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.

  • Cyclonic Storm “Asna” forms in the Arabian Sea; Gujarat reports 32 dead, more than 32 000 evacuated

    ByRishav Kothari

    Gujarat’s Saurashtra-Kachchh region has been battered by torrential rains produced by a deep depression that intensified into Cyclonic Storm “Asna” today. The resulting flooding has led to 32 deaths, and the evacuation of more than 32 000 people. The intense flooding has also led to crocodiles taking over the city of Vadodara. Asna is the second named storm of the 2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season.

  • Rare daylight fireball over Eastern Cape, South Africa, explosions heard over 200 km (120 miles) away

    ByRishav Kothari

    An amazing dayling fireball was seen and heard over Eastern Cape, South Africa on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Initially thought of as space junk, it was later confirmed to be a car-sized meteor that entered the atmosphere between 06:30 and 07:00 UTC (08:30 and 09:00 LT). Reports of the following sonic boom were heard more than 200 km (124 miles) away from the site of the original sighting.

  • Possible large tornado in Sharia, Algeria

    ByRishav Kothari

    A large rotating air column was observed over the city of Sharia in the Algerian province of Tebessa on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Reports vary on whether or not it touched down on Earth’s Surface making it unclear whether it was a funnel cloud or tornado.

  • Mass power outages as severe storms sweep through Michigan and the Great Lakes region, U.S.

    ByRishav Kothari

    Severe storms battered Southeast Michigan and the Great Lakes region on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, leaving more than 400 000 utility customers without power — approximately 1 million people. The storms brought hurricane-force winds, and large hail that caused extensive damage, including uprooted trees, downed power lines, and blocked roads.

  • Severe floods in Conakry claim 2 lives and leave 1 missing, Guinea

    ByRishav Kothari

    Conakry, the capital of Guinea, experienced severe flooding on August 24, 2024, following unusually heavy rainfall. The floods claimed two lives, left one person missing, and caused substantial damage. This was the first major flood in Conakry in 2024. Heavy torrential rains brought intense flooding to Conakry on August 24, claiming two lives and leaving…