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Wayanad landslide death toll climbs to 116

The two massive landslides that washed away Mundakkai and Chooramala areas of Vellarimala village took place under Meppadi Panchayat in Wayanad…reports Asian Lite News

The death toll in the Wayanad landslides tragedy climbed to 116 as of July 30 evening. According to Kerala Health Minister Veena George, the postmortem of 116 bodies has been completed.

The two massive landslides that washed away Mundakkai and Chooramala areas of Vellarimala village took place under Meppadi Panchayat in Wayanad on Tuesday morning. The landslides destroyed several houses, uprooted trees and made water bodies swell, hampering the rescue work.

Meanwhile, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), “Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places in Kerala on July 31 and August 1.”‘ The weather department has predicted heavy rainfall for August 2.

Additionally, it said, “Strong surface winds with speeds reaching 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph are likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala on July 30 and 31.”

Earlier, the death toll in the landslides was reported at 108. As many as 128 individuals were reported to be injured after the massive landslides hit the hilly areas of Wayanad. The injured have been receiving treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad. Rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas.

Efforts are underway to locate missing persons and continue with all available resources. The first landslide occurred at 2 AM today, followed by another at 4:10 AM, causing immense damage to homes and livelihoods. Many areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, have been isolated, and roads have been washed away. The Vellarmala GVH School was completely buried.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose have expressed their condolences and offered assistance in the incident.

A high-level meeting was held under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday to coordinate rescue operations in the landslide-hit Meppadi areas of Wayanad and discuss further steps on it.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister assessed the rescue operations.The Chief Minister also reviewed the coordination with the central government agencies, the deployment of disaster response forces, health and safety precautions and the facilities in the relief camps.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the Wayanad landslide incident on Tuesday and said that 3,069 people are in 45 relief camps in Wayanad alone, and five ministers are coordinating the efforts of the relief and rescue operations.

Addressing the press conference, Vijayan said, “The landslide in Wayanad is a heart-wrenching disaster. There was extremely heavy rainfall. An entire area has been wiped out. We have recovered 93 bodies so far, but the numbers may change. There are 128 people receiving treatment for injuries. Many who went to sleep last night have been swept away.

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Defence forces move in

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In the wake of the devastating landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad district, the Indian Army launched extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations to aid the affected communities, which included Control Centre Establishment, air effort by the Indian Air Force among others.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that 93 bodies have been recovered and 128 people have been injured after massive landslides hit hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district. He further said that 3,069 people are in 45 relief camps in Wayanad alone, and five ministers are coordinating the efforts of the relief and rescue operations.

Under the Initial Response and Mobilization, the Indian Army had been engaged in the rescue operations since 10.30 am. However, they had received the assistance request at around 4.30 am in the morning. Earlier, two HADR columns from the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre from Kannur and two HADR teams from the 122 TA Battalion from Kozhikode were deployed. Two HADR teams (strength 2-2-40) and one medical team (strength 1-0-3) reached Muppidi, Wayanad at 12.30 pm.

Under the Engineering and additional resources, the state government had requested the deployment of a 690 feet bailey bridge. Currently, up to 330 ft of the bridge is being moved from the Madras Engineer Group (MEG) Centre, Bangalore, by road. The remaining parts are being airlifted from Delhi Cantonment. Two additional columns from the 91 Infantry Brigade in Trivandrum are on standby and will be airlifted by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Also, a Control Centre is being established in Kozhikode under the Commandant of the Para Regimental Training Centre, Brigadier Arjun Segan. This centre will coordinate all HADR efforts on the ground.

The teams from the 122 TA Battalion actively assisted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in rescue operations and damage assessments. The Indian Army coordinated closely with state authorities to ensure swift and effective relief efforts.

Three 110-feet Bailey bridges and three JCBs also departed from Bengaluru. One 110-feet Bailey Bridge airlifted from Delhi, and additional engineering resources will be mobilized based on assessments by the Engineer Recce Team.

