hossain, 22, of Burichang upazila.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Cumilla Sadar Circle) Kamran Hossain confirmed the matter.

In Rangamati, three people died and seven others were injured in the morning, reports UNB.

Cloud Lightning

Woman dies as mudslide hits home during fierce storms in France

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A woman has died in the north of France after fierce storm conditions caused a mudslide to hit her home during the night (overnight May 1-2).

The husband of the unnamed 57-year old was also injured but managed to escape the torrent of water and mud in the incident in Courmelles (Aisne).

The Aisne prefecture announced the death in a press release, saying it was the result of an "intense and very localised rainfall event [which] caused run-off and a mudslide." The incident happened around midnight.

The house, located at the bottom of a hill, was ripped open by the mudslide, which was over 1m60 in height. The force of the water was so strong it ripped out some of the walls, leaving furniture in the middle of the street and the inside of the home completely exposed.

You can see photos and a video of the destruction via local media site L'union.


Cloud Precipitation

Heavy rain closes metro stations in Ankara, Türkiye on April 30

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Due to heavy rainfall that began yesterday evening in the capital, metro services between OSB Törekent and Atatürk Cultural Center stations were suspended.

Yesterday evening's heavy rain in Ankara also disrupted transportation. Following the downpour, which also caused damage to some metro stations, passengers encountered warning signs when heading to the stations to use the metro in the morning.

Information hung at metro entrances stated: "Due to disruptions in certain sections of our line caused by heavy rains affecting our city on April 30, the metro service will not be available between OSB Törekent and Atatürk Cultural Center stations. Service between these stations will be provided by buses."

Passengers are being transported by buses between OSB Törekent and Atatürk Cultural Center metro stations due to their temporary closure.

Heavy rain was effective in the evening hours, causing pools to form on streets and avenues in Sıhhıye and other parts of the city, as well as electrical cutouts. As a result, vehicles encountered difficulties moving forward due to the accumulated water. In certain areas, cars grappled with the challenges posed by heavy rain and flooding, navigating through difficult conditions to reach their destinations.


Cloud Precipitation

Flight makes emergency landing at Bhubaneswar airport in India after hailstones crack windshield

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A Vistara flight bound from Bhubaneswar to New Delhi was compelled to make an emergency landing after being caught in a hailstorm, resulting in damage to the aircraft, officials confirmed on May 1.

Moments after take-off, the aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions and swiftly returned to Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Odisha. The emergency landing, executed merely 10 minutes after departure, ensured the safety of all 169 passengers and crew members on board, authorities stated.

Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft's windshield sustained damage due to the hailstorm, which swept through several parts of Odisha earlier in the afternoon. "A windshield has been damaged, while no harm was caused to the passengers," affirmed BPIA Director Prasanna Pradhan.

The incident underscores the critical role of quick decision-making and proficient handling during emergency situations, as the crew successfully navigated the aircraft back to safety amidst challenging weather conditions. Further investigations into the extent of the damage and necessary repairs are underway.


Arrow Down

48 dead after highway collapses in flood-hit Southern China (UPDATE)

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At least 19 people were killed in China's southern Guangdong province on Wednesday after a section of a highway collapsed following several days of torrential rain and flooding in the region.

KEY FACTS

Eighteen cars fell down a slope after a 58.7-foot (17.9-meter) section of a highway collapsed at around 2 a.m. local time on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported, citing a statement from local authorities in the city of Meizhou, Guangdong.

Photos and videos on social media showed flames and plumes of smoke rising from the collapsed section of the highway, along with charred vehicles partly buried under mud and rubble.

State-run broadcaster CCTV said 30 people were rescued from the site and they "are receiving all-out emergency care in hospital."

Authorities have also dispatched more than 500 people to help with the rescue operation, state media said, without specifying if any other people remained trapped.


Comment: Update May 2

Breakingthenews.net reports:
The death toll from the recent highway collapse in southern China's Guangdong province surged to 48, with an additional 30 individuals sustaining injuries, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Meizhou Municipal Emergency Management Bureau Wen Yongdeng said on Thursday.

The 18-meter-long section of the Meizhou-Dalian Expressway collapsed due to heavy rain impacting at least 18 cars.

Three rescue channels were opened to form three working surfaces for simultaneous rescue, and life detectors are being used to ensure that no vehicles or persons are missing at the scene.



Tornado1

1 dead, 3 injured in Kansas tornado on April 30 - fifth day of vortex outbreak in US with nearly 200 reported

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One person died and three others sustained minor injuries when a tornado touched down in Westmoreland, Kansas, on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

The tornado, one of nearly 200 reported in the Plains and the Midwest since Friday, was reported at 4:40 p.m., Pottawatomie County officials said in a statement.

The identity of the person who died was being withhold until the family can be notified, Sheriff Shane Jager said at a news conference.

The injured did not require hospitalization, county spokesperson Becky Ryan said at the news conference. First responders were still conducting a grid search of the area to determine whether anyone else was killed or injured, she said.


Cloud Precipitation

Best of the Web: Saudi Arabia hit by heavy rains, widespread flooding reported, more rains forecast in Medina

Al Eis Governorate in the Medina region experienced particularly severe rainfall, which led to the formation of powerful torrents that overflowed reefs and valleys.
Al Eis Governorate in the Medina region experienced particularly severe rainfall, which led to the formation of powerful torrents that overflowed reefs and valleys.
Heavy rains and thunderstorms have lashed Saudi Arabia over the past 24 hours, causing widespread flooding and significant damage.

Amidst the downpour, visitors at the Prophet's Mosque in Medina were seen enjoying the rain and engaging in prayer, embracing this natural occurrence with a sense of reverence.

Al Eis Governorate in the Medina region experienced particularly severe rainfall, which led to the formation of powerful torrents that overflowed reefs and valleys.

The intense flooding resulted in submerged vehicles, disrupted streets, and damaged infrastructure, prompting immediate response from emergency services.


No Entry

Late April snowstorm traps 1,000 vehicles near Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh, India

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In Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, heavy snow near the Atal Tunnel trapped over 1000 vehicles, with tourists now facing tough weather conditions. The snowstorm hit near the Atal Tunnel Rohtang, blocking roads and trapping over 1000 vehicles, including more than 6000 people.

Rescue operations have been underway since Monday, with teams from District Police Kullu and Manali Police working tirelessly to evacuate stranded vehicles and tourists. DSP Manali KD Sharma said that the snowfall caught many off guard, leading to the massive traffic jam.


Arrow Down

Five killed, several injured in landslides after flash flood in Jammu and Kashmir, India

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Five people have died and several have been injured in landslides and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir. Several homes have been damaged and hundreds of residents have been affected.

Heavy rain and landslides have hit several hilly districts including Doda, Reasi, Kishtwar, Ramban and Baramulla. The Srinagar-Jammu national highway has been closed for the last three days due to landslides at multiple places along the road.

In Kupwara, the situation has started to improve, with the water level receding and people returning to their damaged homes. As seen in the visuals from yesterday, a section of the road has washed away due to flash floods and several houses flooded in knee-deep water. A portion of a house facing the river has been washed off. Yesterday, officials issued a danger warning has been issued for Pohru Nallah in Kupwara.