Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

  • Bhote Koshi flash flood death toll rises to 489 in Nepal as upstream barrier lake overflows

    ByRishav Kothari

    The death toll from the August 26, 2026, Bhote Koshi–Trishuli flash flood in Nepal has risen to 489 as of August 28, while Nepal Police reported 2 381 people as unaccounted for in a provisional count that has not yet been reconciled with earlier government figures. Rescue operations were temporarily suspended after a newly formed barrier lake upstream near the Nepal-Tibet border began overflowing, prompting renewed flood warnings along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors.

  • Ross Fire grows to 32 400 ha (80 000 acres), Texas

    ByRishav Kothari

    Around 630 homes were evacuated as the Ross Fire exploded in size, spreading from Palo Pinto County into neighboring Jack County on August 25, 2026. It had burnt least 20 200 ha (50 000 acres), and was 12% contained after damaging or destroying structures in the area. Residents in affected parts of southern Jack County were instructed to evacuate east along County Road 2210 toward U.S. Highway 281.

  • Tornado in Pomas injures 39, damages 300 homes and forces evacuations, France

    ByRishav Kothari

    A tornado struck Pomas in the Aude department on August 24, 2026, injuring 39 people and damaging about 300 homes, according to the Aude prefecture. About 1 400 households remained without electricity at 08:00 LT (06:00 UTC) the following morning, while firefighters and specialist teams continued reconnaissance and building-safety operations

  • Global sea surface temperature sets new record, reaching 21.1°C (70°F) as El Niño strengthens

    ByRishav Kothari

    The daily average sea surface temperature across the extra-polar global ocean, between 60°S and 60°N, reached 21.1°C (70°F) on August 22, 2026, the highest value in the Copernicus Climate Pulse record beginning in 1979. The reading exceeded the previous daily record of 21.09°C (69.96°F), set in March 2024, and came in August, although temperatures across the domain normally reach their annual maximum in March and April.

  • Lightning strike kills mother and 2-year-old daughter in Broward County, Florida

    ByRishav Kothari

    A 31-year-old mother and her 2-year-old daughter died after being struck by lightning in Margate, Florida, on the afternoon of August 23, 2026, as thunderstorms affected northern Broward County. Another child was transported to the hospital after being struck by lightning at around the same time in Boynton Beach. The National Weather Service identified strong thunderstorms extending to Margate shortly before emergency crews were called.

  • Shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Banda Sea, Timor-Leste

    ByRishav Kothari

    A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck the Banda Sea, Timor-Leste region at 14:10 UTC on August 24, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

  • State of emergency declared as Hawk Fire injures six near Reno, Nevada

    ByRishav Kothari

    Six people were injured and approximately 42 000 remained in GO NOW evacuation zones after the Hawk Fire expanded across the Peavine Peak area northwest of Reno, Nevada, on August 22–23, 2026. Nevada declared a State of Emergency in Washoe County, while the latest available mapping placed the fire at approximately 6 086 ha (15 040 acres) with 0% containment late on August 23.

  • Strong M6.0 earthquake hits Hokkaido region, Japan

    ByRishav Kothari

    A strong M6.0 earthquake registered by the USGS hit the Hokkaido region, Japan, at 13:44 UTC on August 23, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 43 km (27 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

  • Hawaiʻi County declares emergency as Tropical Storm Moke raises flood risk on Lala-damaged Big Island

    ByRishav Kothari

    Hawaiʻi County declared a local state of emergency and announced six shelters on August 22, 2026, as Tropical Storm Moke moved west south of the islands, with heavy rain forecast over saturated areas damaged by Hurricane Lala. At 23:00 HST on August 22 (09:00 UTC on August 23), Moke was 530 km (330 miles) south-southeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph).

  • Typhoon Saudel rapidly intensifies, passes close to Agrihan, Northern Mariana Islands

    ByRishav Kothari

    Typhoon Saudel passed close to Agrihan on August 22, 2026, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain, dangerous surf and coastal inundation to the far Northern Mariana Islands. The National Weather Service (NWS) maintained Typhoon Warnings for Agrihan, Pagan and Alamagan and forecast winds of 129–161 km/h (80–100 mph), with gusts reaching 209 km/h (130 mph).