Italy’s main agriculture union Coldiretti said Monday that this year is already the third-hottest in Italy since record-keeping began in 1800, while last year was the hottest…reports Asian Lite News
Italy is in the grip of its third major heatwave of this summer, as the hottest two-year period on record continues in the country.
The Ministry of Health said Monday that by mid-week, 17 of Italy’s 27 largest cities will be on “red alert” for heat. A new record of 20 out of 27 cities was set in July.
The cities currently set to be put on red alert by Wednesday include Bologna, Florence, Milan, Naples, Rome and Turin. A dozen cities were already on red alert as of Monday.
Temperatures in cities across central and southern parts of the country are expected to surpass 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days. It is the third time since June that temperatures are set to exceed this level on a wide scale.
A “red alert” means that even young people in good health are at risk during the hottest part of the day.
Italy’s main agriculture union Coldiretti said Monday that this year is already the third-hottest in Italy since record-keeping began in 1800, while last year was the hottest.
Although the heatwaves in 2022 were longer, this year’s heatwaves have been more intense, setting record temperatures in dozens of cities. Last month was the hottest July ever recorded in Italy.
This year has also seen more intense weather-related events: in its report released last week, Coldiretti said that so far this year, Italy has experienced an average of nearly 11 extreme weather events per day. This has caused at least 6 billion euros (6.5 billion U.S. dollars) worth of damage in the agricultural sector alone.
In addition to high temperatures, extreme weather events have included hailstorms, tornados, flash floods, and wind storms.
Elsewhere, the Italian weather website Il Meteo reported that a new “zero point” – the altitude at which the temperature falls to zero degree Celsius – has been recorded at 5,328 meters. The new record was set above the Novara Cameri radio-sounding station between Sunday night and Monday morning.
Previously, the record zero point was at 5,298 meters, in Switzerland. The new higher “zero point” means that the glaciers will melt further, Il Meteo said.
Nevertheless, the latest heatwave is expected to be shorter than the previous two in July. Cool weather from northern Europe is expected to move in and bring down temperatures in most areas by as much as 10 degrees Celsius by the weekend.
Since the fires first broke out on August 8, at least 114 people have died and 850 people are still missing….reports Asian Lite News
Thirteen days after the eruption of the deadliest US wildfire in over a century, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden inspected the widespread destruction in Hawaii’s Maui Island, telling survivors of the state’s worst ever natural disaster that the nation “grieves with you”.
On Monday, the Bidens toured the charred ruins of the historic town of Lahaina, which has completely been destroyed in the fires, and also met first responders, the BBC reported.
Since the fires first broke out on August 8, at least 114 people have died and 850 people are still missing.
“For as long as it takes, we’re going to be with you. The whole country will be with you. The country grieves with you, stands with you and will do everything possible to help you recover,” the President was quoted as saying.
President Biden, who also took an aerial tour, described the wildfire devastation as “overwhelming”.
The visit comes amid intense scrutiny against the Biden administration over its response to the disaster, the BBC.
When asked about the rising death toll while he was at a Delaware beach on August 13, President Biden led to more criticism when he said: “No comment”.
The White House has said that he delayed his trip to the disaster zone so he wouldn’t distract from recovery operations.
On August 10, the President had issued a major disaster declaration to expedite federal funding and assistance to the area.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, more than 1,000 federal responders are currently on the ground in Hawaii.
Meanwhile, local officials have also faced criticism.
Maui’s emergency management chief resigned last week after the agency faced backlash for failing to activate its alarm system in the wake of the fire.
The first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, Hilary dropped more than half an average year’s worth of rain on some areas…reports Asian Lite News
Tropical Storm Hilary deluged arid parts of Mexico and then drenched Southern California from the coast to inland mountains and deserts, forcing rescuers to pull several people from swollen rivers. Millions expected more flooding and mudslides Monday, even as the storm begins to weaken.
The storm first made landfall in Mexico’s arid Baja California Peninsula on Sunday in a sparsely populated area about 150 miles (250 kilometers) south of Ensenada. One person drowned. It then moved through mudslide-prone Tijuana, threatening the improvised homes that cling to hillsides just south of the U.S. border.
The first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, Hilary dropped more than half an average year’s worth of rain on some areas, including the desert resort city of Palm Springs, which saw nearly 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) of rain by Sunday evening.
Forecasters warned of dangerous flash floods across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, and fire officials rescued 13 people from knee-deep water in a homeless encampment along the rising San Diego River. Meanwhile, rain and debris washed out some roadways and people left their cars stranded in standing water. Crews pumped floodwaters out of the emergency room at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.
The Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second largest school system, and said all campuses would be closed on Monday, as did districts across the region. San Diego schools postponed the first day of classes from Monday to Tuesday.
