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LONDON — Britain shattered its record for highest temperature ever registered Tuesday amid a heat wave that has seared swaths of Europe, as the U.K.’s national weather forecaster said such highs are now a fact of life in a country ill-prepared for such extremes.The typically temperate nation was just the latest to be walloped by unusually hot, dry weather that has triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans and led to hundreds of heat-related deaths. Images of flames racing toward a French beach and Britons sweltering — even at the seaside — have driven home concerns about climate change.The U.K. Met Office weather agency registered a provisional reading of 40.3 degrees Celsius (104.5 degrees Fahrenheit) at Coningsby in eastern England — breaking the record set just hours earlier. Before Tuesday, the highest temperature recorded in Britain was 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019. By later afternoon, 29 places in the UK had broken the record.As the nation watched with a combination of horror and fascination, Met Office chief scientist Stephen Belcher said such temperatures in Britain were “virtually impossible” without human-driven climate change.He warned that “we could see temperatures like this every three years” without serious action on carbon emissions.The sweltering weather has disrupted travel, health care and schools. Many homes, small businesses and even public buildings, including hospitals, in Britain don’t have air conditioning, a reflection of how unusual such heat is in the country better known for rain and mild temperatures.The intense heat since Monday has damaged the runway at London’s Luton airport, forcing it to shut for several hours, and warped a main road in eastern England, leaving it looking like a “skatepark,” police said. Major train stations were shut or near-empty Tuesday, as trains were canceled or ran at low speeds out of concern rails could buckle.London faced what Mayor Sadiq Khan called a “huge surge” in fires because of the heat. The London Fire Brigade listed 10 major blazes it was fighting across the city Tuesday, half of them grass fires. Images showed several houses engulfed in flames as smoke billowed from burning fields in Wennington, a village on the eastern outskirts of London.Sales of fans at one retailer, Asda, increased by 1,300%. Electric fans cooled the traditional mounted troops of the Household Cavalry as they stood guard in central London in heavy ceremonial uniforms. The length of the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace was shortened. The capital’s Hyde Park, normally busy with walkers, was eerily quiet — except for the long lines to take a dip in the Serpentine lake.“I’m going to my office because it is nice and cool,’’ said geologist Tom Elliott, 31, after taking a swim. “I’m cycling around instead of taking the Tube.’’Ever the stalwart, Queen Elizabeth II carried on working. The 96-year-old monarch held a virtual audience with new U.S. ambassador Jane Hartley from the safety of Windsor Castle.A huge chunk of England, from London in the south to Manchester and Leeds in the north, remained under the country’s first “red” warning for extreme heat Tuesday, meaning there is danger of death even for healthy people.Such dangers could be seen in Britain and across Europe. At least six people were reported to have drowned while trying to cool off in rivers, lakes and reservoirs across the U.K. In Spain and neighboring Portugal, hundreds of heat-related deaths have been reported in the heat wave.Climate experts warn that global warming has increased the frequency of extreme weather events, with studies showing that the likelihood of temperatures in the U.K. reaching 40 C (104 F) is now 10 times higher than in the pre-industrial era.The head of the U.N. weather agency expressed hope that the heat gripping Europe would serve as a “wake-up call” for governments to do more on climate change. Other scientists used the milestone moment to underscore that it was time to act.“While still rare, 40C is now a reality of British summers,” said Friederike Otto, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science at Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute for Climate Change. “Whether it will become a very common occurrence or remains relatively infrequent is in our hands and is determined by when and at what global mean temperature we reach net zero.”Extreme heat broiled other parts of Europe, too. In Paris, the thermometer in the French capital’s oldest weather station – opened in 1873 – topped 40 C (104 F) for just the third time. The 40.5 C (104.9 F) measured there by weather service Meteo-France on Tuesday was the station’s second-highest reading ever, topped only by a blistering 42.6 C (108.7 F) in July 2019.Drought and heat waves tied to climate change have also made wildfires more common and harder to fight.In the Gironde region of southwestern France, ferocious wildfires continued to spread through tinder-dry pines forests, frustrating firefighting efforts by more than 2,000 firefighters and water-bombing planes.Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from homes and summer vacation spots since the fires broke out July 12, Gironde authorities said.A smaller third fire broke out late Monday in the Medoc wine region north of Bordeaux, further taxing resources. Five camping sites went up in flames in the Atlantic coast beach zone where blazes raged around the Arcachon maritime basin famous for its oysters and resorts.In Greece, a large forest fire broke out northeast of Athens, fanned by high winds. Fire Service officials said nine firefighting aircraft and four helicopters were deployed to try to stop the flames from reaching inhabited areas on the slopes of Mount Penteli, some 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of the capital. Smoke from the fire blanketed part of the city’s skyline.But weather forecasts offered some consolation, with temperatures expected to ease along the Atlantic seaboard Tuesday and the possibility of rains rolling in late in the day.Associated Press writers Sylvia Hui and Jo Kearney in London, John Leicester in Le Pecq, France, Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this story. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Flooding in southern Iran has killed at least 22 people and left one person missing after heavy rainfall in the largely arid country, a local official has said.Videos posted on local and social media on Saturday showed vehicles being carried away by the rising waters of the Roodball river in the southern province of Fars. One video showed adults pulling a child from a car as it began to shift downstream.Flooding affected several towns in and around the Estahban county area of the country. “The number of people killed has risen to 22 after another body was found,” Javad Moradian, who heads a local rescue unit, told Mehr news agency.Rescue workers carrying the body of a victim after flooding in Estahban county, Fars province, southern Iran. Photograph: Iranian Red Crescent/EPAA Red Crescent official earlier put the death toll at 21, with two people missing.Iran has endured repeated droughts over the past decade, but also regular floods, a phenomenon made worse when torrential rain falls on sun-baked earth.The governor of Estahban, Yousef Kargar, said “around 5.00 pm yesterday, heavy rains … in the central parts of Estahban county led to flooding”, according to state news agency IRNA.The incident happened 174 kilometres (108 miles) east of the provincial capital Shiraz on a summer weekend, when families tend to head to cooler areas such as rivers, lakes and valleys.“A number of local people and sightseers (from other areas) who had gone to the riverside and were present in the riverbed were caught in the flood due to the rise in the water level,” Kargar added.Iran’s first vice-president, Mohammad Mokhber, called on the governor of Fars province to open an investigation into the incident and “to compensate the families of the victims,” according to IRNA.Sign up to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BSTThe state news agency also reported that a weather report put out by meteorologists in Fars warned there could be further strong rainfall ahead.In 2019, heavy rains in the country’s south left at least 76 people dead and caused damage estimated at more than $2bn.In January, two people were initially reported killed in flash flooding in Fars when heavy rains hit the area, but the toll rose to at least eight there and elsewhere in Iran’s south.Scientists say the climate crisis amplifies extreme weather, including droughts as well as the potential for the increased intensity of rain storms. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Pakistan’s government has appealed for international help to tackle a flooding emergency that has killed more than 1,000 people and threatens to leave a third of the country – an area roughly the size of Britain – underwater.Foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Sunday night that floods brought on by weeks of extreme monsoonal rainfall and melting glaciers would worsen Pakistan’s already dire economic situation and that financial aid was needed.“Going forward, I would expect not only the International Monetary Fund, but the international community and international agencies to truly grasp the level of devastation,” he said.“I haven’t seen destruction of this scale, I find it very difficult to put into words ... it is overwhelming,” he said. Many crops that provided much of the population’s livelihoods had been wiped out, he added.“Obviously this will have an effect on the overall economic situation,” he said.Pakistan mapThe south Asian nation is facing high inflation, a depreciating currency and a current account deficit, and Bhutto-Zardari said he hoped the flooding emergency would persuade the IMF’s board this week to release $1.2bn as part of the seventh and eighth tranches of Pakistan’s bailout programme.The first foreign aid was beginning to trickle into Pakistan on Monday on flights from Turkey and UAE – the start of a huge relief operation to alleviate a disaster that has affected around 33 million people and left swathes of the country inundated.At least 1,061 people have now died in the deluges and that toll is set to rise further, with many communities in the mountainous northern regions cut off by flood-swollen rivers that washed away roads and bridges.The army’s helicopters were struggling to pluck people to safety in the north, where steep hills and valleys make for treacherous flying conditions.Many rivers in the area – a picturesque tourist destination – have burst their banks, demolishing scores of buildings, including a 150-room hotel that crumbled into a raging torrent.It came as the country’s climate minister warned that one-third of Pakistan could be underwater by the time this year’s “monster monsoon” recedes.Pakistan has never seen an unbroken cycle of monsoons like this.8 weeks of non-stop torrents have left huge swathes of the country under water.This is no normal season,this is a deluge from all sides, impacting 33 million plus people,which is the size of a small country. @dwnews pic.twitter.com/gYAbv9ldlH— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 28, 2022
Sherry Rehman, a Pakistan senator and federal minister for climate change, said on Sunday the country was “at ground zero of the frontline of extreme weather events”.“We could well have one fourth or one-third of Pakistan under water,” she said, adding that the country was experiencing a “serious climate catastrophe, one of the hardest in the decade”.“We are at the moment at the ground zero of the frontline of extreme weather events, in an unrelenting cascade of heatwaves, forest fires, flash floods, multiple glacial lake outbursts, flood events and now the monster monsoon of the decade is wreaking non-stop havoc throughout the country,” she said.Rehman said on Sunday that the warming climate was causing glaciers in mountainous northern regions to melt faster than normal, exacerbating the impact of the heavy rain. Pakistan has more glaciers – 7,532 – than anywhere outside the polar regions.It makes Pakistan one of the countries most exposed to climate change-related weather extremes, said Simon Bradshaw of the Climate Council of Australia, and was suffering from a “series of weather disasters such as drought and flooding”.A woman checks her damaged house in the aftermath of floods in Charsadda district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. Photograph: Arshad Arbab/EPAThe extreme weather, which has also affected China, Europe and the US in the northern hemisphere summer, was becoming harder to predict as the warming atmosphere produced more volatile events, he said.It was important for developed countries to do more to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels, Bradshaw said. “Typically, countries that contribute the least to the problem of warming such as Pakistan are the ones that pay the biggest price in terms of weather disasters.”Flooding from the Swat river over the weekend affected north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where tens of thousands of people especially in the Charsadda and Nowshehra districts have been evacuated from their homes to relief camps set up in government buildings. Many have also taken shelter on roadsides, said Kamran Bangash, a spokesperson for the provincial government.Bangash said 180,000 people had been evacuated from Charsadda, and 150,000 from Nowshehra district villages.The unprecedented monsoon season has affected all four of the country’s provinces. Nearly 300,000 homes have been destroyed, numerous roads rendered impassable and electricity outages have been widespread, affecting more than 33 million people – one in seven Pakistanis.Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, pleaded for help in a visit to badly hit Balochistan province. “I have never seen such flood in my personal and professional life. All four corners of Pakistan are under water. I request people to come ahead and help.”Sharif was briefed during his visit to Jaffarabad district in Balochistan that at least 75% of the province, Pakistan’s least developed but which accounts for half of its land area, around 350,000 sq km (135,000 sq miles), was affected by the flooding. Overall, Pakistan covers almost 800,000 sq km.The government has deployed soldiers to help civilian authorities in rescue and relief operations across the country. The Pakistani army also said in a statement it airlifted 22 tourists trapped in a valley in the north to safety. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
More than 80 million people in the eastern US were under flash flood watches late on Monday, marking still more extreme weather in a country reeling from record heatwaves in some regions, as the US increasingly feels the effects of the climate crisis.In Georgia, the threat of torrential downpours became a reality Sunday afternoon, spurring a flash flood emergency in western portions of the state, CNN reported.The “one-in-1,000-year rainfall event” caused rivers and creeks to swell. Authorities carried out water rescues as homes and businesses were flooded; meteorologists believe that the area could see another one to three inches of rain, according to the news network.Potentially dangerous weather is not limited to the area stretching from southern Appalachia to New England. In the US west, residents are facing the possibility of power outages on Monday and early this week while temperatures continue to soar.This weekend, Salt Lake City broke its record temperature for September, hitting 103F (39.4C). Long Beach, California, peaked at 108F (42.2C), breaking a past daily high, Forbes reported.These extremes come as global heating threatens to make large portions of the US west and south – which are seeing a population boom – so hot they are unlivable. Nearly 50 million US residents across six states were under excessive heat warnings as of Monday morning. In some of these areas, these advisories might continue until the week’s end, Axios reported.The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office on Sunday described the heat in the metropolitan area as a “kiln-like environment”.California’s Death Valley, already one of the hottest areas on Earth, could meet or exceed its record high temperature of 125F (51.7C) this week.The region could even exceed the highest global temperature for September, 126F (52.2C), Axios reported. Dry conditions, meanwhile, have ramped up wildfire risks.“Record-setting heat, dry conditions and strong winds are expected in the north-west, Great Basin, and northern Rockies areas,” the national interagency fire center said. “These conditions will increase the potential for significant wildfire activity.”The center reported 68 “active large fires”, spanning 438,904 acres. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Britons were enduring intense heat by noon today on what looks set to be the UK's hottest day on record - with trains cancelled, hospital appointments axed and schools closed amid warnings that healthy people could die. The UK hotspot at midday today was Cambridge at 35C (95F) - closing in on the all-time record of 38.7C (101.7F) which was set in the same city in July 2019. This also made today the hottest day of the year so far, for the second day in a row - beating the 33C (91F) set in North Wales yesterday. London had got up to 34C (93F) by noon today.Met Office chief executive Penny Endersby has confirmed that 'we may well see the hottest day in the UK in history' today, adding that tomorrow is now expected to be even warmer with up to 43C (109F) possible.With the UK set to be hotter than the Sahara Desert, transport links in London were already grinding to a halt due to train cancellations - while roads could melt and bosses have urged employees to work from home.Health chiefs told patients to stay away unless it is an emergency amid fears hospitals will be overwhelmed, while emergency services urged swimmers to stay away from lakes and rivers in case they face difficulties.Some schools in Nottinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire have shut while others will close early - and water providers have also warned of shortages after the hottest day of 2022 so far yesterday with 33C (91F) highs.Other schools were cancelling detentions and sports days because of the heatwave. Northwood Community Primary School in Kirkby, Merseyside, said that sports day had been axed today; while King Charles I School, a secondary school in Worcestershire, has cancelled all on-site detentions both today and tomorrow.Professor Endersby told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning: 'We think today we may well see the hottest day in the UK in history, with the hottest temperatures in the South East, but actually the highest temperatures we expect tomorrow, and those temperatures will be further north as that warm air pushes north. 'It's tomorrow that we're really seeing the higher chance of 40C and temperatures above that. Even possibly above that... 41C isn't off the cards. We've even got some 43Cs in the model but we're hoping it won't be as high as that.'One GP surgery in Hertfordshire had to close a site today because it has no air conditioning; others in London have texted patients to warn them of reduced services with limited clinic rooms in operation; and Milton Keynes University Hospital said it was 'standing down routine outpatient appointments and surgery' today and tomorrow. In Cardiff, a children's hospital's cancer ward at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital was left without air conditioning after the unit failed in hot weather. Engineers were working to fix the fault affecting the chemotherapy area - and health chiefs said that if the problem cannot be solved, patients will be moved to a different ward to keep cool. As health officials declared a 'national emergency', rail chaos was already affecting parts of London this morning - with the Overground suspended between Willesden Junction and Richmond, and Romford and Upminster.On the Underground, the District, Central, Bakerloo and Jubilee lines all had severe delays while the Hammersmith & City Line was completely axed due to 'heat related restrictions' and there was no Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate. Transport for London told all passengers in the capital to avoid non-essential travel.The scorching heat means the UK will be warmer than Nassau in the Bahamas (32C), Kingston in Jamaica (33C), Malaga in Spain (28C), Athens in Greece (35C), Albufeira in Portugal (28C) and Dakhla in the Western Sahara (24C).Temperatures had already hit 34C (93F) in London by midday today. As Britons camped overnight at Bournemouth beach for the best spot today amid what forecasters called an 'exceptional hot spell':The Met Office urged people to do 'as little as possible' to avoid dire health risks as the 'red warning' began;Rail passengers were urged to travel only if 'necessary' and gritters were sent out to stop roads melting;Wildfires swept through parched grassland after days of dry and roasting conditions in 'tinderbox' Britain;There is now a 90 per cent chance of the all-time UK temperature record being broken today or tomorrow;Water providers including Affinity, Anglian and South East reported supply issues due to the hot weather.Professor Endersby said today that such extreme temperatures are not expected beyond tomorrow, but that the Met Office will then be monitoring the possibility of drought in the coming months. 'Well, we certainly don't see these very hot temperatures persisting past Tuesday, so we're expecting a big drop in temperature, mercifully, overnight into Wednesday - down 10 or 12 degrees on what it has been the days before. This map from Netweather shows how 41C highs are expected in parts of central England tomorrow - and 40C in the South People out enjoying the hot weather at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside today as temperatures rise all over the UK People flock to Bournemouth beach in Dorset today as they make the most of the extreme temperatures People relax on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the heatwave continues People swim at Hampstead Heath in North West London today as they enjoy the very hot weather Commuters cross London Bridge today as the Shard reflects the sun in the early morning heat People preparing to enter the water in Penzance, Cornwall, todayCommuters on London Bridge feel the heat at 8.30am this morning amid the extreme weather conditions A woman uses a fan to cool herself down as commuters cross London Bridge today in extreme temperaturesA woman keeping cool in the River Thames near Chertsey in Surrey today (left) and another on Bournemouth beach (right) A member of the Queen's Guard receives water to drink during the hot weather outside Buckingham Palace in London today'We are still seeing hotter than average in our three-month outlook and also very dry, and our attention is turning, once we're past these two days, to drought and when we might see any rain, and we're not seeing any significant rain coming up.'She also said that the public should take Met Office heat warnings as seriously as those about other significant weather events such as snow or wind, as the extreme heat could cause thousands of excess deaths. Rail journey times could double as firms urge people not to travelJourney times could more than double for train passengers as speed restrictions are imposed during the heatwave, Network Rail has warned.The chances of services returning to normal by midweek will also depend on any 'damage that the weather does to the infrastructure' over the course of Monday and Tuesday, travellers have been told.Speed restrictions have been imposed on trains amid fears of rails buckling in the heat.Kevin Groves, chief spokesman for Network Rail, said trips which typically take two hours could take 'more than four hours' as emergency measures have been brought in to prevent trains derailing.He told Sky News: 'Certainly later on today that (buckling) is a strong possibility, which is why, from about midday today through till 8pm tonight, there will be large swathes of England and Wales that will have emergency heat-related speed restrictions placed on the rail network.'Mr Groves promised refunds to any passengers who booked journeys on Monday and Tuesday but are rearranging travel for later in the week.'Our advice to passengers if they can, today and tomorrow, is only travel if it's really necessary; otherwise try and shift your arrangements to later in the week and you'll get a full refund,' he said.Jake Kelly, spokesman for Network Rail, warned of travel disruption across the country.He said services returning to normal on Wednesday 'will depend on the damage that the weather does to the infrastructure' over the course of Monday and Tuesday.Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Mr Kelly said: 'Our advice very strongly to customers in England and Wales today and tomorrow is to only travel if absolutely essential, and to expect a very reduced train service and delays.'And of course, as your listeners were hearing, on the East Coast mainline, that's the route from London to destinations like Peterborough, Leeds and York, tomorrow, unfortunately, there won't be a train service and passengers should not travel.'We haven't taken any of those decisions lightly, but we've not been faced with these exceptional temperatures before.'He added: 'We're spending hundreds of millions of pounds a year on making the railway more resilient but ultimately faced with weather like we've never faced before, the infrastructure will suffer so we've had to put in place arrangements.'Looking ahead to the rest of the week, Mr Kelly said: 'We hope and expect to run a full service on Wednesday and beyond, but that will depend on the damage that the weather does to the infrastructure over the next couple of days. We have lots of plans in place to make sure that we can run.'Transport for London has advised people to 'only travel if essential' amid the extreme heat.Professor Penelope Endersby added: 'Our warnings are always impact-based, so, when we put out warnings, if they're red, that means there's a danger to life and we're expecting major infrastructure impacts, and that's true, whether it's snow, wind, rain, and it's true of this heat warning. 'We're certainly seeing people reacting a little bit differently to the heat warnings as though they think that maybe we shouldn't be telling them to worry about heat the way we tell them to worry about storm or wind.'These temperatures are unprecedented in the UK and we're not used to dealing with them. And heat undoubtedly causes many hundreds, thousands of excess deaths in heatwaves, so people do need to take care and follow the advice we've been putting out about keeping in the shade, keeping cool, keeping hydrated, and so on.'She also said that, while extreme temperatures remain 'rare', by 2100 temperatures like those expected this week could be seen in the UK as frequently as once in every three years as a result of climate change.'These temperatures are unattainable in the UK without climate change, they just don't appear in the ensembles at all. They're still rare in today's 1.1 - 1.2-degree warmed climate, but by 2100, we're expecting them to be anywhere between one in 15 and one in three years, depending on the emissions pathways we take between now and then.'She added: 'We will certainly need to make changes to our infrastructure, transport, hospitals, care, homes, all those sorts of things, as well as to our domestic building designs. So yes, we need to make short-term changes for things like cooling centres and then longer-term changes, as well as assuming the very good progress we've already made as a nation towards net zero.'It comes after the Met Office revealed the deep red colour showing the high temperatures on weather maps was part of a redesign in autumn 2021 that was actually intended for parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Chief meteorologist at the Met Office Paul Davies warned that tonight will be very hot and it will be hard to sleep in the heat. He told Sky News: 'Tonight will be very oppressive, I mean it's actually difficult sleeping conditions.'And tomorrow is the day where we are really concerned about a good chance now of hitting 40C or 41C, and with that all the health conditions that come with those higher temperatures.'He also claimed that the rise in temperature is 'entirely consistent' with climate change and said the 'brutality' of the heat could become commonplace by the end of the century.Mr Davies told Sky News the weather charts he had seen today were 'astounding' and unlike any he had observed throughout his 30-year career.'This is entirely consistent with climate change. To get 40 degrees in the UK we need that additional boost from human-induced climate,' he said. 'Well, I've been a meteorologist for about 30 years and I've never seen the charts I've seen today. 'And the speed at which we are seeing these exceptionally high temperatures is broadly in line with what we were saying but to be honest, as a meteorologist, to see the brutality of the heat we're expecting tomorrow, is quite astounding. And it does worry me a lot and my colleagues here at the Met Office that this sort of unprecedented heat could become a regular occurrence by the end of the century.'And Mr Davies said that even colleagues in hot countries like Spain and Portugal had described the scenes in the UK as 'exceptional'.The top forecaster said a 'plume' of heat pushing across Europe was affecting Britain differently. A combination of that plume and human activity generating its own heat is contributing to the high temperatures, he said. A busy Bournemouth Beach this morning as the country endures very hot weather Sunbathers on Bournemouth beach this morning as the UK heatwave continues People out enjoying the hot weather at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside this morning A busy Bournemouth Beach this morning as the country endures very hot weather People out enjoying the hot weather at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside this morning Two women in the sea off Bournemouth Beach this morning as the country endures very hot weather A busy Bournemouth Beach this morning as the country is hit by extreme temperaturesTwo women sunbathe at Clapham Common in South West London today amid the extreme conditions A woman stays hydrated while commuting on the Jubilee line in London this morning as people travel to work People shelter from the sun underneath a map during the hot weather outside Buckingham Palace in London today A woman enjoys a dip in the sea off Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as people flock to the seaside A man sunbathes at Clapham Common in South West London today amid the extreme conditions A group of people on Bournemouth Beach this morning as the country endures very hot weather A man uses a stand-up paddleboard on the River Thames during the hot weather at Shepperton near Windsor today Commuters use umbrellas on London Bridge today as they feel the heat this morning amid the extreme weather conditions People sunbathe at Clapham Common in South West London today amid the extreme conditions A group of men walk along Bournemouth beach today as people flock to the seaside to enjoy the very hot weather Commuters wait for a Jubilee line train at London Bridge station this morning as they travel to work Sunseekers enjoy the sea off Bournemouth beach today as people flock to the seaside to enjoy the very hot weather Commuters cross London Bridge this morning amid the extreme temperatures affecting the capital today People swim and relax in a dinghy on the River Thames during the hot weather at Shepperton near Windsor today A woman sits on Bournemouth beach in the hot weather today as she enjoys the warm conditions People swim at Hampstead Heath in North West London today as they enjoy the very hot weatherA woman sunbathes at Clapham Common in South West London today amid the extreme conditions A woman takes an early morning dip at the Serpentine in London's Hyde Park this morning as temperatures are set to hit 40C A person sunbathes next to the River Thames during the hot weather near Windsor in Berkshire today People sunbathe at Clapham Common in South West London today amid the extreme conditions Commuters on board a Jubilee line train on the London Underground wait for the doors to close this morning A woman prepares to enter the water at Penzance in Cornwall this morning amid the extreme temperatures A packed platform at Victoria station in London this morning as people wait for District and Circle line trains People jump into the water at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside this morning as temperatures soar People swim at Hampstead Heath in North West London today as they enjoy the very hot weather People out enjoying the hot weather at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside this morning People sunbathe at Clapham Common in South West London today amid the extreme conditions People walk along Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the heatwave continuesA woman sunbathes at Clapham Common in South West London today amid the extreme conditions Commuters wait for a Jubilee line train at London Bridge station this morning as they travel to work People sunbathe at Clapham Common in South West London today amid the extreme conditions A jogger makes her way through a park in London this morning as temperatures are set to rise to 40C today People enjoy the warm weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the heatwave continues Commuters arrive at London Victoria this morning as people endure a sweltering journey to work'I was talking to my colleagues in Spain, Portugal and France over the weekend and they described this heat as exceptional too, and they've seen and observed amazing temperatures and, as I say, the brutality of that impact.'In terms of the UK, the heat which has been affecting Spain, Portugal and France is different towards us. So it's the activity of that plume, and also us generating our own heat that's causing the particular problems for tomorrow.' Freezers lose power at Tesco as workers have to quickly take out stockStaff at a Tesco supermarket had to quickly move the fridge and freezer food amid the extreme hot weather after there was a power cut at the supermarket.They had to clear all the items in the fridge and freezer aisles after the store in Bar Hill, Cambridge, lost power late yesterday afternoon.Shoppers were unable to buy any ice cream or ice lollies or stock up on frozen burgers and sausages for their barbecues after the aisles were emptied. Freezer and chiller cabinets are quickly emptied by staff at Tesco near Cambridge after a power cut yesterday afternoonMr Davies also said temperatures will ease from next Wednesday onwards but warned another heatwave later in summer could not be ruled out.Mr Davies told Sky News: 'When we look to the future in terms of the next week, there is an easier time because in fact the temperatures start to ease back to what we describe as slightly above normal from about Wednesday onwards. 'But as we move into all this, you just can't rule out another plume.'He added that holiday-goers should also check the weather overseas because the heat is likely to be 'sustainable and pretty intense' over the course of the month.And London Mayor Sadiq Khan told Sky News today: 'We aren't ready for these temperatures, we aren't prepared. We're not used to them and that's why people should be careful. 'You're not on holiday now, you're in this country. These temperatures are excessive, please be careful.'And the chief executive of the NHS Confederation said the 'crumbling' NHS estate is full of buildings that cannot adapt to the challenges of the heatwave,.While the majority of GP surgeries remained open, one known to have closed today was the Knebworth Surgery in Hertfordshire which shut a site in Stevenage because it has no air conditioning. Matthew Taylor told Sky News the health service will 'pull out all the stops' to keep running over the coming days but warned that ongoing 'capacity issues' will make it harder to bounce back.'We've been given advice in the NHS, we'll do all that we can, but the problem is this is about resilience, isn't it?'And the NHS has more than 2,000 vacancies, it's got an estate that is crumbling, so many are not the kind of buildings that have got the adaptability to these kinds of challenges.'We'll do our best but, as we learned during Covid, what's really important is that we have resilient public services that have the capacity to respond to problems like this, and the NHS will absolutely pull out all the stops and will do all it can, but to be truly resilient we have to address those capacity issues.'Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'The heat is really putting pressure on the NHS estate, much of which is quite dilapidated.'She said some operating theatres are having to suspend work because they cannot be kept at required temperatures, while there are also problems with IT servers.'NHS leaders are absolutely expecting the days ahead to be quite pressured but, as ever, the NHS will pull out all the stops,' she said.Traffic congestion levels have dropped across most UK cities compared to the same time a week ago, according to location technology firm TomTom - for example, the figure at 8am in London was 43 per cent today compared to 54 per cent at the same time last week - suggesting more people are staying at home.Also today, a Cabinet minister suggested people should 'just take it easy' during the heatwave, and could go to the beach to avoid the worst of the 'ferocious' heat. Commuters cross London Bridge today in the early morning heat on an exceptionally hot day People enjoy the weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset today amid the extreme conditions Commuters wait for their Southern train service towards London Victoria station this morning Commuters cross London Bridge today as the Shard reflects the sun in the early morning heat People enjoy the weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset today amid the extreme conditions A woman uses a water bottle as she crosses London Bridge today in the extreme temperatures Commuters walk past a message board warning people of disruption over extreme heat at London Victoria station today People enjoy the weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset today amid the extreme conditions A sign at London Bridge station warning commuters about the 'extremely hot weather' today People enjoy the weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset today amid the extreme conditions Commuters wait for their train into London Victoria station this morning amid disruption warnings over extreme heat People sunbathe at Clapham Common in South West London today amid the extreme conditions Commuters cross London Bridge today as the Shard reflects the sun in the early morning heat People enjoy the weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset today amid the extreme conditions Commuters wait for their trains at London Victoria train station this morning People walk onto Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the heatwave continues People relax on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the heatwave continues People relax on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the heatwave continues People relax on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the heatwave continues A woman cycles along the promenade at Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the heatwave continuesChancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse told Sky News: 'If you are lucky enough not to be working today and you are going to the beach, obviously I know you will take lots of sun cream and water and an umbrella and all those kinds of things and be sensible. How to manage with extreme temperatures during the heatwave Health experts have shared advice on how to cope as the Met Office warns lives could be at risk during expected record-breaking hot weather.Here is everything you need to know about coping during the heatwave, from keeping your pets cool to making sure you are drinking enough water.- How can I get to sleep when my bedroom feels like a sauna?Getting to sleep during a heatwave can seem like an impossible task, particularly when you don't have access to air conditioning - but there are steps you can take to get a good night's sleep.Julie Gooderick, an 'extreme environments' expert at the University of Brighton, says it is key to set your environment before sleeping.The ideal room temperature for sleeping is around 18-21C, she says, and to avoid your bedroom becoming too hot she advises using fans, opening windows at night, and keeping curtains closed during the day.She also advises using a thin sheet instead of your regular duvet, avoiding napping during the day, and cooling your body down as much as possible - this can be done using cooling pads, a cold shower, or even putting your pyjamas in the freezer a few hours before bedtime.- How can I look after my body?Extreme hot weather poses the risk of conditions such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion, which can sometimes be fatal. Each year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) sees excess deaths during periods of extreme hot weather.Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids and try to avoid the sun (and physical exertion outdoors) between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is strongest.The UKHSA advises people to walk in the shade, apply sunscreen regularly, and wear a wide-brimmed hat in the heat, and to make sure fridges and freezers are working properly.- Who is most vulnerable in the heat, and how should I look out for them?Some people are more vulnerable than others in the heat, particularly those who are aged 75 or older, people with serious health conditions, and those who are unable to keep themselves cool.Ensure you check in on those who live alone, and be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion - these can include dizziness and confusion, a headache and a high temperature.If you notice someone is experiencing the symptoms of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down - make sure they are drinking enough water, lie them down and move them to a cold place if possible.- How should I keep my baby cool in the hot weather?It is essential to avoid babies becoming dehydrated and overexposed to sunlight - regularly apply sunscreen with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and keep their faces cool with a wide-brimmed sun hat.Babies less than six months old should be kept out of direct sunlight, the NHS says, and older babies should also be kept out of the sun as much as possible.Sleep consultant and CEO of Just Chill Mama, Rosey Davidson, advises putting bottles of frozen water in front of a fan to achieve 'a mini air con solution' to help babies sleep when it is hot outside.'You can also hang a wet towel over a chair - pre-freezing this in your freezer helps - the evaporating water cools the air,' she adds. 'If it is very hot in your baby's room they can just sleep in a vest or nappy.'- How can I keep my pets cool?Not just babies struggle with the heat - pets are also at risk in extreme temperatures.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) advises dog owners to walk their pets in the morning or evening when it is cooler, and to ensure they have enough shade and water.You can also keep them cool with pet-friendly frozen treats, and pet-safe sun cream is also available.Never leave pets alone in parked cars, and make sure you are aware of the key signs of heatstroke - symptoms in dogs and cats can include panting, diarrhoea and restlessness.