ALSO READ-225 Army personnel deployed for rescue ops

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-Top News India News Kerala

More Than 100 Dead As Massive Landslides Hit Kerala’s Wayanad

Wayanad: Rescue operation underway after Landslide due to continuing rain fury in Wayanad district of Kerela on Tuesday July 30, 2024.(Photo: IANS/@INCKerela)

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan called the Wayanad landslide one of the state’s worst disasters as the death toll reached 106, with many injured, buried, or missing, reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday described the Wayanad landslide disaster as one of the worst-ever witnessed in the state as the death toll touched 106 and is expected to go higher with many injured, buried or missing.

The worst affected areas include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu and the locals from these areas who managed to escape are shattered as hundreds of homes have been totally destroyed.

“The figure of the dead is not the final one as rescue operations are continuing. Till now 34 bodies have been identified and 18 have been handed over to relatives.

Wayanad: Rescue operation underway after Landslide due to continuing rain fury in Wayanad district of Kerela on Tuesday July 30, 2024.

“The rescue operations will stop after dark. As many as 128 people have been injured and a few areas have been completely washed away as there were heavy rains in the affected areas for the last few days,” said CM Vijayan.

“It’s a tragedy which one cannot ever think of. Just imagine these people, including children, went to sleep last night and tragedy struck and many were swept away by nature’s fury.

“In Malappuram District 16 bodies were found floating in the Chaliyar River. Dismembered body parts have also been taken out of the river.

“A team led by a Lieutenant Colonel has rescued people trapped in the Mundakayil market area using a ropeway which the Army set up,” added CM Vijayan.

(ANI Photo)

“The first landslide occurred at 2 A.M. and then again at 4.10 A.M. The road connecting Mundakayil to Churalpara has been washed away. The river which was flowing in the affected area has branched out and is flowing in two directions, flooding homes,” said Vijayan.

“There will be more people trapped in the area and a massive rescue effort is presently on, in which numerous agencies including the three Defence forces, NDRF, the fire department and the police are doing their best and it will continue,” added Vijayan.

“After the tragedy struck, I received calls from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, West Bengal Governor A Bose. Each of them pledged their full support for the state,” said CM Vijayan.

He said there are around 3,069 people in various camps in the affected areas.

CM Vijayan said after hearing about the tragedy, contributions to the Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund have started pouring in from various quarters.

Meanwhile the Army team, after several hours of hard work, set up a temporary Bailey Bridge and was able to rescue numerous people who were trapped at Mundakayil area.

Late on Tuesday evening an IAF helicopter also arrived after it failed to arrive due to the inclement weather in the morning.

The injured people are now being transported to hospitals in the helicopter.

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-Top News Environment India News

G20 nations discuss disaster risk reduction

Member NDMA Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said that the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Meeting was aimed at fulfilling the criteria that were envisioned by the Sendai Framework…reports Asian Lite News

Amid rising frequency of natural calamities, the G20 nations under India’s presidency discussed disaster risk reduction.

Top officials said that after completing the initial meetings in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, the G20 Working Group commenced its third meeting in Chennai.

India, under its Presidency of the Group of 20 nations, has constituted a first-of-its-kind Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group keeping in view the increasing frequency and severity of disasters that are wreaking havoc around the world,

Speaking at the inaugural session, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi P K Mishra while highlighting the effects of climate change and related disasters listed out the forest fires in Canada, the resultant haze in North America, major cyclonic activity on India’s East and West Coast, unprecedented flooding in New Delhi (worst in 45 years), among others.

“Climate change-related disasters are already here. These are enormous, interconnected, and affect everyone across the world. The ambition of this group should match the scale of the problem. We need a transformation of local, national, and global disaster risk reduction systems,” he said.

According to Member Secretary of India’s National Disaster Management Authority, Kamal Kishore, the key focus areas of this group were ensuring early warning for all, investing in climate and disaster resilient infrastructure, improving financing framework for disaster risk reduction, improving systems for better post-disaster recovery, and ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction.

“Preparing for and working towards reducing the risk of disasters is the primary objective of India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and this activity is now being taken to the global stage and the exchange of ideas is being carried out with foreign counterparts,” he said.

