Thomas Mukoya and Monica Mwangi Reuters Sat, 07 Mar 2026 11:30 UTC
Severe flooding in Nairobi
Aid workers pulled bodies from floodwaters across Nairobi on Saturday after overnight flash floods killed at least 10 people, swept away dozens of cars and disrupted flights at East Africa's biggest airport, authorities said.
In the industrial neighbourhood of Grogan, security guard John Lomayan, 34, looked at the body of an elderly man he recognised - a roadside egg seller - trapped beneath a car that had been washed away when the Nairobi River burst its banks.
"I saw him being carried by the water from up there," he said, gesturing up the road. "We didn't know where he had gone. It is only now that we see him under the car".
A Reuters reporter saw three bodies pulled from underneath cars. Police said 10 people had been confirmed dead so far.
The death toll from flooding triggered by heavy overnight rainfall in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, has risen to 28, police said on Sunday, as rescue teams continue searching for survivors in several parts of the city.
Nairobi County Police Commander George Seda said five more bodies were recovered on Saturday evening from separate locations after floods submerged vehicles and forced motorists in some areas to flee to higher ground.
Seda said more bodies could still be found as search operations continue, with some parking areas and flooded locations remaining inaccessible.
The torrential rains caused widespread flooding, destruction of property, road closures and the displacement of residents in several neighborhoods across the capital.
At least 110 people have died as floods triggered by heavy rains continue to devastate large parts of the country, with the crisis now affecting 30 counties, according to the latest update by the Ministry of Interior.
The disaster, government notes, has steadily expanded, with Kilifi, Bungoma, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu and Mandera among the latest areas to report flooding as rivers burst their banks and drainage systems fail under sustained downpours.
Nairobi has recorded the highest number of fatalities at 37, underlining the dangers posed by poor drainage infrastructure and settlements in low-lying and riparian zones. The Eastern region follows with 26 deaths, while the Rift Valley has reported 14. Nyanza has recorded 11 fatalities, Central six, the Coast five and Western region two, reflecting the widespread nature of the crisis.
At least 6,953 households, equivalent to about 34,765 people, have been displaced, many forced to seek shelter in schools, churches and temporary camps after their homes were submerged or swept away. Three people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.
The unfolding emergency reflects a broader pattern seen in recent years during the March to May long rains season, which has become increasingly erratic and intense.
Flash floods caused by heavy rains have killed 15 people and left nine missing in Yemen's Taiz Governorate, with extensive damage reported, state-run Saba news agency said on Sunday.
The agency said the floods, triggered by torrential rains early Friday, struck host communities and camps for internally displaced persons in western and northwestern Taiz.
A preliminary government report confirmed the deaths included women and children, while nine others remain missing in Mocha, a port city of the governorate.
Initial estimates indicated nearly 5,900 families were affected, with homes partially or completely damaged. Yemen's meteorological authorities warned residents to avoid valleys and low-lying areas during and after rainfall.
An explosive eruption at Sheveluch volcano in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula sent a powerful ash plume up to 11 km (36,000 feet) into the atmosphere on March 29, 2026, triggering a Red aviation alert for the region.
According to observations from the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) and satellite data, the eruption lasted about 30 minutes and produced a dense ash column that rose rapidly above the summit. The Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre confirmed the plume height, News.Az reports, citing The Watchers.
KVERT raised the Aviation Color Code to Red at 02:52 UTC, indicating an immediate and significant threat to aircraft. The ash cloud drifted eastward from the volcano, extending roughly 10 km (6 miles) from the summit.
Emil Lonneberga shared these impressive powder shots from Engelberg.
A powerful late-season storm cycle has delivered a major refresh across the eastern Alps, with Switzerland leading the charge after several days of sustained snowfall. The standout has been Engelberg, where snowfall totals have been exceptional even by mid-winter standards. According to OpenSnow data, the resort received 84 cm (33 inches) in the past 24 hours and 132 cm (52 inches) over the past five days, catapulting conditions back into peak-season form.
