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

  • Typhoon Dolphin approaches landfall south of Taizhou, Zhejiang and Fujian raise emergency responses, China

    ByRishav Kothari

    Typhoon Dolphin is forecast to make landfall south of Taizhou along the southeastern Chinese coast on August 9, 2026. Zhejiang was put under a Level 1 typhoon emergency response, Fujian had raised its response to Level 2, and China’s National Meteorological Center maintained a red typhoon warning as the cyclone approached the coast. Fujian also reported 98 900 people relocated from risk areas, while ferry, rail and aviation restrictions are in effect in affected areas.

  • Extreme fire behavior continues on Widemouth 2 Fire after fatal helicopter crash, Utah

    ByRishav Kothari

    A pilot and one crewmember were killed when a helicopter under contract to the U.S. Forest Service crashed during operations on Utah’s Widemouth 2 Fire on August 7, 2026. By August 8, the fire had burned approximately 43 079 ha (106 450 acres), was 24% contained and continued to show extreme fire behavior, with evacuations and closures still in effect.

  • Record-breaking heatwave forecast to peak through August 8-9, Extreme Heat Warnings issued across western United States

    ByRishav Kothari

    A dangerous heat wave is peaking across the Western U.S. this weekend, with Extreme Heat Warnings covering parts of Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. Mojave Desert temperatures are forecast to reach 43.3–48.9°C (110–120°F), while Reno and Salt Lake City have already set daily high-temperature records on August 7.

  • 846 structures damaged or destroyed, suspect faces arson charges for Old Trails and 4 other fires, Washington

    ByRishav Kothari

    Three Spokane-area fires have burned 4 223 ha (10 436 acres) as of August 6, 2026. The Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview fires have damaged or destroyed 846 structures. Both the Old Trails and Autumn Lane fires were 13% contained, while the Fairview fire stood at 5%. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect on August 7, while the man accused of starting the Old Trails Fire faces five first-degree arson charges.

  • Typhoon Dolphin strengthens near Okinawa, 5 injured as China braces for landfall

    ByRishav Kothari

    Typhoon Dolphin re-intensified while passing close to northwestern Okinawa on August 7, 2026, leaving at least five people injured, five homes partially damaged and 16 920 households without power. China’s National Meteorological Center (NMC) said the typhoon could strengthen further before making landfall between Zhejiang and northern Fujian from the afternoon of August 9 to the morning of August 10, with eastern Zhejiang potentially receiving more than 600 mm (23.6 inches) of rain through August 10.

  • Record-breaking heat impacts South Korea, suspected heat death toll rises to 21

    ByRishav Kothari

    Life-threatening heat remained forecast across the capital region, inland Gangwon Province and parts of Jeolla on August 6 as South Korea’s reported heat-related illness total reached 2 441. Health authorities listed 21 suspected deaths, including 13 among people aged 80 and older, in provisional figures covering May 15 through August 4.

  • Out-of-control Bradley Creek wildfire burns 2 852 ha and destroys more than 200 structures in British Columbia, Canada

    ByRishav Kothari

    The Bradley Creek wildfire remained Out of Control at an estimated 2 852 ha (7 047 acres) west of Vernon, British Columbia, on August 5, 2026. The blaze  destroyed more than 200 structures, prompting evacuation orders and a Do Not Consume Water Advisory across affected areas. Meanwhile, firefighters extinguished hotspots and BC Hydro cleared downed lines and impacted infrastructure.

  • M6.3 earthquake hits south of the Kermadec Islands

    ByRishav Kothari

    A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 struck south of the Kermadec Islands at 07:43 UTC on August 5, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 226.1 km (140.5 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 226 km (140.4 miles). The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses.

  • NOAA confirms strengthening El Niño, with 81% chance of very strong conditions in October–December 2026

    ByRishav Kothari

    El Niño is present and strengthening across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed on August 3, 2027.Meanwhile its July strength outlook gives an 81% chance of very strong conditions during October–December 2026. WMO’s August–October 2026 outlook also shows associated shifts in seasonal temperature and rainfall probabilities across multiple regions.NOAA maintains an El Niño Advisory.