Earth ChangesS


Arrow Down

Evacuation underway for stranded tourists after avalanches trap 1,000 people in China

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Rescuers evacuated tourists on Tuesday from a remote skiing area in northwestern China where dozens of avalanches triggered by heavy snow have trapped more than 1,000 people for a week, state media said.


Cloud Lightning

Lightning strike kills boy on Fiji - 2nd such death in 2 days for the island

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A 16-year-old high school student of Yanuya Island, Malolo, has died after he was struck by lightning last Saturday.

Police said the incident occurred at 5pm while the teenager was returning from a picnic on a boat in the Mamanuca waters.

He died instantly and his body is currently awaiting a post-mortem examination at the Lautoka Hospital mortuary.

In a separate incident, a 60-year-old farmer was found lying motionless in Sabeto last Thursday.

Police said it was believed he was struck by lightning at his cassava farm at Keoloya settlement.

Investigations into both incidents are continuing.

Comment: Lightning kills man on Fiji


Cloud Grey

Weather wreaks havoc in Indian capital amid cold snap

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© Arun Sankar/AFPA Spice Jet Airlines prepares to take off amid dense fog
Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi • December 27, 2023
More than 100 flights have been affected due to adverse conditions in the north of the country...

Around 100 flights were delayed and 25 canceled on Tuesday afternoon as the Indian capital, New Delhi, grappled with dense fog, low visibility, and record-low temperatures, Indian media has reported.

Chaotic scenes have been emerging from Delhi Airport since Sunday as stranded passengers awaiting departure have had to wait long hours for their flights to take off.

On Tuesday morning, the airport authorities implemented a "low visibility procedures" protocol, warning that flights not equipped for low-visibility landings could experience "delays or diversions."


Snowflake Cold

Arctic blast brings travel chaos: More than 7,000 flights are canceled or delayed and cars get stranded as 150 million face wind chill warnings

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DES MOINES, IOWA: Water is frozen coming out of a pipe during extreme cold weather on Caucus Day
A deadly artic cold is sweeping the nation this week, putting millions of Americans under wind chill warnings and creating slippery conditions on the roads causing traffic delays.

The National Weather Service said wind chills are expected to push temperatures 30 degrees below zero from the Northern Rockies to northern Kansas and into Iowa on Monday.

About 150 million Americans were under a wind chill warning or advisory for dangerous cold and wind, according to Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Cloud Precipitation

Cars submerged as Cyclone Belal sparks flash flooding in Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Belal pummeled the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Reunion with strong winds, heavy rain, and massive flooding.
Tropical Cyclone Belal pummeled the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Reunion with strong winds, heavy rain, and massive flooding.
The tropical cyclone had already hit the island of Réunion, killing at least one person and leaving many homes without electricity.

Torrential downpours from Cyclone Belal unleashed severe flash flooding in the Mauritius capital, Port Louis, on Monday with cars washed down streets and people seen escaping their submerged vehicles.

The Mauritius weather service raised the alarm from class two to class three as the island nation braced for worse to come. Belal is expected to pass Mauritius at its closest point early on Tuesday.


Tornado2

Two tornadoes confirmed near Port St. Lucie, Stuart in Florida

Tornado forms near Martin Highway and crosses over Interstate 95
Tornado forms near Martin Highway and crosses over Interstate 95
Two tornadoes touched down Monday evening on the Treasure Coast, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

They were reported after the NWS issued a tornado warning about 5:30 p.m. for St. Lucie and Martin counties and extended it through 6:30 p.m.

The first tornado appeared to touch down west of Interstate 95 and travel northwest to North River Shores, said meteorologist Cassie Leahy. Damage to trees and fences was reported near Woodbine Way.

The second tornado appeared to touch down near Becker Road and I-95, Leahy said. No damage was reported.


Doberman

Infant dies after stray dog mauls her in Rajasthan, India

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A six-month-old girl was killed in Bhilwara district on Sunday evening after being brutally mauled by a stray dog in a village.

The incident occurred around 4 pm in Hajiyas village of Gulabpura police station. Chhoti Devi, the mother of a 6-month-old baby girl named Chinki, had placed her daughter in a swing made of cloth and was engaged in feeding fodder to the cows and buffaloes in the nearby animal enclosure after putting the child to sleep.

A police official said, "A stray dog from the street attacked the sleeping girl.

The girl cried, and following this, her mother immediately came to the rescue and witnessed the dog scratching and growling at the child. Despite Devi's attempts to drive the dog away, the attack continued, resulting in severe injuries to the girl's mouth and jaw."

The family transported the critically injured Chinki to Bhilwara Hospital, where surgery was performed to save her life. However, the girl succumbed to her injuries just an hour after the surgery. The angered villagers rushed to the scene. Later they identified and beat the dog to death following the incident.

Cloud Lightning

Lightning strike kills 4 family members in Uganda, another kills 18 livestock

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Fred Ishungisa, also known as Rukara, a farmer in his 50s and a resident of Ntungamo village in Katenga parish, Kaharo sub-county, Kabale district, is in shock and counting losses after his six cows and 12 sheep were struck dead by lightning.

He recounts that the incident took place on Monday evening at around 06:30 PM while he was grazing the animals at Kinyinya Hill, located in the same village, during a drizzle. In the process, he witnessed lightning striking the animals.

Edmond Tumwesigye, the area sub-county LC3 Chairman, mentions that despite the tragedy that targeted the animals, Ishungisa survived unhurt. He expresses sympathy for the situation, noting that it has strained Ishungisa's income.

This incident occurred just a day after lightning struck four children of a same family in Sheema district. The incident took place on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in Kimondo II village, Kitagata ward, in Kitagata town council. The victims, Mujuni Trevor (11), Akankunda Shanitah (9), Nahabwe Comfort (10), and Ainembabazi (7), were all in the kitchen when the incident occurred.

In December 2023, lightning struck Treasure Arinda, a 13-year-old son of Vincent Wednesday and a primary five pupil at Kacherere Primary School, and Elia Mwebesa, also 13 years old and the son of Patrick Barigigye. They were residents of Kilwa village, Kiruruma ward, Kacherere town council, Rubanda district, and the incident happened while they were collecting firewood.

Cloud Precipitation

33 Malawi rivers flood as 3 die

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Officials from the Ministry of Water and Sanitation say at least 33 rivers are either flooding or risk flooding due to heavy rains in most parts of the country.

In a statement, the ministry says the rivers that are experiencing significant increase in water levels in the southern region include Likhubula, Likangala, Mkulumadzi, Lisungwe, Mtemang'ombe, Nkasi, Phalombe, Mombezi, Domasi, Naisi, Thutchira and Ruo.

The central region has Lingadzi, Lilongwe Linthipe, Rusa, Kasangazi, Mpasadzi, Lifuliza, Dwabanzi, Dwangwa, Bua and Nkula.


Cloud Precipitation

Floods death toll rises to 11 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Heavy rains battered the KZN North Coast on Sunday night.
© IPSS Medical RescueHeavy rains battered the KZN North Coast on Sunday night.
Eleven people have now been confirmed dead due to floods in KwaZulu-Natal.

Five people died last night in the eThekwini metro.

Search and rescue teams are searching for two people after their shack was washed away in the Tongaat area.

Hundreds of houses have been damaged in several parts of the province.

The heavy rains have also damaged water and electricity infrastructure.

Meanwhile, eThekwini municipality has closed beaches in the north, and a few in the south, until further notice, due to concerns about water quality.

Meanwhile, more heavy downpours are expected on Sunday.