Heavy rains from April 16 to 17, 2020, triggered severe flooding in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in significant damage and destruction. As of April 20, at least 36 fatalities were reported, 42 people were injured, and more than 77 000 have…
Volcanic tremor amplitude at Etna volcano, Italy showed a rapid increase to high values early Sunday morning, April 19, 2020. This activity was followed by lava fountaining and strong ash emissions, INGV Osservatorio Etneo reports. The Aviation Color Code was raised…
A very strong earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.8 at a depth of 490 km (304 miles) struck the Ogasawara (Bonin Islands) region of Japan at 08:25 UTC (17:26 JST) on April 18, 2020. The USGS is reporting M6.6 at a depth of 458 km (284 miles); EMSC M6.6 at a depth…
An analysis of satellite observations shows that ozone levels over the Arctic hit a record low for the month of March, NASA researchers reported on April 16, 2020. Ozone levels reached their lowest point on March 12 at 205 Dobson units. The depletion was caused by…
A severe cold outbreak has gripped wide swaths of the U.S., breaking hundreds of all-time records, particularly the worst-hit states in the Midwest. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), heavy snow will continue in the Central Rockies before streaking…
On April 15, 2020, French national public expert in nuclear and radiological risks — Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) — issued a new information report which provides an assessment of the possible radiological impacts for the…
Severe weather, including strong winds and thunderstorms, hit 21 provinces in north, north-east, east and central Thailand, including capital Bangkok, from April 12 to 15, 2020. As a result, two people have lost their lives and at least 3 269 houses were damaged by…
Heavy rains on April 13, 2020, caused widespread and severe flooding in Sana'a, Yemen, resulting in at least two fatalities and massive damage to properties. Roads remained inundated on April 14. Flash flooding in the district of Al-Sabeen killed two people…
Parts of Northern and Central Finland received record-breaking amounts of snowfall in April 2020, the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) reported. The greatest amounts were recorded at Paljakka and Sodankyla in Lapland, where up to 1.25 m (4.1 feet) of snow was…
Forest wildfires within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine continue raging in the contaminated areas on Tuesday, April 14, 2020. While Ukrainian authorities said one fire burning in the zone was put under control and there are no threats of radiation, some…
