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.

  • Baja California Sur prepares for Hurricane Polo ahead of Monday landfall, Mexico

    ByRishav Kothari

    Hurricane warnings covered portions of both coasts of Baja California Sur on September 27, 2026, as Major Hurricane Polo moved north-northwest toward the peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). At 02:00 MST (09:00 UTC), the Category 3 hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and was forecast to approach the western coast on Monday, cross the peninsula Monday night and approach northwestern mainland Mexico early Tuesday.

  • High Wind and Coastal flood alerts issued as nor’easter brings coastal flooding to Virginia

    ByRishav Kothari

    A strengthening nor’easter was producing coastal flooding in southeastern Virginia on September 25, 2026, while high winds, heavy rain, high surf and additional tidal flooding were forecast from New York to New England through the weekend. High Wind Warnings covered coastal Massachusetts and most of Rhode Island, with gusts of 70–95 km/h (45–60 mph) expected.E

  • Long-duration nor’easter brings coastal flooding to Virginia, threatens Northeast US with damaging winds and heavy rain

    ByRishav Kothari

    A long-duration nor’easter is forecast to bring coastal gusts of 70–95 km/h (45–60 mph) and periods of heavy rain to southern New England from September 25, 2026 through the weekend. High Wind Warnings are in effect for coastal and southeastern Massachusetts and most of Rhode Island. Coastal Flood Warnings remain in effect across southeastern Virginia, where the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts 0.6–0.9 m (2–3 feet) of inundation.

  • Tropical Storm Nolo strengthens south of Hawaii, up to 890 mm (35 inches) of rain forecast

    ByRishav Kothari

    Tropical Storm Nolo strengthened south of Hawaii on September 24, 2026, as forecasters warned of potentially life-threatening flooding across Hawaii Island. At 05:00 HST (15:00 UTC), the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) reported maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) and placed Nolo approximately 460 km (285 miles) south of South Point. The CPHC forecast 380–510 mm (15–20 inches) of rain across Hawaii Island, with localized totals near 890 mm (35 inches).

  • Typhoon Dujuan leaves 12 dead and 3 missing, record rain, floods and landslides hit Japan

    ByRishav Kothari

    Heavy rainfall from Typhoon Dujuan caused flooding and landslides across eastern Japan on September 21 and 22, 2026. Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) reported 12 deaths and three people missing nationwide as of September 24. Seven deaths were recorded in Chiba, four in Kanagawa and one in Miyazaki, while searche and rescue operations continued in Chiba and Kanagawa.48-hour rainfall total reached 832 mm (32.76 inches) at Oshima, Tokyo setting an all time record for the station.

  • Hurricane Polo brings heavy rain to Mexico, NHC forecasts Baja California approach

    ByRishav Kothari

    Hurricane Polo’s outer rainbands brought heavy rain to southwestern Mexico on September 24, 2026, with a Tropical Storm Warning in effect from Tecpan de Galeana to Manzanillo. Mexico had extended the warning westward overnight as the Category 5 hurricane remained offshore, bringing a risk of flooding, mudslides and dangerous coastal conditions.Polo is forecast to approach the Baja California Peninsula as a hurricane early in the week beginning September 28.

  • El Niño heat could cause 451 000 additional deaths worldwide by February 2027 as Pacific temperatures reach record levels

    ByRishav Kothari

    A new Climate Impact Lab assessment estimates that heat associated with El Niño could contribute to 451 000 additional deaths worldwide from June 2026 through February 2027, including 239 000 ± 11 000 during September 2026–February 2027. The September 23 report comes as NOAA measurements show central Pacific sea-surface temperatures reaching levels last seen during the 2015–16 El Niño, while multiple media reports indicate a new daily temperature-anomaly record.

  • Death toll rises to 10 after deadly flash flood and landslides in Kerala, India

    ByRishav Kothari

    Search teams recovered the last reported missing victim of the Kottapuzha River flash flood in Malappuram, Kerala, India, on September 22, 2026, bringing the flood toll to six. Separate landslides in Kottayam and Idukki killed four others on September 20, the day of the flood, accounting for 10 reported deaths across the three districts.

  • Hurricane Polo intensifies to Category 5, heavy rainfall threatens southwestern Mexico

    ByRishav Kothari

    Hurricane Polo intensified to Category 5 south of southwestern Mexico on September 22, 2026, reaching maximum sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) at 12:00 UTC before strengthening further to 270 km/h (165 mph) by 15:00 UTC, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for part of the southwestern Mexican coast, while heavy rainfall through September 24 threatened life-threatening flooding and mudslides in Guerrero and Michoacán.

  • Flood watches cover much of New Mexico as multi-day heavy rainfall event begins

    ByRishav Kothari

    Flood Watches cover much of New Mexico on September 22, 2026, as a multi-day surge of tropical and monsoon moisture is forecast to produce repeated rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms through at least September 24. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) placed portions of southern New Mexico under a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall, level 3 of 4, for the first 24-hour period, with the Moderate Risk shifting into parts of eastern New Mexico during the following period. Flash flooding, river flooding and debris flows near recent burn scars are possible.