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.

  • Air New Zealand cancels flights amid White Island volcanic eruption

    Satellite imagery has captured a continuous low-level eruption at New Zealand’s White Island volcano, with an ash plume rising to 2 100 m (7 000 feet) above sea level and drifting southeast at 9 km/h (5 mph) on Thursday, August 22, 2024. The eruption prompted 10 flight cancellations, according to Air New Zealand.

  • Severe flash floods hit Medina, Saudi Arabia

    Severe flash floods swept through parts of the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia on the night of Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Footage shared on social media showed intense floodwaters engulfing vehicles and forcing people to abandon their cars in an effort to reach safety.

  • Major forest fire in Izmir, Turkey forces evacuations as flames threaten residential areas

    A rapidly spreading forest fire in Izmir, Turkey, is forcing evacuations as flames approach residential areas. Local authorities reported that strong winds and difficult terrain are hindering firefighting efforts, with the fire still raging in multiple locations since it broke out late Thursday, August 15, 2024, in the Karşıyaka district.

  • Severe storm, torrential rains hit parts of Spain, causing widespread floods

    Torrential rains have swept across parts of Spain, including the Balearic Islands, on Thursday, August 15, 2024, causing widespread flooding, evacuations, and flight cancellations. The Spanish Emergency Military Unit (UME) confirmed on August 15, that it had been deployed to Mallorca to assist with the crisis.