About the increased international cooperation in sharing sensor data and warnings on Tsunami, earthquakes, and cyclones, Kishore said that the observation data from various sensors were global public goods and such data was fed to global models and was useful to all nations.

He also highlighted the need to improve the density of such networks, provide access to warnings and timely dissemination and the capability to act on the warnings.

Member NDMA Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said that the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Meeting was aimed at fulfilling the criteria that were envisioned by the Sendai Framework.

ALSO READ-India hopeful of African Union getting G20 seat

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-Top News India News

G20 DRRWG to discuss disaster risk financing  

Its scope will be public and private financing, social protection, knowledge sharing, and international financing mechanisms for disaster response, recovery and reconstruction, said the officials…reports Asian Lite News

The second meeting of the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG) will explore innovative ways of managing disaster risk and financing for sustainable development, officials said.

The meeting, scheduled between May 23-25 in the country’s commercial capital, will attract top government officials, industry experts, private players and other stakeholders from over 20 countries.

It will enable the G20 countries to identify opportunities and explore innovative financing mechanisms to reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities as they grapple with an increasing number of natural disasters and climate change-related risks, as elsewhere in the world.

These nations face a combined estimated Annual Average Loss of $218 billion or 9 per cent of average annual investment in infrastructure, and the DRRWG meeting with high-level dialogue on financing for development would serve as an opportunity to call-for-action on finance for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Its scope will be public and private financing, social protection, knowledge sharing, and international financing mechanisms for disaster response, recovery and reconstruction, said the officials.

Besides, the DRRWG will host side events on infrastructure risk assessment tools and data platforms, and the importance of adopting a ‘build back better’ approach that incorporates ecosystem-based approaches and engages local communities.

The various other agendas, including the establishment of a national framework, incentivizing private investments, and supporting disaster preparedness, will pave the way towards a more resilient future.

Apart from the G20 members, the other invited countries and international organisations, like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, important key Indian stakeholders like the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority, the National Institute of Disaster Management, and National Disaster Response Force are slated to participate at the DRRWG meeting.

ALSO READ-India witnessed highest African participation under its G20 presidency

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Europe

The worst disaster of region in century

The United Nations seeks more aid to help the victims of Türkiye-Syria quakes. The UN said the tragedy is the “worst” disaster of region in century..reports Asian Lite News

The devastating earthquakes that shook southern Türkiye and northern Syria was the “worst event” to hit the region in a century, a senior official from the United Nations said.

“What happened here on Monday, the epicenter of the earthquake, was the worst event in 100 years in this region,” Martin Griffiths, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, told reporters in the Turkish province of Kahramanmaras.

More than 100 countries have sent emergency response teams to Türkiye, but “we’re going to need more than that,” Griffiths said.

The UN would launch the appeal to raise money for agencies to come and help the people who’ve been affected, he added.

“We have a clear plan tomorrow (or) the day after to give an appeal for a three-month operation to help the people of Türkiye with humanitarian assistance, and we will do some similar one for the people of Syria,” he said.

As they are coming to the end of the rescue phase, the UN official expressed concern for the second phase of the disaster. “The second phase of a natural disaster of this size is often a medical one, where we have huge worries here and in Syria, of the health problems which have been going on treated,” he noted.

Türkiye’s response to the disaster was “extraordinary,” Griffiths added.

The death toll from Monday’s devastating earthquakes climbed to 22,327 in Türkiye, while another 80,278 injuries were reported in the country, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced on Saturday night.

Search and rescue efforts in ten quake-hit 10 provinces of Türkiye have now begun to turn to debris removal on the sixth day of the disaster. Rescue teams from across Türkiye and around the world were still trying to find survivors in the rubble of toppled buildings and pulled them out against all odds. However, while the number of casualties is soaring, the number of injured pulled out of the rubble was so few on Saturday.

In a statement, the Turkish Medical Association warned about infectious diseases that may occur after the earthquake. Damage to infrastructure such as electricity, water, and sewerage increases the risk of water and food-borne diseases, the statement said.

