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Multiple landslides after incessant rain hit Shimla, India - 20 bodies recovered

Shimla: Damaged Road After Massive Landslide At Baluganj Due To Monsoon Rainfall, In Shimla.
© PTIShimla: Damaged Road After Massive Landslide At Baluganj Due To Monsoon Rainfall, In Shimla.
Rescue and restoration efforts are underway after multiple landslides hit Shimla on Wednesday following incessant rainfall in Himachal Pradesh.

According to the district administration, at least 20 bodies have been recovered from the rubble and search operations are underway. The Shimla District Administration held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to address the situation and begin road restoration.

"We convened a meeting today due to the landslides and damaged roads. All concerned departments were called together to discuss the transportation system and road restoration. The Superintending Engineer (PWD) has provided a restoration plan, and geologists will assess the situation. A report will be submitted for the restoration of these roads," said Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap.

"As for the Rampur floods in Samej areas, search operations have not yet yielded full results. We have recovered 20 bodies out of 33; the search will continue. The bodies were found floating in the Sutlej River, and five locations along the riverbank are being monitored. Major damage occurred in the Samej and Taklech areas earlier. Restoration efforts are ongoing," added Kashyap.


Boat

Bangladesh flood breaks 3 decades' record

The Joint River Commission is actively working to address the flood situation in the eastern parts of the country, as well as in border areas, through discussions and collaborations.
The Joint River Commission is actively working to address the flood situation in the eastern parts of the country, as well as in border areas, through discussions and collaborations.
The ongoing flood situation in Bangladesh has broken a three-decade record, with water levels in several rivers surpassing previous records.

According to Sardar Uday Raihan, Executive Engineer of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the flood situation may begin to normalise within the next 48 to 72 hours.

Speaking to Somoy Sangbad on Thursday (August 22), Raihan said that the flood situation in the Feni and Noakhali regions has reached unprecedented levels, breaking records from the past 30 years.

Based on data from meteorological agencies, the engineer added that flood conditions have worsened in Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Cumilla, Feni and Chattogram.

The Joint River Commission is actively working to address the flood situation in the eastern parts of the country, as well as in border areas, through discussions and collaborations.


Fire

Wildfires burn over 6% of Portugal's Madeira island in 1 week

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A forest fire on the southern coast of Portugal's island of Madeira has scorched more than 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) of land, or 6.4% of the island's total area, over the past week.

The fire, which began on Aug. 14, remains uncontrolled and is causing significant concern in the southern coastal areas of Camara de Lobos and Ponta do Sol, as well as in the mountainous Pico Ruivo region.

Data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicates that the fire has affected more than 5,000 hectares on the island so far.

The Portuguese National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) has faced strong criticism from unions and opposition parties for its handling of the situation. In response, the agency has deployed a 60-member special unit to assist in firefighting efforts.


Hardhat

Several feet of hail falls in Colorado in only 15 minutes

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Hail piled up like snow on Tuesday after several feet fell in only 15 minutes around Cascade, Colorado, a video shows.

The hail occurred during a series of thunderstorms for which the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Pueblo, Colorado, issued a slew of warnings. Included in the warnings was the alert that hail, ranging from penny- to ping pong ball-size, depending on the location, could accompany the storms.

The hail even produced "hail fog," an unusual phenomenon that occurs when excessive hail cools the surface temperature to the dew point level, forcing condensation.

AccuWeather shared footage of the hail in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"Have you ever heard of 'hail fog' before? It happened in Colorado on Tuesday!" AccuWeather posted with the video.


Tornado2

Tourists thrilled to witness 'monster' waterspout forming in Jamaica on August 19

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Tourists visiting Negril, Jamaica, were thrilled to witness a waterspout forming off the coast of the island recently.

Pat Aleywine captured this video and can be heard stating his awe behind the camera. The footage shows a funnel starting to form as a storm rolls in.

"It's a waterspout trying to form up ... get ready to have a show," Aleywine is heard saying.

"This has turned into a monster of a waterspout; so blessed to see stuff like this," he continued.

Aleywine said he recorded the footage on Monday, August 19.


