North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered the execution of up to 30 officials for failing to prevent devastating floods and landslides that killed around 1,000 people in July. The officials were charged with corruption and dereliction of duty, highlighting the regime’s harsh response to disaster management failures.
The Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) has stepped in to aid victims of the devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. The organization distributed over Rs 5 lakh worth of relief materials, including groceries and essential food items, to affected families.
Heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Asna have claimed the lives of at least 24 people in Pakistan, with the worst affected areas being Sindh and Balochistan. A family of 13 was killed in a landslide, and the cyclone is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the region.
Typhoon Shanshan has brought torrential rain and strong winds to Japan, causing widespread disruptions and prompting warnings for flooding and landslides. The storm, which made landfall in Kyushu on Thursday, has led to travel disruptions, factory closures, and evacuations. Authorities have issued evacuation notices to over 4 million people, with the storm expected to continue moving towards central and eastern regions, including Tokyo, over the weekend.
Following heavy rainfall and flooding in Tripura, which triggered landslides, authorities have announced the closure of all schools on August 22. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in several northeastern states, including Tripura. The IMD has also issued forecasts and warnings for various parts of India, predicting heavy rainfall in different regions over the coming days.
Due to heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides, the Tripura government has announced a two-day closure of all schools in the state. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Saha has appealed to the Union Home Minister for additional NDRF teams to aid relief efforts.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has requested additional NDRF teams to assist in rescue and relief efforts due to heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides in the state. The state government has also ordered the closure of all schools until August 22nd to ensure the safety of students.
The district of Kodagu in Karnataka is facing a serious environmental crisis, amplified by rampant deforestation, unchecked construction, and widespread encroachment on forest land. The recent tragedy in Wayanad has highlighted the urgent need to address these issues, as they threaten the region’s fragile ecosystem and could lead to a repeat of the devastating landslides of 2018. The situation has prompted the formation of a special task force to tackle illegal encroachments, and revived discussions on the controversial K Kasturirangan commission report, which proposed designating significant areas as Eco-Sensitive Zones.
A new study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) has concluded that human-caused climate change intensified the rainfall that triggered devastating landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district earlier this month, killing over 350 people. The study found that climate change made the single-day monsoon downpour about 10% heavier, and warns that such events will become more common as the climate continues to warm.
Flash floods and landslides have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, resulting in deaths, infrastructure damage, and widespread disruption. Una district has been severely impacted, with water entering homes and inundating roads. The state’s emergency operation center reports road closures, including five national highways, affecting connectivity. The Lahaul-Spiti police have issued an advisory warning residents and travelers to stay away from low-lying areas due to the risk of flash floods.