Risks increase for acute respiratory infections such as influenza, and coronavirus, along with the possibility of contact-transmitted diseases such as scabies, lice, fungi, and diarrheal diseases, it added.

Chinese rescuers have successfully saved at least four survivors so far. An 82-member China Search and Rescue Team arrived in Türkiye on Wednesday to join earthquake relief efforts in the country. Members of the Blue Sky Rescue Team and other Chinese civil relief squads were also in Türkiye to join the international rescue work.

At least 160,000 people, including foreign teams, were on the field for search and rescue efforts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday. All the state dormitories of universities will be reserved for earthquake victims, and university students will have distance learning until the summer, he noted.

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu slammed Germany and Austria because their teams have suspended their efforts due to security threats, and criticized them for “slandering” Türkiye.

“Austria’s search and rescue team left the job with the claim of battering … From the first day (of the quake), 416 incidents took place. In the six days before the earthquake, 586 events occurred,” in the region, the Turkish minister explained.

“230 people have been detained so far, there are more than 20 arrests. Our friends take the security of the logistics warehouses, the security of the debris fields, the security of the tent sites,” he said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) brought 35 tons of relief aid to the quake-hit Aleppo city in northern Syria on Saturday as WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reached the city and visited some hospitalized people, shelters where displaced people are staying, and damaged areas.

In a statement, the Turkish Medical Association warned about infectious diseases that may occur after the earthquake. Damage to infrastructure such as electricity, water, and sewerage increases the risk of water- and food-borne diseases, the statement said.

Addressing the criticism that the quake response was not swift enough, Erdogan said it was impossible to get prepared for a calamity like the earthquakes that struck the country on Monday.

Speaking to reporters during his Syria tour, Ghebreyesus said that easing the U.S. sanctions on Syria within the next 180 days would give a window to bring more emergency supplies and support.

On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a so-called six-month sanctions exemption for Syria-bound humanitarian aid, saying the U.S. sanctions in Syria “will not stand in the way” of life-saving efforts.

A border gate between Türkiye and Armenia has been opened for the first time in decades for the passage of humanitarian assistance for earthquake victims, the state-run Anadolu News Agency reported Saturday.

The Alican Border Gate was last used in the 1988 earthquake in Armenia when the Turkish Red Crescent crossed the border gate to dispatch aid to disaster areas.

The Armenian aid delegation carrying 100 tonnes of food, medicine, and drinking water passed through the gate in the morning toward the southeastern province of Adiyaman, according to a tweet on Saturday by Serdar Kilic, Türkiye’s special representative for normalization talks with Armenia.

Türkiye severed diplomatic relations and closed the border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan which was fighting a war with Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The two neighbuors launched talks on normalizing their ties in 2022.

More victims

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay announced that the country’s death toll has climbed to 24,617, bringing the total fatalities with neighbouring Syria to over 28,000, with tens of thousands injured.

Search and rescue efforts in 10 quake-hit provinces of Türkiye have now begun to turn to debris removal on the sixth day of the disaster. Rescue teams from across Türkiye and around the world were still trying to find survivors in the rubble of toppled buildings and pulled them out against all odds. However, with casualties soaring, few were pulled out of the rubble on Saturday.

People check damaged buildings after the earthquakes in Malatya, Turkey, on Feb. 6, 2023. At least 284 people were killed and 2,323 others injured after two strong earthquakes jolted Türkiye early Monday and damaged more than 1,700 buildings, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Chinese rescuers have successfully rescued at least four survivors so far. An 82-member Chinese rescue team arrived in Türkiye on Wednesday to join earthquake relief efforts in the country. Members of the Blue Sky Rescue Team and other Chinese civil relief squads were also in Türkiye to join the international rescue work. At least 160,000 people, including foreign teams, were on the field for search and rescue efforts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

An Armenian delegation with five trucks of aid has entered Türkiye through the Alican Border Gate in the eastern province of Igdir, which opened for the first time in 30 years, the state-run Anadolu News Agency of Türkiye reported Saturday.

