by admin | Aug 19, 2025 | disasters, emergencies, news, rain, rainfall
Released on, Aug. 19 — August 19, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Heavy rains in northern China have claimed at least 13 lives, with five people still missing, as authorities struggle to manage extreme weather that shows no sign of stopping soon.
State media reported that three bodies were recovered from floodwaters in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, while three others went missing near the banks of the Yellow River, roughly 70 kilometers away.
Monday’s downpour, the first of three consecutive storms forecast in the region, dumped more than 204 mm of rain in less than 24 hours, exceeding August’s monthly average by over double.
Earlier, on Saturday, a flash flood swept through Bayannur’s grasslands after a river burst its banks, killing at least ten people and leaving 13 campers stranded; one was rescued while two remain missing.
Search efforts by rescue crews persist in Ordos, close to Baotou—a key center for rare earth minerals—amid severe rain and floods posing risks to facilities and potentially forcing many from their homes.
Weather experts caution that intense precipitation connected to global warming presents increasing difficulties for officials, straining outdated flood protection systems, resulting in financial damage, and endangering millions of people living in northern China.
by admin | Aug 15, 2025 | disasters, greece, incident, natural disasters, tragedies
Three individuals, among them two visitors from Vietnam, lost their lives in Greece on Friday when strong winds fueled wildfires and caused disruptions to ferry services affecting tens of thousands of vacationers during the summer season.
Over 200 firefighters, supported by 11 aerial water tankers and seven helicopters, were fighting a fire near Keratea, south of Athens, according to Costas Tsigkas, president of the association of Greek firefighting officials.
ERT
state television.
“He mentioned it was a challenging blaze,” he stated, referring to strong winds and noting that multiple areas had been vacated.
Firefighters found the remains of an older individual within their scorched house in Keratea, with strong winds affecting the operation of aerial firefighting units, according to Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the fire department, during a media update.
An
AFP
A journalist from the neighboring town of Palaia Fokaia, approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Athens, witnessed flames engulfing a home and dense smoke filling the atmosphere.
Emergency responders were running quickly to position hoses and extinguish the fire, as a helicopter flew above to release water.
Previously, another fire on the island of Cephalonia had been contained, according to local authorities, whereas Vathrakogiannis stated that conditions “have improved” on the Peloponnese peninsula located west of Athens.
The Ministry of Civil Protection stated that wind speeds could peak at 88 kilometers per hour, particularly in the southern Aegean region and the Sea of Crete.
The National Weather Service EMY stated that the wind speeds would decrease after midnight, yet the Civil Protection Ministry issued the highest wildfire alerts for multiple regions on Saturday, such as the Attica area, which encompasses Athens.
Earlier, the coast guard reported that a Vietnamese man and woman from a cruise ship tour group had passed away at Sarakiniko Beach on the tourist island of Milos in the Cyclades.
“A man and a woman were discovered lying unconsciously in the water and were transported to the nearby medical facility,” stated a spokesperson from the coast guard.
A woman slipped into the water, and the man seemingly attempted to rescue her.
‘Left stranded’
Strong winds forced numerous ferries to remain in port, disrupting the primary means of transportation that links thousands of islands and supports their vital tourism industry.
The coastguard stated that the majority of ferry services could not leave on time from Piraeus and other Athenian harbors, particularly heading towards the Cyclades or Dodecanese islands. Some trips were cancelled while others were delayed.
In Piraeus, many passengers gathered outside a boat heading towards the Cyclades’ islands of Paros and Naxos, hoping for updates about an upcoming sail.
Close by, travelers who were stuck gathered around backpacks and luggage, forming a long line outside a ticket counter, making urgent phone calls in an attempt to change their plans and salvage their trips.
“there are long queues, lots of chaos, everyone is waiting under the sun and it’s a really difficult situation,” said Philip Elias, an American visitor.
Maritime links with the Saronic islands close to Athens, such as Aegina, Hydra, Poros, and Spetses, along with the Ionian Sea remained undisturbed, according to the coastguard.
