• Iceland deploys water cannons to fight lava, Reykjanes Peninsula

    Authorities in Iceland have deployed at least 12 water cannons on the L3 defense wall to cool a 360 m (X feet) large section of lava and protect critical infrastructure, including the Svartsengi geothermal facility and the Njarðvíkuraeð hot water pipeline, which is important for the Suðurnesj region. Initial testing on one pump was successful, and the operation will begin with six eastern cannons, followed by the remaining units. The cooling process is expected to take several days.

  • Four dead across U.S. West Coast as atmospheric river brings record rains and 20 landslides in California

    The strongest atmospheric river of the season, driven by a bomb cyclone with a central pressure of 945 hPa, ravaged the U.S. West Coast on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, bringing unprecedented rainfall, flooding, and wind damage. Northern California bore the brunt of the storm, with 543.4 mm (21.39 inches) of rain recorded in Sonoma County and widespread flooding that stranded hundreds. Meanwhile, fierce winds of up to 206 km/h (128 mph) toppled trees and left communities without power.

  • Two reported dead as Storm Bert hits UK

    Storm Bert has wreaked havoc across the UK, leaving 60 000 homes in Northern Ireland without power on Saturday, November 23, 2024, disrupting flights, and causing severe flooding and snowstorms across multiple regions. Authorities have issued Amber and Yellow Warnings for snow, ice, and flooding across the UK as Bert continues to bring hazardous conditions, disrupting transport and threatening safety. Two people were reported dead, as of late Saturday afternoon (LT).

  • 5 000 vehicles stranded, 36 injured as Storm Caetano hits France

    Storm Caetano swept through France on Thursday, November 21, 2024, bringing an unseasonal winter episode with powerful winds reaching 131 km/h (81 mph) and heavy snowfall of up to 16 cm (6.3 inches). The storm caused widespread disruptions, including power outages for over 250 000 homes, severe traffic halts with 5 000 vehicles stranded, and a major accident on Route A6B near Paris that injured 36 people.

  • Cloud seeding proposed as a solution for the world’s most polluted city, New Delhi, India

    New Delhi reached an air quality index (AQI) of 495 at 10:54 LT (05:24 UTC) on Friday, November 22, 2024, the highest recorded so far this season. Earlier this week, Delhi’s AQI reached 493, placing it among the most polluted cities globally on November 18, 2024. PM 2.5 levels hit 401.1 µg/m3 exceeding the safe limits of the World Health Organisation (WHO) over 27 times.