ALSO READ-India sends seventh flight with relief material for Turkey, Syria

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News World World News

At least 13 people died in Indonesia’s Mt Semeru eruption

At least 13 people died in Indonesia’s Mt Semeru eruption

At least 13 people died and 98 others were injured after Mount Semeru in Indonesia’s East Java erupted, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said…reports Asian Lite News

“Two bodies have been identified, while others are still in the process,” according to the BNPB’s spokesman Abdul Muhari.

All those injured, including two pregnant women, are currently under medical treatment at nearby health centres.

At least 13 people died in Indonesia’s Mt Semeru eruption

Meanwhile, 902 people have been evacuated to a village hall, a school building, and houses of worship.

Volcanic ash has buried a number of houses, roads and a bridge, Xinhua news agency reported.

Officers are digging up the ash covering the road using heavy equipment, while evacuating and searching for missing persons.

ALSO READ: Volcano flares up in Indonesia

The 3,676-meter-high volcano erupted on Saturday at 3:10 p.m. Jakarta time.

The hot clouds stopped falling due to the rain. Authorities called on people not to move near the rivers on which the lava is flowing.

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Environment and WIldlife Lite Blogs

Communities join hands to reverse manmade disaster

Raising concerns over the growth of hyacinths on the river bed, Prasad K Dash, a scientist of Odisha Biodiversity Board, said these invasive species are an indicator of bad ecological health…reports Pragati Prava.

The disappearing Sukapaika river has also left a mark on the health and wellbeing of the people living around it.

“We are sick of water weeds (hyacinths) that cover the stagnant water on the riverbed like a thick mat. These weeds not only turned the water into a breeding ground of mosquitoes and flies but also a habitation of poisonous snakes,” said Sd Sajid Ali (48) of Praharajpur.

Roshan Rath, reckoned anecdotally, that he hears of at least 10 cases of snakebite every year.

“The Cuttack Drainage Division gets a huge sum to clear the weeds but they don’t put much effort into it. Rather they siphon off a huge amount of money. Groups of villagers have been clearing some patches of the river from time to time, but the weeds regrow soon,” said Ratikanta Patnaik (48), a villager of Praharajpur.

Raising concerns over the growth of hyacinths on the river bed, Prasad K Dash, a scientist of Odisha Biodiversity Board, said these invasive species are an indicator of bad ecological health. Hyacinths create a conducive environment for the growth of disease pathogens, insects and mosquitoes by obstructing sunlight that is vital for aquatic life. He maintained that it is difficult to get rid of the weeds and freshwater flow may prove beneficial.

Dr Ashok K Satpathy, a paediatrics specialist at a rural training centre of the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) at Kalarabanka, which lies on the bank of Sukapaika, said, “The number of patients affected by various skin and vector-borne diseases such as scabies, malaria and dengue has gone up since the river died.” He attributed the reason to the unhygienic condition created by the hyacinths.

Meanwhile, encroachments spread

As these multi-faceted ripple effects were unfolding, encroachment was growing along the river.

“Unscrupulous people have erected brick kilns, developed ponds and other structures including houses on the riverbed,” said Sajid Ali (48) of Praharajpur. “Many people have even acquired 99-year lease pattas through illegal means.” The patta land on the river would amount to more than 500 acres along the entire length of the river, he added. Activists and journalists who have tried to figure out the nature and extent of these encroachments have been met with silence.

RTI activist Prashant Pradhan, a native of riparian Kamarpada village in Dharina panchayat, had applied to the Kishan Nagar tahsildar under the Right to Information Act in 2003 and then again in 2010 about the legal standing of these leases. However, he is yet to get any response. Sushant Jena, a correspondent of a vernacular daily, had also sought to know the encroachment status on the Sukapaika river bed under the RTI in 2019 and then recently in June 2021. He also hasn’t heard back.

If this evasion is any indicator, the Sukapaika Bachao Abhiyan (SBA) has its work cut out for them.

SBA was born in 2016 under the leadership of Dr Rath and was an attempt to bring together the affected communities. The group gained momentum in 2019 and currently, more than 10,000 farmers, fisherfolk, doctors, engineers, advocates, educationists, are its members, said Dr Rath.