Volcano

Sakurajima volcano erupted in Japan, spewing ash that rose to 2,700m

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One of Japan's most active volcanoes, Sakurajima, erupted once again this year, spewing a massive cloud of ash that rose to a height of 2,700 metres.

Specifically, the eruption occurred yesterday, Wednesday, and was the 29th for this year.

Although it is not considered a destructive eruption, it still poses several risks, such as ash-fall in nearby areas, possible ejection of volcanic rocks, and the possibility of pyroclastic flows.

Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes, with a history of frequent eruptions.

Initially, it was an island, but it became a peninsula after a significant eruption in 1914.


Doberman

Man dies after XL Bully dog attack at his home in Accrington, UK

David Daintree, 53 who has tragically died following the incident at his home
David Daintree, 53 who has tragically died following the incident at his home
A 53-year-old man has died after being attacked by a dog in Accrington.

Police were called shortly before 9.30pm yesterday (Tuesday) by the ambulance service to reports of a dog attacking someone inside a house at Ashley Court.

Officers attended and a man in his 50s was found dead.

He has been now been named as David Daintree, 53, who was the owner of the dog and who lived at that address. The dog has since been confirmed to be an XL Bully.

As the dog was continuing to pose a significant threat of serious harm, police said they were left with no alternative but to put down the animal and prevent it from causing further injury to others.

Boat

Death toll rises to 23 amid heavy rain, over 65,000 displaced in Tripura, India (UPDATE)

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Around 34,100 people in Tripura were displaced and had to take shelter, while 887 houses were damaged amid heavy rain leading to massive flooding. The death toll has risen to 10.

As per the latest report from the State Emergency Operation Centre on August 21, the government set up a total of 331 relief camps, where 34,100 people from 6,259 families have taken shelter.

In the North District, the government opened 8 relief camps, where 269 people have taken shelter. In Unakoti District, 48 relief camps have been opened, housing 6,626 people. In Dhalai District, 33 camps have been opened, with 2,057 people taking shelter.

Meanwhile, in Sepahijala, 5 relief camps have been opened, where 109 people are in shelter. In West District, 26 relief camps have been opened, accommodating 7,549 people. In Khowai, 46 relief camps have been established, housing 7,138 people. In Gomati, 132 relief camps have been opened, accommodating 6,759 people, and in South District, 35 relief camps have been set up, where 2,333 people have taken shelter.


Comment: Update August 23

Reuters reports:
Soldiers in lifeboats ferried people to safety in India's northeastern state of Tripura on Friday after heavy rain triggered floods and landslides, forcing more than 65,000 people from their homes and killing 23, authorities said.

Television images showed army personnel manning the rescue craft, while cars and buses were marooned in streets of knee-deep water, and disaster management officials said four days of incessant rain had swelled rivers.



Cloud Precipitation

Subway stations shut due to massive flooding caused by heavy rains in Tokyo, Japan

Heavy Rain Causes Severe Flooding in Tokyo
Heavy rain causes severe flooding in Tokyo
On Wednesday, August 21, heavy rainfall in Tokyo led to significant disruptions across the city.

Videos circulating on social media reveal severe flooding at Ichigaya Station, with another clip showing water cascading down stairs and breaking shutters at National Stadium Station, which has been closed due to the flooding.

Additionally, footage from Tokyo's Shinjuku district capture over-pressurised sewer lines, forcing water onto the streets and causing manhole covers to blow off.

The intense rainfall has overwhelmed the city's infrastructure, leading to widespread chaos and significant damage.


Cloud Precipitation

South Korea lashed by 6 inches of rain in aftermath of Storm Jongdari

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A tropical depression dumped heavy rain in southern South Korea and the populous Seoul region on Wednesday after weakening from a tropical storm.

Some southern parts of the mainland and the island of Jeju recorded 10 to 16 centimetres (3.9 to 6.2 inches) of rain. Some areas in the capital region saw 8 to 9 centimetres (3.1 to 3.5 inches) of rain as of Wednesday morning.

The depression that was once Tropical Storm Jongdari made landfall Wednesday and South Korea's weather agency said the system was expected to dissipate soon.

No injuries have been reported.

At least 19 vehicles were damaged by floods in the southern town of Ulju and the nearby city of Ulsan, according to South Korea's ministry of the interior and safety.