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.

  • Multiple wildfires prompt evacuations during the first Santa Ana event of the season in Southern California

    ByRishav Kothari

    Multiple wildfires broke out across Southern California on October 15, 2026, prompting evacuation orders and road closures during the season’s first moderate-to-strong Santa Ana wind event. The Henderson Fire at Camp Pendleton reached 568 ha (1 404 acres), while the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) listed the Bryson Fire near Malibu at approximately 41 ha (102 acres) with 0% containment in its evening update.

  • Typhoon and Flood watches cover Mariana Islands as Tropical Storm Champi approaches

    ByRishav Kothari

    Typhoon and Flood watches were in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan early October 16 as Tropical Storm Champi moved west toward the Mariana Islands. NWS Guam said damaging winds were likely late October 17 and on October 18, while storm-total rainfall of 152–305 mm (6–12 inches) could cause flooding in urban, low-lying and poorly drained areas.

  • At least 2 dead in Tripoli after heavy rains trigger severe flooding, Libya

    ByRishav Kothari

    At least two people died after heavy rain flooded Tripoli, Libya, on October 13, 2026, submerging roads and homes, stranding motorists and disrupting electricity. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) recorded 152.5 mm (6.0 inches) at Souq al-Jumaa, while the Government of National Unity said the accumulation at Arada occurred during about two continuous hours.

  • Floods leave at least 3 dead, over 2 700 evacuated in Istanbul, Türkiye

    ByRishav Kothari

    At least three people died, and three were reported missing as of 14:07 LT (11:07 UTC) on October 15, 2026, after heavy rain that began on October 13 intensified across Istanbul on October 14, flooding roads, homes, and businesses. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said 2 727 people had been evacuated, while schools were ordered to remain closed through October 16.

  • Mayor requests a State of Emergency, deadly floods strike Rhodes, Greece

    ByRishav Kothari

    Heavy rainfall triggered deadly flooding on Rhodes, Greece, on October 14, 2026, with 264 mm (10.4 inches) recorded at the National Observatory of Athens station by 12:50 LT (09:50 UTC). A 62-year-old man died after floodwater swept his car toward the sea at Stegna, while regional authorities reported more than 30 rescue and extrication operations and more than 200 water-pumping interventions.The Mayor of Rhodes requested the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection to declare a State of Emergency for the island due to the extensive damage to roads and property

  • Life-threatening flash flooding reported across Oklahoma City, major flooding forecast on Canadian River

    ByRishav Kothari

    Life-threatening flash flooding was reported across the Oklahoma City metropolitan area on October 14 after thunderstorms produced 76–152 mm (3–6 inches) of rain, while radar indicated 102–279 mm (4–11 inches) farther west, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Norman. Major flooding was forecast on the Canadian River near Bridgeport, while the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) maintained a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall from Oklahoma into the Red River Valley of Texas through 12:00 UTC on October 15.

  • 5 deaths reported in Mexico due to Hurricane Simon and remnants of Rachel

    ByRishav Kothari

    Hurricane Simon was drifting westward off Mexico’s west-central coast at 15:00 UTC on October 13, 2026, with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (90 mph), while the National Hurricane Center (NHC) shifted its forecast track substantially south and described confidence in both the track and intensity forecasts as very low. One death has been attributed to Simon in Guerrero. An Associated Press report separately counted four deaths from post-tropical Rachel in Baja California, bringing the combined toll from the two systems to five at the time of that report.

  • Category 3 Hurricane Simon remains off western Mexico after heavy rain floods Manzanillo

    ByRishav Kothari

    Category 3 Hurricane Simon remained just offshore west-central Mexico at 03:00 LT (09:00 UTC) on October 12, with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and a minimum pressure of 958 hPa, after heavy rain flooded homes and streets in Manzanillo. The National Hurricane Center placed its center 75 km (50 miles) southwest of Cabo Corrientes and warned that dangerous winds, storm surge and additional rainfall could worsen flooding along the coast.