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.

  • Gabrielle becomes second hurricane of 2025 Atlantic season, swells affecting Bermuda, U.S. East Coast, and Atlantic Canada

    ByRishav Kothari

    Tropical Storm Gabrielle intensified into a hurricane on September 21, 2025, becoming the second hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season after Erin. The storm is forecast to undergo rapid strengthening and could become a major hurricane early this week as it passes east of Bermuda. Swells and rip currents are already affecting Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast, and Atlantic Canada.

  • Super Typhoon Ragasa moving toward Philippines, China and Vietnam

    ByRishav Kothari

    Typhoon Ragasa, known locally as Nando, intensified into a super typhoon 00:00 UTC (08:00 LT) on September 21, 2025, east of Cagayan, Philippines. By 09:00 UTC, its center was located 450 km (280 miles) east of Aparri with sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 km/h (145 mph). The system is moving west-northwest toward Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, bringing life-threatening storm surges exceeding 3 m (10 feet), destructive winds, and very rough seas.

  • Tropical Storm Gabrielle forecast to become a hurricane by Sunday

    ByRishav Kothari

    Tropical Storm Gabrielle is expected to become the second hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season by Sunday, September 21. While no landfall is forecast for the storm, it will move east of Bermuda, possibly causing rip currents and other marine hazards.

  • Child found deceased after floodwaters sweep away vehicle in Barstow, California

    ByRishav Kothari

    Flooding triggered by the remnants of Tropical Storm Mario caused the death of a 2-year-old in the city of Barstow, California, after he got swept away by the floodwaters on September 18, 2025. The fatality was confirmed by the police on September 19, after the body of the deceased was found in a flood control channel in the area.

  • Flash flooding prompts multiple rescues in Ruidoso, New Mexico

    ByRishav Kothari

    Heavy rainfall associated with slow-moving thunderstorms affected the Sierra Blanca region of southern New Mexico on September 18, leading to rapid runoff and flash flooding in the Village of Ruidoso. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings as runoff rapidly filled the Rio Ruidoso and smaller drainages. The river crested at about 3.8 m…

  • Tropical Storm Nando (Ragasa) forecast to rapidly intensify east of Luzon, possible super typhoon

    ByRishav Kothari

    PAGASA upgraded Tropical Depression Nando (internationally known as Ragasa) to a tropical storm at 23:00 LT (15:00 UTC) on September 18, 2025. The system will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category by Saturday, September 20. Further intensification into super typhoon category while traversing the Extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out.

  • PGA cancels 2026 Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii due to drought

    ByRishav Kothari

    The PGA Tour has canceled the 2026 Sentry Tournament of Champions, originally scheduled for January 8–11 at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii, due to severe drought and irrigation restrictions. The event, which has opened the PGA season at Kapalua since 1999, will not be contested at the course for the first time since…