- Should I exercise in the heatwave?Avoid extreme physical activity during the hottest parts of the day, but there are ways to exercise safely during the heatwave.Try to do so during the cooler hours - in the early morning or evening - and ensure you take enough water.Going for a swim can be a good way to cool down, but make sure to do so in safe, lifeguarded sites.'People will want to cool down but don't dive into open water as it's colder than it looks,' the London Fire Brigade warns.'There is the risk of cold water shock, which can cause your body to go into shock no matter how fit you are.''But we need to recognise that there are some people who will not cope well in the heat and what we want is for everybody to look out for them.'Lots of people will go about their lives perfectly normally, for example we have said that schools should stay open and kids should go to school, very often they are safer in schools and kids need to learn and schools can look after them and hydrate them and keep them nice and cool.'But we just need to be sensible, we have not seen this kind of heat before in this country.'Mr Malthouse defended the idea that people could still go to the beach: 'Some people may wish to. It will be cooler at the coast than it is at the centre of the country, particularly in the Midlands and in London.'But what we are saying to people is that they need to take responsibility for themselves, recognise that this is a really ferocious heat that we haven't seen in this country before and adapt their behaviour accordingly.'Mr Malthouse also defended Boris Johnson's decision not to attend a Cobra meeting on the heatwave and instead spend the weekend having a party at Chequers.He said: 'It's my job to chair Cobra meetings. I briefed him yesterday morning at about 8am personally.'As the broadcaster showed aerial footage of Mr Johnson with his guests at Chequers, Mr Malthouse said it was 'completely unfair' to suggest that the Prime Minister was ducking important meetings because he would be leaving the job soon.But Labour frontbencher Lisa Nandy accused Mr Johnson and his ministers of having 'clocked off' during the UK's first red extreme heat warning.The shadow levelling up secretary told Sky News: 'We think the Government ought to do a number of things: first is to turn up to work.'She said the Prime Minister has 'clearly clocked off', adding: 'And so have many of his ministers in his Government.'Ms Nandy argued there should be a dedicated Cabinet Office minister to co-ordinate an emergency response and she urged Whitehall to work with local areas to ensure resilience plans are in place to end the current 'patchwork' approach.Meanwhile Mr Malthouse also urged people to 'look out for those groups who are most vulnerable to the heat' - particularly small children and the elderly.He told LBC Radio that 'people should do the neighbourly thing' and check on elderly people living nearby to 'check they are OK, they've got access to water, they are keeping themselves cool and looking after themselves'.'Hopefully we'll get through things in good shape,' he said.There was likely to be 'significant disruption' on the transport network and people should 'think about working from home' if they are able to.He defended the Government's response, saying the Cobra meetings 'make sure we are prepared and we are then able to communicate a sensible public safety message'.Mr Malthouse said France had a heatwave in 2003 and 'thousands of elderly people did die' so the UK could 'learn from that, we are not used to this kind of heat and we just need to make sure that we are sensible and moderate and take care during the next 48 hours'.It comes after Dominic Raab insisted that it was possible to stay safe and 'enjoy the sunshine'. The Deputy Prime Minister told Sky News yesterday: 'Obviously there is some common sense practical advice we are talking about.'Stay hydrated, stay out of the sun at the hottest times, wear sun cream – those sorts of things. We ought to enjoy the sunshine and actually we ought to be resilient enough through some of the pressures it will place.'His message won support from Labour's education spokesman Bridget Phillipson who said it was 'right' that children go to school this week, having missed out on learning during the pandemic.However doctors have warned that thousands of people – even those who are fit and healthy – could die during the sweltering conditions as the UK Health Security Agency issued its first-ever Level Four heat health warning.Tracey Nicholls, chief executive of the College of Paramedics, told Sky News: 'This isn't like a lovely hot day where we can put a bit of sunscreen on, go out and enjoy a swim and a meal outside.'This is serious heat that could actually, ultimately, end in people's deaths because it is so ferocious. We're just not set up for that sort of heat in this country.'Meanwhile, NHS Confederation chairman Lord Victor Adebowale said hospitals are going to be 'really, really pushed' during the heatwave.To illustrate his point, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust yesterday asked people only to attend its emergency department in a 'life-threatening emergency'.New Health Secretary Steve Barclay has urged the public to look out for vulnerable relatives and neighbours, adding everyone should take 'sensible steps in terms of water, shade and cover'.And Met Office meteorologist Steven Keates advised people to do 'as little as possible' in the heat. They should work from home if possible and 'minimise physical exertion as much as possible because even fit and healthy people could be adversely impacted by temperatures like this', he told the Daily Telegraph. People relax on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the heatwave continues People rest in a car park next to Bournemouth beach in Dorset | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Record breaking temperatures has brought Britain's travel network to a halt, with Oxford Circus station evacuated over a 'smoking escalator', Network Rail issuing a 'do not travel warning', hundreds of trains cancelled, and runways melting at airports. Britain's heatwave travel chaos TRAINSSerious disruption (red): Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line, Grand Central, Great Western, Greater Anglia, Hull Trains, London Northwestern Railway, London Overground, Lumo, Merseyrail, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern, Southern, Stansted Express, Thameslink, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales, West Midlands Railway, c2c. Moderate disruption (amber): Chiltern, East Midlands, Govia Thameslink, Great Northern, Island Line, LNER, Scotrail. ROADSCongestion in cities during the morning rush hour was lower than last week, according to TomTom. The RAC has warned motorists who may be driving to work that the number of vehicle breakdowns today could be a fifth higher than usual.TRANSPORT FOR LONDONGood service: Circle, Northern, Waterloo & City, DLR. Delays: All other lines. London Fire Brigade said firefighters were investigating reports of smoke coming from an escalator machine room on the northbound Victoria Line. The incident is causing yet more disruption to the Tube network, which is already running a reduced service. Today, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted the UK's infrastructure 'could not cope' with the extreme weather - as the country braced for potential highs of 43C (109F) this afternoon. Network Rail advised no one to travel on services leaving north from London today after pictures emerged of rails that had buckled in the heat. The hottest railway track reached 62C (144F) yesterday at a spot in Suffolk, it said.While several train companies have closed routes completely, others are warning against anything but essential travel. 'Please don't use our trains to get to the beach,' Thameslink said. There will be no Thameslink or Great Northern trains running in any location north of London, from London Blackfriars via St Pancras, or from King's Cross or London Moorgate today. Merseyrail said the number of trains running and journey times will be 'seriously affected', with some routes closed completely. LNER will run no trains from south of York and south of Leeds to King's Cross.Southern, South Eastern, South Western Railway and Great Western Railway are among the dozens of train companies running significantly reduced services across the country. All trains out of Kings Cross were cancelled this morning, with foreign tourists bemused as to why temperatures that were 'quite normal' elsewhere during summer had resulted in such disruption. The RAC has warned motorists who may be driving to work that the number of vehicle breakdowns today could be a fifth higher than usual. Meanwhile, road congestion in several cities was down on last week, figures showed, as people avoided travelling in the heat. In Birmingham, congestion levels fell from 48% on July 12 to 32%, while in London levels dropped from 60% to 44% and in Manchester they decreased from 59% to 44%, location technology firm TomTom said. Yesterday, Luton Airport had to close its runway after it melted in the heat. It reopened yesterday afternoon, but even hotter temperatures risk more delays at airports today. London Fire Brigade said it was responding to reports of smoke coming from an escalator machine room on the northbound Victoria Line Police officers and Transport for London staff manning a cordon outside Oxford Circus following today's escalator fire Boards at Kings Cross this morning, where were bemused as to why temperatures that were 'quite normal' elsewhere during summer had resulted in such disruption Kings Cross resembled a rush hour ghost town this morning as all trains were cancelled today with rocketing temperatures causing havoc to the rail network Commuters on the sweltering Jubilee line this morning as they commute to work on the London Underground Today, Network Rail released images of rails that had become bendy in the extreme heat. One rail reached 62C (144F) yesterday, it said Network Rail advised no one to travel on services leaving north from London today after pictures emerged of rails that had buckled in the heat Network rail is responsible for maintaining the country's railway infrastructure, which has been badly affected by the heat Road congestion drops as drivers heed warnings to keep off the roads Figures published by location technology firm TomTom show the level of road congestion at 9am today was lower in several cities than at the same time last week.In Birmingham, congestion levels fell from 48% on July 12 to 32%.In Bristol, congestion levels were down from 46% to 42%.In London, levels dropped from 60% to 44%.In Manchester, congestion declined from 59% to 44%.The figures reflect the proportion of additional time required for journeys compared with free-flow conditions. The RAC has warned motorists who may be driving to work that the number of vehicle breakdowns both Monday and Tuesday could be a fifth higher than usual. Britons have experienced the 'warmest night on record' with London reaching 29C (84F) by midnight, while the mercury in Southampton hit 24C (75F). Meanwhile, in Dover in Kent, the mercury stayed a few degrees cooler and reached 21C (70F) in the early hours of the morning while Aboyne in Aberdeenshire hit 19C (66F).Today, Mr Shapps conceded the UK's transport network cannot cope with the extreme heat.He told BBC Breakfast: 'We've seen a considerable amount of travel disruption. We're probably going to see the hottest day ever in the UK recorded today, and infrastructure, much of it built in Victorian times, just wasn't built to withstand this type of temperature - and it will be many years before we can replace infrastructure with the kind of infrastructure that could, because the temperatures are so extreme.'Asked if the transport system can cope with the weather, he said: 'The simple answer at the moment is no.'Where those tracks are 40 degrees in the air, on the ground that could be 50, 60, 70 and more, so you get a severe danger of tracks buckling. What we can't have is trains running over those and a terrible derailing.'We've got to be very cautious and conscious of that, which is why there's reduced speeds on large parts of the network.'Council gritters have been put on standby to spread light dustings of sand on melting roads. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said issues on the rails and roads will continue for decades during extreme heatwaves.Asked how long it will take to upgrade existing rail infrastructure to be more resilient, he told Sky News: 'Decades, actually, to replace it all. Ditto with Tarmac on the roads.'There's a long process of replacing it and upgrading it to withstand temperatures, either very hot or sometimes much colder than we've been used to, and these are the impacts of global warming.'He said there was no Cobra meeting planned for today, with the Prime Minister instead chairing Cabinet. Kings Cross resembled a rush hour ghost town today as all trains were cancelled with rocketing temperatures causing havoc to the rail network.All services between London and York were called off as the 40c temperatures hit with rail bosses concerned that tracks would not handle the heat.The only busy spot was the fictional ‘Platform 9 3/4’ from the Harry Potter films.At the head of the queue were New Yorkers Stacey and Steven Koppell and their nine-month-old daughter Hannah.The couple said they we are flabbergasted that Britain could come to a standstill among what they described as “very normal to us‘ temperatures.They endured a nightmare train journey yesterday which led to them forking out £215 for a taxi. Railway companies have issued similar warnings to Network Rail, with Thameslink telling customers 'please do not travel' Northern said many routes had 'completely shut down', while Chiltern Railways also had a 'do not travel' notice in placeLNER said no trains would be running between Kings Cross and south of York and Leeds, while the Gatwick Express has been suspended There were delays and overcrowding on the Jubilee Line this morning due to speed restrictions because of hot weather A man sleeping at London Bridge Station today as the Met Office warned temperatures could climb to 40C (104F) today, smashing the UK's all-time record Trains in sidings at Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, as many services are cancelled amid mass rail disruption Temperatures hit 32C by 9am after UK's hottest night EVER and are set to peak at 43C today - making it the hottest day in British history Britons are set to melt on the hottest UK day on record today as temperatures soar past 40C (104F) amid growing travel chaos as schools close again and millions of people responded to the chaos by working from home.The Met Office has confirmed that last night was the warmest night on record in Britain, with temperatures not falling below 25C (77F) in many areas of England and Wales. The highest overnight minimum was 25.9C (78.6F) at Emley Moor in West Yorkshire - smashing the previous record of 23.9C (75F) in Brighton set on August 3, 1990.Temperatures had already hit 32.2C (90F) by 9am this morning at London Heathrow Airport. It comes after the overnight minimum last night in the capital fell to just 25.8C (78.4F) at Kenley in Croydon, South London.Forecasters expect an absolute high of 43C (109F) in central or eastern England today - one day after Wales had its hottest day ever with 37.1C (99F) in Hawarden, Flintshire, beating a record set in the same village in 1990.The mercury peaked in the UK at 38.1C (100.6F) in Suffolk yesterday, making it the hottest day of 2022 and the third hottest day on record, after 38.7C (101.7F) in Cambridge in 2019 and 38.5C (101.3F) in Kent in August 2003.Mr Koppell, a Manhattan lawyer, said: ‘We are going to the Cotswolds for the day by train and the return journey stopped at Oxford and they said they couldn’t take us any further.'Our hotel is in Paddington and we’ve got a young baby daughter and we have no alternative but to spend £215 on a taxi.‘I do think it is a bit much. Britain just isn’t ready for these temperatures. But it is 2022! ‘Mrs Koppell, a New York teacher, added: ‘This these summer temperatures are quite normal to us.‘We were expecting a couple of days of rain before we move onto France and I think these temperatures have caught the country by surprise.‘It’s just haven’t been prepared. We’ve heard about Trainline spending in the heat on the tarmac at airports Milton. It isn’t really anybody’s fault. But we are bemused by it all.‘Another American, Maria Schroeder, and two friends were left frustrated after their train to Edinburgh was cancelled.Maria, 23, a teacher from Ohio, said: ‘We got here at 4:45 am for our train which was supposed to leave an hour later only to find it cancelled.‘My friends Ellie and Kyle and I were only fitting in Edinburgh for 24 hours to see that beautiful city.‘We’re only here for a short vacation so we’ll have to cancel it now and we’ve also lost our Airbnb which we booked in Scotland.‘We’ve had to find alternative accommodation for tonight in Camden Town, and we can’t book in till 2 pm. So we are stuck here with our luggage.‘I am just bemused at how England has come to a standstill. The heat index back home was in the 90s and yet everything works as normal.‘ Rachel Ayers, a Met Office forecaster, said: 'There are likely to be delays on roads, with road closures, as well as possible delays and cancellations to trains and maybe issues with air travel.'This could pose a significant health risk to those stuck on services or roads during the heat.' A Tube driver sipping from a bottle of water at Kings Cross, where all overground trains were cancelled this morning due to the heat People are being warned to stay at home instead of travelling. Pictured: Queues to board trains on the Jubilee Line today Transport for London (TfL) said London's rail network would also be running a reduced service today due to safety restrictions put into place to deal with the heat. Pictured: Commuters on the Jubilee Line | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The traditional British garden is under threat from extreme heat, the Royal Horticultural Society has said, as it launches a survey to examine the damage from this week’s heatwave.It is likely that in the future delicate flowers including roses and poppies will have to be swapped for plants such as salvias and dahlias, which are more resistant to heat.Many will have noticed their pot plants and prized garden flowers withering and wilting in the record heat, which reached 40.3C (104.5F) in Lincolnshire on Tuesday. Due to the climate crisis, temperatures such as this are likely to happen more frequently.This means people are going to have to start thinking about what and when to plant in their gardens, perhaps meaning the traditional British garden will no longer exist.The RHS is asking its thousands of members, as well as any other interested gardener, to tell them how the heatwave affected their gardens. They are asked to note the plants damaged, their previous known condition and when they were planted and last mulched, in an effort to help the RHS advise on plants to grow in future years.Heat damage usually does not set in until about a week after a hot weather event, so the horticultural charity is braced for a flood of calls next week. However, there are already reports of acers and hydrangeas suffering. The signs of heat damage include brown and crispy leaves, and plants can be saved with watering of the roots and shading if the issue is caught early enough. For many plants it will be too late, so the RHS says they should be composted and turned into mulch.Leigh Hunt, principal RHS adviser, said: “The extreme weather conditions could be a catalyst for change in what we view as a traditional British garden. For many years, gardeners have dabbled with more sun-loving, drought-tolerant plants in their gardens but the summer of 2022 and the anticipated damage it will cause to some favourites could see a more permanent move towards plants that can cope with both extreme wet and dry.”Not only that, but shortly after the heatwave, it is likely that we will experience a “false autumn”, with heavy rain and lower temperatures before it gets warmer again, confusing plants and causing damage.This means that gardeners need to choose plants which can deal with both droughts and colder, wetter conditions.Hunt said: “In the coming weeks we’re anticipating a false autumn – whereby heat-stressed plants lose their leaves early or turn red or brown.Sign up to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BST“For those experiencing plant losses this year we wouldn’t recommend replacing like for like and instead choose plants that will cope with hotter conditions, and not need watering in this summer and withstand long wet conditions in winter. Examples include daylily Burning Daylight, eulalia Kleine Fontäne and geranium.”Heat-loving plants are already enjoying boosted popularity in the UK after a run of hot summers and fears of damage to more delicate flowers.These include cannas, salvias and dahlias. Salvias are particularly popular and the most-viewed plant profile on the RHS website.Plants we may lose from the British garden include roses, which go over more quickly in the heat. Leafy salads tend to bolt and go to seed in hot weather, and flowers including field poppies and calendula also go to seed more quickly. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The devastating floods in Pakistan are "probably the worst in the country's history", according to its prime minister, as the UN appeals for $160m (£136m) in emergency funding to help the nation.The floods have affected more than 33 million people, or one in seven Pakistanis.
More than 1,150 have been killed, including over 300 children, and millions displaced by heavy monsoon rains in the past two and a half months.All four of Pakistan's provinces have been affected and prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had been to three - Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - to see the devastation for himself.Satellite imagery from the company Planet has shown large areas of cities completely submerged. Image: The city of Hala in Sindh, Pakistan on 2 August. Pic: Planet satellite imagery Image: Hala on 28 August. Pic: Planet satellite imagery Mr Sharif said nearly one million livestock had been lost, crops were washed away, and his government was considering importing wheat to avoid any shortage of food.He said that any inadvertent delay by the international community in helping victims "will be devastating for the people of Pakistan". More on Pakistan Pakistan monsoon floods: Brave and resilient displaced people feel angry and abandoned Who should pay for a 'climate catastrophe'? Pakistan's savage flooding reignites debate Pakistan minister says West has 'responsibility' to help with floods as it's caused climate change Around half a million of those displaced are living in organised camps, while others have had to find their own shelter. Image: A section of Kabul river in Pakistan on 17 August. Pic: Planet satellite imagery Image: Kabul river on 28 August. Pic: Planet satellite imagery "Pakistan is awash in suffering," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message for the launch of the appeal. "The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids… people's hopes and dreams have washed away."Pakistani authorities, supported by the military, rescuers and volunteers, have been battling the aftermath of the floods. Image: Mianwali in Punjab on 22 August. Pic: Planet satellite imagery Image: Mianwali on 28 August. Pic: Planet satellite imagery Although rainfall stopped three days ago and floodwater in some areas has receded, large areas remain underwater.Rescue workers were evacuating stranded people to safer ground, including makeshift tent camps that have sprung up along motorways, villages, and towns. Image: The city of Sukkur in Sindh province on 2 August. Pic: Planet satellite imagery Image: Sukkur on 28 August. Pic: Planet satellite imagery According to initial estimates by the government, the devastation has caused $10m (£8.5m) of damage to the economy, however, the planning minister, Ahsan Iqbal, said this was a preliminary estimate and that the actual cost will be "far greater". Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Why is Pakistan flooding? More than $1bn in aid releasedOn Monday, the International Monetary Fund's executive board approved the release of $1.17bn (£1bn), as part of a bailout accord the IMF and Pakistan signed in 2019.But the release of a $1.17bn tranche had been put on hold this year after the IMF raised concerns about Pakistan's compliance with the deal's terms under Imran Khan's government. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Londoners collect donations for Pakistan Last week, the UN allocated $3m (£2.5m) for aid agencies and their partners to respond to the floods, with the money used for health, nutrition, food security, water, and sanitation services.Pakistan's climate minister, Sherry Rehman, said on Monday that new monsoons were expected in September.While monsoons are common at this time of year in the region, they hit earlier than usual in Pakistan, according to officials. Image: The whole of Pakistan has been impacted by the latest flooding Why are these floods particularly devastating?The massive rainfall last week affected nearly the whole country.Pakistan is used to monsoon rains and flooding, Ms Rehman said, but not like this.The flooding has the hallmarks of a natural disaster fuelled by climate change."This year, Pakistan has received the highest rainfall in at least three decades. So far this year the rain is running at more than 780% above average levels," said Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and a member of Pakistan's Climate Change Council."Extreme weather patterns are turning more frequent in the region, and Pakistan is not an exception."Read more:Why Pakistan is at 'ground zero' of the climate crisisPictures reveal devastating impact of Pakistan's floodsQueen and PM send messages to Pakistan Image: A man swims in floodwaters while heading for a higher ground in Charsadda Poorer nations paying the price of climate changePakistan saw similar flooding and devastation in 2010 that killed nearly 2,000 people, but the government did not implement plans to prevent future flooding by preventing construction and homes in flood-prone areas and river beds, said Mr Suleri.Floods and monsoon rains have damaged one million houses and affected 33 million people and reflects how poorer nations can often pay the price for climate change largely caused by more industrialised nations.Since 1959, Pakistan has been responsible for only 0.4% of the world's historic CO2 emissions, while the US is responsible for 21.5%, China for 16.5% and the EU 15%.According to the National Disaster Management Authority, at least 498,000 people in the country of 220 million are in relief camps after being displaced.Many more displaced victims are believed to be living with relatives, friends, or out in the open, without shelter. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Antonio Guterres issued an appeal for $116m Pakistan started receiving international aid this week, and more planes carrying aid from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates landed at an airport near Islamabad on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the military.It said Chinese planes carrying aid were due to arrive later on Tuesday and 6,500 Pakistani military personnel had been deployed to help authorities in rescue and relief operations. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
LONDON (AP) — Millions of people in Britain woke from the country’s warmest-ever night on Tuesday and braced for a day when temperatures are forecast to hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), as a heat wave scorching Europe wallops a country more used to mild weather and rain.The U.K.’s Met Office weather agency said provisional figures showed the temperature remained above 25 C (77 F) overnight in parts of the country for the first time.Met Office forecaster Rachel Ayers said Tuesday’s highs would be “unprecedented.”“The temperature will be very hot throughout the day, before rising as high as 40 C, maybe even 41 C in isolated spots across England during the afternoon,” she said.A huge chunk of England, from London in the south to Manchester and Leeds in the north, is under the country’s first warning of “extreme” heat, meaning there is danger of death even for healthy people, as the hot, dry weather that has scorched mainland Europe for the past week moved north.The temperature Monday reached 38.1 C (100.6 F) at Santon Downham in eastern England, just shy of the highest-ever temperature recorded in Britain — 38.7 C (101.7 F), a record set in 2019. Tuesday is expected to be hotter.Average July temperatures in the U.K. range from a daily high of 21 C (70 F) to a night-time low of 12 C (53 F), and few homes or small businesses have air conditioning.Many people coped with the heat wave by staying put. Road traffic was down from its usual levels on Monday. Trains ran at low speed out of concern for buckled rails, or did not run at all. London’s Kings Cross Station, one of the country’s busiest rail hubs, was empty on Tuesday, with no trains on the busy east coast line connecting the capital to the north and Scotland. London’s Luton Airport had to close its runway because of heat damage.Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Britain’s transport infrastructure, some of it dating from Victorian times, “just wasn’t built to withstand this type of temperature — and it will be many years before we can replace infrastructure with the kind of infrastructure that could.”At least five people were reported to have drowned across the U.K. in rivers, lakes and reservoirs while trying to cool off.Climate experts warn that global warming has increased the frequency of extreme weather events, with studies showing that the likelihood of temperatures in the U.K. reaching 40 C (104 F) is now 10 times higher than in the pre-industrial era. Drought and heat waves tied to climate change have also made wildfires harder to fight.Hot weather has gripped southern Europe since last week, triggering wildfires in Spain, Portugal and France. Almost 600 heat-related deaths have been reported in Spain and Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) last week.Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes and vacation spots in the Gironde region of southwest France since wildfires broke out in tinder-dry pine forests a week ago.___Follow AP’s climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The UN is appealing for $160m (£136m) in emergency funding to help Pakistan deal with devastating floods.More than 1,150 people have been killed and nearly half a million displaced in the disaster.
"Pakistan is awash in suffering," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message for the launch of the appeal."The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids… people's hopes and dreams have washed away."The floods have affected more than 33 million people, or one in seven Pakistanis.
Pakistani authorities, supported by the military, rescuers and volunteers, have been battling the aftermath of the floods.Although rainfall stopped three days ago and floodwater in some areas has receded, large areas remain underwater. More on Pakistan Pakistan minister says West has 'responsibility' to help with floods as it's caused climate change Why Pakistan is at 'ground zero' of the climate crisis after suffering deadly flooding Pakistan flooding: Pictures reveal devastation caused after monsoon rains Rescue workers were evacuating stranded people to safer ground, including makeshift tent camps that have sprung up along motorways, villages, and towns.According to initial estimates by the government, the devastation has caused $10m (£8.5m) of damage to the economy, however, the planning minister, Ahsan Iqbal, said this was a preliminary estimate and the actual cost will be "far greater". Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Laura Bundock looks at some reasons for the current mass flooding in Pakistan and what it might mean for the future of the country. On Monday, the International Monetary Fund's executive board approved the release of $1.17bn (£1bn) for Pakistan.It is part of a bailout accord the IMF and Pakistan signed in 2019, but the release of a $1.17bn tranche had been put on hold this year after the IMF raised concerns about Pakistan's compliance with the deal's terms under Imran Khan's government.Last week, the UN allocation $3m (£2.5m) for aid agencies and their partners to respond to the floods, with the money used for health, nutrition, food security, water, and sanitation services.Pakistan's climate minister, Sherry Rehman said on Monday that new monsoons were expected in September.While monsoons are common at this time of year in the region, they hit earlier than usual in Pakistan, according to officials. Image: The whole of Pakistan has been impacted by the latest flooding The massive rainfall last week affected nearly the whole country, and while Pakistan is used to monsoon rains and flooding, Ms Rehman said, but not like this.The flooding has the hallmarks of a natural disaster fuelled by climate change, but it is too early to assign blame on global warming, experts said."This year, Pakistan has received the highest rainfall in at least three decades. So far this year the rain is running at more than 780% above average levels," said Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and a member of Pakistan's Climate Change Council."Extreme weather patterns are turning more frequent in the region, and Pakistan is not an exception." Image: A man swims in floodwaters while heading for a higher ground in Charsadda Pakistan saw similar flooding and devastation in 2010 that killed nearly 2,000 people, but the government did not implement plans to prevent future flooding by preventing construction and homes in flood-prone areas and river beds, said Mr Suleri.Floods and monsoon rains have damaged one million houses and affected 33 million people and reflects how poorer nations can often pay the price for climate change largely caused by more industrialised nations.Since 1959, Pakistan has been responsible for only 0.4% of the world's historic CO2 emissions, while the US is responsible for 21.5%, China for 16.5% and the EU 15%.According to the National Disaster Management Authority, at least 498,000 people in the country of 220 million are in relief camps after being displaced. Image: Nearly half a million people have been displaced due to the flooding Read more:Why Pakistan is at 'ground zero' of the climate crisisPictures reveal devastating impact of Pakistan's floodsQueen and PM send messages to PakistanMany more displaced victims are believed to be living with relatives, friends or out in the open, without shelter.Pakistan started receiving international aid this week, and more planes carrying aid from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates landed at an airport near Islamabad on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the military.It said Chinese planes carrying aid will arrive later on Tuesday and 6,500 Pakistani military personnel have been deployed to help authorities in rescue and relief operations. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The planet continues to experience a massive loss in forest land as the world warms and allows severe wildfires to run rampant in regions spanning the globe.Overall, forest fires are getting worse worldwide, according to a new report released Wednesday by Global Forest Watch, a forest monitoring platform led by the World Resources Institute. The data captures stand-replacing fires, which kill all or most of the living overstory trees in a forest, and includes wildfires, escaped fires from human activities such as agriculture and hunting and intentionally set fires that result in tree cover loss.Tree cover loss due to fires is now twice as high as it was in 2001, with forest fires destroying about 7.4 million more acres of land -- an area roughly the size of Belgium -- last year compared to the turn of the century, according to the researchers, who analyzed two decades of fire data from the Global Land Analysis and Discovery Lab at the University of Maryland.In this handout photo released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, May 10, 2022, A firefighter works at the scene of forest fire in Kurgan region, Russia.Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via APForest fires also accounted for more than 25% of all tree cover loss in that past 20 years, with 2021 ranking as the second-worst fire season on record due to unprecedented damage to boreal forests in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the report.About 70% of all fire-related tree cover loss over the past 20 years has occurred in those boreal forests, likely due to warming temperatures in northern, high-latitude regions, the researchers said.Nearly 23 million acres of land -- an area the size of Thailand or roughly 16 soccer pitches per minute -- were scorched globally last year, according to the report. The rate of tree cover loss due to fire is increasing by about 568,000 acres -- roughly 4% -- every year.A handout aerial picture released by Greenpeace showing smoke billowing from a fire in the Amazon forest in the municipality of Porto Velho, Rondonia State, Brazil, July 27, 2022.GREENPEACE/AFP via Getty ImagesIn tropical forests, which are moist and wet environments, stand-replacing fires were historically rare events. However, fire loss in the tropics is increasing about 5% per year, which is an annual increase of about 89,000 acres, the experts said. Almost all fires that occur in the tropics are started by people, such as escaped fires from agriculture and land cleaning.The top five countries that experienced tree cover loss over the past 20 years were Russia, at 131 million acres; Canada, at 66.7 million acres; the U.S., at 29.7 million acres; Brazil, at 23.5 million acres; and Australia, at 15.6 million acres. Extreme weather caused a significant spike in bush fire activity in Australia from 2019 to 2020.Climate change is likely the major driver of increasing fire activity, the researchers said. A "climate feedback loop" has occurred in which rising temperatures create drier conditions, causing more forest area to burn, which then release even more carbon into the atmosphere.Researchers at the University of Maryland used Landsat satellite imagery to map the area of tree cover lost to stand-replacing forest fires.Global Forest Watch/World Resources InstituteThe obliteration of forests could further hinder efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate global warming.Forests are critical to Earth's ecology for their ability to capture and store carbon out of the atmosphere, alter the air quality and quantity of drinking water and provide habitat for the world's land species.But longer fire seasons and an increase in fire frequency could turn some forests into a net source of carbon emissions, releasing more carbon than they are absorbing, which poses a long-term threat to countries' ability to uphold commitments under the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global temperature rise to less than 2 degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution.Flames burn to the Klamath River during the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, Calif., July 31, 2022.David Mcnew/AFP via Getty ImagesThe cause of increasing forest fires are complex and vary significantly by geography, the researchers said, adding that there is no "silver bullet" to reversing the trend of increasing tree cover loss due to fires.In addition, there is no solution to bring fire activity back down from historic levels without drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and breaking the fire-climate feedback loop, according to the analysis. Human activity in and around forests is also making them more susceptible to wildfires, especially in the tropics.ABC News' Tracy Wholf contributed to this report. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
When record temperatures wracked the UK in late July, Google Cloud’s data centers in London went offline for a day, due to cooling failures. The impact wasn’t limited to those near the center: That particular location services customers in the US and Pacific region, with outages limiting their access to key Google services for hours. Oracle’s cloud-based data center in the capital was also struck down by the heat, causing outages for US customers. Oracle blamed “unseasonal temperatures” for the blackout.The UK Met Office, which monitors the weather, suggests that the record heat was an augur of things to come, which means data centers need to prepare for a new normal.The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says there’s a 93 percent chance that one year between now and 2026 will be the hottest on record. Nor will that be a one-off. “For as long as we continue to emit greenhouse gases, temperatures will continue to rise,” says Petteri Taalas, WMO secretary general. “And alongside that, our oceans will continue to become warmer and more acidic, sea ice and glaciers will continue to melt, sea level will continue to rise, and our weather will become more extreme.”That weather shift will have an impact on all human-made infrastructure—including the data centers that keep our planet’s collective knowledge online.The question is whether they are prepared. “From my point of view, there is an issue with existing data center stock that’s been built in the UK and Europe,” says Simon Harris, head of critical infrastructure at data center consultancy Business Critical Solutions. But it doesn’t stop there. Forty-five percent of US data centers have experienced an extreme weather event that threatened their ability to operate, according to a survey by the Uptime Institute, a digital services standards agency.Data center cooling systems are built using a complicated, multi-stage process, says Sophia Flucker, director at UK data center consulting firm Operational Intelligence. This may include analyzing temperature data from a weather station close to the point where the data center will be built.The problem? That data is historical and represents a time when temperatures in the UK didn’t hit 40 degrees Celsius. “We’re on the fringes of a changing climate,” says Harris.“It wasn’t that long ago that we were designing cooling systems for a peak outdoor temperature of 32 degrees,” says Jon Healy, of the UK data center consultancy Keysource. “They’re over 8 degrees higher than they were ever designed for.” The design conditions are being increasingly elevated—but data center companies, and the clients they’re working for, operate as profit-driven enterprises. Data from consultancy Turner & Townsend suggests that the cost of building data centers has risen in almost every market in recent years, and construction companies are advised to keep costs down.“If we went from 32 degrees to 42 degrees, blimey,” says Healy. “You’re having to make everything significantly larger to support that very small percentage of the year” when temperatures rise. “It’s got to be done with caution.”Data center design companies are starting to consider the historical weather information outmoded and beginning to use projected future temperatures, says Flucker. “Rather than thinking my extreme is 35 degrees, they’re doing projections saying maybe it’s more like 37 or 38 degrees,” she says. “But of course, that’s only as good as how well we can predict the future.”Flucker points out that data centers rarely operate at full capacity—although Cushman & Wakefield research shows that eight data center markets worldwide out of 55 they investigated operate at 95 percent or higher capacity—and at present, they’re only strained at the highest temperatures for a small number of days a year. Data centers that don’t operate at 100 percent capacity can cope better with high external temperatures because equipment failure is less likely to have an all-or-nothing impact on performance. But that will almost certainly change as the climate emergency begins to permanently alter our environmental temperatures and the margin for error narrows.The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has developed operating temperature guidelines for data processing equipment, such as the servers integral to data centers. The limits suggest air pumped through data centers be supplied at no more than 27 degrees Celsius—though there are allowable ranges beyond that. “The world doesn’t end,” says Flucker. “All this equipment is warrantied up to 32 degrees Celsius.” But with temperatures continuing to rise, data centers need to make changes.“There are a deceptively large number of legacy data center sites built by banks and financial services companies needing to be refreshed and refitted,” says Harris. As part of that rethink, Harris advises companies to look at design criteria that can cope with climate change, rather than solely minimizing its effects. “It’ll be bigger chiller machines, machines with bigger condensers, and looking more at machines that use evaporative cooling to achieve the performance criteria needed to ensure that for those days things are still in a good place,” he says.Companies are testing some unusual ways to tackle these challenges: Between 2018 and 2020 Microsoft ran Project Natick, which sunk a data center 117 feet below the sea offshore Scotland to insulate it from temperature fluctuations, among other things. Harris says that building data centers in ever more northern climates could be one way to avoid the heat—by trying to outrun it—but this comes with its own problems. “Developers will be fighting over an ever-dwindling pool of potential sites,” he says, a challenge when edge computing puts data centers ever closer to the point at which data is consumed, often in hotter, urban areas. Liquid cooling technology offers a more practical solution. Data centers are currently in an era of air-based cooling, but liquid cooling—where liquid is passed by equipment, transferring the heat and syphoning it away—could be a better way to keep temperatures down. However, it isn’t widely used because it requires a combined knowledge of cooling and IT equipment. “At the moment, these are two very separate worlds,” says Flucker. “There’s definitely some apprehension about making such a big change in how we do things.”But it may well be necessary—not least because it sets up a virtuous circle. Outside of the IT equipment itself, the next-biggest consumer of energy in data centers is the equipment used to keep it cool. “If we can move away from the traditional way of doing things,” says Flucker, “it’s preventing climate change in the first place.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
It's simply so overwhelming and it's hard to put into words. Pakistan is drowning. An area of land that is the equivalent of the whole of the UK is under water.
