Wildfires are becoming a bigger threat to homes and businesses across the UK, according to new analysis. Nearly 19% of large wildfires in England and Wales came within 500 metres of built-up areas this year. Fires are also burning for longer and covering larger areas. Wales has been hit hardest, with nearly 15,500 hectares burned in 2026. Fire chiefs said more than 1,100 wildfires have been reported across England and Wales. They warned that services are under pressure after years of cuts. Experts say climate change, heat and drought are increasing the risk. The danger could double in coming decades.

The El Niño event developing over the Pacific Ocean could become the strongest in living memory, the UK Met Office has warned. Forecasts suggest Pacific sea surface temperatures may rise more than 3°C above average later this year, surpassing records since 1950. The phenomenon could worsen droughts, floods and food insecurity worldwide, while affecting India’s monsoon rainfall. Combined with human-driven climate change, the Met Office said 2027 is very likely to become the hottest year on record, replacing 2024. Scientists say El Niño is occurring in an already warmer world, increasing the risk of more severe weather impacts. (PC: BBC)

Hurricane Lala has caused severe flooding and mudslides in Hawaii, leaving one person dead in a car accident. The Category 1 storm passed close to the Big Island without making landfall. Heavy rain swept away homes in coastal areas and damaged roads. Some areas received up to 35 inches of rain. More than 200,000 customers lost power, while several hospitals used backup generators. About 180 National Guard members were sent to help with rescue work. Two homes were reportedly swept away, and searches are underway for affected residents. Lala has weakened into a tropical storm but continues to bring heavy rain. (PC: Getty Images)

At least five people have died in Indiana after severe storms caused the state’s worst flooding in more than 30 years. More than 11 inches of rain fell across some areas in two days, pushing the White River above 24 feet and breaking records dating to 1913. Emergency crews carried out hundreds of evacuations and rescued residents and pets from rising floodwaters. More than 150,000 people remained without electricity. Authorities reported fatalities involving a woman who drove into floodwaters, a teenager who went missing after entering a river, and a four-year-old boy killed by a fallen tree. Officials urged residents to follow evacuation orders. (PC: AFP)

A major wildfire in Stourbridge, West Midlands, has destroyed 19 homes and damaged 18 others. The fire has affected 38 properties and spread across about 500 acres. Around 300 people, including care home residents, were evacuated. Several people were taken to hospital, including a firefighter who has since been discharged. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Fire officials said the blaze is under control but warned that conditions remain dangerous. The UK government has temporarily banned the sale of disposable barbecues due to the high fire risk. More than 1,000 wildfires have been recorded across Britain this year amid continuing heatwave conditions. (PC: PA)

Ash from Mount Etna’s latest eruption has caused hundreds of flight cancellations in Sicily. Catania Fontanarossa Airport has suspended flights until 2am Saturday due to drifting volcanic ash. The airport operator, SAC, said the ash was affecting flight operations. Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano, began its latest activity on August 6. Around 400 departures were cancelled between August 8 and 11. Another 52 flights were cancelled on Wednesday. Including arrivals, about 700 flights have been affected. The eruption has also caused delays and cancellations in Malta and at Sicily’s Comiso Airport, disrupting travel across the region. (PC: Reuters)

Haridwar is grappling with a waste crisis after nearly five crore pilgrims visited during the Kanwar Yatra. Authorities said at least 7,000 tonnes of garbage was transported to dumping grounds, with discarded clothes, plastics and Kanwar structures littering ghats and roads. At Har ki Pauri, videos showed cleaners without gloves or masks removing water bottles filled with urine from changing rooms using shovels, triggering outrage among locals. Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar said teams worked overnight after Shivratri to clean ghats, parking areas and roads. In Gangotri, which received an estimated 57,000 pilgrims, 57 sacks of waste were collected despite the area being designated plastic-free, raising concerns over the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

A landslide struck Gaushiya Chawl in Chirag Nagar, Mumbai, around 3:48 a.m. on Wednesday following heavy rainfall, killing two people and leaving several others feared trapped beneath debris. A portion of a hillock collapsed onto two to three residential structures. Police officials said four to five people were initially suspected to be trapped, while later reports put the number at around six. BMC, Mumbai Fire Brigade, NDRF, police and other emergency teams launched rescue operations. Specialised equipment, including a victim camera, is being used to search for survivors. Authorities are continuing relief and rescue efforts at the site. (PC: The Hindu)

Himachal Pradesh is facing a severe monsoon crisis, with 157 people killed and 257 reported missing between June 30 and August 9, according to the State Emergency Operations Centre. Landslides and flash floods have damaged nearly 900 properties and public works, causing losses estimated at Rs 886 crore. Around 259 roads, including the Mandi-Kullu highway, remain blocked, with Mandi the worst affected. Power supplies have also been disrupted, while 54 water supply schemes are affected. The IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Shimla and Sirmaur, warning that more disruption may follow. (PC: India Today)

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has killed at least 132 people and injured more than 570 across western Colombia, with Chocó and the Coffee Axis among the worst-hit regions. Colombia’s geological service described it as the country’s strongest recorded earthquake of the 21st century. More than 1,500 homes were damaged, including 37 destroyed, while over 60 buildings, 18 health centres and 52 schools suffered damage. Pereira recorded 60 deaths, while Cali’s University Hospital was partially damaged, trapping patients. Police, firefighters, soldiers and volunteers are searching collapsed structures for survivors. Ecuador, El Salvador and Mexico have offered assistance, while the US and UN said they are ready to support Colombia. Roads and communications remain disrupted.