A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Vanuatu, causing communication disruptions and potential damage. A tsunami warning was issued for Vanuatu and nearby islands, but Australia and New Zealand reported no tsunami threat. The extent of the damage is still unclear.
A raging wildfire tore through Malibu, California, forcing thousands to evacuate as multimillion-dollar homes, some owned by celebrities, burned. Firefighters battle the blaze fueled by strong winds and dry brush, while officials urge residents to heed evacuation orders.
Mount Kanlaon in the central Philippines erupted explosively on December 9th, 2024, sending a 3-kilometer ash plume into the sky and prompting the urgent evacuation of 87,000 people within a 6-kilometer radius. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert level to 3, warning of the potential for further hazardous eruptions.
Southern Thailand and northern Malaysia are battling catastrophic floods, forcing tens of thousands from their homes and causing widespread damage to infrastructure and tourism. The death toll continues to rise, highlighting the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness in Southeast Asia.
A brutal winter storm has slammed South Korea, causing widespread disruption and claiming at least four lives. Record snowfall in Seoul led to flight cancellations, ferry suspensions, and deadly structural collapses. The impact extends beyond Seoul, with traffic accidents and disruptions reported nationwide.
Typhoon Man-yi, the sixth major storm to hit the Philippines in less than a month, has caused widespread devastation, leaving at least three villagers missing, destroying thousands of homes, and knocking out power across entire towns. The storm, with winds reaching 195 kilometers per hour, exacerbates the ongoing crisis from previous typhoons, leaving millions affected and highlighting the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook eastern Cuba on Sunday, adding to the island’s woes after weeks of hurricanes, blackouts, and widespread power outages. The tremor, which was felt across the region, has left residents on edge and comes amidst a period of significant hardship for the nation.
Thousands of Spaniards took to the streets of Valencia, demanding the resignation of regional president Carlos Mazón over his handling of the devastating floods that killed over 200 people. Protesters slammed the government for failing to issue timely alerts and for its slow and chaotic response to the disaster. Mazón, facing mounting pressure, maintains his focus on the restoration efforts while promising accountability.
Hurricane Rafael slammed into Cuba as a powerful Category 3 storm, causing widespread power outages and flooding. The storm, which had already battered Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, brought life-threatening storm surges, winds, and flash floods to the western parts of the island. This comes just two weeks after another hurricane devastated eastern Cuba, leaving the country struggling to recover.
Cuba has been hit by another country-wide blackout, this time triggered by Hurricane Rafael making landfall. This follows a four-day blackout just three weeks ago due to Hurricane Oscar and a failing power plant. The latest outage has sparked anger online as many point out that the grid has survived bigger hurricanes before. The storm has also brought evacuations, flooding, and landslides across Cuba, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands.
