Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
Kashmir experienced heavy snowfall on December 28, 2024, with accumulations ranging from 13 to 90 cm (5 to 37 inches) across the region. The severe weather disrupted flights, blocked major highways, and caused widespread power and water outages, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded.
A strong earthquake swarm was registered on Iceland’s Reykjanes Ridge between December 28 and 30, 2024. The activity was concentrated in a tectonically active area, with the strongest reaching M3.6.
A sudden eruption of Mount Raung startled a group of tourists hiking near its summit on December 24, 2024. The hikers managed to escape unharmed as ash plumes soared to a height of 8 km (26 000 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.).
A series of shallow earthquakes were recorded in recent days near the Fentale volcano in Ethiopia’s Main Ethiopian Rift region, raising concerns about a potential volcanic eruption. The last eruption at this volcano took place in 1820.
Volcanic activity at Kilauea transitioned to a more vigorous phase at 04:00 UTC on December 29, 2024, with lava fountains rising 20 to 30 m (60 to 100 feet) high and covering 20% of the Halema’uma’u floor.
Intense rainfall from Storm Elena on December 25 and 26, 2024, caused widespread flooding in Greece’s Attica region with areas like Piraeus and Alimos facing disruptions.
Delhi recorded 41.2 mm (1.62 inches) of rainfall in the 24 hours until 8:30 LT (03:00 UTC) on Saturday, December 28, 2024, marking the highest single-day December rainfall in 101 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The highest-ever single-day December rainfall in Delhi was recorded on December 3, 1923, with 75.7 mm (2.98 inches).
Kilauea volcano in Hawai’i has resumed its eruptive activity after a second pause on December 26, 2024, with lava flows confined to the Halema’uma’u region. Park officials urged caution after a toddler narrowly avoided a fatal fall from a 120 m (400 feet) cliff while visiting the site on December 23.
2 men lost their lives in the early hours of Friday, December 27, 2024, after a mountainside collapsed in Clay County, Kentucky.
The formation of 75 000 m2 (807 300 feet2) lava lobe has been observed at the Home Reef volcano between December 4 and 15, 2024.