Our team is witnessing a mass exodus of people made homeless in their own homeland. But there's nowhere to go, there is water everywhere.These people have been on the move for days. Their children are all ill but, there's no money for a doctor or medication. Image: A flood victim stands amid the damages of his house in Nowshera, Pakistan Pakistan officials are unequivocal, they believe this is a very real consequence of climate change.
Its citizens have been experiencing extreme weather conditions, starting with a heatwave which caused glaciers to melt in the north and now a monster monsoon.Some people have managed to stay at least close to where they once lived and called home. They work on these fields. More on Pakistan Pakistan floods: Country's climate minister says 'gargantuan' relief effort is overstretching resources Pakistan monsoon floods: Brave and resilient displaced people feel angry and abandoned Pakistan floods: Satellite images and maps show scale of disaster Radha told us: "We almost drowned, we managed to escape here and are really anxious. We almost lost the smaller children as the water besieged us."It's a huge agricultural expanse of land and now it's an island. They are surrounded by water and muddy bogs - you cannot even walk through it to get to the main road. As we were driving we saw an entire village of people wading through the water. They had tied their beds to tyres as makeshift rafts. Abandoning their homes, they salvage what they can. Image: A boy lies on a cot near his flood-hit home, in Charsadda, Pakistan While passing, Mashook said: "We don't even have a boat to save our belongings. We've just picked up what we can and carried it ourselves. We've been ruined, we're homeless".They don't know where they are going or what they will do. People have not just lost their homes but their livelihoods too. And they are frustrated. The aid is not coming through.Read more:Satellite images and maps show scale of disaster in PakistanPakistan's climate minister says 'gargantuan' relief effort is overstretching resourcesSat on the side of the road, a woman named Balkees told me: "Everybody has lost their livelihoods, our youngsters are all educated but can't work now. What are we to do? We're poor people. Nobody cares about us."Earlier, Pakistan's climate change minister told Sky News that the flooding was stretching the country "to the max" and that more help was urgently needed.The people here in Sindh, like millions of others up and down the country, are finding what little dry land they can on riverbanks, in muddy fields and on roadsides.For now, this is home. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Tomorrow, as we seek shelter from a burning sun, climate change will feel all too real. Britain has suffered ever more vicious storms and floods over the past few years but the next couple of days will drive home the menacing discontinuity with our idea of normal, a step change in our collective awareness. The expected heat – temperatures that may exceed 40C warns the Met Office – are not only a record, but life-threatening.It will start to change the politics of climate change. Until now, the green case has been propelled by the young, the progressive and the environmentally passionate, with the majority accepting the argument but without great heart. It’s OK to be green as long as the costs and changes in our lifestyles are far in the future, and any wind farms aren’t built near us – an opening the climate-sceptic right is exploiting to try to put a halt to what it considers backdoor socialism.In Australia, the searing experience of drought, extreme heat, unstoppable bush fires and deaths has transformed a climate-sceptic nation into mainstream greens, putting its hitherto ascendant right on the defensive. Tomorrow is when Britain will begin to follow suit.For this will not be a traditional heatwave, a moment to sunbathe joyfully in the park. Instead, keep out of the desiccating sun. The summer of 2020 saw 2,500 excess deaths from heat; it will be more this summer. Suffocatingly hot nights will offer little relief. Nor does anyone know how our infrastructure, which was not built with resilience or weather extremes in mind, will hold up. Train, bus and tube cancellations are likely. Will the electricity and water networks hold up under extreme demand? Even if they do, will we get through July and August without problems as a heat dome settles over Europe?Only some 70 parliamentarians turned up to last week’s presentation on climate change led by Sir Patrick Vallance and other scientific officials. None of the Tory leadership candidates was among them. The accepted Tory wisdom, driven by its right, is that, at best, climate change commitments should be deferred until the cost of living crisis is over – at worst, they should be scaled back indefinitely or wholly reframed. Finally, at Friday’s Channel 4 debate, three candidates publicly committed to the legally enshrined target of net zero by 2050: Rishi Sunak, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt. The right’s frontrunner, Liz Truss, offered a commitment, but carefully not to a date; and Kemi Badenoch, the insurgent candidate from the right, wanted the whole issue reframed.If Badenoch and Truss were to watch Vallance’s presentation, they would surely change their view. Global temperatures are rising. So is the cumulative amount of carbon in the atmosphere. The polar ice caps are melting at bewildering and accelerating speed. Sea levels are increasing. So are extreme weather events. All are unambiguously the result of human influence, says the Met Office. A global commitment to net zero by 2050 could limit the temperature rise to 1.5C.In Britain, progress has been made, largely driven by decarbonising energy supply. There are hopeful auguries – one in four new cars bought in December 2021 was battery driven and there are now 30,000 charge points – but a huge amount remains to be done. Grip it and there are jobs aplenty – retrofitting our appallingly poorly insulated 30 million homes and transforming the energy system. But every year that action is deferred is another year of carbon pumped into the atmosphere to add to the cumulative stock, making the frequency of weeks like this more likely. As the presentation spells out, not to act is to invite multiple economic and social risks over the next 50 years. Worse, this wonderful world we have inherited, in all its majesty and beauty, will be despoiled.But acting will cost money. Technical innovation alone will not save the day, as Vallance underlined. The independent Climate Change Committee has estimated the annual cost at £50bn; the Treasury thinks it could be £70bn. And for the political right, this is the non-negotiable objection. Collective action is anathema: it smacks of enlarging the state, and of course implies an accompanying case for taxation, the ultimate in coercive intrusion into personal choice. The science is thus to be doubted: a Trojan horse to undermine these higher inalienable truths.There is little “we” in the thinking of politicians such as Suella Braverman and Badenoch, and only fractionally more in Truss, the born-again tribune of the right. They are about the vital importance of enlarging the sovereignty and autonomy of the “I”. So drill for oil and gas, and burn it, because it’s easy and what we have always done – even if renewable energy is much cheaper. Personal liberty is the overriding obligation. Taxes must be capped and driven down. At the limit, the needs of the planet take second place.Here the right is massively out of step with science, evolving public opinion and the business opportunities – a triple whammy of misalignment that will prove deadly. The science is incontestable. So is our daily experience. What is less discussed is how acting presents a massive opportunity. Already the best in business and finance are committed to net zero by 2050. In the City, argument rages whether it’s best to disinvest completely from fossil fuel companies or to support them as they transition to a new business model; what is accepted in a world far from rightwing thinktanks, columnists and chat rooms is that the change must be made.A partial reindustrialisation is possible around electrification, renewable energy, hydrogen, new forms of agriculture, battery-driven cars and upgrading the property stock. A reset capitalism organised around achieving great purposes could simultaneously drive to net zero and level up – a vision both necessary and inspiring, and backed by public opinion. And it would also mean lower bills. As you swelter over the next few days and grow alarmed, take comfort. The experience is provoking the millions of private conversations that ultimately drive a collective response. On climate change scepticism, the right is unambiguously wrong – it might not even prove the route to the Tory leadership. It is certainly not the route to winning general elections. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Red alerts issued as China bakes in record high temperatures Several Chinese cities broke new records for high temperatures yesterday as scorching heat and contrasting relentless rains wreaked havoc during extreme weather that is expected to linger for days.Red alerts, the highest in a three-tier warning system, were issued throughout the country and cities took measures to protect people from the scorching heat, which broke records for the month of July in parts of eastern Jiangsu province and the neighbouring city of Shanghai.Temperatures in the city of Yixing in Jiangsu rose as high as 41.3C, a new historic peak, the China Meteorological Administration said on Wednesday.The hashtag #Heatstroke was trending on social media with 2.45 million views on the Weibo social platform of discussions ranging from people being admitted to hospital and the detrimental effects of long-term heat exposure."This year's weather is really hot and abnormal, it has been more than 30 degrees Celsius for two months!" wrote one Weibo user.Experts blame global climate change for the unusual weather.As temperatures approached 42C in some areas, heavy rain battered parts of Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang provinces and Inner Mongolia region.Forecasters expect the intense heat and rain to continue for the next several days. London swelters during 'tropical' night The many people struggling to sleep in the capital last night should apparently not be surprised.According to the Met Office, the temperature did not dip below 20C in the capital - meaning it can officially be classed as a "tropical night". Forecaster identifies which day record UK temperature is most likely While it had suggested that a potential record high UK temperature was most likely over the weekend, meteorologists now suggest that is not the case.Forecaster Matthew Box said: "As we get into Sunday it looks like we could see temperatures rise into the high 20s and into the low 30s as well but potentially a few spots getting 34C or 35C by Sunday and probably the same again on Monday."We could see by Monday temperatures getting towards the mid or high 30s and there's about a 30% chance we could see the UK record broken, most likely on Monday at the moment."High temperatures may also last into Tuesday, he said."It's looking like things are going to become hot or very hot as we go through the weekend and into next week," Mr Box added.He explained the heatwave was caused by hot air flowing to the UK from the continent.He said: "What happens as we get into the weekend, the high pressure becomes centred to the east of the UK and that allow a southerly flow of air to drag up, the very warm air that's over France at the moment, and drag it northwards to the UK over the weekend, perhaps more so on Sunday and into Monday." Weather to cool slightly before widespread disruption expected as temperatures soar again Britons are being warned of widespread disruption as temperatures look set to surge to a dangerously high peak over the coming days.Forecasters say there is a 30% chance the mercury could surpass the current UK record of 38.7C, set in Cambridge in 2019, as temperatures continue to climb over the weekend and into next week.An "amber" extreme heat warning covering much of England and Wales on Sunday and Monday indicates there could be a danger to life or potential serious illness, with adverse health effects not just limited to the most vulnerable.And there are fears of road closures, and delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, while ambulance services in England are on the highest level of alert as difficulties with the hot weather combine with COVID absences among staff and ongoing delays handing patients over to A&E.Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are expected to bring some rain in the North of the UK and highs of 27C or 28C - slightly cooler than Tuesday, when 31C was recorded in parts of South East England.But temperatures are expected to soar again into the mid 30s through the weekend before hitting a peak on Monday, with southeastern areas of the UK seeing them climb in excess of 35C, and locally into the high 30s. Good morning and welcome to today's live weather coverage The latest heatwave images MPs call for maximum working temperature to protect employees Ministers must introduce a maximum working temperature to help protect employees from tiredness, infections, heat stroke and death, MPs have urged.They are calling for a limit of 30C in most workplaces or 27C for those doing strenuous work guaranteed in law.Employers would have a legal duty to introduce "effective control measures", such as installing ventilation or moving staff away from windows and sources of heat, under the proposals.A total of 37 MPs have signed a motion, tabled in the House of Commons by Labour's Ian Mearns (Gateshead), in support of the plan. Ambulance services in England on highest alert during hot weather All ambulance services in England are on the highest level of alert with hot weather among the challenges putting them under "extreme pressure", trusts are confirming.COVID absences among staff and ongoing delays in handing over patients to A&E are also contributing factors. Several ambulance services confirmed to the PA news agency they were on the highest level of alert after the Health Service Journal (HSJ) reported this was the case for all 10 in England. West Midlands Ambulance Service said it had been on the highest level of alert - known as REAP 4 - for a few months, while South Central Ambulance Service said it was also at REAP 4, which means trusts are under "extreme pressure".South Central added that it had also declared a critical incident "due to current pressures on our services".It said in a statement: "We are experiencing an increasing number of 999 calls into our service, combined with patients calling back if there is a delay in our response to them. As a result, our capacity to take calls is being severely challenged."This is combined with the challenges of handing patients over to busy hospitals across our region and a rise in COVID infections, as well as other respiratory illnesses, among both staff and in our communities."This week we are also faced with high temperatures across our region which we know will lead to an increase in demand on our service. All of these issues combined are impacting on our ability to respond to patients." Beware of flip flops and oversized hats - injury claims company warns People have been told to be careful when wearing flip flops, sunglasses and oversized hats because of the potential dangers they pose in the hot weather.Personal injury claims specialists National Claims has created a list of top tips to help people stay safe as they get dressed for summer. Flip flopsFlip flops pose one of the biggest threats and are responsible for more than 200,000 accidents a year in the UK, according to National Claims.The company said: "We love a flip flop as much as the next person but we advise wearing them in suitable environments, such as the beach or around the pool. "They are not suitable for long walks on uneven surfaces and terrain as they offer no protection for anything which might fall on your foot."SunglassesSunglasses are a must-have when the sun is shining but National Claims has warned of frames that might block or jar your vision, especially when driving.The company said: "Seek professional help from your optician and always ensure your vision is never impaired regardless of whether you're driving or a pedestrian."High-heeled sandalsLove Island has redefined how we wear heels in the summer - paired with a bikini or swimsuit it seems! For most, heels can lengthen the look of your legs and offer extra height. However, personal injury specialists warn of the damage wearing high-heeled sandals and shoes can have, especially if you're wearing them on uneven surfaces such as decking, which can traditionally be found near or around the beach.National Claims says: "Heels are great but to ensure your safety whilst wearing them, we recommend you ensure you have a nice even surface."Oversized hatsNational Claims says some oversized hats can block your vision and stop you seeing potential hazards and risks.The personal injury company says: "The sun can kill so always protect your skin. If you do choose a large hat, ensure you can see properly when you're wearing it and that you can see your surroundings to be aware of anything which could cause you personal injury. " Transport disruption expected in coming days - as drivers told to question whether they need to travel Serious disruption could be seen across road and train networks in the next few days as temperatures heat up.Network Rail is preparing to introduce speed restrictions to reduce the likelihood of tracks buckling. This will cause delays to passenger journeys and disrupt freight services.When the air temperature reaches 30C, the temperature on steel rails can be up to 20C higher, according to Network Rail.Rails expand when they get hot, which can cause them to buckle.They are particularly susceptible to buckling when trains travel over them.It comes as several local authorities including Hampshire County Council and Lincolnshire County Council are preparing to dispatch gritters to spread sand over melting roads.The machines spread light dustings of sand which acts as a sponge to soak up excess bitumen.Meanwhile, drivers are being advised to have a bottle of water in their vehicle.RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: "If temperatures were to go as high as around 40C, as some are predicting, then people should question their decision to drive in the first place." | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A national emergency has been declared, with a red warning for extreme heat issued for the first time for England on Monday and Tuesday - when temperatures could hit an unprecedented 40C.Forecasters now say there is an 80% chance of the mercury topping the UK's record temperature of 38.7C (101.7F), set at Cambridge University Botanic Garden on 25 July 2019.
There is a 50% chance of temperatures hitting 40C (104F) somewhere in the UK, the Met Office said.UK weather live updates: Temperatures set to soar by 10CThis is likely to be along the A1 corridor north of London up to Lincolnshire, in areas including Peterborough, Grantham, Sandy, and Stevenage. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) raised its heat health warning to Level 4 - a "national emergency" - on Friday.
Level 4 is reached when "a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system". More on Extreme Weather Extreme weather: Britain's cities need radical design overhaul - or they will become unliveable A long legacy: How the scars from Germany's floods still run deep, a year on Extreme weather: From blankets on glaciers to ice creams for pandas, Europe finds new ways to deal with blistering heatwave This means fit and healthy people could be susceptible to illness and death - not just high risk groups, UKHSA said. Find out the five-day forecast for where you live'Potentially very serious situation'The first ever red warning issued by the Met Office means "adverse health effects" may be experienced and will not be limited to "those most vulnerable to extreme heat".The "exceptional hot spell" will lead to "serious illness or danger to life" and bring "widespread impacts on people and infrastructure", the forecaster said."Population-wide adverse health effects" are expected, "not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat".Met Office spokesman, Grahame Madge, described the rising heat as a "potentially a very serious situation". Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options Mr Madge said hitting 40C would be a "historic" moment."If we get to 40C, that's a very iconic threshold and shows that climate change is with us now," he said. "This is made much more likely because of climate change."Elsewhere, the existing amber warning has been extended to the rest of England, Wales, and parts of Scotland from Monday.England's chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, shared the signs of heat exhaustion on Twitter as he said "early intervention to cool people down and rehydrate them can be lifesaving". Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options Extreme heat 'absolutely unprecedented'Met Office chief executive Penny Endersby described the extreme heat forecast as "absolutely unprecedented" and urged the public to take warnings seriously."Our lifestyles and our infrastructure are not adapted to what is coming," she said."Please treat the warnings we are putting out as seriously as you would a red or amber warning from us for wind or snow, and follow the advice." Image: Hammersmith Bridge in London has been wrapped in foil to stop it overheating Substantial changes to daily life required "Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines will be required" to cope with the unusual conditions, the Met Office said.The national weather service also warned there is a "high risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, potentially leading to localised loss of power and essential services, such as water or mobile phone services".There will also be "significantly more people visiting coastal areas, lakes and rivers, leading to an increased risk of water safety incidents".Senior ministers assembled for a COBRA meeting earlier this week in anticipation of a national heatwave emergency being declared.Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse warned the government is preparing for a surge in demand on the NHS and other services - as he urged the public to look out for people vulnerable in the heat. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options Transport delays anticipated amid fears roads could melt The public has also been warned to expect delays on roads, along with disruption to rail and air travel.More than 1,000 extra cars are expected to break down, the RAC said - calling on people to check their oil and coolant are at the right levels and ensure tyres are damage-free and inflated correctly.Drivers are advised to carry emergency supplies including water, food, medication, a sun-blocker - such as an umbrella - and a fully-charged mobile phone.Those without effective air-conditioning should consider delaying non-essential journeys. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player What is the urban heat island effect? Public transport is also set to be affected due to the impact of the heat on train lines.Network Rail said slower speeds may need to be implemented and reminded people to carry water on journeys - and only travel if necessary.Services could be cancelled at short notice, and on Monday and Tuesday will be subject to revised timetables.South Western, East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express are among those that have already warned passengers their trains will be disrupted.The Department for Transport is also in discussions with port operators, highways agencies and the police to make plans in particular for places where queues are likely to build up.Read more: Areas of England that are most vulnerable to hotter weatherWhat is a national heatwave emergency and how will it impact the UK? Image: St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay pictured just before sunrise on Friday, 15 July. Schools take precautions to protect pupils Schools in some areas are allowing children to wear PE kits or loose, light-coloured clothing in a bid to combat the heat.Others will allow pupils to start and finish early to avoid the hottest part of the day, with some sports days also rescheduled.But there's no blanket ruling from central government that schools should close on Monday and Tuesday.The Department for Education said "individual school leaders are responsible for managing their own local circumstances".Sales of paddling pools, fans, and ice cream soarRetailers say the scorching temperatures have led to a record-breaking amount of ice creams and lollies sold in a single week.Tesco is expecting to sell more than nine million frozen treats this week, while Waitrose said ice cream sales had increased by 20% compared to last week. Image: A man soaks up the sun on his boat on the River Thames on Friday Image: Rowers enjoy the sunny weather on the River Thames Demand for sun protection products rocketed by 220%, the supermarket said.Meanwhile, John Lewis has reported fan sales were up 256% compared to last year, while blackout curtains were up 193%. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The water supplier for Kent and Sussex has become the latest to announce a hosepipe ban, citing demand this summer breaking “all previous records” amid extreme dry conditions.In a statement on its website, South East Water said: “This has been a time of extreme weather conditions across the UK. Official figures show this is the driest July on record since 1935 and the period between November 2021 and July 2022 has been the driest eight-month stint since 1976.“During July in the south-east, we have only seen 8% of average rainfall for the month, and the long-term forecast for August and September is for similar weather.“The demand for water this summer has broken all previous records, including the Covid lockdown heatwave. We have been producing an additional 120m litres of water a day to supply our customers, which is the equivalent of supplying a further four towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne, daily.Sign up to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BST“We have been left with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers from 0001 on Friday 12 August within our Kent and Sussex supply area until further notice.“We are taking this step to ensure we have enough water for both essential use and to protect the environment. This will enable us to also reduce the amount of water we need to take from already stressed local water sources.”Southern Water announced the first hosepipe ban of the year last week, covering Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from this Friday. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Mayor Michelle Wu on Monday declared a heat emergency for Boston that will take effect from Tuesday through Thursday, with temperatures expected to hit the mid-to-high 90s during that period.In a statement, Wu’s office said she had declared the emergency and announced that 12 cooling centers will open for residents across the city on each of the three days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.“We’re working quickly to make sure all of our Boston residents and families are protected during this week’s extreme weather,” Wu said in the statement. “It is clear that a changing climate is a risk to our health and communities. I urge everyone to stay cool and safe, and check on your neighbors during the week. I’m thankful for the many City employees who are preparing for this emergency and will be responding to calls for service throughout our neighborhoods.”The statement said the cooling centers will be located at 12 Boston Centers for Youth & Families locations in the city.The cooling center locations include BCYF Gallivan at 61 Woodruff Way in Mattapan, BCYF Golden Age Senior Center at 382 Main St. in Charlestown, BCYF Grove Hall Senior Center at 51 Geneva Ave. in Dorchester, BCYF Holland at 85 Olney St. in Dorchester, BCYF Hyde Park at 1179 River Street in Hyde Park, BCYF Menino at 125 Brookway Road in Roslindale, BCYF Nazzaro at 30 North Bennet Street in the North End, BCYF Paris Street at 112 Paris Street in East Boston, BCYF Roche at 1716 Centre Street in West Roxbury, BCYF Tobin at 1481 Tremont Street in Roxbury, BCYF Tynan at 650 E. Fourth Street in South Boston, and BCYF Vine Street at 339 Dudley Street in Roxbury, per the city website.Wu’s office said masks are strongly recommended inside the cooling centers in light of rising COVID-19 case numbers.In addition, the statement said, more than 50 of the popular splash pads will open at parks and playgrounds throughout the city.“Select indoor BCYF pools are open and the outdoor BCYF Mirabella Pool is open Wednesday through Sunday,” the statement said. “Registration for a time to swim can be found at this link.”The Globe reported Monday that this week looks to be the hottest week of the summer so far.On Tuesday, clouds will give way to sunshine with temperatures at or above 90 degrees in the afternoon. This 90-degree weather is going to continue into the weekend, and many towns will experience their first heat wave — three days or more of 90-degree weather — of the season.Material from prior Globe stories was used in this report.Travis Andersen can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Climate scientists have expressed shock at the UK’s smashed temperature record, with the heat soaring above 40C for the first time ever on Tuesday.Researchers are also increasingly concerned that extreme heatwaves in Europe are occurring more rapidly than models had suggested, indicating that the climate crisis on the European continent may be even worse than feared.Temperature records are usually broken by fractions of a degree, but the 40.2C recorded at Heathrow is 1.5C higher than the previous record of 38.7C recorded in 2019 in Cambridge.About 2,000 heatwave deaths a year have occurred on average in the UK over the last decade, as well as widespread disruption to work, schools and travel. Scientists said the latest record showed that slashing carbon emissions, and rapidly upgrading the UK’s overheating homes and buildings, was more urgent than ever.Prof Peter Stott, at the Met Office, said: “I find it shocking that we’ve reached these temperatures today in 2022, smashing the previous record set only in 2019.”Primary schoolchildren try to keep cool. Photograph: TwitterHis research in 2020 showed there was a chance of the UK hitting 40C due to global heating. “But we calculated it as a relatively low likelihood – a roughly one in a hundred chance – albeit that those chances are increasing rapidly all the time with continued warming,” Stott told the Guardian. “Breaking 40C today is very worrying; we’ve never seen anything like this in the UK and it could be that the risk of such extreme heat is even greater than our previous calculation showed.”The risk was certainly rising rapidly, said Dr Nikos Christidis, who also worked on the 2020 study: “The main message is that this event is becoming more and more common and by the end of the century it will no longer be an extreme.”The role of human-caused global heating appears clear, as the scientists estimated that chances of breaking 40C in the UK without it would be less than 0.1%. Dr Friederike Otto at Imperial College London said 40C “would have been extremely unlikely or virtually impossible without human-caused climate change”. Otto added: “While still rare, 40C is now a reality of British summers.”“Climate change is driving this heatwave, just as it is driving every heatwave now,” she said. “Greenhouse gas emissions, from burning fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil, are making heatwaves hotter, longer-lasting and more frequent.”Prof Hannah Cloke, at the University of Reading, said: “The all-time temperature record for the UK has not just been broken, it has been absolutely obliterated.“Even as a climate scientist who studies this stuff, this is scary.”“I wasn’t expecting to see this [40C] in my career,” said Prof Stephen Belcher, at the Met Office.Climate scientists are concerned that the rise in extreme weather may be occurring faster than expected. “In Europe, climate models do underestimate the change in heat extremes compared to observations,” said Otto. “There are still problems with climate models that we don’t quite understand yet.”Prof Michael Mann, at Pennsylvania State University in the US, said his research suggested that climate models failed to adequately link many extreme summer weather events to climate change.“This is because of processes that are not well-captured in the models but are playing out in the real world – eg, the impact of warming on the behaviour of the summer jet stream that gives us many of the extreme heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires we’re seeing,” he said. “It suggests that models, if anything, are underestimating the potential for future increases in various types of extreme events.”Tourists in south-western France on Monday look at the plume of dark smoke over the Dune of Pilat due to a wildfire. Photograph: Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty ImagesThere were explanations for “crazy heat” extremes happening after only just over 1C of global average warming, said Prof Stefan Rahmstorf, at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. First, land is heating much faster than the oceans, which cover 70% of the planet and dominate the global average.Sign up to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BSTSecond, changing weather patterns could deliver greater extremes in temperature, he said. “Europe is a heatwave hotspot, exhibiting upward trends that are three to four times faster compared with the rest of the northern midlatitudes. The reason? Changes in the jet stream.” Third, the slowdown of a key Atlantic Ocean current tends to increase summer heat and drought in Europe.While 40C broke a benchmark in the UK, researchers in continental Europe, which is also in the grip of the heatwave, are now considering 50C. “In France, one cannot rule out 50C being reached in the coming decades,” said Prof Robert Vautard, at Sorbonne University. “For France, Spain, and many other countries, the current historical record is within 5 degrees of 50C, and we know such a jump is possible.”Climate action remained vital, said Otto: “Whether [40C in the UK] will become a very common occurrence or remains relatively infrequent is in our hands and is determined by when and at what global mean temperature we reach net zero. Heatwaves will keep getting worse until greenhouse gas emissions are halted.”“It is also in our hands whether every future heatwave will continue to be extremely deadly and disruptive,” she said. “We have the agency to make us less vulnerable and redesign our cities, homes, schools and hospitals and educate us on how to keep safe.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
PARIS (AP) — Firefighters from across Europe struggled Thursday to contain a huge wildfire in France that has swept through a large swath of pine forest, while Germans and Poles faced a mass fish die-off in a river flowing between their countries.
Europe is suffering under a severe heat wave and drought that has produced tragic consequences for farmers and ecosystems already under threat from climate change and pollution.
The drought is causing a loss of agricultural products and other food at a time when supply shortages and Russia’s war against Ukraine have caused inflation to spike.
WATCH: Scorching heat wave continues to engulf Europe, smashing temperature records
In France, which is enduring its worst drought on record, flames raged through pine forests overnight, illuminating the sky with an intense orange light in the Gironde region, which was already ravaged by flames last month, and in neighboring Landes. More than 68 square kilometers (26 square miles) have burned since Tuesday.
The French wildfires have already forced the evacuation of about 10,000 people and destroyed at least 16 houses.
Along the Oder River, which flows from Czechia north into the Baltic Sea, volunteers have been collecting dead fish that have washed ashore in Poland and Germany.
Piotr Nieznanski, the conservation policy director at WWF Poland, said it appears that a toxic chemical was released into the water by an industry and the low water levels caused by the drought has made conditions far more dangerous for the fish.
“A tragic event is happening along the Oder River, an international river, and there is no transparent information about what is going on,” he said, calling on government authorities to investigate.
People living along the river have been warned not to swim in the water or even touch it.
Poland’s state water management body said the drought and high temperatures can cause even small amounts of pollution to lead to an ecological disaster but it has not identified the source of the pollution.
In northern Serbia, the dry bed of the Conopljankso reservoir is now littered with dead fish who were unable to survive the drought.
The water level along Germany’s Rhine River was at risk of falling so low that it could become difficult to transport goods — including critical energy items like coal and gasoline.
A national park in Portugal’s highest hill range, the Serra da Estrela, was also being ravaged by a wildfire. Some 1,500 firefighters, 476 vehicles and 12 aircraft were deployed to fight it but the wind-driven blaze 250 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of Lisbon was very hard to reach, with inaccessible peaks almost 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) high and deep ravines. The fire has charred 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of woodland.
In Britain, where temperatures hit a record 40.3 degrees Celsius (104.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in July, the weather office has issued a new warning for “extreme heat” from Thursday through Sunday, with temperatures forecast to reach 36 C (96.8 F).
It has been one of the driest summers on record in southern Britain, and the Met Office weather service said there is an “exceptional risk” of wildfires over the next few days.
London Fire Brigade said its control room had dealt with 340 grass, garbage and open-land fires during the first week of August, eight times the number from last year. Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Smith said “the grass in London is tinderbox dry and the smallest of sparks can start a blaze which could cause devastation.”
WATCH: Mothers in Somalia fight drought and famine to feed their children
In Switzerland, a drought and high temperatures have endangered fish populations and authorities have begun moving fish out of some creeks that were running dry.