The Palm Springs Police Department said in a statement Sunday that 911 lines were down and that in the event of an emergency to text 911 or reach out to the nearest police or fire station.
The storm was projected to weaken as it continued moving northward over California and into Nevada, but Richard Pasch, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center, said “very heavy” rain and strong winds are still likely.
Southern California got another surprise Sunday afternoon as an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 hit near Ojai, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of downtown Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was felt widely and was followed by smaller aftershocks. There were no immediate reports of major damage or injury, according to a dispatcher with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Hilary is just the latest major climate disaster to wreak havoc across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Hawaii’s island of Maui is still reeling from a blaze that killed over 100 people and ravaged the historic town of Lahaina, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Firefighters in Canada are battling that nation’s worst fire season on record.
As Hilary bore down on Mexico, one person drowned Saturday in Mugele, on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula, when a vehicle was swept away by an overflowing stream. Rescue workers saved four other people, said Edith Aguilar Villavicencio, the mayor of Mulege.
Mexican army troops fanned out across the area where some of the worst damage occurred Saturday. Soldiers used bulldozers and dump trucks to help clear tons of boulders and earth that clogged streets and roads. Power lines were toppled in many places, and emergency personnel worked to restore electricity.
On Sunday morning in California, the warnings from officials didn’t keep everyone indoors. In coastal Carlsbad, just north of San Diego, 19-year-old Jack Johnson and his friends kept an eye on the huge waves, determined to surf them.
“It’s really choppy out there, not really surfable yet, but I think we can find a good break somewhere later,” Johnson said. “I can’t remember a storm like this.”
Also Sunday, one of several budding storm systems in the Atlantic Ocean became Tropical Storm Emily, according to the National Hurricane Center. It was far from land, moving west in the open ocean. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Franklin formed in the eastern Caribbean. Tropical storm watches were issued for the southern coasts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
In September 1939, a tropical storm that roared into California ripped apart train tracks, tore houses from their foundations and capsized many boats, killing nearly 100 people on land and at sea.
Before the storm hit Southern California, the state proclaimed a state of emergency.
According to a release from his office, “more than 7,500 boots on the ground” have already been deployed to protect from the impact of Hurricane Hilary.
“Today, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for much of Southern California to support Hurricane Hilary’s response and recovery efforts as the state continues mobilizing and coordinating resources ahead of the storm’s forecasted impacts starting today,” CNN reported quoting the release.
San Bernardino County has declared a state of emergency, the county said in an emailed announcement to residents.
According to The Washington Post, the county, which encompasses a large swath of Southern California from east of Los Angeles to the border with Arizona and Nevada, said Tropical Storm Hilary had arrived there, with the worst storm conditions expected through midnight local time.
Trudeau convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the wildfire crisis in the Northwest Territories and extreme weather across the country…reports Asian Lite News
Evacuation efforts continued in western Canada amid incidents of wildfires.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said on social media that the government continues to urgently mobilize resources in the Northwest Territories and stands ready to provide support in Kelowna.
Kelowna, a city in British Columbia with a population of about 150,000, has declared a state of emergency amid wildfires, Xinhua news agency reported.
The City of West Kelowna, with a population of around 36,000, also declared a local state of emergency. Authorities confirmed Friday in a press conference that there had been some structural loss in the city. More than 2,400 nearby properties are under evacuation orders.
In the Northwest Territories, evacuation efforts in Yellowknife continue on Friday. According to local media, 26 evacuation flights have been scheduled out of the city to Calgary. The federal government said it is contracting private planes to supplement military efforts.
The territorial government said the fire remained out of control 15 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife, adding critical and challenging days ahead are expected.
Trudeau convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the wildfire crisis in the Northwest Territories and extreme weather across the country.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there were around 1,000 active forest fires in Canada as of Friday, more than 380 of which were in British Columbia and more than 230 in the Northwest Territories.
Kelowna, a city in British Columbia with a population of about 150,000, has declared a state of emergency amid wildfires, Xinhua news agency reported…reports Asian Lite News
Evacuation efforts continued in western Canada amid incidents of wildfires.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said on social media that the government continues to urgently mobilize resources in the Northwest Territories and stands ready to provide support in Kelowna.
Kelowna, a city in British Columbia with a population of about 150,000, has declared a state of emergency amid wildfires, Xinhua news agency reported.
The City of West Kelowna, with a population of around 36,000, also declared a local state of emergency. Authorities confirmed Friday in a press conference that there had been some structural loss in the city. More than 2,400 nearby properties are under evacuation orders.
In the Northwest Territories, evacuation efforts in Yellowknife continue on Friday. According to local media, 26 evacuation flights have been scheduled out of the city to Calgary. The federal government said it is contracting private planes to supplement military efforts.
The territorial government said the fire remained out of control 15 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife, adding critical and challenging days ahead are expected.
