A widespread power outage struck the Balkans on Friday, leaving millions without electricity amidst a severe heatwave. The outage, which lasted for several hours in some areas, affected Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia, and Albania. Experts attribute the extreme weather conditions to climate change, highlighting the need for preparedness and mitigation strategies.
Several parts of Delhi experienced extreme heatwave conditions on Saturday, with the mercury rising to a staggering 46 degrees Celsius in at least five places. Aya Nagar observatory recorded the highest temperature of 46 degrees Celsius, followed by the Ridge area at 45.5 degrees Celsius. Lodhi Road, Safdarjung, and Palam also witnessed scorching temperatures of 44.7, 44.6, and 44 degrees Celsius, respectively. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), the heatwave is likely to continue till June 16, with strong surface winds prevailing over the region. Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan have also been experiencing heatwave conditions.
A dangerous heatwave is sweeping across the Western United States, shattering temperature records and posing severe risks to residents and travellers. The heat dome has impacted areas from California to the Pacific Northwest, bringing unprecedented challenges for the travel and tourism industry. Over 16 million people across multiple states are under heat alerts, with Las Vegas and Death Valley experiencing extreme temperatures. The heatwave has significantly impacted travel plans and the tourism sector, leading to flight cancellations, road closures, and strained infrastructure. Measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of tourists, including the establishment of cooling centers, increased water availability, and expanded medical services. As the heatwave persists, the travel industry must adapt to these extreme weather conditions to ensure the safety and well-being of travelers and the sustainability of the tourism sector.
Four trekkers from Karnataka lost their lives in Uttarakhand due to severe weather conditions. The trekking group consisted of 18 trekkers from Karnataka, one from Maharashtra, and three local guides. A joint air-ground operation is underway to rescue the stranded trekkers by the Indian Air Force, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, and other local authorities. Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has also arrived in Dehradun to coordinate the rescue efforts. The identity of the deceased trekkers has not yet been released.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has predicted that the El Niño event, which has caused record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather globally, will transition to La Niña conditions later this year. This shift is expected to bring relief from the extreme heat experienced in many parts of the world, particularly in South Asia.
India is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a record-breaking 52.3 degrees Celsius. This extreme heat, which is expected to continue, has been linked to climate change, El Niño, and high-pressure systems. To mitigate its impact, India has implemented a heatwave action plan and experts suggest redefining the criteria for declaring a heatwave, factoring in humidity and tailoring it to local conditions.
In recent years, extreme weather events have become more prevalent and intense around the globe. This has raised concerns about the resilience of various structures, including wind turbines, which are often located in areas prone to high winds and tornadoes. To address these concerns, experts in the field of structural engineering have developed specific design considerations for wind turbines to ensure their safety and stability in the face of extreme weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued severe heatwave warnings for several states in northern India, including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Temperatures in these regions have already crossed 45 degrees Celsius. Additionally, heatwave conditions are expected in Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh until May 25, and Maharashtra will experience similar conditions until May 24. The IMD has also issued heavy rainfall warnings for parts of West Bengal, Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, and Kerala. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is possible in Kerala on May 22nd and 23rd.
Heavy rains continue to batter Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state, where over 136 people have died in floods since last week. Over 400,000 have been displaced, with 70,000 sheltering in temporary locations. The poor are particularly vulnerable, with limited options to move to safer areas. The devastation may be comparable to Hurricane Katrina that hit New Orleans in 2005. Weather experts predict a cold front, raising concerns over hypothermia. Celebrities, agencies, and the government have mobilized to provide support to flood victims.
A devastating combination of unseasonable warmth followed by a sudden drop in temperatures has wiped out the majority of this summer’s Okanagan fruit crop. This extreme weather has forced produce retailers to explore sourcing fruit from other regions, even as concerns linger about the quality of the imported produce. While farmers anticipate a small cherry crop from the southern Okanagan, they emphasize the potential for higher prices due to the limited supply.