In Hausen, in the canton of Zurich, officials caught hundreds of fish, many of them brown trout, in the almost dried-up Heischerbach, Juchbach and Muehlebach creeks this week by anesthetizing them with electric shocks and then immediately placing them in a water tank enriched with oxygen, local media reported. Later, the fish were taken to creeks that still carry enough water.
Despite all the harm caused by the extreme weather, Swiss authorities see one morbid upside: they believe there’s hope of finding some people who went missing in the mountains in the last few years because their bodies are being released as glaciers melt.
In the Swiss canton of Valais, melting glaciers have recently revealed parts of a crashed airplane and, at separate locations, at least two skeletons. The bodies have not yet been identified, news website 20Minuten reported Thursday.
Spanish state television showed dozens of trucks heading to France having to turn around and stay in Spain because wildfires had forced authorities to close some border crossings. TVE reported that truckers, many carrying perishable goods, were looking for ways to cross the border because the parking areas around the Irun crossing were full.
France this week is in its fourth heat wave of the year as it faces what the government describes as the country’s worst drought on record. Temperatures were expected to reach 40 C (104 F) on Thursday.
Gera reported from Warsaw, Poland. Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Jill Lawless in London, Ciaran Giles in Madrid and Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed reporting. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Dozens of people have been rescued overnight in the Sydney area, with about 50,000 residents facing evacuation amid severe flooding in Australia. Thousands more residents were ordered to leave their homes on the east coast on Tuesday after rivers swiftly rose past danger levels.
The latest wild storm cell brought a year's worth of rain in three days to some areas of the country.Torrential rain has caused dams to overflow and waterways to break their banks, bringing a fourth flood emergency in 16 months to parts of the city of five million people.Footage on social media showed submerged roads and bridges, while emergency crews rescued stranded people from partially submerged vehicles that became stuck in rising waters. Emergency response teams made 100 rescues overnight of people trapped in cars on flooded roads or in inundated homes in the Sydney area, state emergency service manager Ashley Sullivan said.
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said evacuation orders and warnings to prepare to abandon homes were given to 50,000 people, up from 32,000 on Monday. More on Australia Sydney floods: Tens of thousands told to evacuate Australian offshore processing designed 'to dehumanise', says artist who spent eight years in detention, as UK's Rwanda scheme faces criticism Rebel Wilson: Columnist admits 'mishandling' story about star's relationship after being accused of outing her He added that "this event is far from over" and warned drivers to be careful as there are still "substantial risks for flash flooding".Although the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said the storm cell is likely to ease in Sydney from Tuesday, the risk of flooding could remain throughout the week.Some regions have received 800mm (31.5 inches) of rain since Saturday, eclipsing Australia's annual average rainfall of around 500mm (20 inches). Experts say the severe rainfall in the country has been worsened by climate change.The federal government has declared the floods a natural disaster, helping flood-hit residents receive emergency funding support.Emergency crews also continued rescue operations battling rough seas to tow a bulk carrier ship that lost power off Sydney's coast after tow lines broke in severe weather, officials said. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player A man paddles a kangaroo to safety in Windsor in New South Wales Officials previously warned that the floods could be worse than the others that have hit the city's suburbs in the last 18 months.In recent years Australia has seen more extreme weather with droughts, bushfires, and floods becoming more common and intense as global weather patterns change. Watch the Daily Climate Show at 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and The Climate Show with Tom Heap on Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm and 7.30pm. All on Sky News, on the Sky News website and app, on YouTube and Twitter.The show investigates how global warming is changing our landscape and highlights solutions to the crisis. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Associated Press/Ross D. Franklin A Salvation Army hydration station sign gets hit by the midday sun as temperatures climb to near-record highs, Monday, June 19, 2017, in Phoenix. There have always been heat waves. They typically showed up in July or August, covered a limited area and were gone in a few days. But as we wrote a year ago when the Pacific Northwest blistered under record-shattering heat, this is not your grandparents’ climate. A look at this week’s national heat map can’t leave any but those in deepest denial feeling sanguine about the climate crisis. As more than 100 million Americans face withering heat, it is time to ring the alarm bell yet again, only louder and more urgently. We’ve been kicking the can for so long that we’re now running out of road for stabilizing temperatures below internationally agreed-upon levels. Like the public outcry over the recent rash of murderous gun violence, can this time be different? Can this be the moment that our elected representatives finally awaken to the urgency of the climate emergency and deliver the action Americans are calling for? One of the clearest impacts of a warming climate is the increase in extreme heat. It’s been observed across the globe, and projections are that it will get much worse unless we act to rapidly reduce heat-trapping emissions. A recent analysis co-authored by one of us found that heat stress is expected to become more severe due to an increase in the frequency, duration, severity, geographic extent, as well as length of extreme heat and humidity. Climate disruption is also bringing temperatures that our human bodies simply cannot tolerate. We cool ourselves by producing sweat, which evaporates from our skin, pulling heat from our bodies into the air. But when the air is not only extremely hot but also very humid, the sweat can’t evaporate and cool us down as quickly, and the damage to our bodies can be fatal. Some places on Earth are already experiencing conditions this hot and humid, and more will soon. Children and the elderly are particularly at risk. Human-caused climate disruption is making extreme heat waves hundreds of times more likely, greatly increasing the odds of events like the one we’re suffering through now. In a disturbing twist on “The Hunger Games” blessing, the odds will not ever be in our favor going forward, unless we rapidly slash heat-trapping emissions. While other climate-change-fueled disasters like hurricanes are more visually dramatic, extreme heat is invisible and silent, but very costly in both lives and dollars. Extreme heat caused more deaths on average in the U.S. than hurricanes and floods combined over the past 30 years. Heat’s impact on the U.S. economy in 2020 was $100 billion in worker productivity losses alone. That’s projected to double by 2030, and reach half a trillion dollars by 2050. That’s 1 percent of U.S. GDP, and that’s only one dimension of heat’s impact. To raise awareness around heat waves and alert people to how they can stay safe amid dangerous heat, it’s been suggested that we name and categorize them, like we do hurricanes. And speaking of naming, when the news media report on heat waves, and when we talk about them, we should name what, specifically, is causing them to become hotter, longer-lasting, more widespread and more frequent. And not just some vague “human activities,” but global heating, caused predominantly by the burning of fossil fuels: coal, oil and gas. Far too often these clear links are left out of our discussion. Bringing these two ideas together, it’s been suggested that as we consider naming extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, we choose names that call out companies and politicians who have denied climate science and blocked action to tackle the crisis: Names including Exxon, which was aware of climate change 45 years ago, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a leading denier of climate change along with many other lawmakers, and Koch Industries, one of the top U.S. corporate polluters. This week’s heat wave highlights the urgency of passing strong climate legislation now. The Build Back Better Act would have been an excellent first step, but it was stalled by one man: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). Talks are now underway to revive many of the climate measures in that bill and get us back on track to speeding-up the clean energy transition. As we swelter through the days to come and a summer ahead that is sure to be rife with more disasters supercharged by climate change, let us remember the names of those who have brought us to this moment, and more importantly, those, like Manchin, who can still help us find our way out. Susan Joy Hassol is director of the non-profit Climate Communication. She publishes Quick Facts on the links between climate change and extreme weather events. Follow her on Twitter: @ClimateComms Michael E. Mann is distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Pennsylvania State University. He is author of “The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet.” Follow him on Twitter: @MichaelEMann | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Wildfires broke out across southern England today as Britain experienced its hottest day on record with temperatures soaring past 40C (104F) amid growing rail travel chaos as schools shut again in the extreme heat.Firefighters have described blazes tearing through homes and buildings in London as 'absolute hell' - with residents evacuated after at last five houses were destroyed, two people taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and a major incident declared. Elsewhere in the country hundreds of fire crews are out battling raging infernos in Wales, Scotland and the rest of England as 'tinderbox' dry conditions in the UK caused wildfires to threaten homes, animals and people. The mercury hit an unprecedented 40.3C (104.54) in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, 40.2C (104.4F) at London Heathrow Airport at 12.50pm - around an hour after a reading of 39.1C (102.4F) in Charlwood, Surrey, beat the previous all-time UK high of 38.7C (101.7F) in Cambridge in July 2019. In third place is 38.5C (101.3F) in Kent in August 2003, and 38.1C (100.6F) in Suffolk yesterday is fourth.Elsewhere in England this afternoon, by lunchtime the mercury had got up to 39.9C (103.8F) at Charlwood, 39.6C (103.3F) at Kew Gardens in West London, 39.3C (102.7F) at Wisley in Surrey, and 39.2C (102.6F) at both Chertsey in Surrey and Northolt in West London - with all of these readings also beating the all-time UK high from 2019. The extreme heat has been caused by a plume of hot air from north Africa and the Sahara and an 'Azores High' subtropical pressure system creeping further north than usual - which experts say is a result of climate change. Forecasters said an absolute maximum of 43C (109F) is possible later on - and the highs in England are equal to the warmest spots anywhere in Europe today. The UK is also hotter than Jamaica, the Maldives and Barbados.The 'extreme heat' also led to thousands of homes in the North East being left without power as electrical equipment overheated during the record temperatures. And smoke drifted over the M25 as almost 200 firefighters and 30 fire engines tried to extinguish a corn field blaze in Upminster. Firefighters in London said they were battling 'several significant fires' including these ten: ** Are you in Wennington or anywhere else hit by wildfires today? Please email: [email protected] ** 30 fire engines tackling a grass fire on Pea Lane in Upminster;15 fire engines tackling a fire on The Green in Wennington;12 fire engines tackling a fire involving garden fencing and trees on Uxbridge Road in Pinner;Ten fire engines tackling a restaurant fire on Green Lanes in Southgate;Eight fire engines tackling a grass fire on Oaks Road in Croydon;Eight fire engines tackling a grass fire on Ballards Road in Dagenham;Eight fire engines tackling a fire on The Broadway in Wembley;Six fire engines tackling a grass fire on Sunningfields Crescent in Hendon;Four fire engines tackling a grass fire on Chapel View in Croydon;Four fire engines tackling a fire on Sidcup Road in Eltham;Two fire engines tackling a field fire near Rotherham, South Yorkshire; Six fire engines tackling a farm blaze near Kelso, Scotland Six fire engines at a combine harvester fire in Hamels Lane, BuntingfordFive fire engines at an RTC on the M1 in Hertfordshire Six fire engines at a field fire in Rushden, Hertfordshire Six fire engines at a field fire in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire12 fire engines at a field fire in Codicote, HertfordshireResidents were evacuated from their homes in the village of Wennington, east London, on Tuesday afternoon, where black smoke billowed into the air, while flames destroyed buildings and ravaged nearby fields.A firefighter at the scene, asked by the PA news agency what conditions were like, replied: 'absolute hell', while those affected by the blaze said it had been spreading 'fast'.Two people were also taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation following a fire in Dagenham. London Fire Brigade (LFB) declared a major incident due to 'a huge surge' in blazes across the capital.A huge blaze also broke out on heathland just across the Thames near a housing estate in Dartford today. Kent Fire and Rescue Service said 12 fire engines and 100 firefighters were called in to battle the inferno near a housing development on the site of the former Joyce Green Hospital. A technical rescue unit were in attendance, and crews were working to extinguish the flames. There have been no reports of any damage to property in this incident.Firefighters warned people nearby to close their windows and doors as a precaution due to smoke - and drivers travelling on the A2 or surrounding roads were told to take extra care because the smoke may impact visibility. A row of houses is on fire in the village of Wennington in East London this afternoon as temperatures soar again today A huge grass blaze broke out in Wennington, East London, this afternoon and appeared to have destroyed this house (centre) Some 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade are dealing with the Wennington blaze in East London The fire at Wennington is shown today (left) and the area is also pictured before the blaze (right, file picture) Homes in Wennington can be seen on fire and completely blackened by the raging wildfire amid devastating temperatures A woman is given water and comforted close to the blaze in the village of Wennington, east London, where 100 firefighters are tackling a fire This picture shows homes on fire as a huge heath fire ravages at least three houses near Rotherham, South Yorkshire Shocking pictures show a huge bush fire raging on the Dartford marshes, Kent today Around 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze in the village of Wennington in East London today as the heatwave continues People remove gas canisters from Lennards pub as firefighters tackle a blaze in the village of Wennington this afternoon Another house was also destroyed in the Wennington fire this afternoon which was seen from above in this Sky News aerial A fire burns the Walnut Tree area of Milton Keynes today as blazes take hold of areas across England The huge grass blaze has spread to houses in Wennington, East London, this afternoon amid the extreme heat Some 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade are dealing with the Wennington blaze today Around 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze in the village of Wennington this afternoon as the heatwave continues A fire on Dartford Heath next to the A2 in Kent this afternoon, with smoke spreading across the road Around 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze in the village of Wennington in East London today as the heatwave continues Around 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze in the village of Wennington this afternoon as the heatwave continues A fire on Peckham High Street in South London this afternoon as the heatwave continues to cause chaos in the capital The fire broke out in Wennington this afternoon and was having a major impact on local residential areas Firefighters attend a gorse bush fire during the heatwave near Zennor in Cornwall this afternoon Firefighters attend a blaze on Dartford Marshes in Kent today after temperatures reached 40C for the first time on record Firefighters attend a gorse bush fire during the heatwave near Zennor in Cornwall this afternoon A firefighter tackles a grass fire in a park in New Brighton in Merseyside this afternoon amid the heatwave Firefighters attend a gorse bush fire during the heatwave near Zennor in Cornwall this afternoon Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service issued this picture of firefighters attend to a grass fire in Rixton, Warrington, today A gorse bush fire during the heatwave near Zennor in Cornwall this afternoon amid the very high temperatures The burnt out remains of parkland in Skellow, Doncaster, this morning after a grass fire came within feet of homes Firefighters rest as they attend a gorse bush fire during a heatwave near Zennor in Cornwall this afternoon The burnt out remains of parkland in Skellow, Doncaster, this morning after a grass fire came within feet of homes Drone footage of the aftermath of a field fire by Cheshunt Park in Hertfordshire pictured today, after it started yesterday A gorse bush fire during the heatwave near Zennor in Cornwall this afternoon amid the very high temperatures The burnt out remains of parkland in Skellow, Doncaster, this morning after a grass fire came within feet of homes A fire in Upminster, Essex, today as the hot weather continues amid a series of extreme weather warnings The burnt out remains of parkland in Skellow, Doncaster, this morning after a grass fire came within feet of homesA bush fire in Leytonstone, East London, resulted in roads having to close as the heatwave continues in England The burnt out remains of parkland in Skellow, Doncaster, this morning after a grass fire came within feet of homes The burnt out remains of Lickey Hills parkland in Birmingham this morning where fire crews are still on the scene Maximum temperatures of at least 40C are expected in England this afternoon - but could rise even further to as high as 43C Forecasters at MetDesk produced this map revealing where the top temperatures are likely to be observed in Britain today TEN hottest places as old record is obliterated 40.3C Coningsby, Lincs40.2C Heathrow, London40.0C Waddington, Lincs40.0C Humberside40.0C Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster39.5C Northolt, London39.4C Scampton, Lincs39.3C Woburn, Beds39.2C Watnall, Notts39.2C Cranwell, Lincs---38.7C Previous UK record (Cambridge, July 2019) Jonathan Smith, assistant commissioner at LFB, told Sky News many of the fires are spread over wide areas and began because the ground is 'tinderbox dry'.He continued: 'So even a small fire will develop very, very quickly if it's not tackled effectively and efficiently in its early stages. We would also say to people that they don't try and tackle fires themselves.'The situation that you can see is extremely dynamic and these fires can develop very very quickly and we would not want to see members of the public exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.' Wennington resident, Lynn Sabberton, who said she was evacuated from her home with her partner who has a lung difficulty, told Sky News: 'We thought it was one of the fields that caught alight over the back of us.'But then a neighbour rang me and said, 'oh no, it's on the green, the green has caught fire'. I saw the black smoke and the helicopters came over and more police came into our neighbourhood and it was really spreading very fast.'It just spread so quickly, I think the wind caused the fire to go our way towards the village.'Freya Gutteridge, 23, from nearby Hornchurch - who works in marketing, told PA: 'I noticed the fire in Wennington when I went to lunch at two and since then our whole office has just been watching - everywhere we look there's a new one.'We're all really worried, the wind is strong and we're seeing on the news that loads of houses are on fire and there isn't enough fire engines.'It's crazy. Most of us in the office live really locally so we're all worried about families' houses at the moment.'Witness Pierre L'Aimable told Sky News: 'We were driving down the road and we just saw so much smoke, we could see it from Hornchurch just going into the air.'We were going to visit one of my business partners and the fire was just immense.'Mr Smith added that resources would be at the scene into the evening, warning that any spark not dealt with could risk 'reignition'.The inferno is also close to the Grade II-listed medieval St Mary and St Peter's Church which dates back to the 12th century. Police were not letting the public through the cordoned off area and were extending the danger zone.Distressed residents could be seen on the phones trying to get information, and villagers were also seen carrying buckets of water to the Lennards Arms pub where the community had gathered – but officers then evacuated the pub as the inferno rapidly approached.Briae Brazier, 75, who lives in Rainham and works with horses, was leaning on a police car topless and said: 'The fire has burnt my stables out. It started as a little fire around the back of the houses and if someone had been there to put it out we wouldn't have had all this trouble. It was a little fire out the back garden.'Walter Martin, 61, landlord of the Lennards Arms, a local pup that has escaped the flames for now, said: 'I got a phone call at about 12:50 and I saw a little smoke, I walked around and saw a small fire and then saw it just go up. I've never seen anything like it. It's awful. People are in shock. People are devastated.'Pensioner Lynn Sabberton told Sky News police came to her home and told her she and her husband who suffers from a lung condition had to evacuate. She said: 'We were told that one of the fields had caught fire. The police came to our house and told us to get what we could like personal belongings.'Lorry driver Gary Ruel, 63, who has lived in the area since 2005 was evacuated from his house today and said: 'My house is right next to the fire. All we have heard is the fire is close to the church. I live at number 19 but we can't go down there so no one knows what's going on.'No one will give us any information. I just hope everyone is safe, that's all I can say. I'm really worried about my house. I might have lost three cats, I got the dog out but didn't have time for the cats.'Kent Fire and Rescue Service said 18 fire engines were now at the scene of a grass fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford. The scene of a blaze in the village of Wennington, east London. London Fire Brigade has declared a major incident due to 'a huge surge' in blazes across the capital A view near Dartford heath as fires raged throughout London today as unprecedent wildfires raged in the capital People jump and do somersaults on Brighton Beach as some try to cool off during the record breaking temperatures Shocking videos show a huge bush fire raging on the Dartford marshes, KentA spokesman said: 'Firefighters are using a fogging unit, two all-terrain vehicles and a bulk water carrier to bring the fire under control and extinguish the flames.'The technical rescue unit is also in attendance and crews are using a telehandler machine to create a fire break, to stop the fire from spreading further. No injuries have been reported.Members of KFRS' volunteer response team are on-hand to provide welfare and support. People who live or work in the affected area are advised to close their windows and doors as a precaution, due to smoke coming from fire. Drivers travelling on the surrounding roads are also asked to take extra care, as the smoke may impact visibility.One blaze at Lickey Hills Country Park near Birmingham, spread to 50,000 square metres and forced 15 people to flee their homes, while firefighters in Essex said they were receiving three times their average number of calls.There was also a fire near Stonehenge this afternoon, with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Rescue mobilising crews who used pumping appliances and water carriers to fight 'multiple seats of fire' around fields at Winterbourne Stoke.West Midlands Fire Service received 717 incident calls yesterday - a rise of 280 in the space of a week, while crews in Hereford and Worcester had 54 fires based around fields, undergrowth and woodland. In Nottinghamshire, fire crews saw a 'significant increase' in grass fires over the last month, with numbers up even more this week.Meanwhile Scotland saw a huge blaze at farm this afternoon which six crews tried to tackle assisted by farm workers.A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson told the Daily Record: 'We were alerted at 1.56pm on Tuesday 19 July to reports of a large fire in a field at Hadden Farm near Kelso.'Operations control immediately mobilised six fire appliances to the location. Farm workers assisted in creating a fire break and firefighters extinguished the fire.'Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.'Northern Powergrid told the BBC it is trying to restore power to around 14,500 properties in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the North East. 'We worked last night and into the early hours of today to restore power after yesterday's extreme temperatures,' a spokesperson from the firm said.The Met Office has confirmed that last night was the warmest night on record in Britain, with temperatures not falling below 25C (77F) in many areas of England and Wales. The highest overnight minimum in the UK last night was 25.9C (78.6F) at Emley Moor in West Yorkshire, while it was 25.8C (78.4F) at Kenley in Croydon, South London.This smashed the previous record of 23.9C (75F) in Brighton set on August 3, 1990. It comes one day after Wales had its hottest day ever with 37.1C (99F) in Hawarden, Flintshire - beating a record set in the same village in 1990. Smoke issuing from a fire on Fields Road in Denham, several buildings were on fire which sent thick black smoke in to the air Firefighters at a fire on Fields Road in Denham, several buildings were on fire which sent thick black smoke in to the air Police are seen as crowds gather at River Swales Waterfalls, in Richmond as people enjoy the hottest day recorded in the UK Police were called amid concerns over public safety due to people jumping into the river and lighting portable BBQsIn Cambridgeshire today, the surface of the A14 at Bottisham appeared to have melted and buckled. And on the trains, Network Rail and operators upgraded their travel advice for those heading north out of London into the red warning area to 'do not travel', saying there will be no services in or out of London King's Cross all day today. The heat has brought major rail chaos for commuters around the capital, with no Thameslink or Great Northern trains running in any location north of London, from Blackfriars via St Pancras, or from King's Cross or Moorgate.There was a lineside fire in London's Harrow today, while overhead electric wires were down in Rugby, Birmingham and Carlisle, leading to a number of trains being trapped. Emergency evacuations of passengers were ongoing. Network Rail said passenger numbers today were around 40 per cent lower than during the same day last week. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told people across Britain today to 'apply common sense' and 'depending on the nature of your journey and reason for it, you might want to consider rearranging your day around it'. But the sight of parts of the UK shutting down sparked a backlash, with complaints that ministers and health chiefs were 'acting like nanny' - while holidaymakers were delayed yesterday as a part of runway at Luton Airport melted.Today, the Supreme Court in London was closed to visitors because of the heat and an air-conditioning fault. A sign was posted at the building's entrance explaining the problem, although hearings could still be viewed online. But the extreme heat is likely to end with a bang tomorrow, with the Met Office issuing a thunderstorm warning for between 1pm and 9pm across the South East amid concerns of sudden flooding, lightning strikes and power cuts. Forecasters said up to 1.2in (30mm) of rain could fall in some areas in just an hour and 2in (50mm) in three hours. Before then, with the UK's first ever red warning for extreme heat still predicted to see the 40C (104F) barrier broken for the first time ever this afternoon, normal life was on hold in parts of the country as:At least 171 schools closed, with teachers claiming learning was impossible in sweltering classrooms;Hospitals cancelled appointments and non-urgent operations as operating theatres turned into ovens;Royal Mail workers were told to return to sorting offices with undelivered mail amid fears they would fall ill;Experts recommended avoiding the beach and holding off exercising until the extreme heat has passed;Commuter numbers on roads and railways were down by up to a fifth, and tracks on some lines buckled;There was a spate of water-related tragedies, including a 13-year-old boy's body pulled from the River Tyne;A 50-fold increase in demand for fans alongside a boom for bottled water, ice lollies and canned cocktails;Water companies raised the prospect of hosepipe bans amid fears of a summer drought.LNER will run no trains from south of York and south of Leeds to King's Cross - and Southern, Southeastern, South Western Railway and Great Western Railway are among the operators running significantly reduced services.All trains between London Euston and Milton Keynes were suspended this afternoon as emergency services dealt with a lineside fire. The blaze was caused when 25,000 volt overhead electric cables came down in Harrow.James Dean, Network Rail's West Coast South route director, said: 'As predicted the extreme temperatures have impacted the overhead cables on the West Coast main line and all trains have had to be stopped at Harrow in North London. Please follow our 'do not travel' message today as journeys are being severely impacted. 'Once the emergency services give us the go ahead we will work as fast as we can to restore the railway lines. We're sorry to people impacted and we're working as fast as we can to get things back up and running.'All trains were also stopped at Birmingham New Street station after a power line fault. Network Rail said its rapid response team is dealing with a fault involving the overhead electric cables outside the station.Denise Wetton, Network Rail's Central route director, said: 'As predicted the extreme temperatures have impacted our overhead cables which power trains and we've had to stop all trains at Birmingham New Street station.'Please keep following our 'do not travel' message today as journeys are being severely impacted. We're sorry to people impacted and we're working as fast as we can to get things back up and running.'On the London Underground, there was no Hammersmith & City line, no Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate due to 'heat-related speed restrictions' and no Jubilee line between Waterloo and Willesden Green.There were severe delays on the Central, District and Victoria lines; severe delays on the sections of the Jubilee and Metropolitan that were in operation; and no Overground between Willesden Junction and Richmond or Romford and Upminster. There were also delays on the western and eastern sections of the Elizabeth line. Woman is seen in a bikini in Battersea Park where people are cooling off today amid scorching heat Scorching temperatures in London where people were seen cooling of in the fountain in Battersea ParkTwo women dip their heads into the fountain to cool off at Trafalgar Square in London this morning amid the extreme heat A packed Brighton beach in East Sussex this afternoon on day two of the red extreme heat warning The surface of the A14 at Bottisham in Cambridgeshire appears to have melted and buckled today during the heatwave A group of women walk along the pebbles of Brighton beach today as they head to the coast of East Sussex People on the beach in Bournemouth in Dorset this morning as Britons melt on the hottest UK day on record A member of F Company Scots Guards swelters during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace today The burnt out remains of parkland in Skellow, Doncaster, this morning after a huge grass fire came within feet of homes People on the beach in Bournemouth today as temperatures soar across England to record levels A packed Brighton beach in East Sussex this afternoon on day two of the red extreme heat warning A young woman in the fountains at Trafalgar Square in London today as the heatwave continues Beachgoers make the best of the scorching morning temperatures at West Bay in Dorset today Peter Dolby jumps into the water at Compton Lock in Winchester today on what is expected to be the hottest day on record Two women lay a towel on the sand at Bournemouth beach today as sunbathers flock to the Dorset coast to enjoy the heat A man and woman sit in the River Dove in Dovedale today during the heatwave as people enjoy the weather in Derbyshire Sunworshippers on Brighton beach this morning on day two of the red extreme heat warning People on the beach in Bournemouth today as temperatures soar across England to record levels Commuters struggle in the extreme heat this morning as they cross London Bridge on the way to work A woman sits by the fountains at Trafalgar Square in London today as Britons experience the hottest UK day on record Commuters struggle in the extreme heat this morning as they cross London Bridge on the way to work today People enjoy the hottest day of year at Stainforth Force in the Yorkshire Dales this afternoon as they cool off People flock to the beach and seafront at Southend-on-Sea this morning as an Essex Police officer walks past Cyclist Oonagh Thin, 24 takes a rest to enjoy the sun at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh this morning Australian cabaret and circus troupe Briefs take to the water to attempt to cool themselves during a photocall for 'Bites' outside the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London today Two women sunbathe on Brighton beach in East Sussex this morning on day two of the red extreme heat warning Racehorses get cooled down at trainer Sue Smith's yard near Bingley in West Yorkshire this morning People enjoy an early morning swim at the Serpentine Lido in London's Hyde Park today A member of the Household Cavalry has a fan placed next to him at Horse Guards Parade in Central London this morning People at Harpur Hill Quarry in Derbyshire - known as 'Blue Lagoon' - on what is the hottest day on record in the UK A horse at Horse Guards Parade in Westminster is given some water to cool down as the heatwave continues Siblings Joshua, Harry and Chloe jump into the water at Compton Lock in Winchester, Hampshire, this morning A member of the Household Cavalry feels the heat at Horse Guards Parade in London today as the heatwave continues The Tarmac on Crook Mill Road in East Halton, North Lincolnshire, is sizzling today due to the current heatwave People walk along the sand at Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning ahead of another very hot day at the seaside Commuters on the sweltering Jubilee line this morning as they commute to work on the London Underground Friends Isaac Pratt and Connie Dolby hold hands as they drift down the river at Compton Lock in Winchester this morning The dried out bed and reduced water levels in the Thruscross Reservoir in North Yorkshire, pictured this morning A woman enjoys the hot weather on a paddleboard at Tynemouth Longsands in North Tyneside this morning People on the beach in Bournemouth this afternoon as Britons bake on the hottest UK day on record Police smashed the window of a £25,000 electric Hyundai to save a dog trapped inside in London's Leicester Square The UK has experienced its warmest night on record, according to provisional Met Office figures as shown in this mapIn the West End, Oxford Circus station was closed this morning while London Fire Brigade crews investigated what they said were 'reports of smoke issuing from an escalator machine room on the northbound Victoria line'. Transport for London said London's rail network will be running a reduced service throughout today due to safety restrictions put into place to deal with the heat, and Gatwick Express trains were completely suspended. Heatwave death toll soars to 13 with two missing: Man in his 20s dies in Cotswolds as search is launched for swimmer dragged out to sea in Essex and hunt continues for 14-year-old boy in River Thames A man in his 20s has become the latest to drown after attempting to cool off from the scorching temperatures by going for a swim at a water park in Wiltshire.At least 13 people have died in heatwave-related incidents since the heatwave began on July 9, bringing with it record-breaking temperatures. It comes after it was confirmed a man had died from drowning, bringing Monday's death toll alone to five.Robert Hattersley, 13, died after an incident on Sunday at Ovingham, Northumberland The 70-year-old man was pulled unconscious from the water in Sandown on the Isle of Wight. Emergency services battled for 40 minutes to save his life but he was declared dead at the scene.In Wiltshire, police confirmed the man in his 20s had died at Cotswold Water Park in Ashton Keynes. The force said the man was pulled from the water but pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 6pm. Meanwhile, a boy aged 14 is feared dead in Richmond after he was declared missing when he was spotted getting into difficulty in the Thames in West London and at least one person is missing after going for a swim in Clacton, Essex, with a search operation ongoing.In Richmond, emergency services were called at 5pm yesterday to reports of a child seen in the water at Tagg's Island in Hampton and searched the area for the boy but were unsuccessful. Also yesterday, a 16-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty in Bray Lake in Maidenhead, Berkshire. A 16-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty in Bray Lake near Maidenhead in Berkshire yesterdayRobert Hattersley, 13, from Crawcrook, died following an incident in the River Tyne on Sunday as his family said they were 'absolutely devastated'. The 'kind and loving' teenager died after getting into difficulty in a river near Ovingham, Northumberland, over the weekend.Yesterday, police were also seen near the River Irwell in Bury at around 4pm as police parked in Jubilee Way. A man was also rescued yesterday by fire, police and ambulance services yesterday after he was seen in Erewash canal near Sandiacre, Derbyshire.A 37-year-old man died after being pulled out of the sea at Brighton beach on Saturday evening. In Scotland a 51-year-old man died after his kayak capsized on the River Spey, Moray, on Sunday. The same night, a man in his 50s died after falling from a boat and getting into difficulty in the water in Northern Ireland. Emergency services rushed to the scene at Cromane Bay, Kilorglin, at around 10pm.Also on Sunday, a 50-year-old man died at Ardsley Reservoir, West Yorkshire, it was reported, after he got into difficulty while swimming.On Saturday a 16-year-old Kalen Waugh drowned in Salford Quays on Saturday, causing Greater Manchester Police to issue a fresh warning about swimming.Two other schoolboys drowned in separate swimming accidents last week.After getting into difficulties while swimming in a quarry at Appley Bridge, Lancashire, on July 9, 16-year-old Jamie Lewin died. The promising boxer who 'loved life' and was 'was one in a million' was the third teenager in just seven years to lose his life at the quarry.Just two days later Alfie McCraw, also 16, from Wakefield, who had only recently finished his GCSEs, died after swimming in a West Yorkshire canal.In North Wales, Emma Louise Powell, 24, drowned while paddleboarding with two friends last Thursday evening.The 'happy go lucky' woman got into difficulties at the beauty spot at Conwy Morfa with her two friends. All three were rescued from the water following a major rescue operation, but Ms Powell, from Llandudno, died. Network Rail had previously warned customers to travel only if 'absolutely necessary' today. It said the hottest rail track was 62C (143F) in Suffolk yesterday - where the air temperature was 38.1C (100.6F). Merseyrail said the number of trains running and journey times will be 'seriously affected', with some routes shut.East Midlands Railway is running limited services between Derby, Nottingham, Luton, Bedford and London, which will stop completely between lunchtime and 7pm - the hottest period of the day.There are limited and disrupted services running into and out of London Marylebone with Chiltern Railway, according to Network Rail.Meanwhile a section of the A14 dual carriageway in Cambridgeshire was left looking like a 'skatepark' after it warped in the heatwave yesterday, police said.Policing East Cambridgeshire said in a Facebook post on Tuesday, with a photo of the damaged road surface: 'No, the A14 is not being turned into a skatepark... unfortunately the road surface isn't coping well in this heat. While it might look like fun it's potentially very dangerous.'The westbound section of the A14 at Bottisham was closed overnight for emergency repairs and had reopened by around 7am today, National Highways said.A spokesman for National Highways said: 'The road surface that was damaged yesterday was replaced overnight and while we continue to have these extremely high temperatures we have increased our monitoring on these older sections of road, which make up around 4 per cent of the total network, and we do | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