The storm has been driven by a moist northwesterly flow, favoring northern Alpine regions and creating classic "Nordstau" conditions—where precipitation intensifies as air is forced over the mountains. The storm didn't stop at Switzerland. Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, was also hammered, with around 1.5 meters (nearly 5 feet) of fresh snow reported in recent days. But that much snow comes with complications. In a post on social media, the resort cautioned: "A lot of snow does not automatically mean a lot of skiing. 1.5 meters of fresh snow must first be tamed... colleagues work around the clock to secure the ski area and prepare the slopes." Ongoing snowfall and poor visibility have delayed operations, with the resort indicating it expects to reopen over the weekend, pending improved weather conditions.
7 killed, 5 injured after multiple avalanches along Srinagar-Leh national highway
Multiple avalanches struck the Srinagar - Leh national highway on Friday, killing seven people and injuring five others, officials said.
The avalanches hit the stretch between Zero Point and Minimarg in the afternoon, trapping several vehicles under snow and debris, they said.
Officials said rescue teams were immediately rushed to the spot and a rescue operation was launched. Efforts were underway to clear the snow and locate and rescue people trapped in the affected area.
At least 34 people have died, and nearly 200 others have been injured after heavy rains and flooding swept across Malawi last week, displacing thousands, the country's disaster management agency said on Thursday.
Flooding across 23 administrative areas has affected more than 69,000 households, or roughly 310,000 people, with over 6,000 households taking refuge in 84 emergency shelters, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) said in a statement.
The southern district of Chikwawa is the hardest-hit, as nearly 25,000 households have been affected, more than 1,800 displaced into 24 emergency shelters, and nine people killed.
The DoDMA said the toll could rise as local authorities continue assessing areas that remain largely inaccessible.
The department is working with humanitarian partners to deliver relief to affected areas and has allocated a $10 million (17 billion Malawian Kwacha) to address urgent needs, restore basic services, prevent secondary impacts, and begin early recovery, the statement said.
A 45-foot whale was found lying on Rockaway Beach in Queens Thursday.
A gigantic, 45-foot whale carcass washed up on Rockaway Beach after floating off the coast of Long Island.
Video from Chopper 2 shows the huge animal lying in the sand at the Queens beach Thursday. Many people were seen standing against a barrier, taking pictures of it.
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) said they got notification that a sei whale was floating offshore about 15 miles south of Long Island Tuesday.
AMSEAS officials said they are worked with local authorities at the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, and the state's Department of Environmental Conservation to secure and monitor the animal.
Comment: Another dead whale washed up on the same day near Florence, Oregon.
Fatmir Popja BalkanWeb.com Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:31 UTC
The heavy snowfall that hit the Elbasan Region last night has temporarily restored the winter atmosphere to the mountainous areas, covering dozens of villages in four municipalities of this region.
According to field data, the mountain villages of the municipalities of Elbasan, Librazhd, Gramsh and Prrenjas woke up this morning under a layer of snow ranging from 15 to 25 centimeters. The precipitation began around 20:30 pm yesterday evening and continued with intensity until after midnight, creating a typical winter panorama on the eve of spring.
The most affected areas are the Shebenik National Park, the tourist village of Fushë Studen, as well as a number of neighborhoods and villages over 800 meters above sea level in the Administrative Unit of Librazhd, including Orenjë, Qarrishtë, Dragostunjë, Polis, Babje, Dardhë and Xhyrë, where the snow thickness reaches at least 25 centimeters.
The same situation is present in all mountainous areas of the region, while this morning has brought cloudy weather, but without further precipitation. Despite the intensity of precipitation during the night, currently no traffic problems are reported. All rural roads are passable, while local authorities continue to monitor the situation to guarantee the safe movement of residents in these areas.
Dubai has been hit by overnight flooding after "intense downpours" hit several cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), prompting officials to issue warnings.
Dramatic pictures were posted online by the Dubai Media Office and others of lightning striking the 829m/2,722ft Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
Authorities in the UAE activated emergency measures and issued safety alerts across the country, Gulf News said.
"Heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds" swept across large parts of the UAE from Thursday into early Friday.
An unstable weather system caused "lightning, booming thunder and intense downpours in several cities", as well as "dust-raising winds and reduced visibility", the outlet said.
Comment: Update March 8
XINHUA reports: Update March 10
AFP reports: Update March 30
ntvkenya.co.ke reports: