Earth ChangesS


Tornado1

Indonesia investigates after first large-scale tornado strikes

Indonesia tornado wrecks homes and buildings
Indonesia tornado wrecks homes and buildings
Indonesia was struck by a tornado of a scale previously unrecorded in the country that injured at least 33 people and damaged buildings, government officials said.

After the violent wind swept the town of Sumedang in West Java province on Wednesday, a climatologist at government research body BRIN Erma Yulihastin, said the agency would "reconstruct and investigate the tornado".

In a post on social media app X, formerly known as Twitter, she said it was similar to the kind of violent winds that often occur in the northern hemisphere. Until now, only smaller tornadoes, known as "angin puting beliung" have been recorded in Indonesia.

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said the injured people suffered slight injuries.


Cloud Precipitation

Flooding caused by El Nino affects 17 provinces in Ecuador - 6.5 inches of rain in under 24 hours

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Intense rain and flooding brought by El Nino have affected seventeen provinces on Ecuador from February 20, Jorge Carrillo, the country's Risk Management Secretary said.

Some areas received more than 165 mm (6.5 inches) of rain between Monday afternoon and Tuesday early morning, according to Inamhi, Ecuador's meteorological service.

The rain continued on Tuesday evening, the service said.


Snowflake Cold

Mongolia experiences largest winter snowfall in 49 years - 668,000 livestock killed

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This winter saw the heaviest snowfall in Mongolia since 1975.

According to the Mongolian government's announcement on February 19, severe colds and blizzards have resulted in one fatality.

Meanwhile, nearly 668,000 livestock have perished in the harsh weather as of February 18.

In response to the situation, the Mongolian government has initiated disaster relief efforts, providing essential aid, such as food, fuel, and livestock feed, to the affected areas starting on February 19.


Comment: Bear in mind that Mongolia covers 1.56 million square kilometers, which is the size of the UK, France, Germany and Italy put together.


Arrow Down

Naples sinkhole swallows cars, people 'lucky to be alive'

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Two young men are "lucky to be alive" after the car they were traveling in was swallowed by a huge sinkhole that opened up early on Wednesday in a road in Naples's Vomero district.

The pair, who were returning from a party after a university exam, were saved by Army soldiers who happened to be stationed in the area as part of the Strade Sicure (Safe Streets) operation.

A parked car also fell into the sinkhole.

"It's a miracle we are alive.

It could have gone much, much worse," said Giulio Delle Donne, one of the two young men who is also a municipal councillor.


Doberman

Girl mauled to death by stray dogs in Uttar Pradesh, India - 10TH such fatality in 15 MONTHS for the Bijnor district

dog attack
A eight-year-old girl was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh. Two other girls sustained injuries in the dog attack that took place at Nagla Maheshwari on Monday (February 19) evening. The deceased has been identified as Sonam. The district has recorded 10 deaths in separate dog attacks in the past 15 months, locals told a daily.

Sonam and two other girls were going to the fields where their father was working. They were carrying food for him. A pack of stray dogs suddenly attacked them. While Sonam suffered serious injuries on her neck, other two girls sustained injuries on their face, neck and limbs. Hearing their cries, farmers working in nearby fields came to the girls' rescue and rushed them to a hospital.

"Sonam died while undergoing treatment. The condition of other two girls is stable and they are out of danger. Further action is being taken," Sangram Singh, a police official, said.

Fire

Mexico: New eruption at Popocatépetl volcano spews huge ash plume

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A new strong eruption was reported at Popocatépetl volcano near Mexico City on Tuesday, February 20. This video shows a huge ash plume seen from the capital.


Snowflake

Nearly 3 feet of snow in 5 days for St. John's, Newfoundland

Snow-weary Mount Pearl residents are digging out from snowfall after snowfall Monday.
© Peter Cowan/CBCSnow-weary Mount Pearl residents are digging out from snowfall after snowfall Monday.
Snow-weary St. John's residents are digging out from snowfall after snowfall, and as the fluffy white flakes continue to fall from the sky, some say it feels like there's snow end in sight.

"I feel it in my muscles," said Mount Pearl resident Cyril Tobin, leaning on the handle of his shovel in front of a large pile of snow. "Tired and sore."

Over the past five days, depending on the region, around 60 to 90 centimetres of snow has fallen in the St. John's metro area, according to Environment Canada.

A winter storm battered much of the island last Wednesday through to Friday morning, and on Sunday, another dump of snow fell on much of the Avalon Peninsula.

The flakes continue to fall Monday afternoon, according to Environment Canada, with snow expected to taper off in the early evening.


Snowflake

Heavy snowfall disrupts communication links and block roads in northern Pakistan - 4 feet of snow in 3 days

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Three days of continuous heavy snowfall have severely disrupted communication links and blocked roadways, affecting popular tourist destinations in Upper Hazara division, including Kaghan, Naran, Shogran, Nathiagali, Donga Gali, and Thandiani.

During the three-day heavy snowfall period, Galyat received over 2.5 feet of snow, while Kaghan and Naran received up to 4 feet, resulting in sub-zero temperatures.

In Galyat, the main Murree Road, a vital route connecting multiple destinations, has been closed due to a snow avalanche at Toheedabad all vehicular traffic to Galyat and roads connecting to Murree have been blocked.


Snowflake

Gulmarg covered by 3 feet of snow in 48 hours in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Gulmarg amasses 3-ft snowfall in 48 hours
Gulmarg amasses 3-ft snowfall in 48 hours
Gulmarg and the higher reaches in the Kashmir Valley have accumulated a significant amount of snow, with the world-famous skiing resort recording nearly 3 feet of snowfall within 48 hours until Tuesday morning.

Quoting a meteorological department official, GNS reported that plains largely received rainfall with Srinagar recording 41.4mm in two days including 29.0mm in 24 hours.

He said, mercury witnessed drop with Srinagar recording a low of minus 0.7°C against 2.0°C on the previous night. It was below normal by 1.6°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year, he said.

Qazigund received 76.8mm of rain in 24 hours till 0830 hours and recorded a minimum of 0.0°C against 36°C on the previous night and it was 0.1°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said.

Pahalgam received 40.1mm of rain during the 24 hours and recorded a low of minus 0.5°C against 0.8°C on the previous night and it was 3.5°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.


Snowflake

Heavy snowfall cuts off 228 roads, 4 National Highways in Himachal Pradesh, India - 53 inches of snow in 24 hours

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According to the weather department, Rohtang Pass received 135 cm of snow in the past 24 hours -- the highest in the region. Killar (Pangi) received 90 cm, Chitkul and Jalori Jot 45 cm, Kukumseri 44 cm, and Gondla 39 cm of snow.

Killar (Pangi) received 90 cm, Chitkul and Jalori Jot 45 cm, Kukumseri 44 cm, and Gondla 39 cm of snow. Keylong received 35 cm of snow and Sissu, Koksar and Hansa 30 cm each.

Kothi got 20 cm and Kalpa 11 cm of snow, the department said. The region is still witnessing intermittent snowfall.