00:52 - Source: CNN See volunteers use bedframe to rescue people from deadly floods CNN — Pakistan was already struggling when the devastating monsoon rains hit. This year, economic and political crises have converged in the South Asian nation of more than 230 million, as food and fuel prices soared and former leader Imran Khan was forced from office. Now its reeling with the worst floods in living memory. Swaths of Pakistan are now underwater after experiencing the heaviest rains on record with little reprieve since mid-June. Some areas have seen five times their normal levels of monsoonal rain. More than 1,100 people have died and 33 million people are impacted – that’s more than the population of Texas. Torrents of water have smashed through entire villages and farmland, razing buildings and wiping out crops. Satellite images from Maxar Technologies shared with CNN show how communities have been wiped out, leaving behind little more than bare Earth and dust. Gudpur, Pakistan Satellite image ©2022MaxarTechnologies Pakistan is responsible for less than 1% of the world’s planet-warming gases, European Union data shows, yet it is the eighth most vulnerable nation to the climate crisis, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. It’s paying a hefty price, not only with lives but destroyed schools, homes and bridges. Officials estimate the total bill will be $10 billion. The recovery could take years, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Pakistan has said. And chances are any recovery will be interrupted by yet another disaster. “We consistently see climate devastation in the forms of floods, monsoons, extensive droughts, extreme heat waves,” Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in an interview with CNN’s Eleni Giokos on Tuesday. “And frankly, the people of Pakistan, the citizens of Pakistan, are paying the price in their lives, their livelihoods for the industrialization of rich countries that has resulted in this climate change.” The stark inequity of the climate crisis, which is bearing down hardest on nations that have historically had the least to do with causing it, is raising questions over who should pay for it, particularly for the damage that countries like Pakistan are coming to terms with. Gudpur, Pakistan Satellite image ©2022MaxarTechnologies The United Nations issued an appeal for $160 million in emergency funds on Tuesday, barely enough to scratch the surface of the $10 billion needed. Countries from the United States to Turkey are pitching in with aid, rescue helicopters, food and medical supplies. Yet the need is greater than what the world is giving. These devastating scenes and eye-watering recovery costs are what the climate crisis looks like at 1.2 degrees Celsius of global warming since industrialization. But the world is on track for warming of more than 2 degrees Celsius, analyses show, and scientists warn every fraction of a degree of warming will worsen the impacts of the crisis. Hala, Pakistan Planet Labs Fahad Saeed, a climate scientist with the group Climate Analytics, who is based in Islamabad, told CNN that Pakistan was in a Catch-22 situation. The country needs money to adapt to the crisis, yet because it has to pay for the damage that extreme weather is already causing it will struggle to find the funds it needs to adjust. “What is happening right now at 1.2 degrees centigrade of warming is not because of the poor people in Pakistan,” he said. “They are not responsible for it, and this brings out the issue of climate justice in a very clear form.” He added that Pakistan, like so many developing nations, needed to bring more people out of poverty, a difficult thing to do in the midst of back-to-back extreme weather events with such little financial support from abroad. Saeed said Pakistan was in “a position to present a strong case” at the COP27 international climate talks in Egypt this November that other nations should help it pay to pick up the pieces. Developed and developing nations have remained generally divided over the issue for years. Mianwali, Pakistan Planet Labs The developed world agreed more than a decade ago to transfer at least $100 billion a year by 2020 to developing nations to help their transitions away from fossil fuels, but also to help them adapt to climate change. That amount has never been delivered in full. More controversial is the issue of who should pay for the destruction. At the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, the US was one of several advanced nations that showed opposition to obligatory payments for “loss and damages” – essentially climate compensation – particularly for schemes based on historic responsibility. Historically, the US accounts for the most greenhouse gas emissions in the world. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The United Nations issued a flash appeal Tuesday for emergency funds, urging the world to give the South Asian nation its attention and aid.Aug. 30, 2022, 10:54 AM UTCCHARSADDA, Pakistan — A third of the country underwater. More than 1,000 people killed. And an estimated $10 billion of damage done.Pakistan's “monster monsoon” has swept away lives, homes, crops and bridges as weeks of historic rains fuel deadly flash floods. Almost half a million people have been displaced, with vast areas cut off from supplies and power.Footage shared with NBC News shows torrents sweeping away multistoried buildings and inundating people up to their necks. Experts and local officials have drawn a direct line to human-made climate change, saying it illustrates how countries with the lowest contributions to the global crisis are becoming increasingly vulnerable to its effects — and in dire need of urgent aid.Disaster officials say nearly a half million people in Pakistan are crowded into camps after losing their homes in widespread flooding.Zahid Hussain / APOn Tuesday, the United Nations issued a flash appeal for emergency funds, urging the world to give the South Asian nation its attention and aid.“It was not less than a doomsday for us," said Asghar Ali, a 56-year-old farmer who was forced to leave his home in the northern town of Charsadda on Friday."Thousands of people just didn’t have time to shift precious households to safe places,” said Ali, who now lives with his livestock in a makeshift shelter alongside the Islamabad-Peshawar motorway.“We saved our lives but the houses filled with floodwater. Life here on the motorway is a curse,” he added.Pakistan’s government has said that more than 33 million people, around 15 % of the population, have been affected by the extreme weather. A family takes refuge along a highway after fleeing floods in Charsadda, Pakistan, on Aug. 28, 2022.Abdul Majeed / AFP - Getty ImagesThe extreme floods have killed more than 1,136 people since June, including 386 children, and damaged a million homes, Pakistan's government said.Although rains stopped three days ago and floodwaters in some areas were receding, large areas remain submerged. The heavy floods have left a third of the country underwater, according to Climate Minister Sherry Rehman. She has called this "the monster monsoon of the decade" and described the situation as a “climate-induced humanitarian disaster of epic proportions.” Authorities backed by the military, rescuers and volunteers have been battling the aftermath, but local officials and aid groups say the scale of the crisis means Pakistan cannot cope on its own.The government declared a state of emergency and on Tuesday, the U.N. launched an appeal for $160 million in emergency funds for the country. “Pakistan is awash in suffering,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message. “The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids — the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding.”A man moves children across a flooded area after heavy monsoon rains fell in Jaffarabad, Pakistan, on Aug. 26, 2022.Fida Hussain / AFP - Getty ImagesThe country’s south, southwest and north have been hit hardest by the floods. The waters have also destroyed roads and bridges, further complicating relief efforts, the chief minister of the southern Balochistan province, Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, told a news conference Monday.“Life has become terrible here,” said Riaz Khan, a resident of Kalam Valley in Pakistan’s picturesque northern Swat district. "We have been cut off from the rest of Pakistan since Aug. 25 as the floods had swept away roads and bridges linking us with the downtowns," he added.He said the floods had left the valley's entire population of 40,000 without power supply.Aid groups are also calling for immediate assistance.“We’re seeing complete devastation," Khuram Gondal, Save the Children’s Pakistan director, said in a statement Monday. "It is clear that this is a massive humanitarian and climate emergency. Children are always the worst affected."People gather in front of a road damaged by floodwaters in Pakistan's northern Swat Valley over the weekend. Abdul Majeed / AFP - Getty ImagesThe floods are also a financial catastrophe, sweeping away crops, livelihoods and crucial infrastructure. The country has already suffered losses equaling $10 billion due to the flooding, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail told reporters Monday. Around 90% of cotton crops have been destroyed in the Sindh province, according to its chief minister.“As compared to the 2010 devastating floods, this time casualties are less but the economic losses are much more” said Mahmood Khan, the chief minister of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. More than 1,700 people died in severe flooding in Pakistan in 2010.“Most of the roads and bridges in the hilly areas of the Malakand region had been washed away in the floods, causing billion rupees of losses.”The International Monetary Fund's executive board on Monday agreed to release around $1.1 billion to Pakistan in the seventh installment of a bailout program to avoid default. The death toll from monsoon flooding in Pakistan since June has reached 1,136, according to figures released by the country's National Disaster Management Authority. Shahid Saeed Mirza / AFP - Getty ImagesThe flooding has prompted warnings from activists that the effects of climate change are being disproportionately felt by countries that have done little to contribute to it.Fahad Saeed, an Islamabad-based analyst for Climate Analytics, said the group's analysis showed the flooding was made 30 times more likely due to climate change, citing a heat wave prior to the flooding that saw temperatures soar past 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather experts say higher temperatures directly lead to heavier rainfall as warmer air has a greater capacity to hold water, a phenomenon seen around the world in recent weeks.Saeed described Pakistan's flooding as the "worst in the country's history" in terms of people affected, warning it may worsen as the current monsoon season is still not over. The “unprecedented” heat wave that hit Pakistan this year has also accelerated the melting of glaciers in mountain ranges near northern Pakistan, Mohsin Hafeez, Pakistan representative at the International Water Management Institute, said in an emailed statement Tuesday. This threatens further floods as that water could join the rain that has come crashing down from the northern mountains.“People here are bearing the brunt of global climate change," Islamic Relief Worldwide CEO Waseem Ahmad said in an emailed statement Tuesday. "Pakistan produces less than 1% of the world’s carbon footprint, but its people are suffering the biggest consequences."Mushtaq Yusufzai reported from Charsadda, Pakistan, and Rhoda Kwan reported from Taipei, Taiwan.Mushtaq YusufzaiMushtaq Yusufzai is a journalist based in Peshawar, Pakistan.Rhoda KwanRhoda Kwan is a Taipei-based journalist.Evan Bush, Reuters and Associated Press contributed. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
BEIJING (AP) — From the snowcapped peaks of Tibet to the tropical island of Hainan, China is sweltering under the worst heatwave in decades while rainfall hit records in June.Extreme heat is also battering Japan, and volatile weather is causing trouble for other parts of the world in what scientists say has all the hallmarks of climate change, with even more warming expected this century. The northeastern provinces of Shandong, Jilin and Liaoning saw precipitation rise to the highest levels ever recorded in June, while the national average of 112.1 millimeters (4.4 inches) was 9.1 % higher than the same month last year, the China Meteorological Administration said in a report Tuesday. The average temperature across the nation also hit 21.3 degrees Celsius (70.34 Fahrenheit) in June, up 0.9 C (1.8 F) from the same period month last year and the highest since 1961. No relief is in sight, with higher than usual temperatures and precipitation forecast in much of the country throughout July, the administration said. In the northern province of Henan, Xuchang hit 42.1 C (107.8 F) and Dengfeng 41.6 C (106.9 F) on June 24 for their hottest days on record, according to global extreme weather tracker Maximiliano Herrera. China has also seen seasonal flooding in several parts of the country, causing misery for hundreds of thousands, particularly in the hard-hit south that receives the bulk of rainfall as well as typhoons that sweep in from the South China Sea. China is not alone in experiencing higher temperatures and more volatile weather. In Japan, authorities warned of greater than usual stress on the power grid and urged citizens to conserve energy. Japanese officials announced the earliest end to the annual summer rainy season since the national meteorological agency began keeping records in 1951. The rains usually temper summer heat, often well into July. On Friday, the cities of Tokamachi and Tsunan set all-time heat records while several others broke monthly marks.Large parts of the Northern Hemisphere have seen extreme heat this summer, with regions from the normally chilly Russian Arctic to the traditionally sweltering American South recording unusually high temperatures and humidity. In the United States, the National Weather Service has held 30 million Americans under some kind of heat advisory amid record-setting temperatures. The suffering and danger to health is most intense among those without air conditioning or who work outdoors, further reinforcing the economic disparities in dealing with extreme weather trends. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
On the current trajectory of global greenhouse gas emissions, nearly all marine species will be at high or critical risk of extinction in less than 80 years, according to a study published Monday by Nature Climate Change.The study, which was conducted by an international team of researchers, looked at the effects of rising air and water temperatures due to the burning of fossil fuels on the marine animals, plants, protozoans and bacteria found in the upper 100 meters of the world's oceans. In that depth, the study noted, "climate-driven temperature changes are the most severe."If the world was to continue on its current rate of greenhouse gas emissions, "almost 90% of ~25,000 species are at high or critical risk" of extinction," the study concluded.Mitigating the effects of climate change "reduces the risk for virtually all species," the study found. The findings come as the U.S. enacts the Inflation Reduction Act, the first major piece of legislation designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions and speed the transition to renewable sources of energy.The study ranked the species most vulnerable to climate change, and determined that the Chines puffer fish (Takifugu chinensis) and the Galapagos damselfish (Asurina eupalama) were the two species at greatest risk of extinction.While climate change has been wreaking havoc in recent years in the form of extreme weather, drought and rising surface temperatures that have forced human beings to begin looking for ways to adapt, the brunt of the excess warming caused by the greenhouse effect has fallen on the world's oceans.A scuba diver swims in the middle of a school of Jet fish at a diving site near the island of Sipadan in Celebes Sea east of Borneo November 7, 2005.REUTERS/Peter AndrewsData from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has shown that "the ocean absorbs more than 90 percent of the excess heat" attributed to emissions.Numerous studies have linked rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with ocean acidification that impacts marine life."Although the ocean’s ability to take up carbon dioxide prevents atmospheric levels from climbing even higher, rising levels of carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean can have a negative effect on some marine life. Carbon dioxide reacts with sea water to produce carbonic acid," the Environmental Protection Agency says on its website. "The resulting increase in acidity (measured by lower pH values) changes the balance of minerals in the water. This makes it more difficult for corals, some types of plankton, and other creatures to produce a mineral called calcium carbonate, which is the main ingredient in their hard skeletons or shells."Without significant mitigation efforts, climate change is poised to impact global fisheries and will be felt hardest in poorer countries that rely on ocean sea life as a source of food."There was a really striking pattern where the risk was systematically higher for nations that have a lower socioeconomic status, lower income nations that tend to be more dependent on fisheries and tend to have a lower food security, and overall nutritional status," Daniel Boyce, an ecologist at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Nova Scotia and author published in Nature Climate Change, told ABC News. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Rescuers in Kentucky are taking the search effort door to door in worsening weather as they brace for a long, grueling effort to locate victims of flooding that devastated the state's east, the governor said Sunday.
Some areas in the mountainous region are still inaccessible following flooding that turned roads into rivers, washed out bridges, swept away houses and killed at least 28 people, according to state officials. Poor cell phone service is also complicating rescue efforts.
"This is one of the most devastating, deadly floods that we have seen in our history. … And at a time that we're trying to dig out, it's raining," Governor Andy Beshear told NBC's "Meet the Press."
"We're going to work to go door to door, work to find, again, as many people as we can. We're even going to work through the rain. But the weather is complicating it," Beshear said.
The number of dead in the flooding, caused by torrential rain that began on Wednesday, is expected to rise further.
"We're going to be finding bodies for weeks, many of them swept hundreds of yards, maybe a quarter mile-plus from where they were lost," Beshear said.
The governor toured flooded areas in three counties on Sunday. Across the rain-battered areas of the state, more than 350 people are living temporarily in shelters, he said.
In the town of Jackson, seat of hard-hit Breathitt County, state, local and federal rescue teams along with aid workers were gathering Sunday morning in a Walmart parking lot as they prepared to fan out.
Some were distributing bottles of water to those in need. A boat marked "FEMA Rescue 4" sat on a trailer, indicating the presence of federal emergency crews.
Receding floodwaters had left a thick coating of dust on the streets as an ominously dark cloud cover presaged more rain ahead. FILE - A flooded area is flown over by a Kentucky National Guard helicopter deployed in response to a declared state of emergency in eastern Kentucky, July 27, 2022. (US Army National Guard/Handout via Reuters) The floods hit a region of Kentucky that was suffering from grinding poverty — driven by the decline of the coal industry that was the heart of its economy — taking everything from people who could least afford it.
"It wiped out areas where people didn't have that much to begin with," Beshear said.
Some areas in eastern Kentucky had reported receiving more than 20 centimeters of rain in a 24-hour period.
The water level of the North Fork of the Kentucky River at Whitesburg rose to a staggering 6 meters within hours, well above its previous record of 4.5 meters.
The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center warned of the potential for flooding across a swath of the United States, including central and eastern Kentucky, into Monday.
"The threat of flash flooding will continue through the afternoon and early evening hours from showers and thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall rates," it said in a forecast.
President Joe Biden has issued a disaster declaration for the Kentucky flooding, allowing federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.
The eastern Kentucky flooding is the latest in a series of extreme weather events that scientists say are an unmistakable sign of climate change.
Nearly 60 people were killed in western Kentucky by a tornado in December 2021, a disaster that Beshear said informed the current efforts on the other end of the state.
"We learned a lot of lessons in western Kentucky on those devastating tornados about seven months ago, so we are providing as much support as we can and we are moving fast from all over the state to help out," he told CNN on Saturday. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Over the last 27 years as a firefighter, I have fought plenty of wildfires and other extreme weather events, and I have seen at first hand how these incidents have become more frequent and extreme. At my former station in Herne Bay, on the north Kent coast, we had specialist equipment for fighting wildfires, and we would travel for miles to tackle flames raging across land.None of it compared to what I experienced in this week’s heatwave.The record-breaking, sweltering temperatures were incredibly difficult to work in. Callouts to fires were relentless, and our time between incidents, to recuperate, rehydrate and take measures to prevent ourselves from falling ill, was very short.While temperatures were at boiling point, we were at breaking point. We were so overstretched that at a fire where 40 trees were alight, I was one of a crew of only six firefighters available to tackle it. We could not spare anyone else due to two huge incidents up at Dartford that needed our people and resources.My fire service, Kent fire and rescue service, was just one of 14 fire services across the country to declare a major incident on Tuesday 19 July, when temperatures reached record highs across the UK. It is no coincidence that all these fire services have had their firefighter numbers slashed, and funding cut by central government, since 2010.Across the board, 11,500 frontline firefighter jobs have been cut in the UK fire and rescue service over the last decade. In Kent, our firefighter numbers have been slashed by 27% in that time. We are expected to do more with less; and it’s putting not only the public but also firefighters at risk.We were lucky in my fire service that no firefighters were seriously hurt, but some had to be treated for heat-related injuries. In other fire services, several of our brothers and sisters were injured while attending wildfires and other incidents caused by the scorching temperatures. Some even required hospitalisation.It is clear that we are facing an epic climate emergency – and it is clear that this is an emergency that the UK fire and rescue service is not prepared for.Record-breaking hot temperatures spark fires across England – videoThe blame lies squarely at the government’s door. These events were not unprecedented. Firefighters and the Fire Brigades Union have consistently warned about the growing number and scale of incidents linked to the climate crisis, and the pressure it is putting on our service. We have persistently called for investment and a reversal in the cuts to firefighter numbers so we are ready to protect our communities. Our warnings have fallen on deaf ears.This very same government has showered us with praise for our response to this week’s emergencies, but praise does not ease how burnt-out we are. Praise does not guarantee public safety.If anything has been shown by this heatwave, it is how valuable our fire service and firefighters are. Yet it is clear that despite their praise, the government does not value us. We have still not heard a peep from a single government minister about properly resourcing the service for future climate disasters. Their thanks for our life-saving work is a paltry 2% pay offer, which is in reality a further cut in real wages. It is nothing more than an insult.This week must be a wake-up call for the government. Delaying investment in the fire service is like waiting for rain to put out a wildfire. It is ineffective and dangerous. They cannot wait until another climate catastrophe before funding the frontline. Tim Green is a firefighter for Kent fire and rescue service and the Fire Brigades Union’s south-east regional chair | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A group of four hikers stranded in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains for two nights during severe weather have been rescued, with police issuing a plea to those venturing into national parks. New South Wales Police have issued a plea to hikers after a group of four had to be rescued by officers in the state's Snowy Mountains. The group - two men aged 33 and 36 and two women both aged 34 - were found by police about 10am on Tuesday after being stranded in the snow for two nights during extreme weather conditions.They had set out from Thredbo Village on Sunday seeking to explore the back country of Kosciuszko National Park, police said in a statement."The weather, already hazardous, worsened throughout the day, with blizzard-like conditions, strong winds and low visibility," the statement said.The hikers contacted emergency services about 5pm after seeking shelter at Seaman's Hut. Stream more Australian news with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022"The Alpine Operations Unit was called in and, with the use of over-snow vehicles, officers travelled towards the hut on Monday," the statement said. "Due to the conditions, efforts were suspended at 1.30pm."Authorities advised the group to remain in the shelter, with a severe weather warning issued for the region over the coming days."Once police were able to make it to Seaman's Hut, they found the group "safe and well" on Tuesday morning.Police said while the hikers "were adequately equipped with suitable clothing, water and food", the recue operation served as a reminder to those venturing out to alpine areas. "This incident has prompted police to remind anyone who is heading to the alpine area not to underestimate the conditions and consider the risks of venturing past the safety of ski resorts in winter," the statement said. "NSW Police is also urging hikers to ensure their personal safety by submitting a Trip Intention Form and hiring a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) before heading out into the national park."PLBs are free of charge by way of a refundable deposit from one of the National Parks and Wildlife Service centres located at numerous locations, including Jindabyne, as well as Perisher and Thredbo resorts."Hikers – no matter how experienced – should stick to the tracks, as whiteouts and snow clouds can quickly and easily disorientate." | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A second day of extreme heat has widened disruption on Britain’s railways, with two of the main lines closed and speed restrictions slowing trains around the country.Record rail track temperatures of 62C were recorded in Suffolk on Monday, with even higher temperatures expected on Tuesday.The rising temperatures led Network Rail and train operators overnight to intensify advice to avoid trains to a stark “do not travel” warning for services north out of London, with problems such as buckled rails and broken wires expected to multiply during the day.The east coast mainline was closed entirely between London and Leeds and York, stopping intercity LNER trains and Thameslink services.The Midland mainline between Derby, Nottingham and London was also closed from lunchtime as it grew hotter – stopping fast services to London Luton airport, which reopened on Monday evening after heat-related defects closed its runway to flights.Remaining intercity services on Avanti West Coast, West Midlands and Chiltern were also disrupted.A dozen buckled rails were reported on Monday around Britain, while overhead lines were broken in two places in north-east England.Jake Kelly, the Network Rail operations director, said it had “not taken the decision lightly” to upgrade the travel advice, adding that any journey within the Met Office’s “red zone” of high heat was “going to be long, disrupted and uncomfortable”.Most London underground and overground trains were running with severe delays, with parts of lines suspended due to heat. Transport for London advised against all non-essential travel on Monday and Tuesday.Drivers stayed away from city centres, with congestion levels down significantly in London, Birmingham and Manchester in the morning peak from a week ago, according to data from the satnav firm TomTom.Sign up to the daily Business Today email or follow Guardian Business on Twitter at @BusinessDeskThe UK transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said it could take decades to upgrade existing lines to be more resilient, with the UK’s Victorian-era infrastructure “not built to withstand this type of temperature”.He said the railways, as well as many Tarmac roads, would require a “long process of replacing it and upgrading it to withstand temperatures, either very hot or sometimes much colder than we’ve been used to, and these are the impacts of global warming”.Asked if the transport system could cope with the extreme weather, Shapps replied: “The simple answer at the moment is no.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, July 18 (Reuters) - Britain was on course for its hottest day on record on Monday with temperatures forecast to hit 40C for the first time, forcing train companies to cancel services, schools to close early and ministers to urge the public to stay at home.Much of Europe is baking in a heatwave that has pushed temperatures into the mid-40s Celsius (over 110 Fahrenheit) in some regions, with wildfires raging across tinder-dry countryside in Portugal, Spain and France. read more Britain's government triggered a "national emergency" alert as temperatures were forecast to surpass the 38.7C (102F) recorded in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden in 2019 on Monday and Tuesday.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"We've got a difficult 48 hours coming," Kit Malthouse, a minister in charge of government coordination, told BBC radio.London's metro network imposed temporary speed restrictions for Monday and Tuesday, meaning it would run a reduced service with journeys taking longer than normal. It urged commuters to only travel if essential.The national rail network also urged passengers to stay at home and said some services - including a key route between northeastern England and London - would not run during parts of Tuesday.Jake Kelly from Network Rail said he hoped normal operations would resume on Wednesday, when temperatures are forecast to fall, but that would depend on "the damage that the weather does to the infrastructure over the next couple of days".HIGH ALERTA member of the Queen's Guard receives water to drink during the hot weather, outside Buckingham Palace in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/John Sibley The government urged schools to stay open but many were due to close earlier than usual, normal uniform demands were ditched and end-of-term sports days were cancelled. Some schools were shut, resorting to lockdown-style online lessons.And at least one major zoo, at Chester, said it would close for two days, while London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo said many animals would be able to retreat to "cool zones" and some exhibits might be closed.Some factories also brought their opening hours forward, to prevent workers on the hottest jobs, such as welding, from falling ill.The Health Security Agency (UKHSA) raised the heat health warning to Level 4 for England for Monday and Tuesday.Britain's Meteorological Office defines a Level 4 alert as a national emergency, to be used when a heatwave "is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system. At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups".The Met Office said "substantial" changes in working practices and daily routines would be required, and there was a high risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, potentially leading to localised loss of power, water or mobile phone services.Malthouse said the government was prepared for the extreme weather and would seek to learn lessons from it."We definitely need to adapt the way we build buildings, the way we operate and look at some of our infrastructure in the light of what seems to be an increasing frequency of these kinds of events," he said.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Kate Holton; Editing by William Schomberg and Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Most startling UK heatwave pictures - from wildfires to warped roads and lightning As the temperature jumps above 40C for the first time, the country has been forced to adapt to the heat over the last few days.While some people have ventured out to enjoy it, many more have stayed indoors to shade away from the heat, while transport infrastructure buckles and grasslands burn.Below are the best pictures from up and down the UK as it records its highest ever temperature... Major incident stood down in Leicestershire Leicestershire Fire and Rescue has stood down a major incident in the region this evening.It said: "We are now standing down from a major incident. "We have sufficient level of resources back in the organisation to respond business as usual. "We would like to thank everyone for their support, it has been much appreciated."The major incident was declared this afternoon when demand for the fire service reached overwhelming levels due to the heatwave. Patel urges Britons to follow safety advice Home Secretary Priti Patel has paid tribute to fire services after the sweltering heat fuelled blazes across the UK.She said in a statement: "I have just been updated on the national fire situation. With dangerous fires burning across the country, I continue to urge the public to follow all safety advice from their local fire service, and stay safe."I pay tribute to the professionalism and skill of our fire services, who are working in difficult conditions to protect lives and communities."Please continue to follow all advice from your local emergency services." Human-caused climate change 'intensifying' UK heatwaves, expert says A climate professor has warned "human caused climate change is intensifying heatwaves, droughts and flooding events", amid what is likely to be a record-breaking day for heat in the UK tomorrow.Professor Richard Allan from the University of Reading says: "Heating from greenhouse gas emissions make the atmosphere warmer and more thirsty for water which can parch and scorch one region and deluge the larger amounts of moisture in storms elsewhere. "When weather patterns produce intense rainfall, droughts or heatwave events, like the one currently being experienced in the UK this July, the severity of these extremes are intensified by the human caused warming of climate."His colleague at Reading, Professor Hannah Clarke, a natural hazards researcher, adds: "This unprecedented red warning for extreme heat is a wake-up call about the climate emergency. "We have had heatwaves in the UK before, but the intensity of heat that has been forecast, which will either break UK records or at least get very close, is enough to kill people and animals, damage property, and hobble the economy."Even as a climate scientist who studies this stuff, this is scary. This feels real. At the start of the week I was worried about my goldfish getting too hot. Now I'm worried about the survival of my family and my neighbours." Met Police to patrol open spaces to ensure Londoners avoid BBQs and bonfires The Metropolitan Police has released a statement in the last few minutes in response to a major incident declared by the London Fire Brigade today.The high temperatures have fuelled a number of fires across Greater London, including a significant blaze in Wennington which is still being tackled.The Met said: "We are providing vehicle support to transport firefighters to and from incidents to ensure fire engines can stay where they are needed most. We will continue to work closely with our partners to provide whatever further support we can."Officers will also be patrolling open spaces in the coming hours to ensure that Londoners are following the LFB advice tokeep us all safe."This advice includes:Do not have a barbecue or bonfire tonight;Do not leave broken bottles or glass on the ground;Dispose of cigarettes safely. Major incident declared by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue has declared a major incident this evening.It says: "The service has received a very high volume of 999 calls, leading to crews attending more than 240 emergency incidents so far today, in part due to the extreme weather."These incidents include crop fires, field fires, and road traffic collisions on major roads. Firefighters have continued to work hard in very difficult conditions."It follows the same decision by fire services in London and Leicestershire. Woman forced to leave vital medication behind when fleeing fire Janet Hickey, 70, who has terminal pancreatic cancer, was forced to leave all her cancer drugs behind as she was evacuated from Wennington, Greater London, today.Fires erupted in the region amid record temperatures on Tuesday, with up to 100 firefighters battling the blaze into this evening.The highest temperatures recorded today are understood to be 40.3C in Lincolnshire.Ms Hickey said: "I've got all my cancer drugs in the fridge."Her husband Patrick Hickey, 71, said: "We had to leave everything. We're hoping against hope that our house is still there."Mrs Hickey said they are feeling "devastated", adding: "We've been living there 50 years. I'm terminally ill so it's not great to lose all that. I'm also an artist and all my paintings are there." Four countries where it's illegal to work if it's as hot as the UK today Unlike the UK, in many countries across the world there is a maximum temperature allowed in the workplace.There are four countries where it is illegal to work if it's as hot as the UK is today. The maximum working temperatures for each country is:United States - 24CGermany - 26CSpain - 27CChina - 37-40C Debbie Grant, employment law tutor at The University of Law, recommends four steps that employers can take to ensure the comfort of their employees during the heatwave:Having a relaxed dress codeIntroduce flexible workingCarry out a risk assessmentEnsure suitable working conditions Oracle cloud services in London hit by 'unseasonal temperatures' American tech giant Oracle has reported problems with its cloud services based in London due to the heatwave.The company said a part of the cooling infrastructure at its London data centre was facing issues due to the "unseasonal temperatures in the region".A data centre is a building where thousands of computer and storage systems used to run so-called "cloud" services are housed. These facilities run large cooling systems to keep critical IT systems running at optimum temperature.The Texas-headquartered company said some of its customers might be unable to access or use their data hosted in the region.The company said in a statement to its customers: "The relevant service teams have been engaged and are working to restore the affected infrastructure back to a healthy state however, as a precautionary measure, we are in the process of identifying service infrastructure that can be safely powered down to prevent additional hardware failures."The company has been contacted for a response. Destruction of wildfires clear in devastated French campsites By Siobhan Robbins, Europe correspondentIf you want to know the damage a wildfire can do, the devastated campsites in France's La Teste de Buch leave you in little doubt.Bikes lean melted and mangled, abandoned by tourists as they fled.The walls of buildings have bubbled up in the heat.Inside twisted metal has been exposed, the skeleton remains of what was a tourist hotspot.A few tents have somehow survived. In one corner, sunglasses and fruit sit untouched on a table- forgotten in the rush. So much has been lost here and it's still not safe.Leaking gas is openly burning, adding to the already monumental challenge facing French fire crews who day after day return to the battle. Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Oolootie Kunilusie reels in an Arctic char from the Sylvia Grinnell River ahead of the visit by Pope Francis to Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada July 27, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos OsorioRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comIQALUIT, Nunavut, July 28 (Reuters) - Pope Francis's upcoming visit to Canada's Arctic territory of Nunavut draws attention to a focal point for global climate change, with sea ice disappearing fast and permafrost thawing.Francis, who arrives in the capital Iqaluit of predominantly indigenous Nunavut on Friday, is in Canada to apologize in person for the Roman Catholic Church's role in abuses that residential schools inflicted on indigenous children.The pope, who has made protection of the environment a cornerstone of his pontificate, last week called on world leaders to heed the Earth's "chorus of cries of anguish" stemming from climate change, extreme weather and loss of biodiversity.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"Talking about climate change and the north -- ground zero is a good way to put it," said Brian Burke, executive director of the Nunavut Fisheries Association. "Any profile he can bring to it (would help) in terms of the needs we have of investment and science and being able to adapt."Northern Canada has warmed at nearly three times the global average, rising 2.3 degrees Celsius from 1948 to 2016, according to a Canadian government report.The pope might address climate change in Iqaluit, given the region is particularly vulnerable, said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.Climate change has affected Nunavut's fisheries industry, which mainly catches turbot and shrimp for export to Asia, both for better and worse.The offshore fishing season has grown by six to eight weeks over the past decade due to less ice cover, said Burke, whose non-profit organization represents four Inuit companies that hold Nunavut fishing quotas.The longer season has helped fishers fill their quotas, but more frequent storms have resulted in more days in-season when they can't fish, Burke said. Meanwhile, hunting and fishing closer to shore has suffered because winter ice roads are less reliable, limiting fishers' ability to get around.The spring hunt for young seals, a delicacy in Nunavut, has become more difficult, said Jack Anawak, a hunter and former member of parliament.Ice near Naujaat, where Anawak hunts, retreats earlier most springs than it did a decade ago, and returns later in fall. With less access to ice, hunters have fewer opportunities to ride snowmobiles to holes in the ice where they can hunt seal, he said."Climate change is really occurring very fast," he said.Satellite data shows that Arctic sea ice coverage has decreased each decade since 1978, when data first became available, according to the territorial government's Nunavut Climate Change Centre.On land, thawing permafrost - a ground layer that remains frozen - threatens to damage infrastructure such as roads, building foundations and runways, a June 2022 report by the Canadian Climate Institute said.In Iqaluit, water and sewer pipes are cracking more often as the permafrost thaws and makes the ground unstable, said Mayor Kenny Bell.Reduced rain and snow has also left the city's reservoir short of drinking water at times, he said.The Canadian government in April agreed to spend C$214 million ($166.32 million) to build a new reservoir for Iqaluit and replace a third of its pipes."Precipitation levels have drastically changed," he said. "There's no predictability in the weather at all."($1 = 1.2867 Canadian dollars)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comAadditional reporting by Philip Pullella, editing by Deepa BabingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Joe Biden on Monday toured parts of eastern Kentucky devastated by the worst flooding in the state’s history and pledging to help recovery, while his spokesperson warned that the climate crisis was having an impact on such events there and across America.At least 37 people have died in the flooding since a deluge late last month that dropped up to 10.5in of rain in only 48 hours.The US president said the nation had an obligation to help all its people, declaring the federal government would provide support until residents were back on their feet.Behind him as he spoke was a house that the storm had dislodged and dumped on the ground, tilted sideways.“We have the capacity to do this it’s not like it’s beyond our control,” Biden said, adding that “the weather may be beyond our control for now” but pledging “we’re staying until everybody’s back to where they were.”Earlier in the day, en route from his holiday home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, having emerged from coronavirus isolation, to Kentucky, Biden hailed historic health and climate action legislation that passed the tough hurdle of the US Senate on Sunday.He hailed the Inflation Reduction Act, which could pass the House and be on the way to his desk to sign into law by the end of the week, as “a big deal” and said he expected it to help Democrats’ prospects in November’s midterm elections, which had been looking bleak.Then, the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, addressed the issue of climate change in her media briefing aboard Air Force One en route to Lexington with Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden.“The floods in Kentucky and extreme weather all around the country are yet another reminder of the intensifying and accelerating impacts of climate change and the urgent need to invest in making our communities more resilient to it,” she said.Jean-Pierre called measures in the new bill “so vital”, alongside previous infrastructure legislation that aims to boost climate resilience.“Over the long term, these investments will save lives, reduce costs and protect communities like the one we are visiting today,” she said.Independent analysis of the Inflation Reduction Act shows it should slash America’s planet-heating emissions by about 40% by the end of the decade, compared with 2005 levels.This cut would bring the US within striking distance of a goal set by Joe Biden to cut emissions in half by 2030, a target that scientists say must be achieved by the whole world if catastrophic global heating, triggering escalating heatwaves, droughts and floods, is to be avoided.Biden has called climate change the “existential crisis of our time” and the president had been under pressure in recent weeks to declare a national climate emergency as the legislation that passed the Senate on Sunday has seemed out of reach, while record heatwaves and wildfires were ravaging the US west.On Monday, Kentucky’s governor, Andy Beshear, said the flooding was “unlike anything we’ve ever seen”. It followed deadly tornadoes in the western part of the state that killed almost 100 people last December.Last week, China cut off defense and climate talks with the US amid menacing military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, in retaliation for House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the island democracy that claims independence but which Beijing claims is part of the communist People’s Republic of China. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A firefighter works to contain a tactical fire in Louchats, as wildfires continue to spread in the Gironde region of southwestern France, July 17, 2022. Sarah Meyssonnier | ReutersUnited Nations Secretary General António Guterres issued a dire warning to leaders from 40 nations gathered in Berlin to discuss climate change response measures as part of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue."Half of humanity is in the danger zone from floods, droughts, extreme storms and wildfires. No nation is immune. Yet we continue to feed our fossil fuel addiction," Guterres said in a video message to the assembled leaders on Monday."What troubles me most is that, in facing this global crisis, we are failing to work together as a multilateral community. Nations continue to play the blame game instead of taking responsibility for our collective future. We cannot continue this way," Guterres said."We have a choice. Collective action or collective suicide. It is in our hands."Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, speaks to reporters after a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for climate change discussions during the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, at United Nations headquarters in New York, September 20, 2021.John Minchillo | Pool | ReutersThe leader of the United Nations laid out a multi-pronged approach for responding to climate change right now. Countries need to reduce their emissions by eliminating coal and moving towards emissions-free energy sources, like renewable energy. Second, there has to be more focus on adapting safely to the risks.Third, wealthy, developed nations need to make good on commitments to help undeveloped nations get access to finance they need. "People in Africa, South Asia and Central and South America are fifteen times more likely to die from extreme weather events," Guterres said. "This great injustice cannot persist." Relatedly, Guterres said there should be a system in place to respond to climate loss and damage that is already impacting the poorest and most vulnerable.A firefighter creates a tactical fire in Louchats, as wildfires continue to spread in the Gironde region of southwestern France, July 17, 2022. Sarah Meyssonnier | ReutersGuterres made his comments as many nations around the world have been suffering under record high temperatures and raging wildfires.For example, Britain's weather service, the Met Office, issued a red extreme heat warning for the first time ever for Monday and Tuesday. Wildfires are forcing thousands of people to flee their homes across portions of France and Spain.Satellite data from NASA show just how widespread heat waves have been recently. The image embedded below shows the surface air temperature on July 13 and was generated with help from data from the Goddard Earth Observing System.This image produced by NASA shows surface air temperatures on July 13, 2022, showing widespread heatwaves. NASA"While there is a clear pattern of an 'atmospheric wave' with alternating warm (redder) and cool (bluer) values in different locations, this large area of extreme (and record breaking) heat is another clear indicator that emissions of greenhouse gases by human activity are causing weather extremes that impact our living conditions," Steven Pawson, chief of the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a written statement published alongside the map."Such extreme heat has direct impacts on human health, as well as having other consequences, including these fires that are occurring now in Europe and Africa, and which have been rampant over the past few years in North America," Pawson said. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The record-breaking heatwave that scorched swathes of Europe in recent months will become an "average" summer as soon as 2035, even if countries stick to their current climate targets, new research suggests.The Met Office's Hadley Centre has forecast an average summer in central Europe will be more than 4°C hotter by 2100 than it was before humans started burning fossil fuels at scale.
Researchers said they are confident in their analysis because they found a "very satisfactory" alignment between recorded average temperatures since 1850 and the figures that were predicted by computer models.The Climate Crisis Advisory Group (CCAG), which commissioned the research, called the data an "urgent reminder" of the need for countries to go "well beyond" their climate plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which together aim to limit global warming to ideally 1.5°C.The analysis shows that "even if countries meet their commitments to reduce emissions they have made so far, the situation is still set to get worse, with weather in Europe predicted to become even more extreme than seen this summer," said former government chief scientific advisor and CCAG chair Sir David King.
Almost two-thirds of Europe and much of England is currently enduring a drought that is hitting food and power production, driven in part by hot weather. The extreme heat in July broke records in England, Scotland and France."This data doesn't fully account for the instability of the Arctic, which we now know is a global tipping point that could have major cascading consequences for the entire planet," Sir David warned. More on Climate Change Drought inflicting 'severe impacts' on EU energy production, as Putin tightens squeeze on gas Water chiefs brace for drought in England to last into next year Climate change: Target of building 300,000 homes a year would overshoot England's entire carbon emission commitment, report warns He said it was "abundantly clear" that countries need to not only meet their NDCs, but consider increasing them. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rhine close to running dry His warning comes as countries prepare to discuss international climate action at a series of diplomatic meetings this autumn, including the United Nations General Assembly and the group of 20 developed and emerging economies. At the COP27 climate summit in Egypt in November, countries will scrutinise each other's progress since COP26 in Glasgow last year, and whether they are implementing their climate plans.The CCAG argues mitigative action must include three things: reducing emissions, removing existing emissions in vast quantities and repairing "broken parts of the climate system, starting with the Arctic".Read more:Switzerland's glaciers melt by half in less than a centuryDid nearly 900 people die due to the July heatwave?It reiterated its calls from last year to refreeze the Arctic, which is warming much faster than the rest of the world, exacerbating other extreme weather events around the globe."It is only through the mitigative measures of Reduce, Remove and Repair, pursued with equal vigour and urgency, that we can hope to move away from the path to disaster we're currently set on and achieve a manageable future for humanity," Sir David added.Today's warning coincides with another study that predicts countries in the mid-latitudes - including the UK, the US and most of the European Union and central Asia - will experience deadly heatwaves every year by 2100. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
00:52 - Source: CNN See volunteers use bed frame to rescue people from deadly floods Karachi, Pakistan CNN — UN Secretary General António Guterres on Tuesday launched a flash $160 million appeal for flood-ravaged Pakistan, where more than 1,100 people have been killed and 33 million others impacted in one of the worst monsoon seasons in over a decade. The appeal comes as Pakistani officials said the floods had already caused more than $10 billion in damages and urged more international assistance. “The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids – the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding,” Guterres said during the appeal’s launch. “As we continue to see more and more extreme weather events around the world, it is outrageous that climate action is being put on the back burner as global emissions of greenhouse gases are still rising, putting all of us – everywhere – in growing danger,” he said. “Let’s stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of our planet by climate change,” he said. “Today, it’s Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country. Images of water gushing down streets, swallowing villages and destroying bridges serve as a stark reminder of the inequities of the climate crisis, which impacts the developing world disproportionately. Richer countries also bear a much larger historical responsibility for the crisis in the first place. Pakistan last year ranked as the eighth most affected nation by climate change from 2000 to 2019, in the Global Climate Risk Index by non-profit group Germanwatch. People living in hotspots like South Asia are 15 times more likely to die from climate crisis impacts. “This is a climate crisis,” Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF’s representative in Pakistan told CNN. “A climate that has been mostly done by richer countries, contributing to the crisis, and I think it is time that the world responded to support Pakistan in this time of need.” Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Fida Hussain/AFP/Getty Images A man helps children navigate floodwaters using a satellite dish in Balochistan, Pakistan, on Friday, August 26. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Abdul Majeed/AFP/Getty Images Residents gather beside a road damaged by flooding in Kyhber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on Monday, August 29. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Abdul Majeed/AFP/Getty Images A displaced child sleeps under a mosquito net in a tent at a makeshift camp after in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on August 29. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Maxar Technologies/Reuters A satellite image shows the scale of the flooding along the banks of the Indus River in Rajanpur, Pakistan, on Sunday, August 28. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Ahmed Ali/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images People wade through floodwaters in Pakistan's Mirpur Khas district on August 28. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Ahmed Ali/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Pakistani Army soldiers distribute food following a flash flood in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on August 28. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Abdul Majeed/AFP/Getty Images Flooded land is seen in Mingora, a town in Pakistan's northern Swat Valley, on August 28. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Rizwan Tabassum/AFP/Getty Images Volunteers load relief food bags on a truck in Karachi, Pakistan, on August 28. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Abdul Majeed/AFP/Getty Images Displaced people take refuge along a highway after fleeing from their flood-hit homes in Pakistan's Charsadda district on August 28. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Hussain Ali/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Displaced people wade through a flooded area in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Saturday, August 27. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Abdul Majeed/AFP/Getty Images A man carries his sick daughter along a road damaged by floodwaters in Pakistan's northern Swat Valley on August 27. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Fayaz Aziz/Reuters A man swims in floodwaters while heading for higher ground in Charsadda, Pakistan, on August 27. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Asim Tanveer/AP Flood-affected people stand in a long line for food distributed by Pakistani Army troops in Rajanpur on August 27. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Abdul Majeed/AFP/Getty Images A flooded area is seen from atop a bridge in the Charsadda district on August 27. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Fayaz Aziz/Reuters Volunteers prepare food boxes to distribute among flood victims in Peshawar on Friday, August 26. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Yasir Rajput/Reuters A family carries their belongings through floodwaters in Jamshoro, Pakistan, on August 26. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Hussain Ali/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images People walk through floodwaters in Dagai Mukram Khan, Pakistan, on August 26. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Asif Hassan/AFP/Getty Imagse A woman cooks food for her flood-affected family at a makeshift camp in Nawabshah, Pakistan, on Thursday, August 25. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Shahid Saeed Mirza/AFP/Getty Images Rescue workers carry out an evacuation operation for stranded people in Rajanpur on August 25. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Fida Hussain/AFP/Getty Images Villagers take shelter at a makeshift camp after their homes were damaged by flooding in Pakistan's Jaffarabad district on Wednesday, August 24. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Fayaz Aziz/Reuters Workers load sacks of relief goods for flood victims in Balochistan, Pakistan, on August 5. Photos: 'Unprecedented' flooding in Pakistan Rizwan Tabassum/AFP/Getty Images A boy wades through his flooded house in Karachi on July 26. The deadly floods are threatening to engulf up to a third of the nation by the end of the monsoon season, taking a high toll on lives but also infrastructure, and wreaking havoc on crops across farmland in the middle of a food crisis. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal revealed the estimated $10 billion cost to the country on Monday, telling CNN: “The world needs to come to Pakistan’s assistance to deal with the effects of climate change.” In a statement Monday, IRC’s Pakistan country director Shabnam Baloch said that Pakistan produced less than 1% of the world’s carbon footprint. A lack of hygiene facilities and clean drinking water has exacerbated the risk of diseases spreading in flooded areas, with nearly 20,000 people in need of critical food supplies and medical support, Baloch added. “Our needs assessment showed that we are already seeing a major increase in cases of diarrhea, skin infections, malaria and other illnesses,” she said. “We are urgently requesting donors to step up their support and help us save lives.” In a statement Tuesday, Pakistan’s military said rescue missions were ongoing and international aid was beginning to arrive in the country, including seven military aircraft from Turkey and three from the United Arab Emirates. Helicopters had evacuated more than 300 stranded people and distributed over 23 metric tons of relief items, while more than 50 medical camps have been established with over 33,000 patients being treated, the statement said. Also on Tuesday, China will send two aircraft carrying 3,000 tents and Japan will send tarpaulins and shelters, the statement said, adding that the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Azerbaijan have announced financial assistance. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) provided another lifeline Monday, releasing $1.17 billion in bailout funds to avert a default on the South Asian nation’s debt obligations as it grapples with political and economic turmoil worsened by the unprecedented floods. Peter Ophoff, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Pakistan told CNN he had not seen anything on the scale of the floods in nearly three decades working for the aid agency. The country was, however, hit with similarly devastating floods in 2010. “Pakistan is in dire need and the damages are here and we will be in this a very long time,” Ophoff said. “It’s not months but years we are talking about.” The 33 million people impacted by the floods and rain represent 15% of the population. Among 1,136 people killed since mid-June were 386 children, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) said Monday, as the unrelenting rain raised fears of more fatalities to come. Nearly half a million homes have been destroyed, according to NDMA. “By the time this is over, we could well have one quarter or one third of Pakistan under water,” Pakistan’s climate change minister Sherry Rehman told Turkish news outlet TRT World last week. Dramatic scenes of disaster have unfolded in Pakistan as floods inundated the country. It was raining but not heavily, Ali Jan told Reuters Monday, as he stood surrounded by water in Chadsadda in northern Pakistan. But that quickly changed. “Suddenly the outer wall of the compound collapsed and water gushed in,” Jan said. “We barely managed to save ourselves. By the time the women were leaving the house, the water had become almost waist-deep. We evacuated the women and the cattle. The rest is there for you to see. Crops have also been destroyed.” In videos shared by the Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, its volunteers used a bed frame and makeshift pulley system to help a child and elderly man cross rushing floodwaters, according to the NGO’s digital media manager Ihtisham Khaliq Waseer. More than 3,000 volunteers from the NGO are distributing aid across the country, he said. “We are getting aid but it’s not enough with what we need on the ground, because the damages are very much higher than expected,” he said, adding that volunteer teams have been stretched thin delivering supplies to hard-to-reach areas for weeks. Waseer said he hopes that as rains weaken and flood waters recede in the coming week based on weather forecasts, his team would be able to deliver food rations and set up medical centers in remote areas. Additional reporting by Reuters. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Brits are being warned to stay indoors as “ferocious” life-threatening ‘day and night’ temperatures are due to blast the UK for the first time in history. Death-Valley type temperatures of 42C during the day and 30C at night are threatening to double the UK summer average - prompting a Met Office first-ever red warning. The public are being urged “to do as little as possible” and try not to use public transport. Hospitals have cancelled appointments and many businesses have announced two day closures including restaurants, bars, zoos and wildlife centres - while millions will work from home. The chief executive of the College of Paramedics has warned that the “ferocious heat” the UK is predicted to experience over the next few days could result in people dying. Vulnerable and elderly people are at risk (
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PA) She told Sky: “We could see people who are vulnerable, young people, elderly people, people living with dementia who really do suffer. “This is serious heat that could actually ultimately end in people’s deaths because it is so ferocious. We are just not set up for that sort of heat in this country. The weather will be 'ferocious' (
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Asadour Guzelian) “This isn’t like a lovely hot day where we can put a bit of sunscreen on, go out and enjoy a swim and a meal outside." Recent figures revealed how one in ten people waited 10 hours for an ambulance and the average waiting times for a heart attack was more than 50 minutes. “It’s difficult not to call it a crisis but it has been a stealth crisis,” she added. Ministers are expected to hold a fourth Cobra meeting tomorrow after a national emergency was declared. Joe Wicks found inventive ways to keep cool Outgoing PM Boris Johnson didn’t attend the last meeting on Saturday and went to Chequers instead. Labour’s Angela Rayner blasted him for “partying while Britain boils" and described him as "grotesque". He snubbed the meeting as one large water company supplying Essex warned “urgent action” was needed while others said they were monitoring the situation. Outdoor pools have been filling up (
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PA) But despite universal pleas for the public to stay safe from health chiefs, not to travel and stay indoors, the Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, decided to tell the public to “enjoy the sunshine” on Sky News. His comments were blasted on social media with one saying: “Dominic Raab...brushing off the impending record breaking, earth burning temperatures and saying people should ‘enjoy the sunshine’. Heaven help us all!” Another added: “I vote to put @DominicRaab in an office with no air con during the heatwave so he can enjoy the summertime” and another said: “He should try enjoying it in a white suit, respirator mask and goggles while resuscitating someone’s Nan." Temperatures could reach 42C on Tuesday (
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AFP via Getty Images) BBC Weather presenter and meteorologist Simon King has pointed out that temperatures could reach 42°C in the East Midlands on Tuesday – tweeting that this level of heat “just shouldn’t happen.” Affinity Water today said “urgent action” was needed in areas of Essex and Hertfordshire to conserve supplies, revealing demand had surged from 209 million gallons a day to 242 million gallons, due to the hot weather. A field fire threatened a war memorial in Kent (
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PA) It added it was “working around the clock to maintain supplies”. Some areas of Buckinghamshire, Surrey and North London are also affected. Thames Water said they were monitoring the situation all the time but said if they did not see "around or above average rainfall" in the coming months it may result in water restrictions. Two thousand people in east Kent were left with no water or low pressure over the weekend. More travel chaos is expected (
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PA) Southern Water said power issues on Friday evening caused a reservoir which serves the Broadstairs and St Peters areas to fail. Wildfires have already started amid fears for the safety of firefighters with six hectare grass fires in Hayes and a fire at Warsash nature reserve in Hampshire destroying 15,000 square metres of heathland. The rail network is about to go slow at a 20mph crawl, with some routes cancelled and gritters are out with sand to prevent the heat causing roads to “liquefy”. The boss of Transport for London has urged Londoners to undertake only necessary travel on Monday and Tuesday. Andy Lord told LBC: “We’re advising all our customers to only travel if their journey is essential, to make sure that they stay hydrated and carry water with them if they do have to travel. “Check before they travel because journey times will be extended. “We will have reduced services across the TFL network because of the safety restrictions we need to put in place due to the heat.” Avanti West Coast has urged passengers to travel only if it is “absolutely necessary” from Sunday until Tuesday. “When the rail temperature gets above 50C, we have to reduce the speed to reduce the risk of damaging the track. In extreme cases, the rails can buckle, we need to avoid that and maintain the safety of the railway,” they said. While London North Eastern Railway has urged people not to travel on Tuesday, warning that trains between London’s King’s Cross and the south of York and Leeds will not be running. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have repeated warnings about cooling off in open water after a 16-year-old died while swimming with friends in a canal in Salford Quays. People have been warned to do as little as possible (
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PA) It is believed he was the fifth to die in the UK’s waterways, with searches ongoing for a male at Ardsley Reservoir in West Yorkshire. Met Office meteorologist, Steve Keates, warned the public to “do as little as possible” in the extreme heat. “Part of the reason the warnings are out is because it’s not just day time but night time temperatures that are a concern,” he told The Mirror. “When you are going to bed on Monday night it could still be 30C or more at bed time or later evening and still high 20s into the early hours. It’s horrible basically.” He said hardest hit areas could be large urban areas such as London where the heat gets trapped in the city, taking longer to disperse. But he said a “fascinating” aspect is that higher up in the atmosphere it will get hotter meaning mountains and hilltops will be unusually “quite a bit warmer”. The heat set to grip Britain shows climate change 'really is a risk to health' (
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Marcin Nowak/LNP) “Even at night it could still be exceptionally hot for the time of day and at places where you wouldn’t necessarily expect it to be,” he said. “Our advice is to do as little as possible in temperatures like this.” Scientist and climate specialist, John Grant, senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam, warns that the heat could cause power cuts. He said: “High temperatures on the road can damage the tarmac, liquify it. “And the power stations require cooling and in extreme temperatures may reduce the water available or the water might not be cool enough to do the job. “A few years ago some French nuclear power stations had to shut down because the rivers were too warm.” The 40C heat set to grip Britain shows climate change “really is a risk to health”, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer warned. The Mirror's newsletter brings you the latest news, exciting showbiz and TV stories, sport updates and essential political information. The newsletter is emailed out first thing every morning, at 12noon and every evening. Never miss a moment by signing up to our newsletter here. England’s DCMO Thomas Waite warned the “extreme heat” posed a threat to health and said: “The scientific and medical communities are nearly in unanimous agreement that climate change really is a risk to health and we need to take carbon reduction and adaptations seriously. “The thing that means for events like this is that the risk of this extreme heat is going up so we all need to sort of think about the steps we can take during extreme weather for how we avoid getting ourselves into trouble in the first place.” NHS Confederation chairman Lord Adebowale said health staff “are pretty stretched at the moment”. He added: “Ambulances are operating at their peak, the waiting times for ambulances are now getting longer. “We are going to be really, really pushed and it’s not just the red warning, the heatwave - we are dealing with Covid, which is causing sickness in our ambulance crews.” Read More Read More | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
'Unprecedented' day ahead as UK temperatures could hit 41CGood morning and welcome to our extreme weather blog.The UK is bracing itself for the hottest day on record on Tuesday, as forecasters said temperatures could reach 41C.The mercury is set to rise higher than on Monday – already the hottest day of the year at 38.1C (in Santon Downham, Suffolk), though slightly short of the all-time UK heat record of 38.7C. That was set in Cambridge in July 2019 but could be broken today.Rachel Ayers, from the Met Office, told PA Media that Tuesday was going to be “unprecedented”. She said: “The temperature will be very hot throughout the day, before rising as high as 40C, maybe even 41C in isolated spots across England during the afternoon.“This will make it the hottest day on record and the first time we have seen temperatures as high as 40C.”Scotland and Wales could also have their hottest days on record. Holyrood minister Keith Brown urged people “to think about whether they need to travel and, if they do, make sure they’re properly equipped and plan their journey in advance”.Travel routes will be affected by the heat and National Rail told customers only to travel if absolutely necessary. The operator said: “There will be delays, cancellations and last-minute changes to train services due to the unprecedented record heat on those days.”There will be no Thameslink or Great Northern trains running anywhere north of London, from London Blackfriars via St Pancras, or from London King’s Cross or London Moorgate on Tuesday.Merseyrail said the number of trains running and journey times will be “seriously affected”, with some routes closed completely. LNER will run no trains from south of York and south of Leeds to London King’s Cross.Southern, South Eastern, South Western Railway and Great Western Railway are among the dozens of train companies running significantly reduced services across the country.Transport for London (TfL) said London’s rail network would also be running a reduced service on Tuesday due to safety restrictions put into place to deal with the heat.My name is Fran Lawther and I’ll be keeping you up to date with the latest weather news, analysis and tips on how to deal with the heat. Please get in touch with any updates from your local area. You can email me at [email protected]. Key events:13m ago'Unprecedented' day ahead as UK temperatures could hit 41CShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureThe UK transport secretary, Grant Shapps, was on Sky News this morning to say issues on the rails and roads will continue for decades during extreme heatwaves.Asked how long it will take to upgrade existing rail infrastructure to be more resilient, Shapps said: “Decades, actually, to replace it all. Ditto with Tarmac on the roads.“There’s a long process of replacing it and upgrading it to withstand temperatures, either very hot or sometimes much colder than we’ve been used to, and these are the impacts of global warming.”He said there was no Cobra meeting planned for Tuesday, with the prime minister instead chairing cabinet.Boris Johnson was accused on Monday of having “checked out”, missing an emergency Cobra meeting about the searing heat. He instead attended the Farnborough airshow, where he gave a whimsical speech about completing a loop the loop and a barrel roll in a Typhoon fighter jet.On Tuesday, Shapps denied Johnson was “checked out”. He said: “It’s literally not true, in fact exactly the opposite is the truth.”'Unprecedented' day ahead as UK temperatures could hit 41CGood morning and welcome to our extreme weather blog.The UK is bracing itself for the hottest day on record on Tuesday, as forecasters said temperatures could reach 41C.The mercury is set to rise higher than on Monday – already the hottest day of the year at 38.1C (in Santon Downham, Suffolk), though slightly short of the all-time UK heat record of 38.7C. That was set in Cambridge in July 2019 but could be broken today.Rachel Ayers, from the Met Office, told PA Media that Tuesday was going to be “unprecedented”. She said: “The temperature will be very hot throughout the day, before rising as high as 40C, maybe even 41C in isolated spots across England during the afternoon.“This will make it the hottest day on record and the first time we have seen temperatures as high as 40C.”Scotland and Wales could also have their hottest days on record. Holyrood minister Keith Brown urged people “to think about whether they need to travel and, if they do, make sure they’re properly equipped and plan their journey in advance”.Travel routes will be affected by the heat and National Rail told customers only to travel if absolutely necessary. The operator said: “There will be delays, cancellations and last-minute changes to train services due to the unprecedented record heat on those days.”There will be no Thameslink or Great Northern trains running anywhere north of London, from London Blackfriars via St Pancras, or from London King’s Cross or London Moorgate on Tuesday.Merseyrail said the number of trains running and journey times will be “seriously affected”, with some routes closed completely. LNER will run no trains from south of York and south of Leeds to London King’s Cross.Southern, South Eastern, South Western Railway and Great Western Railway are among the dozens of train companies running significantly reduced services across the country.Transport for London (TfL) said London’s rail network would also be running a reduced service on Tuesday due to safety restrictions put into place to deal with the heat.My name is Fran Lawther and I’ll be keeping you up to date with the latest weather news, analysis and tips on how to deal with the heat. Please get in touch with any updates from your local area. You can email me at [email protected]. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The catastrophic weather in New South Wales is likely to come back to bite at the supermarket checkout, with peak farming bodies warning the floods will put further strain on supply chains.The NSW Farmers president, James Jackson, said he would be “most surprised” if inflationary pressures did not result from the ongoing floods.“I’ve had multiple reports lettuces being sold at $12 were contracted at two or three,” he said.Jackson said turf growers would be the hardest hit by the extreme weather event, while leafy vegetable growers in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region would also be affected.“The cooler, wet weather will also delay the maturity of crops in the Lockyer Valley and up into Queensland. I suspect there’ll be supply pinches with a lot of leafy vegetables right into spring,” he said.For producers in the Sydney basin and Hunter region, Jackson said the current floods were “soul destroying”.“Paddocks are absolutely soaked if they’re not underwater, and safety must be the priority as people move around their farms and regions,” he said.Jackson said unless contracts with supermarkets were increased, supply shortfalls were inevitable.“For them to get out of bed in the morning it has to be profitable,” he said. “Horticulture is in a perfect storm, with international supply chain pressures, labour shortfalls … nobody plants crops unless there’s someone there to harvest them. It’s terribly difficult.” Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning Sign up to receive the top stories from Guardian Australia every morningGreater Sydney’s horticulture industry has shrunk in size in recent decades, and is now considered small scale.The Hawkesbury-Nepean region contributes $61m to annual vegetable production, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data found, while 480 agricultural businesses remain registered in the greater Sydney region.Shaun Lindhe, the national manager of communications for AusVeg, said it was too early to tell what the long-term impacts of the floods would be, however growers across the country were already grappling with “severe increases” in cost production.“From a cost perspective it’s really hard, a lot of businesses are facing pressure with the rising cost of production,” he said. “To be facing another lot of floods is quite devastating.”Quick GuideHow to get the latest news from Guardian AustraliaShowPhotograph: Tim Robberts/Stone RFA Coles spokesperson said all stores in flood-affected areas remained open and there had been no major impact to stock yet, while a Woolworths spokesperson said it was “difficult to fully assess the situation” as the floods were ongoing.An Aldi spokesperson said it was “too early to predict” the extent of the damage and the situation was being monitored.All Coles supermarkets in NSW remain open despite heavy rain and floods. We ask customers continue to be kind to our team members as we work hard to maintain good availability, with regular deliveries still occurring. #sydneyfloods— Coles Supermarkets (@Coles) July 5, 2022
Warren Waddell is the chair of NSW Farmers’ greater Sydney horticulture branch, a region spanning from the Hawkesbury-Nepean to Cumberland. The son of a stone-fruit grower, Waddell is into his ninth farming season and has been hit with different pressures every time.“Every year has had a new set of challenges where there’s been a loss of some sort and I’ve just learned from it,” he said.“You can’t do anything but ignore what you’re feeling and get out there again, [but there’s] certainly some desperation in some of the voices of people I’ve spoken to.”Waddell said while farmers in the area had “great resilience”, they had suffered from multiple significant weather events and it would take some time for the local industry to get back on its feet.“If you’re a grower on the river systems you enjoy some benefit of having water nearby, but the benefit has turned into somewhat of a disaster with three flood events in 18 months or less,” he said.Waddell said there were obvious visual impacts of floods – orchards and farms going underwater. Then there was the ongoing legacy of overly full soil and no capacity to access the land to protect it.“The ground we grow on – even in higher areas – it hasn’t dried out from the last floods. We’ve got trees that haven’t had a dry root system for eight months. This could kill them and take years to re-establish,” he said.“I rang a citrus grower who’s only just getting over his last crop being lost … if he doesn’t get damaged fruit off it won’t reflower and recrop for the next season, so he’s lost two crops.“Next season will be impacted even if we have good conditions from now on.”Waddell said most growers nowadays were part of a multigenerational family – you don’t do it for the money, but because you love it.“If it’s not flooding it’s drought, hail, birds, disease,” he said. “Growers and producers are renowned for being innovators. They’re not necessarily expecting charity, they’d just like to have less impediments to trialling different options moving forward.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
In this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast, the climatologist Fredi Otto explains why scientists can say with confidence that certain extreme weather events such as floods and heatwaves are more likely to have happened because of climate change. Otto is at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London. She has recently published a review paper in the journal Environmental Research: Climate called “Extreme weather impacts of climate change: an attribution” and speaks to Physics World’s James Dacey about her research.
Also in this episode, we chat about the discovery of the Higgs boson, which was announced ten years ago by physicists working on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Physics World is celebrating the anniversary by publishing a month-long series of articles about particle physics, so stay tuned to website. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Households have been warned to pack valuables, important documents and medication in preparation of floods with three million homes at risk. Flooding in Devon and Cornwall began yesterday after thunderstorms bought hail and up to three inches of rain. An "incredible deluge" is expected to hit parts of the UK in the next few days thanks to the ground having been baked hard by the intense heat and persistent sunshine of recent days. The Environment Agency estimates that over three million homes in England are vulnerable to surface water flooding, with another 300,000 in Scotland and Wales. There are currently 19 flood warnings in place in the Midlands and south-east England due to downpours that could produce 20-30mm of rainfall in less than an hour, with 40-50mm falling in around two to three hours in some spots, the Met Office warns. A man walks through flash flooding in Port Talbot (
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John Myers) The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for England and Wales on Tuesday, with conditions potentially causing more flash flooding as well as transport disruption and power cuts. The weather warning will stay in place for southern England on Wednesday, where communities could be cut off by flooded roads, and the chance of fast-flowing or deep flood water could cause danger to life. It comes as authorities declared an official drought in Yorkshire, meaning the region now shares the same status as parts of the south-west, southern and central England and the east of England. Cars attempt to move through floods (
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John Myers) Experts said heavy rainfall is running off very dry land - creating surface water floods - and will not soak into the ground to relieve drought-hit areas. The Environment Agency has currently put out 19 flood alerts in areas of the Midlands and south-east England. Locals have been pictured clearing flash flood waters away from a restaurant in West Bay, Dorset, in a bid to stop the building from flooding. The seaside restaurant Seagulls was at risk of flooding due to a torrential thunderstorm on Tuesday afternoon. Locals join together to try to clear flash flood water away from Seagulls at West Bay in Dorset (
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Graham Hunt/BNPS) Heavy rain and flooding also hit some parts of Devon and Cornwall, as the stormy weather swept across the region. Videos shared on social media showed a roundabout near a river in Truro, Cornwall, quickly flooding as showers moved in. A video taken in Port Talbot, Wales, shows cars and a bus struggling through more than a foot of floodwater, with rainfall continuing to add to the body of water. A waterspout in Fowey Harbour captured aboard the tour boat Bonita on Tuesday afternoon (
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Bob Pasmore/REX/Shutterstock) Wales Online photographer John Myers shot footage shortly before 3pm in Talbot Road, Port Talbot, showing the severity of the downpour. He said: "The rain is coming down so hard... In some parts the flood water is coming up to my knees. Roads have been turned into rivers with many businesses flooded." Footage taken from inside Waterstones Swansea showed water flowing through the roof into the store. The camera panned to show book shelves lining the walls were half empty while several tattered, soggy books lay on the floor. The store's Twitter account shared the video with the message: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! With sincere apologies, we are now closed." "For reasons. A lovely moment amongst the carnage - loads of customers rushing over to help us save the books (which we had to refuse for safety reasons, but thank you!) Flash flooding has hit Wales amid a yellow warning for thunderstorms (
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John Myers) "Normal service will (hopefully) be resumed soon." It was not clear how many books were destroyed by the leak. It comes as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms which is due to last for the rest of Tuesday, covering all of Wales. Flooding outside a home in Port Talbot, Wales, on Tuesday afternoon (
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PA) The warning covers a smaller area in the Wednesday forecast but still affects much of South Wales, including Cardiff. Heavy rain is yet to hit the Welsh capital as of 3pm on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Scotland has already been hit by travel disruption on rail networks and roads following heavy rain. Storms moved east into Somerset yesterday evening with hail pictured battering Milverton in west Somerset. Sandbags sit in front of a barrier between the flooded road and the ground floor of an apartment block (
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John Myers) Ian Fergusson, the BBC weatherman, said on Twitter : "This looks very treacherous now in parts of Devon. "Some torrential rain rates, plus lightning risk." Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: "If people know that properties may have flooded before, it might be the time just to be ready - have a clear-up, put any valuables at a higher level. A mudslide has shut the A358 near Combe Florey, Somerset (
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TravelSomerset/Twitter) A clean-up operation started on the road this morning (
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TravelSomerset/Twitter) "It could be as simple and as fundamental as that, so that if you do have to move quickly you are already halfway prepared. It's incredibly challenging to identify where you are going to get the most extreme events." Last year flash floods hit London, with people evacuated from their homes and stations, including Pudding Mill Lane in east London, left completely underwater. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, told those at risk of flooding to prepare a "grab bag" with essentials including important documents, electronics, cash and credit cards and medication. Mr Khan said: "We learnt a lot from last year in July, when there was flash flooding caused by a huge amount of rain - two months' worth of rain - in just a couple of hours and people's homes, businesses and public transport was flooded. "Speaking to the Met Office, the Environment Agency and many others, we are concerned that over the next few days we could see a huge amount of rain in a short period of time which could lead to flash flooding." Prof Hannah Cloke, an expert in hydrology at the University of Reading, said London could see flooding in the Tube if heavy rain hits the capital. Heavy flooding at Tregolls roundabout in Truro, Cornwall "Water tends to find the lowest pathway - that is why it is so dangerous for cities with these surface area floods," she said. "That is why it is of concern to the Tube and underground car parks and things like that." Robert Caudwell, chairman of the Association of Drainage Authorities, said drainage managers could do little to prepare for surface water flooding. Households have been warned to pack valuables, important documents and medication in preparation of floods (
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Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror) "Our members have been holding as much water in their systems as possible to try to prevent things going dry, for the environment and farmers who want to irrigate." The warnings come after it was announced yesterday that Brits are to be alerted of the threats from floods, storms or fires through emergency messages sent directly to phones Officials will be able to send targeted alerts to anyone in an area where there is a "threat to life" on mobile phones, part of an overhaul of the government's crisis response plans. An adventure park in Devon suffered flooding yesterday (
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PA) The warnings will fill the screen as the phone vibrates and emits a unique sound and give details of the emergency — such as local flooding or wildfires — along with advice on what to do and how to seek help. The system is based on a model used in countries including the USA and Greece. France has also tested a system. Over the next few months everyone in England, Wales and Scotland will receive a test alert — informing them about the system and how it will be used — before it is introduced nationwide by the end of the year. Flash flooding in Winchester, Hants, today (
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Solent News & Photo Agency) Kit Malthouse, the Cabinet Office minister, said it would be used in any situation where the government or emergency services needed to issue an urgent warning. "For example, if we think there's a major storm heading for a particular area, and we think it's of a level of severity where there will be a threat to life, we're able to use this on the path of the storm to warn people that it's coming," he said. "Because it's geographically specific and it depends what mobile phone mast you're connected to, we are able to decide in particular areas that there is going to be a threat to life, people need to be alerted, and ping this message through to them." A thunderstorm warning will remain in force across southern England tomorrow (
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met office) The system could also used by the police and emergency services in an event such as the London Bridge terrorist attack, where getting information to those caught up in it is difficult. Paul de Zylva, campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said more action is needed to avert the worst of the climate crisis, which will hit Britain. He said: “Heavy rain and flash flooding are likely to become more frequent as a result of climate change. A man waded through floodwater to try and clear a drain in Winchester (
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Solent News & Photo Agency) Get all the latest news sent to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror newsletter “We desperately need a period of sustained rainfall to help restore the UK’s dry and wildlife depleted rivers and reservoirs and protect our food supplies. "But the ground is so parched that heavy rain will have difficulty soaking in and will instead wash away soils and cause flooding. “The government, and next Prime Minister, must do more to protect people by adapting our homes and infrastructure to extreme weather and take the bold action needed to help avert the worst of climate breakdown.” Read More Read More | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Africa’s migratory birds are threatened by changing weather patterns in the center and east of the continent that have depleted natural water systems and caused a devastating drought.
Hotter and drier conditions due to climate change make it difficult for traveling species who are losing their water sources and breeding grounds, with many now endangered or forced to alter their migration patterns entirely by settling in cooler northern areas.
Roughly 10% of Africa’s more than 2,000 bird species, including dozens of migratory birds, are threatened, with 28 species — such as the Madagascar fish eagle, the Taita falcon and hooded vultures — classed as “critically endangered.” Over one-third of them are especially vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather, an analysis by environmental group BirdLife International said.
READ MORE: Experts say human-caused climate change is putting African wildlife at risk
“Birds are being affected by climate change just like any other species,” BirdLife policy coordinator Ken Mwathe said. “Migratory birds are affected more than other groups of birds because they must keep on moving,” which makes it more likely that a site they rely on during their journey has degraded in some way.
The African-Eurasian flyway, the flight corridor for birds that travel south through the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert for the winter, harbors over 2,600 sites for migrating birds. An estimated 87% of African sites are at risk from climate change, a greater proportion than in Europe or Asia, a study by the United Nations environment agency and conservation group Wetlands International found.
Africa is more vulnerable to climate change because it is less able to adapt, said Evans Mukolwe, a retired meteorologist and science director at the World Meteorological Organization.
“Poverty, biodiversity degradation, extreme weather events, lack of capital and access to new technologies” make it more difficult for the continent to protect habitats for wild species, Mukolwe said.
Hotter temperatures due to human-caused climate change and less rainfall shrink key wetland areas and water sources, which birds rely on during migratory journeys.
“Lake Chad is an example,” Mwathe said. “Before birds cross the Sahara, they stop by Lake Chad, and then move to the Northern or Southern hemisphere. But Lake Chad has been shrinking over the years,” which compromises its ability to support birds, he said.
Parched birds means tougher journeys, which has an impact on their ability to breed, said Paul Matiku, executive director of Nature Kenya.
Flamingoes, for example, which normally breed in Lake Natron in Tanzania are unlikely to be able to “if the migration journey is too rough,” Matiku said.
He added that “not having water in those wetlands means breeding will not take place” since flamingoes need water to create mud nests that keep their eggs away from the intense heat of dry ground.
Non-migratory birds are also struggling with the changing climate. African fish eagles, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, are now forced to travel further in search of food. The number of South African Cape Rockjumpers and Protea canaries is severely declining.
Madagascar fish eagles seen at Lake Ravelobe, Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar on Jan. 10, 2010. Photo by Frank Vassen/Creative Commons license (CC BY)
Bird species living in the hottest and driest areas, like in the Kalahari Desert that spans Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, are approaching their “physiological limits,” the most recent assessment by the U.N.’s expert climate panel said. It added that birds are less able to find food and are losing body mass, causing large-scale deaths for those living in extreme heat.
READ MORE: Extreme heat waves in a warming world don’t just break records – they shatter them
“Forest habitats get hotter with climate change and … dryland habitats get drier and savannah birds lack food because grass never seeds, flowers never fruit, and insects never emerge as they do when it rains,” Matiku said.
Other threats, such as the illegal wildlife trade, agriculture, the growth of urban areas and pollution are also stunting bird populations like African fish eagles and vultures, he said.
Better land management projects that help restore degraded wetlands and forests and protect areas from infrastructure, poaching or logging will help preserve the most vulnerable species, the U.N. environmental agency said.
Birds and other species would benefit from concerted efforts to improve water access and food security, especially as sea level rise and extreme weather events are set to continue, said Amos Makarau, the Africa regional director of the U.N. weather agency.
Scientists say that curbing emissions of planet-warming gasses, especially in high-emitting nations, could also limit future weather-related catastrophes. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A family navigates floodwater on Monday after a monsoon downpour in Sukkur, Pakistan.PPI via ZUMA Press Wire This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has warned that Pakistan is facing a “monsoon on steroids” as the government issued more flood warnings for the next 24 hours.
Heavy rains over two months have caused the worst flooding in more than a decade and damaged more than 1 million homes.
Guterres said on Tuesday that south Asia was a hotspot for the climate crisis and that the catastrophic flooding in Pakistan that has left tens of millions needing help was a warning to every nation of the destruction wreaked by human-caused global heating.
“The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids—the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding,” he said. “It breaks my heart to see these generous people suffering so much.” The UN has issued an urgent appeal for $160 million to provide help. “People living in these [climate crisis] hotspots are 15 times more likely to die from climate impacts,” Guterres said. “As we continue to see more and more extreme weather events around the world, it is outrageous that climate action is being put on the back burner, putting all of us, everywhere, in growing danger.”
In Pakistan, Balochistan and Sindh provinces have had more than four times the average rainfall of the last three decades
Majid Ali Bughio, 30, left his home town in Sindh with 20 extended family members in the early morning on Monday after they heard of breaches in a nearby embankment
Bughio said by telephone that he had asked his family members to go towards Karachi, as many parts of Dadu and Badin districts were under water. “We need ration, food, medicines and emergency help from the Sindh government and the government must help us to vacate. We have been left on our own,” he said. “More than 70 percent of the population in the [wider city of Khairpur Nathan Shah] have left. The shops and all bazaars are deserted and many villages are underwater.”
Flash floods fueled by the climate crisis have affected more than 33 million people, officials have said. The National Disaster Management Authority said on Monday the death toll from the monsoon rains and floods in Pakistan had reached 1,136—with 75 killed in the last 24 hours. The NDMA said that more than 1 million houses had been damaged.
In an immediate warning issued on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Flood Forecasting Division said that over the next 24 hours a very high level of flooding was likely to continue in the Kabul River, which flows into Pakistan’s Indus River.
The Indus highway, in Sindh, was submerged under two feet of water. The highway connects Sindh with Punjab and Balochistan provinces.
A video shared by residents showed a coach that had slipped on the highway while water was flowing and authorities were involved in the rescue of passengers. Local people say there were no casualties.
The local media reported that there was a rise in waterborne diseases in Sindh and other parts of Pakistan. In some parts of Sindh, there has been a 100 percent increase in diseases.
The flash flood triggered by an abnormal monsoon has washed away bridges, roads, houses, livestock and people across the country.
Gul Hasan, 38, in Khairpur Nathan Shah, had sent his three children and wife to upper parts of Sindh, while he stayed in his home town. He said: “I did not leave because after some of my neighbors had left yesterday, people barged into their houses and stole their belongings.”
“This is so sad at this hour of calamity we are witnessing such issues. I will leave my home town after I leave the luggage and other stuff on the rooftop and water comes to the city completely and I know that now no one can steal our decades of savings.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Thunderstorms are expected in more parts of the country after the Met Office extended its yellow warning further north and east.Following record high temperatures for the UK on Tuesday, a yellow thunderstorm warning is now in place for much of the South and West of England, and east Wales.
There have been thunderstorm warnings in place since Wednesday, which have now been extended into Friday and reach northeast Wales and Merseyside, as well as southeast England.Areas affected also include most of south and mid-west Wales, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon, Hampshire and Sussex.A yellow warning is in place from 10am until 10pm on Friday. The Met Office is warning that some areas will remain dry but other places could see "slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms" developing from mid to late morning before dissipating in the evening.
Where thunderstorms occur, 20-25mm of rain could fall in less than an hour, while one or two places could see 40-55mm in two or three hours. More on Weather Why a 40C day in the UK is deadlier than a 40C day in other countries Luton Airport runway damaged in heatwave - as schools and trains also disrupted by surging temperatures Extreme weather: Britain's cities need radical design overhaul - or they will become unliveable The Met Office said where there are thunderstorms, people should expect spray and sudden flooding that could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.There could also be train and bus delays and cancellations where flooding or lightning occurs.And there is also a "slight chance" of power cuts. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Dr. Martha Gulati will never forget the first time she saw a young, healthy athlete die of heat stroke.It was 1995 in Chicago, in the middle of a heat wave that would ultimately claim nearly 700 lives. In the decades that followed, Gulati watched in alarm as the climate warmed and heat catastrophes grew even more intense."The medical community was not prepared for what these temperatures would do to people; we were ultimately learning on the fly," said Gulati, now associate director of the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and president of the American Society of Preventive Cardiology.Since that heat wave in 1995, climate change has intensified globally with wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, heat waves and cold spells leading to famine and drought. As a result of these extreme changes, the medical community is noticing an increasing rate of heart disease."The world we live in right now is not a very hospitable environment for the heart," Gulati said. "With heart disease prevention, we tend to focus on controlling blood pressure and lipids, but we should consider the other aspects of prevention, like our environment."Sixty-two percent of deaths attributed to climate change were from cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in Lancet in 2020.A woman wipes her brow as people wait in line to see Phantom of the Opera in midtown Manhattan as temperatures reach into the 90s on July 21, 2022, in New York City.Spencer Platt/Getty Images, FILE"We know that air pollution is a cause of heart disease." said Dr. Sadeer Al-Kindi, a cardiologist at University Hospitals in Ohio and assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "Evidence shows that air pollution increases heart disease, heart failure and insulin resistance."Particulate matter, tiny particles in the air invisible to the naked eye, are produced by greenhouse gasses and carbon emissions. These particles can enter your lungs and bloodstream, wreaking havoc on tissues that are vital to a healthy cardiovascular system. Over time, prolonged exposure to pollution can contribute to increased clotting, high blood pressure and sleep disturbances.Dr. Kai Chen, assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health and director of research at the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health, said that when inhaled, these pollutants cause stress and inflammation in the body that can result in cardiometabolic syndromes, such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.Experts say it's difficult to directly blame individual heart attacks on heat waves based on currently available data. However, there is research to suggest a close relationship, as regions with excessive heat or freezing temperature had alarmingly higher episodes of heart attack, according to a June study in Nature Reviews Cardiology.It's not clear exactly why temperature shifts are correlated with higher rates of heart attacks. Experts believe that temperature shifts affect the body's ability to regulate normal body temperatures in response to the extreme temperatures.Al-Kindi said that a concept called "climate penalty" could explain these patterns. Extreme weather conditions from climate change are able to increase and distribute those invisible molecules that are detrimental to our body, he said."Fires, winds, heat and cold driven by climate change increases the production and distribution of these pollutants," Al-Kindi said. "[Climate change] both directly elevates the number of particles in the air that people breathe in, but also indirectly by causing droughts, famine, malnutrition and limiting accessibility to care."An aerial view of boats anchored near a "bathtub ring" of mineral deposits left by higher water levels at the drought-stricken Elephant Butte Reservoir on Aug. 16, 2022, near Truth or Consequences, N.M.Mario Tama/Getty ImagesA study published earlier this month in the journal Nature Cardiovascular Research found that even medications used to treat heart disease may work differently during heat waves.Chen, who was the lead author in the study, found that patients who were taking two medications used to treat heart disease had higher rates of heart attacks on days with record heat waves.Regardless of the age, people who were on beta blockers and antiplatelet medications had a number of heart attacks, explained Chen."What is interesting," Chen said, "is that young people on the same medications, who we typically do not expect to have heart disease, also had higher episodes of heart attacks than those who were not taking these medications."Al-Kindi, who was not involved in the study, believes this paradox of medications treating heart disease causing more heart attacks on extremely hot days could be from blunting our nervous system that regulates our "fight or flight" response and regulates the way we respond to temperature.While avoiding cigarettes, eating healthy, sleeping well and exercising are ways to prevent heart disease, doctors agree that protecting yourself from the impacts of climate change is essential to your heart health.A boy refreshes himself in a fountain during hot weather as a heat wave hits Europe, in Brussels, Belgium, July 19, 2022.Yves Herman/Reuters, FILEExperts advise changes should be made as a community by reducing plastic waste, using public transport, recycling, avoiding red meat and advocating for policies to help prevent worsening climate change.On an individual level, Al-Kindi said people should stay inside on extremely hot and cold days, avoid pollutants by wearing a mask, move away from fossil fuels and move toward clean energy."The impact of climate change is not a question of whether it's happening -- it is happening and we are seeing evidence of it every day," said Gulati. "If we don't act now, we won't save lives and our job as physicians is to save lives."Lily Nedda Dastmalchi, D.O., M.A., is a cardiology fellow at Temple University Hospital and a contributor to the ABC News Medical Unit. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The White House took aim at climate change as President Biden landed in Kentucky on Monday to survey the flooding that killed at least 37 people last week.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the flooding is yet another sign that climate change is exacerbating natural disasters. Biden and first lady Jill Biden are set to meet with Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear throughout Monday afternoon.The president and governor will meet with families affected by the flash flooding, which has destroyed homes en-masse."The floods in Kentucky and extreme weather all around the country are yet another reminder of the intensifying and accelerate impacts of climate change and the urgent need to invest in making our communities more resilient to it," Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force Once during the flight to Kentucky.KENTUCKY FLOODING DEVASTATION ‘NOTHING LIKE I’D EVER SEEN BEFORE,’ WOLFE COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE CHIEF SAYS Flooding in downtown Jackson, Kentucky on July 29, 2022 in Breathitt County, Kentucky. At least 16 people have been killed and hundreds had to be rescued amid flooding from heavy rainfall. ((Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images)) A Perry County school bus, along with other debris, sits in a creek near Jackson, Kentucky, on July 31, 2022. - Rescuers in Kentucky are taking the search effort door-to-door in worsening weather conditions as they brace for a long and grueling effort to locate victims of flooding that devastated the state's east, its governor said on July 31, 2022. ((Photo by seth herald / AFP) (Photo by SETH HERALD/AFP via Getty Images))KENTUCKY FLOODING: NONPROFIT SERVING HOT MEALS TO VICTIMS, FIRST RESPONDERS AS DEATH TOLL CLIMBSBeshear has deployed more than 400 National Guardsman to the affected region. Victims who lost their homes have had little respite in the days since, with the state suffering 100-degree weather and skyrocketing humidity.So far, first responders have rescued some 1,300 people amid the debris of washed-away towns.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Biden declared the flooding a federal disaster last week, giving the state access to federal resources to pay for rescue and rehabilitation efforts. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
By Justin Rowlattclimate editorImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Climate change makes heatwaves more likely and our homes are ill-equipped to deal with themHeat-related deaths will triple over coming decades without government action on overheating in our homes, warn its advisors on climate change.The alert comes amid the first UK red extreme heat warning, with potentially life-threatening record highs near 40C expected as far north as York.As many as 4.6 million homes overheat, according to a recent survey - and that's just in England. But until this summer no rules governed overheating in new buildings. "We've been telling the government for over 10 years that we are nothing like well enough prepared in the UK for the really hot weather we are seeing now," Baroness Brown, deputy chair of the Climate Change Committee, told the BBC."We really do need to address the overheating risk in peoples' homes." The Climate Change Committee says that more than half a million new homes liable to overheating have been built in the UK since it first raised the issue almost a decade ago.While the Met Office classes heatwaves as "extreme weather events", scientific research shows that climate change is making them more likely.Image source, BBC/Tony JoliffeImage caption, Window to floor glass popular in many new build homes provide a great view but can turn your flat into a greenhouse in summerHeatwaves caused an additional 2,000 deaths in 2020, according to the UK Health Security Agency.Much of the risk to health is from heat inside our homes, yet the government only brought in regulation requiring new build homes to be tested for overheating in June this year. The lack of regulation is visible in the country's housing stock, says James Prestwich of the Chartered Institute of Housing, which represents housing professionals. "We've seen buildings designed that don't cope well with the increased temperatures we now experience in summer," says Mr Prestwich.The problem is particularly acute in new build flats in city centres, he says."What we've seen is buildings that have been built with a lot of glass and not necessarily the best through flow of air through corridors."Image source, BBC/Tony JoliffeImage caption, Sydney Taylor's flat reaches 36C in summerHe could be describing Sydney Taylor's flat.She lives in a dramatic modern building beside a canal in the Ancoats area just outside Manchester's city centre. There is a lovely view from the floor to ceiling windows, but the flat becomes a greenhouse when the weather is warm.She says she recorded temperatures of 36C last summer and worries it could get even hotter this week."I'm just getting cooked all day," she tells me. "The only breeze I have is from the fan, which is just regurgitating the hot air, it doesn't cool me down.""The bedroom can be over thirty degrees," says Sydney. "Sometimes I use ice packs to keep cool in bed."Sydney has underlying health conditions, which she says the temperatures in her home are making worse.Last summer she even slept in the communal hallway for two nights to escape the unbearable heat. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Heat stress exacerbates underlying health conditionsThe true scale of the health risk that Britain's overheating homes present is hard to assess.Heat stress exacerbates underlying conditions like asthma, heart disease and mental illness.The symptoms of heatstroke - including confusion, cramps and fatigue - can be hard to differentiate from other medical conditions, including Covid-19.As a result, heat is not always mentioned as a factor on death certificates, which makes it hard for coroners and medical professionals to assess how big a health hazard it really is. Baroness Brown says it will take years for the rules on overheating in new homes to make an impact, and that the government must urgently act to reduce the risk in millions of existing homes. "We don't have any policy for the existing building stock or indeed for permitted development where things like office blocks are turned into homes," she says. "If we don't take more action we'll see probably at least a tripling of heat related deaths in this country."Retrofitting homes to reduce overheating can be very expensive, warns Professor Kevin Lomas of Loughborough University, who has spent more than two decades studying overheating in British homes. He says many homes will need new windows or air conditioning. But he also says simple measures can provide some immediate help, like electric fans and closing windows and curtains during the heat of the day and then opening them at night to let in cooler air. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, An electric fan - one short-term way to cool a homeThe problem is only going to get worse. "When it comes to summer heat, climate change is a complete game changer and has already turned what would once have been called exceptional heat into very frequent summer conditions," warns Dr Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London.Every heatwave we experience today has been made hotter because of the fossil fuels we have burned, she says. The hottest day of the year is, on average, already nearly 1C warmer than in the 1970s, says Dr Vikki Thompson, a climate scientist at the University of Bristol Cabot Institute for the Environment.Across Britain extended periods of hot weather have doubled in length since the period 1961-1990, she points out. South-east England has seen the greatest changes - with a tripling of warm spells. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Heavy rain lasting weeks has triggered a landslide in northeast India, killing at least 14 people and leaving more than 30 others missing.Police, villagers and emergency workers have been trying to rescue those buried under the debris in Noney, Manipur state.
Seven of those confirmed dead were members of the volunteer Territorial Army, state chief minister N Biren Singh said, and five Indian Railway workers are among the missing.The landslip affected a railway being built in the area.The army had been at the scene as they were providing security for railway officials due to an insurgency in the area. The decades-old uprising is over the creation of a separate homeland for ethnic and tribal groups.
