I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

  • At least 30 dead after Cyclone Fengal makes landfall over Puducherry, India

    ByRishav Kothari

    Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry, India at around 19:00 local time (LT) on Saturday, November 30, 2024, unleashing winds of up to 90 km/h (55 mph) and heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding, disrupted transport services, and left three fatalities in Chennai. With 484 mm (19.06 inches) of rain recorded in Puducherry, the highest in 30 years, authorities issued Red Alerts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka.

  • Storm Conall rapidly intensifies as it moves toward the Netherlands

    ByRishav Kothari

    Storm Conall, the third named storm of the season, is bringing heavy rainfall and widespread flooding to the southern UK, with 90 flood warnings issued as of Wednesday morning, November 27, 2024, including severe “danger to life” notices in Northamptonshire and Wales. 

  • Powerful cold wave brings record lows and snow to China

    ByRishav Kothari

    A powerful cold wave swept through northeastern China from Monday through Tuesday, November 25 to 26, 2024, bringing Heilongjiang’s heaviest snowstorm of the year. Hegang, a city in the province, received 53 mm (2.1 inches) of snow in just 24 hours, leading to a total accumulation of 37 cm (14.6 inches). Thousands of personnel and machines were mobilized to clear the snow and ensure public safety as temperatures dropped sharply.

  • Thanksgiving weekend Arctic blast in heartland, heavy lake-effect snow in Great Lakes

    ByRishav Kothari

    The 2024 Thanksgiving weekend will bring a significant Arctic blast to the U.S. heartland, with dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills extending across the northern Plains and upper Midwest. This Arctic outbreak is expected to deliver the coldest conditions since February, lasting through the holiday weekend across the Northern Plains-Midwest and into parts of the South and East. The threat of heavy lake-effect snows across the Great Lakes continues to increase as well.