Trudeau convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the wildfire crisis in the Northwest Territories and extreme weather across the country.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there were around 1,000 active forest fires in Canada as of Friday, more than 380 of which were in British Columbia and more than 230 in the Northwest Territories.
The storm is forecast to begin weakening on Saturday as it encounters cooler water temperatures and then become a tropical storm by Sunday as it approaches the US…reports Asian Lite News
Hurricane Hilary strengthened to Category 4 early Friday and is expected to weaken as it barrels toward the US state of California.
The US National Weather Service tweeted that the storm would “lead to significant impacts” to the southwestern US this weekend into early next week, with rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches and isolated amounts of up to 10 inches for parts of southern California and southern Nevada.
Within 24 hours, Hilary has rapidly intensified from a 70 mph tropical storm to a “large and powerful” 140 mph Category 4 hurricane as of early Friday, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is forecast to begin weakening on Saturday as it encounters cooler water temperatures and then become a tropical storm by Sunday as it approaches the US.
Weekend flood watches have been issued across southern California, stretching from San Diego to Los Angeles. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has also warned of the potential for dangerously high surf, rip currents and coastal flooding.
Director General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation stressed the need to pay attention to environmental and climatic variables to ensure a safe and sustainable future for the plants…reports Asian Lite News
Christer Viktorsson, Director General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), revealed FANR’s preparations to participate in COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE at the end of November.
He added in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), that the panel discussions will contribute to maintaining the safety and security of nuclear facilities, as the authority will hold some discussions on the impact of climate change on nuclear facilities in the future and in the long term, given that nuclear power plants have been operating for about 80 years or more.
He stressed the need to pay attention to environmental and climatic variables to ensure a safe and sustainable future for the plants, explaining that FANR is working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and national organizations to take the correct measures and procedures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities in the country from changing environmental phenomena.
As part of the authority keenness to ensure the safety and security of society and the environment, Victorsson affirmed FANR’s readiness to respond quickly to emergencies through constant follow-up at its state-of-the-art emergency center, and cooperation with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, Abu Dhabi Police, in addition to other organizations, whether through remote follow-up or in the field.
Environmental protection is a key pillar to protect society from radiation and environmental variables, as FANR works in this context to follow up and measure radiation levels in the air for 24/7 , through radiation measurement screens that monitor radioactive emissions at the local and international levels, in addition to continuing to protect water, soil and the marine environment by collecting samples and examining them in FANR’s environmental laboratory.
He referred to FANR’s strategy for the years 2023-2026, which aims to achieve its mission to protect society, the environment and workers in the nuclear and radiological sector, as FANR through the strategy studies and foresees the future of nuclear energy and technological and medical developments in this field, as well as developments at the national, regional and international levels, in addition to security issues in the region and at the international level.
Viktorsson pointed out that FANR is working to follow up on technological developments in the field of nuclear energy control, and adopt innovations to develop a more improved system of regulatory supervision using new technologies and tools, such as drones, artificial intelligence and other modern technologies, stressing FANR’s interest in research and development, which is a key pillar in developing the strategy, as it searches for solutions to improve control, whether on the nuclear power plant or in other areas it supervises.
Within the framework of international cooperation, the Director General of Nuclear Regulation referred to close cooperation with the relevant institutions in the Republic of Korea as one of the countries that have achieved remarkable progress in this field, in addition to cooperation with global regulators with the aim of exchanging knowledge and expertise on operational experience, test results and joint research and development.
He said that the authority is working to intensify its cooperation with its counterpart in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the field of emergency planning and radiation safety, referring in this regard to a visit by a delegation from the authority to the Kingdom in early August, during which a multi agreements were signed in several fields, stressing the importance of cooperation with neighboring countries to activate similar response systems to ensure the effectiveness of dealing with emergency situations.
Christer Viktorsson said that after full operation, the Barakah plant will have to take out part of the nuclear fuel used in the reactor every 18 months and store it in a pond of water at the plant for many years, explaining that this matter is still under study, follow-up and research, especially since such materials need special methods and techniques to deal with them and a long storage period.
Hilary’s rainfall could arrive as early as Saturday in parts of the Southwest, with the worst of its impacts set to arrive in California on August 21….reports Asian Lite News
Hurricane Hilary is rapidly intensifying in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico and is on track to deliver potentially significant rain and flooding to parts of the US Southwest starting this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
In its latest update, the NHC said that as of Thursday night, Hilary had strengthened into a major Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph and even stronger gusts, CNN reported.
The storm will likely reach Category 4 hurricane strength on Friday with winds of at least 130 mph, the Center warned.
The hurricane was about 445 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, as of Thursday evening.
Hilary’s rainfall could arrive as early as Saturday in parts of the Southwest, with the worst of its impacts set to arrive in California on August 21.