Greece typically experiences strong winds during this season, with fire crews having dealt with multiple significant fires this summer, such as those on the islands of Evia and Chios, along with incidents in the western part of the Peloponnese.
by admin | Apr 13, 2025 | disaster management, disasters, water crises, water management, water supply
The coastal regions of District Sujawal and Thatta have faced severe water shortages over the last several months, with little indication of improvement on the horizon. “Water is essential for life, yet we’ve been denied this basic human right,” remarks Sattar Machi, a local from Union Council Karmalak within Taluka Jati, underscoring the crisis impacting these shores.
As per data shared by officials from the district irrigation department in Sujawal, the primary water sources feeding the coast—including Jati, Ladiyo, Chuhar Jamali, and Shahbunder—are experiencing severe shortages because of depleted water levels further down at Kotri. Given that Sindh faces a total shortfall of 47%, these coastal regions of the province may soon be grappling with drought conditions.
Allah Bux Temro, a local farmer, stated that standing crops like cotton and tomatoes were wilting. The circumstances in these regions have become critical, with both men and women having to cover extensive distances to collect water for drinking and everyday needs.
A local inhabitant named Ali Akbar Thaheem revealed that the groundwater along the coast had become saline, forcing residents to use water likely to cause various health problems.
In these regions, women obtain water from nearby vendors who transport it using donkeys and mules to the town centers within the district. Rasool Bux Bario, one such vendor, mentioned that he charges 150 rupees for a can of water; however, individuals in distant locations often struggle to make payments promptly because of their financial hardships and limited job prospects.
The ongoing scarcity of water has not only deteriorated the quality of life for locals but also endangered the ecological characteristics of the area. Once teeming with life, the riverbed of the Indus is now buried under layers of sand. Consequently, the Indus delta faces severe degradation due to insufficient water flow below the Kotri Barrage.
According to water specialist Naseer Memon, extracting additional water from the Indus River could exacerbate the challenges faced by the coastal area of Sindh. He also stated that the current water shortage has reached levels unseen over the past 25 years in the downstream regions of Sindh, specifically affecting Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Tando Muhammad Khan.
Supporting his argument, agricultural scientist and ex-Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department in Sindh, Obhayo Khan Khushik, called upon the national administration to assess conditions in the downstream regions of Sindh prior to building new channels along the Indus River. He cautioned that insufficient water supply could exacerbate seawater intrusion into these lands, potentially leading to the demise of the Indus Delta.
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by admin | Apr 11, 2025 | disasters, meteorology, news, severe weather, storms
Multiple storms sweeping through the United States resulted in significant flooding and led to 16 fatalities, with one of those being a young child aged nine. The National Weather Service issued warnings about additional storms anticipated on Sunday.
Severe storms have battered the central-Eastern part of the United States, resulting in at least 16 fatalities, according to local authorities. This includes several children among the victims.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning stating that
further “severe” flash flooding
as anticipated in the upcoming days.
A number of fierce storms stretching from the states of Arkansas to Ohio damaged buildings, flooded roadways and produced dozens of tornadoes over the past week.
Tennessee suffered the most from severe weather conditions, with officials reporting on Saturday that 10 fatalities occurred throughout the western region of the state.
Two people were killed due to floods in Kentucky, according to state Governor Andy Beshear, including a nine-year-old child who was “swept away by floodwaters,” as he walked to a bus stop.
Images revealed extensive destruction caused by the storm throughout multiple states, featuring houses ripped apart, fallen trees, disrupted electrical wires, and flipped vehicles.
The NWS reported that severe and extensive flash flooding will continue through Sunday in portions of the central-eastern area, cautioning that “both lives and properties face significant peril.”
Two additional fatalities related to the storms were reported in Missouri and one in Indiana, as stated by local media outlets and officials.
A 5-year-old child was discovered deceased inside a residence in Little Rock, Arkansas, reportedly due to the continuing severe weather conditions, according to a statement from the state’s emergency management agency.
G flooding has hit unprecedented levels in numerous communities,” Governor Beshear of Kentucky posted on social media on Saturday, advising residents in the state to “stay off the roads and never attempt to drive through floodwater.
As of early Sunday, more than 100,000 individuals remained without electricity in Arkansas and Tennessee, reported the monitoring site PowerOutage US.