In January 2020, over 8,000 villagers signed a petition asking to construct a sluice gate near Ayatpur to restart the flow of the river; this was submitted to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, said Sisir Das (65), a senior advocate and the legal advisor of the SBA, who resides in the riparian village of Praharajpur.

Naveen Patnaik, Odisha Chief Minister

They moved the State Human Rights Commission in August 2020, citing the drastic impacts on the health and livelihood of around 10 lakh people. They had also moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in January 2021 under Sections 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the NGT Act, 2010 appealing the tribunal to direct the Govt of Odisha to reopen the river mouth, according to Sisir.

In January 2021, a team of officials from the Revenue and Water Resources Departments, led by district collector Bhabani Shankar Chayini, visited the river in its 27km stretch — from its origin till the river joins the parent river Mahanadi — to take stock of the situation. Chayini directed the concerned revenue authorities to take immediate steps to clear the encroachments. The SBA also moved the Water Resource Department Secretary Anu Garg in February 2021, following which, the department officials visited the river and prepared an action plan of Rs 44 crore for its revival, pointed out Rath.

The Mahanadi River , Chhattisgarh (Wikipedia)

In a review meeting presided over by Cuttack MP Bhartuhari Mahatab on July 2 this year, Chayini had directed the Water Resources Department to prepare a detailed project report to carry the revival plan forward.

While the Cuttack district collector and the concerned engineer could not be contacted for their take on the issue, those fighting for the river know that clearing the encroachments is going to be the government’s biggest challenge. According to Dr Rath, many people have obtained pattas on the river bed by greasing the palms of some officials.

Ironically, an alleged case of encroachment may have happened in Rath’s own backyard. A pond was built at Bodhapur village in the middle of river Sukapaika in 2019 at an expenditure of Rs 16 lakh. According to Dr Rath, while the pond is of immense benefit to the people, its construction on the river bed is illegal and has been done without the permission of the Revenue Department.

Bodhapur Sarpanch Chagala Behera, however, maintained that the pond has not been constructed on the river bed, but on the river bank on unused government land demarcated by the tehsildar. It’s not illegal and is the sole source of water for the people and animals in the village, especially during the harsh summers, he said. He added that the panchayat is going to lease out the pond for fish farming soon.

The SBA and other community members are cautiously optimistic to see their efforts starting to move some pieces on the board, but they are aware it’s going to be a difficult fight and close to home. The villagers have warned that they will take to the streets if the government fails to revive the river with immediate effect. They have already lost too much.

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READ MORE-China issues blue, yellow alerts for typhoon, geological disasters

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More intense storms expected across Europe due to climate change


The scientists estimate that these slow-moving storms may be 14 times more frequent across land by the end of the century…reports Asian Lite News.

Climate change is driving a large increase in intense, slow-moving storms, a new study has found.

Investigating how climate affects intense rainstorms across Europe, climate experts have shown there will be a significant future increase in the occurrence of slow-moving intense rainstorms.

The scientists estimate that these slow-moving storms may be 14 times more frequent across land by the end of the century. It is these slow-moving storms that have the potential for very high precipitation accumulations, with devastating impacts, as currently seen in Germany and Belgium.

Researchers from the Newcastle University and the UK Met Office Hadley Centre used very detailed climate model simulations and found that slower storm movement acts to increase the amount of rainfall that accumulates locally, increasing the risk of flash floods across Europe beyond what has been expected based on previous studies.

Published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the study results show that storms producing intense rain may move slower with climate change, increasing the duration of exposure to these extremes.

“Governments across the world have been too slow in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming continues apace. This study suggests that changes to extreme storms will be significant and cause an increase in the frequency of devastating flooding across Europe. This, alongside the current floods in Europe, is the wake-up call we need to produce improved emergency warning and management systems, as well as implementing climate change safety factors into our infrastructure designs to make them more robust to these severe weather events,” said Hayley Fowler, Professor at Newcastle ‘s School of Engineering.

