Hot weather alerts are in place for more than 30 million people across the western United States after the region’s second heat wave in weeks brought another round of record-equalling high temperatures. Sweltering conditions have hit much of the Pacific seaboard and as far inland as the western edge of the Rocky Mountains over the […]
weather
Better weather warnings could save 23,000 lives: UN
An estimated 23,000 lives a year could be saved through improving weather forecasts, early warning systems and climate information, the United Nations said Thursday. Investment in multi-hazard early warning programmes could create potential annual benefits worth at least $162 billion — 10 times the cost, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a report. […]
Iran’s Rouhani apologises for blackouts, blames heat
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani apologised Wednesday for a wave of blackouts sweeping the country, blaming a searing drought he said had virtually halted hydroelectric power generation and prompted record consumption. Since last week, Tehran and Iran’s other major cities have experienced frequent power outages that authorities say may continue until late July. “We regret the problems […]
Iraq sizzles as blackouts hit
When the mercury soared to 52 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) this week in Iraq, Ali Karrar placed his baby for a couple of minutes in the fridge. But when the power went off on Thursday night across oil-rich Iraq, people were left at a loss as to how to escape the torrid heat. Those with […]
Rescuers struggle to locate dozens in landslide-hit Japan town
Authorities in a landslide-hit Japanese holiday town were trying to locate 80 residents on Monday as rescue teams trawled through the muddy debris looking for survivors. Soldiers and emergency workers used hand-held poles and mechanical diggers in the desperate search, two days after a torrent of earth slammed down a mountainside and through part of […]
Cyprus worst forest fire in decades kills four
Cyprus said a deadly forest fire that was the worst to hit the island in decades was close to being brought under control Sunday after water bombing by Greek and Israeli aircraft. Fanned by strong winds, the fire broke out Saturday afternoon and swept through the southern foothills of the Troodos mountain range as the […]
19 missing in Japan landslide after heavy rain: official
A landslide engulfed houses and left 19 people missing in Japan’s central Shizuoka region on Saturday, local officials said, following days of heavy rain. Television footage showed a torrent of mud obliterating some buildings and burying others in Atami city, with people running away as it crashed over a hillside road. “The safety of 19 […]
Military put on standby to evacuate fire-threatened towns in western Canada
Ottawa prepared Friday to send military aircraft and other help to evacuate towns and fight more than 100 wildfires in western Canada fueled by a record-smashing heat wave. According to wildfire officials, at least 152 fires were active in British Columbia, 89 of them sparked in the last two days. Most were caused by lightning […]
Iraq sizzles as blackouts hit
When the mercury soared to 52 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) this week in Iraq, Ali Karrar placed his baby for a couple of minutes in the fridge. But when the power went off on Thursday night across oil-rich Iraq, people were left at a loss as to how to escape the torrid heat. Those with […]
Dozens dead as heat wave grips Canada, US: police
At least 69 people in the Vancouver area have died in a record-smashing heat wave engulfing western Canada and the US Pacific Northwest, police said Tuesday. Most of the dead in the Vancouver suburbs of Burnaby and Surrey over the past 24 hours were elderly or people with underlying health conditions, the Royal Canadian Mounted […]