Drought-driven hunger threatens 1.5 million people in southern Madagascar

Drought-driven hunger threatens 1.5 million people in southern Madagascar

About half the population of southern Madagascar or 1.5 million people is suffering from drought-driven hunger, the UN World Food Program (WFP) reported on November 30, 2020. Three straight years of drought have eradicated harvests and hampered people's access…

Extreme drought drains Paraguay River to its lowest level in 50 years

Extreme drought drains Paraguay River to its lowest level in 50 years

The Paraguay River is now on its lowest level in 50 years as the region is reeling from months of extreme drought. The drop in water levels slowed down cargo vessel traffic, resulting in cost overruns for imported goods and a loss of 250 million dollars. The river…

Devastating wildfires prompt state of emergency in Paraguay

Devastating wildfires prompt state of emergency in Paraguay

Paraguay has declared a national state of emergency as more than 5 000 wildfires rage amid drought and record hot temperatures across South America. Paraguay’s Congress declared a national emergency on Thursday, October 1 as more wildfires broke out, scorching…

14 million acres of crops affected by powerful derecho in Iowa, U.S.

14 million acres of crops affected by powerful derecho in Iowa, U.S.

Up to 5.6 million ha (14 million acres) of crops in Iowa have been battered a powerful derecho that struck parts of the Midwest on August 10, 2020. Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Victor Gensini considers it as one of the worst weather events of…

Drought intensifies in northeast Cambodia

Drought intensifies in northeast Cambodia

The severe drought in northeast Cambodia is forecast to further worsen this week, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) warned. Elsewhere across the country, more rain is expected until August 11, according to the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM)….

Wildfires raging ‘out of control’ across Parana delta wetland, Argentina

Wildfires raging ‘out of control’ across Parana delta wetland, Argentina

The Parana River in Argentina — South America's second-biggest river after the Amazon and the eighth longest in the world — is at its lowest level in decades this year, allowing multiple forest fires to spread through its delta. NASA's Operational Land…

Satellites show signs of drought in European groundwater

Satellites show signs of drought in European groundwater

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On (GRACE-FO) satellites showed indications of drought in European groundwater in a map taken on June 22, 2020. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), meteorological drought conditions began in…