The National Weather Service cautioned that moderate to intense tornadoes might develop over areas of the Tennessee Valley and Lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday, alongside “severe thunderstorms.”
Edited by Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
Author: Kalika Mehta (with Reuters, AP)
by admin | Apr 10, 2025 | disasters, news, safety, thailand, tourists
The Thai authorities have told visitors they can still come without worry as last week’s fatal quake in nearby Myanmar, which led to extensive destruction throughout portions of Southeast Asia including Bangkok, does not pose a threat.
“Travel, accommodations, and events continue as usual. Safety inspections are being conducted continuously to ensure security. Key locations are monitored by tourist police,” stated Thailand’s Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong in a government update posted on X, previously called Twitter.
Authorities have stated that no tourists sustained injuries and no popular tourist locations in Thailand were impacted by the earthquake.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand promptly addressed the worries by releasing a statement on Saturday asserting that the conditions in Bangkok were back to normal.
“Enterprises have restarted their activities, and tourist sites along with multiple convention centers are operating normally. Nevertheless, ongoing evaluations will be conducted to guarantee optimal safety measures,” stated TAT via social media platforms.
“Accommodation facilities, dining establishments, and leisure spots continue their regular operations without disruption, and transportation services are running normally. Therefore, there’s no cause for travelers to cancel their trip arrangements,” stated Anil Punjabi, who serves as a member of the national executive committee at the Travel Agents’ Federation of India (TAFI), according to reports.
The Times of India
.
Thai officials also mentioned that well-known locations like Phuket, Pattaya, and other tourist spots were unaffected by the earthquake.
The number of fatalities in Bangkok increased to 17 following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit central Myanmar on Friday.
significant tremors were clearly experienced in Bangkok, the capital city.
and
other parts of Vietnam
and China.
A number of international visitors in Bangkok experienced unsettling moments when seismic activity made tall buildings sway, created cracks in walls, and even led to water spilling out of rooftop pools.
From January through mid-March, Thailand saw an influx of 8.3 million international tourists, marking a rise of 3.9% compared to the same period last year. By the close of this year, the nation aims for between 39 to 40 million overseas visitors.
by admin | Apr 8, 2025 | disaster management, disaster preparedness, disasters, natural disasters, news
Thailand’s natural disaster early warning and alert system encounters significant hurdles following experts attributing a delayed reaction to the earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, which caused powerful shaking throughout Thailand, to inadequate coordination.
Seree Supratid, director of the Climate Change and Disaster Centre at Rangsit University, says he was appointed by the Interior Minister as an expert adviser at the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) after the earthquake.
During an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr. Seree mentioned that he had also been involved with the center back in 2005 when it was first established.
Bureaucratic loopholes
After coming back, I’ve already identified numerous gaps, especially within our operations involving collaborating organizations.
“Collectively, we function akin to a series circuit [where all elements are linked sequentially to create a solitary pathway for electrical current]… Data is transferred from one organization to the next as time progresses,” he stated.
He proposed that it might be more efficient if the agencies could function akin to contemporary computer circuits, operating concurrently without needing to await one another.
Specifically, the NDWC ought not to await information from other agencies. If flooding occurs, it shouldn’t rely on data from the Meteorological Department; similarly, during other natural events causing disorder, it shouldn’t depend on the DDPM.
Mr. Seree mentioned that the NDWS needs to seek out information independently and cross-reference it with other agencies prior to releasing warnings.
He stated that during the earthquake on March 28, the text messages alerting people about the quake were significantly delayed in being dispatched.
Passakorn Boonyalak, who serves as the director-general of the DDPM, mentioned earlier that the department had submitted the initial set of alerts to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for distribution at 2:42 pm. This was shortly after an earthquake occurred at 1:20 pm on March 28.
The notification assured recipients that they were free to go back into structures to retrieve their possessions.
Trairat Wiriyasirikul, who serves as the interim secretary-general of the NBTC, mentioned that the notification was sent out at 2:44 pm to approximately 10 million mobile phone numbers. The distribution occurred gradually, with each batch containing 200,000 contacts, covering areas within Bangkok and its adjacent three provinces.