Shifts in the forecast track will also affect which areas of northwestern Mexico will face the worst of Hilary’s winds, which will be strong enough to snap trees, down power lines and cause significant damage to property.
According to the NHC, Hilary is expected to weaken significantly before it reaches Southern California and parts of the Southwest, but there was still an increasing chance of significant impacts to these areas in the form of heavy rain and flooding, CNN reported.
Southern California could receive some of Hilary’s heaviest rainfall.
Widespread rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches may fall there and in southern Nevada from Saturday through August 21.
The heaviest rainfall is expected mainly August 20-21.
Rainfall is also likely in parts of Arizona, Central California and northern Nevada.
If the storm makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it would be the first in nearly 84 years, and only the third tropical storm or stronger to do so on record, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The most recent was an unnamed tropical storm in 1939, NOAA records show.
Before that, the San Diego Hurricane made landfall in October 1858 — California’s only hurricane landfall on record.
Nora in 1997 was the last and only other tropical storm to maintain its status after crossing into California.
The wildfires, which destroyed the historic town of Lahaina on Maui, is already the deadliest in more than a century in modern US history…reports Asian Lite News
The death toll from the devastating wildfires in Hawaii’s Maui Island which first erupted on August 8, has increased to 110, the US state’s Governor Josh Green said.
“Every day we are a little bit more heartbroken because we do have to report that more of our loved ones have been confirmed lost and deceased,” Xinhua news agency quoted Green as saying at a press conference late Wednesday night.
The Governor added that about 38 per cent of the burned area has been searched, while around 2,200 structures in Maui, 86 per cent of them residential, have either been completely destroyed or damaged.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said on Tuesday that he hopes searchers will have covered 85 to 90 per cent of the area by the weekend.
The wildfires, which destroyed the historic town of Lahaina on Maui, is already the deadliest in more than a century in modern US history.
About 2,000 customers remained without electricity in affected areas on the island, said the overnor.
Also on Wednesday, the White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Maui on August 21 “to meet with first responders, survivors, as well as federal, state, and local officials, in the wake of deadly wildfires on the island”.
“I remain committed to delivering everything the people of Hawaii need as they recover from this disaster,” the President said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, the Hawaiian Electric is facing a lawsuit claiming power lines blown over by high winds helped to cause the destructive Lahaina wildfire, though an official cause has not yet been determined.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with the team overseeing COP28 at Qasr Al Bahr Majlis. (Photo: WAM)
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed affirmed that sustainability remains at the heart of the UAE’s support for global climate action….reports Asian Lite News
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received at Qasr Al Bahr Majlis the team overseeing the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).
During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed affirmed that sustainability remains at the heart of the UAE’s support for global climate action. His Highness also emphasised the need to enhance international solidarity and cooperation in pursuit of practical solutions to climate challenges.
The meeting was attended by members of the National Higher Committee overseeing preparations to host COP28 UAE.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was briefed by the COP28 team about the conference preparations and the four pillars of the COP28 Action Agenda, including fast-tracking a just and orderly energy transition; fixing climate finance; putting nature, lives, and livelihoods at the centre of climate action; and enhancing inclusivity in national climate action.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed affirmed that by hosting COP28, the UAE is building upon its enduring legacy of environmental stewardship first championed under the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, while empowering youth, women, and civil society to contribute to mobilising international efforts to combat climate change.
Moreover, His Highness noted, the UAE is extending an invitation to the world to foster cooperation and joint action in collective efforts to achieve outcomes that benefit the global community. His Highness underscored that the COP28 team’s endeavours to accelerate effective climate action serve all of humanity in light of the climate crisis. Under the UAE Presidency, COP28 will lead the global effort to protect the planet and safeguard the wellbeing of future generations.
His Highness affirmed that the UAE will leverage its diverse international partnerships in efforts to pursue inclusive dialogue and cooperation while focusing on practical climate solutions and fostering sustainable social and economic development.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the importance of preparations to host COP28, emphasising that the UAE possesses essential capabilities such as modern infrastructure, a commendable track record in sustainability and environmental conservation, recognition as a successful convener of global events, and deep-rooted relations with other countries. His Highness commended the efforts of the COP28 team in overseeing the conference and striving to achieve its objectives.
Members of the Higher Committee overseeing preparations to host COP28 include H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Higher Committee; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Vice Chairman of the COP28 UAE Higher Committee; Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development; Muhammad Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Protocol and Strategic Narrative; and Lieutenant-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.
Members also include Lieutenant-General Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Director-General of the State Security Department at Dubai Police; Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police; Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Rashid Saeed Al Ameri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Presidential Court for the Government Coordination Sector; Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Interior; Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary-General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Hosani, representing the Supreme Council for National Security.