Belgium flood

The study findings are relevant to climate mitigation and adaptation policy in Europe, with specific implications for future flooding impacts, the design of infrastructure systems, and the management of water resources.

Currently, almost stationary intense rainstorms are uncommon in Europe and happen rarely over parts of the Mediterranean Sea. Accurate predictions of future changes in intense rainfall events are key to putting effective adaptation and mitigation plans in place to limit the adverse impacts of climate change.

ALSO READ-Cyclone Seroja Kills 128 in Indonesia

READ MORE-Cyclone Yaas: Cabinet Secy seeks zero loss

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Environment Goa India News

2 killed as cyclone Tauktae batters Goa

“In Bardez, the worst-affected sub-district in North Goa, 31 houses were damaged while in South Goa, Mormugao was the worst affected sub-district where 36 houses were damaged,” Sawant said…reports Asian Lite News.

Stormy winds and heavy rains caused by Cyclone Tauktae claimed two lives and uprooted more than 1,000 trees in Goa, disrupting normal life and road traffic and causing power outage in most parts of the coastal state on Sunday.

“Two people lost their lives because of the cyclone. A woman of around 30-35 years died after a coconut tree fell on her at Mapusa town (in North Goa). Another accident occurred at Marcel where two youth were going on a scooter and an electric pole fell on them and one of them lost his life while he was being rushed to hospital,” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told a press conference.

He said that all roads faced blockages due to debris and uprooted trees.

“In Bardez, the worst-affected sub-district in North Goa, 31 houses were damaged while in South Goa, Mormugao was the worst affected sub-district where 36 houses were damaged,” Sawant said.

Goa (IANS)

Power Minister Nilesh Cabral said that feeder electrical lines from other states have been damaged in the state, which has resulted in a severe power outage.

“We are still in the process of assessing the damage caused to electricity poles which have been uprooted across Goa,” he said.

Konkan Railway said that rail traffic was affected by the cyclonic winds and rain with uprooted trees blocking the railway track in at least five places in the state.

“No injuries or casualties have been reported. The traffic on the Konkan Railway route is running smoothly,” it said in a statement.

The Goa branch of the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that the severe cyclonic storm will last till May 17 with wind speeds in the range of 100 to 175 km per hour.

ALSO READ-Cyclone Seroja Kills 128 in Indonesia

READ MORE-Mumbai braces for Cyclone Tauktae

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-Top News Kerala

Cyclon Tauktae: Heavy wind, rain cause damage in Kerala

Tauktae is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours and expected to move north-north-westwards and reach near the Gujarat coast by May 18 morning, reports Asian Lite News

 The after effects of the deep depression formed over Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea that intensified into a cyclonic storm (Tauktae) over the archipelago and adjoining southeast east central Arabian Sea moving northwards during the past six hours, has caused huge damage to the coastal areas in Kerala.

Even though the depression is approximately around 290 km away from Kannur, on account of the heavy rains across the state, and with the sea turning rough, the state government has been forced to open numerous camps across the state to move people to safety.

According to the India Meteorological Department Tauktae is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours and expected to move north-north-westwards and reach near the Gujarat coast by May 18 morning.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has informed the preparedness of the state in facing any calamity arising out of the cyclonic storm.

“Even though, Kerala is not in the predicted path of the cyclone, heavy rains, strong winds and strong sea gusts are expected in the State till May 16. We should exercise utmost caution in districts and adjoining districts where the Meteorological Department has issued a Red and Orange Alert,” said Vijayan and appealed to all to cooperate with the authorities and move out to camps whenever told.

Even though so far there has been no casualties reported, the rain and the rough sea has caused innumerable hardships to the people, who are already battling the Covid pandemic.

The worst affected on account of the rough sea include the coastal hamlets in the state capital, parts of Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargode.

Tauktae

Starting Friday night, huge number of trees were uprooted and power supply disrupted for long hours on account of the high speed winds and heavy rain. In many places the supply was restored on Saturday, while in few places it’s yet to be restored.

With the state under a total lockdown from May 8, the only saving grace was the police did not have much work to man people on the roads.