He further stated that the identical message was subsequently resent to recipients across all 76 provinces.
However, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated during a gathering on March 29 that it was excessively time-consuming to disseminate the information. She instructed both the DDPM and NBTC to devise a method for surpassing the 200,000-per-send restriction as efforts commence to enhance the system.
She encouraged them to increase this capability to one million recipients per broadcast as they awaited the complete rollout of the NBTC’s cell broadcast technology.
Mr. Seree stated that the NDWC now has the legal duty to be the first entity to release official natural disaster alerts.
In case of another seismic event, the Meteorological Department will inform the NDWC, which will then utilize this data to release warnings and communicate the necessary steps individuals should follow along with safe locations to head towards.
He stated that during this timeframe, the Meteorological Department requires additional time to analyze more detailed aspects of the earthquake’s intensity and determine which areas might be impacted before they can forward this supplementary data to the NDWC.
Cell broadcast service system
“When the cell broadcast service [CBS] system is rolled out, it will enable the NDWC to issue warnings directly to individuals in impacted regions through cellular networks,” he explained, noting that full implementation of the CBS system is anticipated by August 1st.
The CBS system enables the distribution of urgent weather and natural disaster alerts through mobile phone notifications.
He mentioned that initially, the media might get details regarding the location and intensity of an earthquake from the Meteorological Department.
Nevertheless, it requires some time to compute and analyze the impact levels, after which the NDWC will release warnings through the CBS system and keep providing periodic updates until the situation improves, he stated.
He likewise highlighted the importance of enhancing the current disaster alert mechanism to guarantee a more rapid reaction during an emergency.
The NBTC plans to work together with television networks and radio stations to issue warnings through the TV Pool system, he stated, noting that no such alert was disseminated on March 28.
Free inspections
The president of the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, Amorn Pimanmas, stated that owners and inhabitants of tall buildings in Bangkok ought to request an inspection from structural engineers following the earthquake to alleviate their worries about safety.
As things stand, Bangkok boasts over 1,000 structures exceeding 23 meters or eight stories tall. Following the March 28 earthquake, numerous individuals have grown worried regarding the structural integrity of these buildings, he mentioned.
People can get assistance through Traffy Fondue, a complaint mechanism managed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Additionally, engineers who offer their services for free will inspect structures after an earthquake and provide guidance on making buildings more resistant to earthquakes at no cost.
Approximately 1,000 engineers are prepared to provide assistance at no cost; however, they do not have the authority to issue certifications for safety inspections.
“If property owners require certifications, they might need to engage private firms to examine their structures,” Mr Amorn stated.
He mentioned that a team of Thai investigators has created instruments for gauging structural movements. Currently, one such device is set up at the Thani Nopparat Building within City Hall’s Din Daeng district, while another is positioned at a facility in the Northern region.
Mr. Amorn stated that it is still not possible to accurately forecast precisely where and when an earthquake might strike beforehand. Additionally, issuing prompt alerts for shallow quakes similar to the one that hit Myanmar on March 28, which had a depth of merely 10 kilometers, continues to be challenging.
Scientists indicate that smaller earthquakes transmit rapidly and generally cause greater damage compared to those occurring at deeper depths. Waves generated by deep-seated seismic activities move slower through layers of rock, diminishing in intensity as they ascend towards the earth’s surface.
“Bangkok is approximately 1,000 kilometers distant from the epicenter located in Myanmar. However, vibrations were experienced in Thailand. Issuing prompt alerts was challenging because we required time to analyze the data,” Mr Amorn stated.
Itthaboon Onwongsa, the deputy secretary-general of the Thailand Consumers’ Council (TCC), stated that the organization has been advocating for the adoption of the CBS system ever since the tragic event at Siam Paragon in October 2023. This incident involved a troubled 14-year-old student who took the lives of three individuals and wounded multiple others.
He stated that delaying the installation of the system any longer would be unwise, and emphasized that it should also be tailored to meet the requirements of visually impaired and hearing-impaired individuals.
He stated that during natural disasters, the government must not abandon individuals to fend for themselves. Instead, it has an obligation to offer citizens essential information and prompt guidance.
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