‘Scale of disaster would depend on where Phailin hits’

M R Ramesh Kumar from National Institute of Oceanography on Phailin and the cyclone vulnerability of Bay of Bengal

Most Asia-Pacific countries ill-prepared for natural disasters: ESCAP

Over the past 60 years, temperatures in the region have increased faster than the global mean

Extreme climate events fuel cholera outbreaks in Mozambique, Madagascar: WHO 

Measures to deal with such outbreaks must be a key agenda of the governments across southern Africa, say experts

2022 too short, too far: A year of disasters

Down To Earth recaps the primary environment, health and developmental news from 2022  

India saw natural disasters almost every day in first 9 months of 2022: CSE report

Highest toll in Himachal Pradesh; official data inadequate to show real extent of loss & damage

As told to Parliament (July 19, 2022): Kharif sowing over 59 million hectares

All that was discussed in the House through the day

Cyclone Asani to hit coast between Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar on May 10

West Bengal set to receive heavy rains from May 10-13    

Cyclone Jawad: Bengal braces for intense rain, crop damage

Cyclone Jawad’s impact on West Bengal will be dependent on what direction the cyclone takes in Odisha, say experts

Cyclone Jawad can make landfall in Odisha’s Puri district December 5: IMD

Farmers and fishermen in coastal Odisha districts prepare for the worst, with Cyclone Jawad predicted to make landfall in the area; many worried …

Atmospheric river storms can drive costly flooding — and climate change is making them stronger

Even modest increases in atmospheric river intensity could lead to significantly larger economic impacts

Detecting tropical cyclones in north Indian Ocean earlier than satellites: IIT-Kharagpur researchers find a way

The technique could help in early detection of development of tropical cyclones in atmospheric column over ocean surface in the North Indian …

Months after forest fire, Cyclone Yaas threatens flooding in Similipal

Animals are being evacuated from the national park even as power and communication are disrupted

Odisha block offers glimpse into how state is tackling COVID-19, Yaas

Over 4,000 people have been successfully evacuated to 14 shelter homes in the Khunta block under Mayurbhanj district of Odisha

India bore maximum brunt of extreme weather events in 2020: Report

As many as 2,067 lives lost to floods in India through the year, the highest in the world due to climate change-induced events 

Cyclone Nivar may hit harder than we think. Here’s why

IMD has upgraded the storm to a ‘very severe’ one; expect it to rapidly intensify

COVID-19: Lessons for disaster management

Good governance, responsive administration and coordination should be non-negotiable in a process driven by transparency and accountability

WMO report flags heatwave, cyclone conditions in India

India was severely affected by delayed monsoons, floods, according to the report

Pandakudia slum shows 'smart city' Bhubaneswar has a long way to go

Informal settlements in Odisha capital lack toilets, running water & power; situation worsens during rains and natural disasters; women …

There’s need for city-level climate actions

Indian cities need climate action plans that are implementable and have necessary financial, institutional and policy support

Monsoon advances, but in deficit

Reasons for delay: Weak El Nino conditions, very severe Cyclone Vayu

Why the heatwave? Blame Cyclone Vayu, El Niño

Experts believe if monsoon rains would have reached central India by June 10, it would not have been this hot

Cyclone Fani: Women were left with just one cloth to cover body, manage menstruation

In the absence of gender-sensitive disaster response mechanism, women in a Puri village tore the only cloth they had after the disaster …

Evacuation of 450,000 people on in coastal Andhra

Officials say people from 500 villages will be moved to safer areas by evening

COVID-19 pulls fishermen back to Bengal, Amphan forces them to reconsider

Several fishermen in West Bengal have begun weighing options to go back to fishing harbours in other states where they worked

How Phailin was different from super cyclone 1999

Improvements in weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, and lessons learnt from 1999, made all the difference