Met Office Predicts First UK Snowfall, South England Braces for Significant Snow

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:04pm on 27 Nov 2023,Monday Weather & Environment

The Met Office forecasts the UK's initial snowfall this year during the ongoing autumn cold snap. Today, wintry showers may bring snow to higher ground in northern England and Scotland, while the south faces the potential for more substantial snowfall later in the week. Monday started with freezing temperatures in parts of Scotland, northern England, and Wales. Despite a cloudy and damp start, sunny spells are expected in many regions. Wednesday's forecast includes sunshine with coastal showers, while Thursday and Friday may bring cold conditions with wintry showers in the north and possible hill snow in the south.

Read More at The Independent

IMD Issues Warning as Low-Pressure Area near Andamans Expected to Develop into Cyclone by Nov 29

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:28pm on 27 Nov 2023,Monday Weather & Environment

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a low-pressure area near Andamans is expected to intensify into a cyclone by November 29. The IMD warns of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall and gusty winds in the region on November 28 and 29. Simultaneously, an interaction between a western disturbance and northeast monsoon's easterly wave has caused intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and hail in parts of west India. While the cyclonic circulation weakens, residual effects are predicted over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and other areas until November 29.

Read More at Hindustan Times

20 Lives Lost in Lightning Strikes Amidst Unseasonal Rainfall Havoc in Gujarat

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:34am on 27 Nov 2023,Monday Weather & Environment

In an unfortunate turn of events, Gujarat grapples with unseasonal rainfall leading to 20 fatalities from lightning strikes. The State Emergency Operation Centre reports casualties in various districts, including Dahod and Bharuch. Widespread rains and thunderstorms claimed lives, with incidents ranging from a fatal lightning strike on a 22-year-old biker in Botad to a tree falling on an autorickshaw in Mehsana. Two farmers in Tapi, and one each in Sabarkantha, Ahmedabad, and Dahod, succumbed to lightning. The unanticipated weather, attributed to a cyclonic circulation, left a trail of destruction, impacting not only lives but also livestock. As the Indian Meteorological Department predicts a slowdown in rain activity, neighboring regions brace for potential rainfall alerts.  

Read More at Mint

Mild Tremors in Navi Mumbai and Panvel as Magnitude 2.9 Earthquake Hits City's West Coast

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:27pm on 26 Nov 2023,Sunday Weather & Environment

Residents in Panvel and Navi Mumbai experienced mild tremors early in the morning on Sunday, triggered by a magnitude 2.9 earthquake off the west coast of Maharashtra's Mumbai. The incident caused a brief panic among locals. While government officials took several hours to address the situation, the Panvel Municipal Corporation reported no major damage, stating the earthquake occurred within 15 kilometers of the sea coast near Navi Mumbai. Some residents reported hearing a loud noise, heightening concerns in various colonies. Authorities assure no significant impact from the seismic activity.

Read More at News18

Iceland's Volcano Crisis Deepens: Evacuation Zone 'Still Dangerous' as Eruption Could Happen With Just a 'Minutes Notice'

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:47pm on 23 Nov 2023,Thursday Weather & Environment

As tensions mount in the evacuated town of Grindavik, Iceland, officials caution that the volcanic eruption threat remains severe, providing a mere minutes' notice. A civil protection official expressed unprecedented concern, stating, "It is still dangerous here... I have never seen anything like it before." With the evacuation zone labeled perilous, poor weather adds to the complexity, potentially impeding monitoring systems. Residents, forced to flee two weeks ago, may soon return briefly to retrieve valuables if threat levels are lowered. Civil protection chief Vídir Reynisson emphasized the challenge: "We will not see any strong evidence that the magma is coming up."

Read More at The Independent

Iceland on Edge: 'Imminent' Volcanic Eruption Looms, Stormy Weather Disrupts Monitoring

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:48pm on 22 Nov 2023,Wednesday Weather & Environment

As Iceland braces for an "imminent" volcanic eruption, stormy weather disrupts monitoring systems, raising concerns among authorities. The Icelandic Meteorological Office warns of potential 30-minute notice for eruption as magma sits just below the surface. The nation, captivated by live streams showcasing a glowing rift in Grindavik, faces suspense amidst decreased earthquake activity. Evacuations persist, impacting vulnerable groups like the elderly. Legal discussions unfold as tenants in Grindavík consider canceling leases due to the situation. With economic uncertainties and over 700 accommodation requests, Iceland faces a critical juncture, awaiting the volcano's next move.

Read More at The Independent

Papua New Guinea Initiates Evacuation as Ulawun Volcano Erupts, Airport Halts Flights

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:40pm on 21 Nov 2023,Tuesday Weather & Environment

Papua New Guinea is in the grip of a volcanic emergency as Ulawun, its most active volcano, erupts, sending a plume of smoke 15km high. Evacuations are underway and flights from the region's airport are canceled. While the alert level has been downgraded, the eruption's persistence remains uncertain. The volcanic activity, centered on New Britain island, triggered coordination for evacuations and concerns for nearby Bialla town. Situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," Papua New Guinea faces recurrent seismic events. Ulawun's last significant eruption in 2019 displaced over 5,000 people, highlighting the region's vulnerability.

Read More at Aljazeera

"It is Your Job to Control it": Supreme Court Slams Punjab on Stubble Burning Case

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:21am on 21 Nov 2023,Tuesday Weather & Environment

In a hearing on Delhi pollution, the Supreme Court slammed the AAP-run Delhi and Punjab government saying: "This is the most polluted November in six years." The bench said, "It is your job to control it" and observed that farmers are being made a villain as they are not being heard in the court. The court also asked, "Why doesn’t the Punjab government make the process of crop residue 100% free?" The court observed that machine for managing crop residue for farmers is not everything. It questioned why Punjab can't fund diesel, manpower, etc., stating "the state should take a cue from Haryana." 

Read More at Hindustan Times

Magma Closer To Surface: 1,500 to 1,800 Daily Earthquakes and Magmatic Gas, Signals Imminent Volcano Eruption In Iceland

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:16pm on 20 Nov 2023,Monday Weather & Environment

Residents of Grindavik face heightened uncertainty as Iceland's Meteorological Office warns that magma, potentially reaching very high in the Earth's crust, could trigger an eruption in days. Over 700 earthquakes, a magnitude 2.7 near Hagafell, and magmatic gas detection fuel fears of an imminent Fagradalsfjall volcano eruption. Recent days have seen between 1,500 and 1,800 daily earthquakes in the region. Despite ground swelling near Svartsengi power plant, the precise eruption location remains uncertain. Evacuations continue, with hundreds of displaced children relocating to Reykjavik schools. Civil defence chief Víðir Reynisson emphasizes potential decades of volcanic instability on the Reykjanes Peninsula, urging preparedness for an unpredictable geological event.

Read More at The Independent

Oxfam Report Exposes Stark Climate Inequality: Richest 1% Emit More CO2 Than Poorest 66%

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:10pm on 20 Nov 2023,Monday Weather & Environment

A groundbreaking Oxfam report reveals that the wealthiest 1% of the global population, comprising billionaires, millionaires, and those earning over $140,000 annually, are responsible for a staggering 16% of CO2 emissions—more than the poorest 66%. The emissions, equivalent to 5.9 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2019, could lead to over a million heat-related deaths. The report highlights the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, urging for hefty wealth taxes on the super-rich and windfall taxes on fossil fuel companies. Oxfam emphasizes the urgent need for climate justice, coinciding with the upcoming UN Cop28 climate summit.  

Read More at The Guardian

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