Army helicopters were put on standby to assist rescue operations after mud and earth crashed down a hillside at 2am on Thursday but weather was described as very hostile and more landslides were said to be hampering the rescue operation. More on Extreme Weather Japan swelters in hottest temperatures for 150 years as early heatwave hits Northern Hemisphere France: Kitesurfer killed and several people injured after 'mini-tornado' hits beach At least 27 killed and millions of homes underwater after flooding wreaks havoc in India and Bangladesh Rain has fallen constantly over the past three weeks, wreaking havoc across India's northeast, home to 45 million people. Neighbouring Bangladesh, which is downriver of much of the rainfall, has also been badly affected.So far, an estimated 200 or so people have been killed as a result of the rain in states including Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim, and 42 people have died in Bangladesh since 17 May.Millions of people are thought to have been forced to leave their homes.While the monsoon season normally comes at around this time, scientists said the annual rains arrived early this year, with torrential rain lashing northeastern India and Bangladesh as early as March.Elsewhere, the monsoon downpours have been heavy. Image: Monsoon rains have begun in New Delhi Experts say climate change is at least party responsible for the erratic, early rains.With global temperatures due to rise further as a result of climate change, scientists say the monsoon season will continue to be more variable and unpredictable, so that rain that would normally fall throughout the season will arrive in a shorter time period.Despite heavy rain in some areas, the latest figures from the state-run weather office showed that India received 8% less rainfall than average in June because of scanty rainfall in the central parts of the country.Read more:Hundreds of thousands evacuated in China after severe floodingUS hit by floods, mudslides, wildfires resembling 'an erupting volcano' and a record heatwave in two daysCentral India received as much as 54% less rainfall than normal in the month, according to India Meteorological Department data, prompting fears for areas that are extensively planted with cotton, soybean and sugar cane.In early May, a heatwave caused a cut in forecasts for yields of India's wheat crop, resulting in the country banning the export of the staple, fuelling a rise in the price of the food stuff on world markets, where the Ukraine war had already forced prices to rise. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Around the world, we’re witnessing the impacts of global heating: in the past week, airport runways have melted in the UK, wildfires have torched huge swathes of Europe, and more than 100 million Americans have sweltered in dangerously high temperatures. Already this year, prolonged heatwaves and drought in many of the world’s breadbaskets have exacerbated a global food shortage that has raised the number of people living with food insecurity from 440 million to 1.6 billion. There are many to blame for the climate crisis and its extreme weather impacts. Executives of fossil fuel companies bear the greatest responsibility. More than anything else, it has been their great deceit – their burying of climate science, funding of climate denial, and spending of billions to kill climate policy – that has prevented us from transitioning away from an economy powered by coal, oil and gas. Compromised politicians, including the entire Republican party and the Democratic coal baron Joe Manchin, deserve special condemnation, too. In the cast of climate villains, however, another character rises to claim a special place on center stage: Wall Street.On 12 December 2015, virtually every nation on earth adopted the Paris agreement. “Today, the American people can be proud – because this historic agreement is a tribute to American leadership,” enthused President Obama. But there were problems from the beginning. The most obvious was that the agreement was voluntary; it lacked a legally binding commitment to reduce emissions. Another major problem was that no one on Wall Street was paying attention. Since the Paris Agreement, the six largest US banks – Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs – have provided $1.4tn in financing to the fossil fuel industry. Indeed, since that heralded day in the French capital, the world’s four largest funders of fossil fuel expansion have all been US banks. So much for “American leadership”.It’s not as if Wall Street hasn’t been warned. The environmental group Rainforest Action Network started campaigning to get Bank of America to end coal financing in 2010. In 2016, Indigenous-led protests demanding that banks end their financing of the Dakota Access pipeline shut down bank branches across the country. Cities, including Seattle and San Francisco, committed to cutting ties with the banks funding the pipeline. In more recent times, the outcry has spread from activists to customers and investors. This year, more than 38,000 customers joined a campaign urging their bank to end fossil fuel financing. Thousands more have pledged to cut ties with their bank altogether if there isn’t progress soon. At JPMorgan Chase’s 2020 shareholder meeting, 49.6% of investors voted in favor of the bank aligning its financing with the goals of the Paris agreement.In response to this pressure, US banks have released a spate of climate promises, committing to achieve net zero by 2050 and reduce emissions by 2030. But the hard truth remains: Wall Street’s financing of coal, oil and gas was higher in 2021 than it was in 2016, the year after the Paris agreement was adopted. Last year alone, US banks provided $64bn in financing to the corporations most rapidly expanding their coal, oil and gas operations – never mind the fact that such development will lead to a level of climate change that will make today’s extreme heat seem like a breezy day in the park.It would be bad enough if all Wall Street was doing was funding fossil fuel expansion, but it’s far from it.When investors filed a shareholder resolution at Citi this year calling for the bank to take the actions the International Energy Agency has concluded are required to give us even a 50% chance of limiting global warming to 1.5C, Citi’s CEO, Jane Fraser, vehemently opposed the resolution and mischaracterized it as an attempt to “shut down the fossil fuel economy overnight” .After Putin launched his war on Ukraine, the CEO of Chase, Jamie Dimon, joined the CEOs of ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips to directly lobby President Biden to increase domestic fossil fuel production. A month later, Dimon used his influential annual letter to shareholders to further lobby on behalf of his oil and gas clients. “We also need immediate approval for additional oil leases and gas pipelines,” he wrote, despite the fact that newly approved oil and gas projects won’t come online for years and won’t help solve the current energy crisis.As we swelter through these early days of the climate crisis, we should keep in mind that our banks are deeply culpable for climate breakdown and that they are often using our money to make it even worse. And once we realize that, the real question is: what are we going to do about it? Alec Connon is the coalition co-director of Stop the Money Pipeline, a network of more than 200 organizations working on getting US-based financial institutions to align their business models with the goals of the Paris agreement | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Buildings and farmlands are seen partially submerged in floodwaters following heavy rainfall in Poyang county of Jiangxi province, China July 17, 2020. China Daily via REUTERS Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comBEIJING, June 28 (Reuters) - Extreme flooding that has battered southern and eastern provinces in China, leading to hundreds of thousands being evacuated and the highest rainfall in decades at the Pearl River basin, will likely continue in July and August, according to a government official."It is predicted that from July to August, there will be more extreme weather events in China, and regional flood conditions and drought conditions will be heavier than usual," said Yao Wenguang, director of the Department of Flood and Drought Disaster Prevention of the Ministry of Water Resources, in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.Images on social media, from cars trapped underwater to emergency rescues in floating rafts, reveal the widespread calamity in the country. A home collapsing into a river in Southern China recently went viral on Tik Tok.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"From late May to mid-June, there were seven consecutive heavy rainfall processes in the Pearl River Basin, with relatively concentrated and overlapping rain areas, heavy rain intensity and heavy cumulative rainfall," Yao Wenguang said.China has been grappling with extreme weather contrasts, with Guangdong, Fujian and Guangxi provinces experiencing record rainfall while Shandong, Henan and Hebei provinces faced scorching heatwaves, pressuring the national power grid.Meanwhile, drought conditions are also exacerbating problems with Yao Wenguang saying, "At present, drought has emerged in some parts of northern China and developed rapidly, mainly concentrated in Inner Mongolia, Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu and other provinces and regions."He said in response to the drought in four provinces and regions, the Ministry of Water Resources launched a drought defense level IV emergency response on June 25, sending three working groups to stricken areas in Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi and Gansu to help with measures to fight the drought.Extreme weather events are making headlines across the globe, with flooding in China, India and Bangladesh and heatwaves in South Asia, Europe and the United States. Many scientists and experts point to climate change as the culprit.On Tuesday, a team of climate scientists published a study in the journal Environmental Research: Climate, looking into the role climate change has played in individual weather events over the past two decades. The findings confirm warnings of how global warming will change our world - and also make clear what information is missing. read more Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
People walk on a dried-up bed of a reservoir, amid hot temperatures, while many regions from southwest to east of the country along the Yangtze river have been experiencing weeks of record-breaking heatwave in Changxing, Zhejiang province, China, August 20, 2022. REUTERS/Aly SongRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSummaryCompaniesChina announces 11th consecutive heat 'red alert'Sichuan extends industrial power use curbs until Aug. 25Chongqing cuts working hours of commercial venuesShortages could affect TeslaSHANGHAI, Aug 22 (Reuters) - China's scorched southwestern regions extended curbs on power consumption on Monday as they deal with dwindling hydropower output and surging household electricity demand during a long drought and heatwave.State weather forecasters issued a heat "red alert" for the 11th consecutive day on Monday, as extreme weather continues to play havoc with power supplies and damage crops. They also raised the national drought alert to "orange" - the second-highest level.The drought has already "severely affected" mid-season rice and summer corn in some southern regions, the ministry of agriculture said on Sunday.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comThe National Meteorological Center said as many as 62 weather stations, from Sichuan in the southwest to Fujian on the southeastern coast, recorded record temperatures on Sunday. The situation could improve starting Wednesday as a cold front moves into China via Xinjiang.The region of Chongqing, which hit temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) late last week, announced that opening hours at more than 500 malls and other commercial venues would be shortened starting Monday to ease power demand.Two malls on the list contacted by Reuters on Monday confirmed that they had received the government notice and would abide by the new opening hours. Two hotels on the list said they were still operating normally but were restricting air conditioner use.In neighbouring Sichuan province, a major hydropower generator, authorities also extended existing curbs on industrial power consumers until Aug. 25, financial news service Caixin said on Sunday. Power generation in Sichuan is at just half the normal level.It cited firms in the battery industry as saying that industrial power users in the cities of Yibin and Suining had been told to remain closed until Thursday.A Sichuan-based pesticide producer, Lier Chemical Co Ltd (002258.SZ), confirmed in a notice on Monday that output restrictions at two of its production bases in the province would continue until Aug. 25.Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) gradually resumed operations at its Sichuan plant in China on Monday using a power generator after suspending operations last week, the company's spokesperson said.Other regions have also sent 50 emergency power generating vehicles to Sichuan since last Thursday to help alleviate shortages, the Global Times newspaper said.Several plants in Sichuan and Chongqing, including those of top battery maker CATL (300750.SZ) and the electric vehicle giant BYD (002594.SZ), have been only able to partially operate in recent weeks because of power shortages.A source familiar with the matter said that CATL's Yibin plant makes battery cells for Tesla (TSLA.O), and that there were concerns that continued disruptions could eventually affect the U.S. automaker.However, a second source said there was no sign of an impact so far, with production at Tesla's Shanghai plant unchanged. CATL and Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Shanghai, which was criticised on China's Twitter-like Weibo service for its use of electricity generated in Sichuan, imposed its own consumption restrictions on Monday, turning off decorative lighting on the riverside Bund area and parts of the financial centre of Lujiazui for two days.Firms will be encouraged to "stagger" power consumption to reduce peak loads. Some outdoor construction projects will be suspended, the official Shanghai Daily said.Important agricultural regions have also been warning of the impact on crops, with Henan province saying more than a million hectares of land have been affected by drought so far.About 2.2 million hectares across the Yangtze basin have been affected, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by David Stanway and Zhang Yan in Shanghai, Martin Quin Pollard in Beijing; Additional reporting by the Beijing newsroom; Editing by Kim Coghill and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, July 18 (Reuters) - Britain was on course for its hottest day on record on Monday with temperatures forecast to hit 40C for the first time, forcing train companies to cancel services and some schools to close while ministers urged the public to stay at home.Much of Europe is baking in a heatwave that has pushed temperatures into the mid-40s Celsius (over 110 Fahrenheit) in some regions, with wildfires raging across tinder-dry countryside in Portugal, Spain and France. read more Britain's government triggered a "national emergency" alert as temperatures on Monday and Tuesday were forecast to surpass the 38.7C (102F) recorded in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden in 2019.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comBy midday, readings of almost 35C were being recorded in southern England."We've got a difficult 48 hours coming," Kit Malthouse, a minister in charge of government coordination, told BBC radio. He will later chair a meeting of the government's emergency response committee.The national rail network urged passengers not to travel unless necessary and said some services - including a key route between northeastern England and London - would not run during parts of Tuesday.London's metro network imposed temporary speed restrictions, meaning it would run a reduced service with journeys taking longer than normal. It urged commuters to stay at home.Jake Kelly from Network Rail said he hoped normal operations would resume on Wednesday, when temperatures are forecast to fall, but that would depend on "the damage that the weather does to the infrastructure over the next couple of days".HIGH ALERTA member of the Queen's Guard receives water to drink during the hot weather, outside Buckingham Palace in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/John Sibley The government urged schools to stay open but many were due to close earlier than usual, normal uniform demands were ditched and end-of-term sports days were cancelled. Some schools were shut, resorting to lockdown-style online lessons.The public were warned not to swim in open water to cool off, with police in northeast England saying on Monday they had recovered a body believed to be that of a 13-year-old boy who got into difficulty in a river.At least one major zoo, at Chester, said it would close for two days, while London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo said many animals would be able to retreat to "cool zones" and some exhibits might be closed.Some factories also brought their opening hours forward, to prevent workers on the hottest jobs, such as welding, from falling ill.The Health Security Agency (UKHSA) raised the heat health warning to Level 4 for England for Monday and Tuesday for the first time ever.Britain's Meteorological Office defines a Level 4 alert as a national emergency, to be used when a heatwave "is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system. At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups".The Met Office said "substantial" changes in working practices and daily routines would be required, and there was a high risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, potentially leading to localised loss of power, water or mobile phone services.Malthouse said the government was prepared for the extreme weather and would seek to learn lessons from it."We definitely need to adapt the way we build buildings, the way we operate and look at some of our infrastructure in the light of what seems to be an increasing frequency of these kinds of events," he said.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Kate Holton and Michael Holden; Editing by William Schomberg and Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comCHONGQING/SHANGHAI, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Residents living near a tributary of the Yangtze river in the southwestern region of Chongqing clambered along the dry riverbed on Thursday amid an unprecedented drought across the region that could last another month."I am actually pretty worried, because the water has been cut off in my compound," said Tian Feng, a 27-year old resident exploring the riverbed."Originally, I planned to see if I could walk directly from here to the other side of the river," she said. "Because the water over there is still not dried out yet, I cannot cross."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comThough not completely dried up, dead fish were visible on the exposed flats of the Jialing, a long winding tributary that flows through three provinces before joining the Yangtze in Chongqing. Residents could safely reach a pier of the Qiansimen Bridge overlooking the river.China warned on Wednesday that the severe dry spell along the Yangtze could last well into September as local governments race to maintain power and find fresh water to irrigate crops ahead of the autumn harvest.Normal water flows in the region could be months away, with rainfall expected to remain low until the end of this month and beyond, said Liu Zhiyu, an official at the Ministry of Water Resources, speaking at a briefing on Wednesday."It is expected that in September, water inflows in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze will still be low, and the drought in Anhui, Hubei, Hunan and Jiangxi could develop further," Liu said, referring to four major provinces on the middle reaches of the river.The severe heatwave across the Yangtze basin, caused by a larger-than-usual Western Pacific subtropical high, has lasted more than two months, reducing hydropower supplies and parching large expanses of arable land. The river supports about a third of the country's population.Beijing has warned of the increasing risk of extreme weather in China as a result of climate change, and heavy rainfall continues to take its toll in other parts of the country.Flooding in the western Chinese province of Qinghai killed 16 people, state media reported on Thursday, with an additional 36 missing.The Ministry of Finance said on Thursday that it would make 420 million yuan ($61.83 million) of emergency funds available to help local governments provide flood and drought relief.Chongqing, where most of the Yangtze's Three Gorges reservoir is located, is trying to secure power from other parts of the country as supplies to industry are rationed, state media reported.A woman in a wedding dress walks on the dried-up riverbed of the Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels in Chongqing, China, August 18, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter China's State Grid also promised to do its utmost to dispatch power to the neighbouring Sichuan province, which normally supplies large amounts of surplus hydroelectricity to the east, but is now imposing strict consumption controls.Companies with operations in Sichuan, including CATL, the world's largest battery maker, and Japan's Toyota (7203.T), have suspended production in the province as a result of the restrictions, media reports say.Rainfall in the Yangtze basin has been around 45% lower than normal since July, and high temperatures are likely to persist for at least another week, official forecasts said.Authorities in the region also said temperatures would continue to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) on Thursday, with parts of Chongqing set to go beyond 44 degrees.'CRITICAL PERIOD'Controlling water resources is seen as a crucial part of government in China as it tries to guarantee food supplies and secure another bumper harvest.Rice and other autumn crops are at a "critical period" when it comes to irrigation, Liu Weiping, Vice-Minister of Water Resources, told the Wednesday briefing.He said around 820,000 hectares (2 million acres) of arable land across the Yangtze basin have suffered damage, affecting 830,000 people as well as 160,000 head of livestock.Water levels on the main trunk of the Yangtze and the flood basin lakes of Dongting and Poyang are now at least 4.85 metres (16 feet) shallower than normal, and the lowest on record for the period, officials said.The Yangtze's maritime safety bureau has issued several warnings about low water levels, ordering vessels to reduce their load when passing through shallower parts of the river.The drought has also highlighted the role played by the cascade of giant hydropower projects in regulating flows on the Yangtze.Giant upstream reservoirs are opening their gates to replenish storage levels at the Three Gorges Dam, which will release 830 million cubic metres downstream over the coming days.($1 = 6.7930 yuan)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Thomas Suen and Thomas Peter in Chongqing, David Stanway in Shanghai and Muyu Xu in Singapore; Editing by Michael Perry, Gerry Doyle and Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Britain has been sweltering under exceptionally high temperatures this week as workplaces issue stay-at-home advice, trains are cancelled and schools shut their gates. The extreme weather is “entirely consistent” with the climate crisis, the chief meteorologist at the Met Office has said, warning that such heat could become a regular feature by the end of the century. The Guardian’s environment editor, Damian Carrington, tells Hannah Moore that this heatwave will be a wake-up call to many in the UK to what future summers will regularly feel like unless the world as a whole can drastically reduce its reliance on burning fossil fuels. It’s not just the UK experiencing record highs, its everywhere from the Middle East to the Arctic. Much of the world where high temperatures have long been the norm have built in resilience to heatwaves in their infrastructure. But the UK is far behind. As the Guardian architecture critic Oliver Wainwright explains, new buildings are still being erected around the country to capture sunlight rather than reflect it. But rather than reaching for increasingly hi-tech solutions to keep buildings cool, the best way might be to look back to the pre-air-conditioned past for answers. Photograph: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Support The Guardian The Guardian is editorially independent. And we want to keep our journalism open and accessible to all. But we increasingly need our readers to fund our work. Support The Guardian | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
By Megan Fisher & Andre Rhoden-PaulBBC NewsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Families have been cooling off in the River Darent at Eynsford in KentThe UK heatwave is expected to hit a peak on Monday as temperatures build towards 35C in parts of the UK.A rare amber warning for much of England and Wales has been issued from midnight on Sunday.That means there could be a danger to life or potential serious illness from the scorching temperatures.Extreme heat is hitting Europe with Seville reaching 41C while France, Germany and Italy are expected to experience similar highs.In England the highest temperatures of the day were around London, east England and south-east England. So far 31.7C has been recorded in Wisley, Surrey, 31.5C in Charlwood, Surrey, and 31.3C at Heathrow, west London. The UK Health Security Agency has issued Level 3 heat-health alerts across the south and east of England, the Midlands and London.This requires health and social care workers to pay particular attention to high-risk groups of people such as the elderly and vulnerable.Downing Street said "significant work" was being done across government to ensure the most vulnerable were protected during the heatwave.The TUC wants employers to keep workplaces cool, relax dress codes and allow flexible working to make use of the coolest hours of the day.General secretary Frances O'Grady added: "And bosses must make sure outdoor workers are protected with regular breaks, lots of fluids, plenty of sunscreen and the right protective clothing."UK law does not state a minimum or maximum temperature for workplaces but they should normally be at least 16C or 13C if much of the job involves rigorous physical effort. Forecasters are predicting that the UK could face its hottest day ever next week.The current record was in July 2019 when 38.7C was recorded at Cambridge Botanic Garden but as extreme heat builds across Sunday into Monday, next week could see that temperature being topped.Wales saw its hottest day of the year on Monday with Cardiff's Bute Park reaching 28.7C.In other heatwave developments across the UK: A 16-year-old boy who died swimming in a Wakefield canal has been named as Alfie McCrawBoots' own-brand sun cream Soltan will stop making products with a sun protection factor (SPF) lower than 50 for children and 15 for adults, as part of an effort to encourage sun safetyAcross England, on Monday tropical nights were recorded - meaning temperatures fell no lower than 20C In Oxfordshire, one council has warned that if it gets too hot household bins may not be collectedThe RAC recorded a 10% increase in breakdowns on Monday, compared to a typical Monday mid-July, with hundreds of vehicles not being able to function due to the heatMeanwhile in Scotland, the higher than normal temperatures are making it difficult for biting midges to survive.Media caption, BBC colleagues from hot countries give their tips for staying coolHeatwaves are becoming more likely and more extreme because of climate change.The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began in the latter half of the 18th century, and some experts predict that temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.In England, there were 2,500 excess deaths in the summer of 2020 as a result of hot weather, and the Red Cross predicts that heat-related deaths in the UK could treble in 30 years.Image source, PA MediaImage caption, This dog in Belfast got a helping hand to stay hydrated - temperatures across Northern Ireland will rise as the week progressesPortugal and Spain are currently the worst affected countries in Europe - extreme heat and drought conditions are fuelling wildfires in central Portugal where state emergency measures have been introduced. An unprecedented 80% of mainland Portugal is at "exceptional" risk of fires, according to the national meteorological institute.Wildfires and heatwaves are not unusual in this part of Europe but they are becoming more severe, happening sooner than usual and more frequently, says BBC reporter Azadeh Moshiri.Image source, ReutersImage caption, People have been doing their best to stay cool at public taps like this one in Seville, where temperatures are soaringBBC Weather presenter Susan Powell said this could be the longest sustained heatwave seen in Spain for 50 years.She added: "We know from climatology research that the earth's atmosphere now holds its highest energy levels on record, ie, amounts of heat."It's this global scale shift that leads to the increased likelihood of extreme weather events - such as heatwaves."On Tuesday, a group of leading UK scientists suggested that heatwaves should be named similar to storms. Seville in Spain, which is seeing its second heatwave of the season, recently started doing this.Professor Mike Tipton from the Physiological Society said naming heatwaves would raise awareness and "makes the risk to health clear". "People can't expect to continue as normal during the heatwave", he added.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A woman takes cover from a brief spell of rain at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, where temperatures hit 23C | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
02:13 - Source: CNN Drone footage shows scope of damage from flooding CNN — At least 28 people have died in last week’s flooding in Kentucky as rescuers continue to search for missing people and the region braces for yet more rain. “Our confirmed count of Kentuckians we’ve lost has now reached 28, and we expect that there will be more, and that that number will grow,” Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday. The devastating flooding Thursday was unprecedented, officials said, inundating houses and sweeping some from their foundations. “This is one of the most devastating deadly floods that we have seen in our history,” Beshear said on NBC’s “Meet The Press” Sunday. “It wiped out areas where people didn’t have that much to begin with.” “We’re going to be finding bodies for weeks, many of them swept hundreds of yards, maybe a quarter-mile plus from where they were last,” the governor said. Now, more rainfall is in the forecast that threatens some areas hardest-hit by the deadly flooding. “The forecast is concerning, and we’re watching it very closely, obviously. We also are sending out warnings and making sure everyone knows,” said Col. Jeremy Slinker, the Kentucky emergency management director. “We’re preparing for it and making sure all the residents there are prepared for it because we just don’t want to lose anyone else or have any more tragedy,” he told CNN’s Pamela Brown Saturday. A flood watch is in effect through at least Monday morning for parts of southern and eastern Kentucky, according to the National Weather Service, and there is a Level 3 of 4 moderate risk for excessive rainfall Sunday across southeastern Kentucky, per the Weather Prediction Center, escalating the concern of additional flooding. “The threat of flash flooding will be gradually increasing as showers and thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall rates develop and expand in coverage today,” the center said, deeming the atmospheric conditions in the area as “tropical in nature,” meaning it is warm, moist and can support an incredible amount of water. Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are forecast over the next 24 to 48 hours, but as much as 4 or 5 inches is possible in localized areas. As little as 1 to 2 inches can revive flooding concerns, particularly in areas already inundated with heavy rain where the soil is saturated. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Timothy D. Easley/AP Teresa Reynolds sits exhausted as members of her community clean the debris from flood ravaged homes in Hindman, Kentucky, on Saturday, July 30. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Michael Swensen/Getty Images Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Lewis of the Kentucky National Guard secures Candace Spencer and her son Wyatt Spencer after being airlifted from South Fork, Kentucky, on July 30. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post/Getty Images New River Electrical Corp crew members work to restore power lines near Hindman, Kentucky, on Saturday. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network/Imagn A Kentucky National Guard soldier looks through debris near Troublesome Creek for flood victims in Fisty, Kentucky on Saturday morning. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Michael Swensen/Getty Images Flood damage is visible as the Kentucky National Guard flies over Buckhorn, Kentucky on Saturday. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network/Imagn Terry Hatworth uses muddy water -- the tiny town of Garrett is without clean water currently -- to help wash off the mud on Earl Wallen's porch Friday morning, July 29. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Timothy D. Easley/AP A Perry County school bus lies destroyed after being caught up in floodwaters in Ned, Kentucky, on Friday. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network Kermit Clemons helps his ex-wife, Lana Clemons, retrieve family items in Hazard, Kentucky, on Thursday, July 28. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Leandro Lozada/AFP/Getty Images Homes are submerged in floodwaters in Jackson, Kentucky, on Thursday. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Pat McDonogh/USA Today Network/Reuters James Jacobs signals to a National Guard helicopter flying overhead in Garrett, Kentucky, on Thursday. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network Kermit Clemons gathers personal items and medicine from the home of his former mother-in-law on Thursday. Flooding swept the trailer home off its foundation and carried it about 250 feet from its original location. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network Pastor Pete Youmans consoles a tearful Debby Miniard as her father, Charles Blankenship, stands near where his garage used to be in Perry County. Blankenship lost everything, including his trailer home. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Michael Swensen/Getty Images Members of the Jackson Fire Department prepare for search-and-rescue operations in downtown Jackson on Thursday. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post/Getty Images Robert Hollan, Kimberly DiVietri and their dog, Rascal, wait in a shelter inside the Hazard Community College Lee's College campus on Thursday. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Pat McDonogh/USA Today Network/Reuters A car is submerged in floodwaters along Right Beaver Creek in Garrett. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Michael Swensen/Getty Images Lexington firefighters' swift-water rescue teams work in Lost Creek, Kentucky, on Friday. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network Tonya Smith reaches for food from her mother, Ollie Jean Johnson, to give to Smith's father, Paul Johnson, as they hang over a flooded Grapevine Creek in Perry County on Thursday. Smith's trailer was washed away; her father was staying the night in his home without power. Photos: Catastrophic flooding in Kentucky Ryan C. Hermens/AP Homes and structures are flooded near Quicksand, Kentucky, on Thursday. Officials believe thousands have been affected, and efforts to rebuild some areas may take years, the governor told CNN Saturday. The state’s estimated losses are potentially in the “tens if not the hundreds of millions of dollars.” In Perry County alone, approximately 50 bridges were washed away, County Judge Executive Scott Alexander said at a news conference Sunday morning, calling it “the biggest event that I’m aware of that Perry County has ever faced.” State officials Sunday were working to open Buckhorn State Park to house a number of those who lost their homes, the governor said at the news conference, adding he hoped to announce the state park could be used as a shelter soon. “We recognize that the hotels and motels here are full, the shelters are full, that people are sleeping in their cars and trucks and we don’t need that,” Beshear said. After the rain, excessive heat is expected to build over the region Tuesday as many people are currently struggling with no access to clean drinking water, power outages and cell service still out in some counties Sunday. “We have multiple Kentucky State Police posts that are taking calls from loved ones that can’t connect with those that they are worried about,” the governor told NBC Sunday. “But it’s going to take some time to get a firm grasp on that. We still can’t get into some areas to check on people.” More than 13,000 homes and businesses in the region were in the dark early Sunday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us; three drinking water systems were totally out of operation Saturday, the governor said, leaving residents without access to water, or only access to water which needed to be boiled before it could be safely consumed. The federal government sent tractor trailers of bottled water to the region, and more financial assistance is on the way. The flooding – as with other recent weather disasters – was further amplified by the climate crisis: As global temperatures climb as a result of human-caused fossil fuel emissions, the atmosphere is able to hold more water, making water vapor more abundantly available to fall as rain. Scientists are increasingly confident in the role the climate crisis plays in extreme weather, and have warned such events will become more intense and more dangerous with every fraction of a degree of warming. Officials have moved swiftly to approve financial assistance, given the scores of people in need of relief after losing everything. The federal government greenlighted funding for people in five counties “at a pace that we’ve never seen before,” Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman told CNN’s Pamela Brown Saturday. “Residents will actually receive direct payments, which is some really good news in what will be a very long tunnel to see the light,” Coleman said. Coleman did not provide an exact date on when those payments are expected to reach residents, though she said they will be dispersed as soon as the state receives the money. Nearly $700,000 has been raised for relief efforts, Beshear said Saturday, noting funeral expenses for those killed in the flooding will be paid for. Additionally, the state is prioritizing placing generators at the shelters for flood survivors as temperatures are expected to soar Tuesday following the rain. Among the tales of heroism emerging from the disaster is an unidentified man who drifted through fast-moving water to get a 98-year-old grandmother, her grandson and another family member out of their home as it was nearly swallowed by the flooding Thursday. Randy Polly, who witnessed the rescue in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and recorded parts of it on his cellphone, told CNN he got stuck a distance away from the home on his way to get gas Thursday morning. Polly said he heard people yelling across the flooded road, “Get me help, get help.” He called 911, but first responders were overwhelmed and unresponsive to his calls. Around 9 a.m., he saw a man he described as a hero drift over to the house and start banging on the door and window. The man eventually helped get three people out of the home and guided them through rushing water, the videos show. The rescue took about 30 minutes, Polly said. Missy Crovetti, who lives in Green Oaks, Illinois, told CNN the people rescued in the video are her grandmother Mae Amburgey, uncle Larry Amburgey and brother Gregory Amburgey. They are safe and doing well, she said. Crovetti said she does not know the name of the man who rescued her family. Polly also said he does not know the man’s name. CNN’s Chris Boyett, Sharif Paget, Gene Norman, Derek Van Dam, Haley Brink, Jalen Beckford, Angela Fritz, Chuck Johnston and Raja Razek contributed to this report. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
By Georgina RannardBBC News Climate & ScienceImage source, PA MediaImage caption, The UK is not adapted to the high temperatures seen last week, experts sayThe record temperatures in the UK last week would have been "almost impossible" without human-induced climate change, leading scientists have concluded.The UK recorded temperatures above 40C for the first time on 19 July.Without human-caused climate change these would have been 2C to 4C cooler, the experts say.It is a taste of what is to come, they say, with more heatwaves, fires and droughts predicted in coming years.The extreme heat caused significant disruption to the UK, with experts warning that excess deaths related to temperatures will be high. Wildfires also destroyed homes and nature in some places. The world has warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial revolution about 200 years ago. Greenhouse gases have been pumped into the atmosphere by activities like burning fuels, which have heated up the Earth's atmosphere.The findings are released by the World Weather Attribution group - a collection of leading climate scientists who meet after an extreme weather event to determine whether climate change made it more likely.They looked at three individual weather stations that recorded very high temperatures - Cranwell, Lincolnshire, St James Park in London, and Durham.Dr Friederike Otto of Imperial College London, who leads the World Weather Attribution group, told BBC News that even in today's climate, having such temperatures was still rare and that we would expect them between once every 500 years and once every 1,500 years.But she said that as global temperatures rose, the likelihood of this heat happening more regularly would increase. "We would not have had last week's temperatures without climate change, that's for sure," she said. These temperatures are at least 2C higher but the real number is probably closer to 4C higher than a world without human-caused climate change, she explained.The scientists use a combination of looking at temperature records dating back through time, and complex mathematical models that assess how human-caused climate change affects the weather."Because we know very well how many greenhouse gases have been put into the atmosphere since the beginning of the industrial revolution, we can take these things out of the model and simulate a world that might have been without climate change," Dr Otto says. That allows the scientists to compare the two different scenarios - a world with 1.1C of warming and a world without that temperature increase.Media caption, Life at 50C: How to cool a Pakistan megacityDr Otto says if we want to keep this type of a heat a rare event, the UK must reach net zero "very soon". That is the point at which we stop adding to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The government's target is to reach net zero by 2050."Every little bit of warming really makes these types of events more likely and even hotter. Heatwaves are much more deadly than other extreme weather like floods and climate change is a game-changer for heatwaves," she explained. The scientists also say it demonstrates that the UK is not adapted to warming temperatures, with our homes, hospitals, schools and travel networks unable to withstand the high temperatures.Climate change is affecting all parts of the globe, with extreme heat this year affecting countries including India, the US, Australia, Spain and Germany. Politicians globally are committed to keeping global temperature rises below 1.5C but environmentalists say progress is much too slow."The climate has already changed - we are and will continue to suffer the consequences of government inaction," Greenpeace UK's head of climate, Rosie Rogers, told BBC News. "How bad things get depends on how much or little governments now decide to do to get off fossil fuels.""As one of the world's biggest historical emitters, the UK has an obligation to step up and rapidly slash emissions to zero," she said. "The new prime minister needs to act on these warnings from the climate, and set an example for others to follow."To tackle climate change, scientists say we must make steep cuts to our emissions, changing how we produce and use energy, as well as protect nature that helps to soak up greenhouse gases. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
California is already known for being vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires and even tsunamis, but a new study in the journal Science Advances finds that it is at increased risk of another: a disastrous megaflood that could cause more than $1 trillion in losses and turn low-lying areas into a “vast inland sea.”The Golden State is currently enduring the worst 20-year drought in at least 1,200 years — an event made more likely due to climate change, as warmer air causes more evaporation. But, the study’s authors note, “Despite the recent prevalence of severe drought, California faces a broadly underappreciated risk of severe floods.”And just as increased evaporation causes more frequent and severe droughts, it also causes more extreme rainfall when a storm arrives. In fact, the paper finds that climate change has doubled the chances of a dramatic flood in California during the next 40 years, and that the risk will continue to increase if average global temperatures keep rising.Low water levels at Grant Lake, which is fed by now nearly snowless mountains in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, expose an expanded shoreline on Aug. 11 near Lee Vining, Calif. (David McNew/Getty Images)The researchers used new high-resolution weather modeling and existing climate models to find how often a long series of storms fueled by atmospheric rivers that have occurred about once a century in recent history would occur, now that global average temperatures have risen 1.1 degree Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) since the Industrial Revolution. What they found was that warmer temperatures have doubled the risk of those conditions, so that what was once a 1-in-100-year flood would now occur every 50 years, on average."Climate change has probably already doubled the risk of an extremely severe storm sequence in California, like the one in the study," Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who co-authored the study with Xingying Huang, a climate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, told NPR. "But each additional degree of warming is going to further increase that risk."An atmospheric river is a long, narrow band of heavy moisture. Historically, winter atmospheric rivers have led to large snowfalls in the Sierra Nevada mountains. In a warmer climate, however, atmospheric rivers will be stronger because they hold more moisture. With warmer temperatures, instead of snow, which will melt gradually, more of the precipitation will fall as rain, causing flooding.In recent history, the only example of such a flood is the Great Flood of 1862. In December 1861, nearly 15 feet of snow fell in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and subsequent atmospheric rivers dumped rain for 43 days after that, with the water pooling in valleys. This meant that in the winter of 1862, parts of California were submerged in up to 30 feet of water for weeks, according to CNN. The state capital in Sacramento, “was under 10 feet of debris-filled water for months.”A lithograph showing K Street in the city of Sacramento, Calif., during the Great Flood of 1862. (A. Rosenfield/WikiCommons)Buildings were destroyed, including one out of every eight homes, and 4,000 people died. The state lost one-quarter of its economy that year.No flood that large has happened since then, but river sediment deposits show it normally happened every 100 to 200 years in the pre-climate change era."We find that climate change has already increased the risk of a [1862-like] megaflood scenario in California, but that future climate warming will likely bring about even sharper risk increases," the study’s authors write."It's a question of when rather than if (the megaflood) occurs,” Swain told CNN.But the effects would be far worse, now that California has grown to 39 million residents with — if it were a country — the world’s fifth-largest economy.According to the researcher’s modeling, Stockton, Fresno and Los Angeles would be under water and damages could be upward of $1 trillion, potentially the most expensive disaster in world history. Interstate highways in California such as I-5 and I-80 would probably shut down for weeks.A man kayaks down a flooded street in the town of Guerneville, Calif., on Feb. 28, 2019. (Josh Edelson/AP)“Every major population center in California would get hit at once — probably parts of Nevada and other adjacent states, too,” Swain said in a UCLA press release.The increased risk of extreme rainfall due to climate change is not limited to California or the West Coast. The United States recently experienced three extreme rainfalls that were supposed to only occur once in every 1,000 years: southern Illinois received 12 inches of rain in 12 hours, the St. Louis area 6 to 10 inches of rain in just seven hours, and parts of eastern Kentucky were drenched by 14 inches of rain in two days.The California Department of Water Resources supported the study with data and funding, as part of an effort to understand and prepare for extreme weather risks exacerbated by climate change. Further research — which will include partnering with state and federal emergency management agencies — will try to determine where the flooding would be worst and how it could be mitigated.“Modeling extreme weather behavior is crucial to helping all communities understand flood risk even during periods of drought like the one we’re experiencing right now,” Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources, said in a statement._____Global temperatures are on the rise and have been for decades. Step inside the data and see the magnitude of climate change. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images Two sunbathers enjoy the cooling waters of fountains in Trafalgar Square, on 19th July 2022, in London, England. In the UK, Google searches for “air conditioner” skyrocketed just last week in anticipation of what has been 48 hours of history-making weather, and the public response has ranged from the ridiculous to the delightful. But as scientists point out, it’s time to buckle up because summers are going to look more and more like this.Brenda Ekwurzel, a director of climate science with the Union of Concerned Scientists, told BuzzFeed News the extreme weather conditions happening right now is emblematic of the climate crisis and that this summer is “one of those previously extremely rare events that its now moving into the more common rare events for Europe and the UK.” The Met Office issued its first-ever “red extreme” heat warning with temperatures soaring as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the country — at least 34 locations broke the previous national records — and spontaneous wildfires erupting on the side of major roads.In its warning, Dr. Nikos Christidis, a climate attribution scientist, said that 104-degree summers in the UK are now up to 10 times likelier than they would be “under a natural climate unaffected by human influence.”Before Tuesday, the highest temperature experienced in the UK was 101.66 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded in 2019 at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.Ekwurzel expressed concerns that the current conditions were mirroring the devastating heat wave of 2003, which reportedly killed up to 70,000 people across Europe, including an estimated 2,000 in the UK. “I'm hoping that the adaptations that Europe has made and the steps that have been taken can help protect people better through this horrific summer of the repeated heat wave,” she said.One major issue is architecture: The UK did not build homes for hot weather. Instead, buildings were designed to hold in heat, since historically that has been the biggest temperature concern. Amid rising temperatures, celebrities like Kylie Jenner have drawn greater criticism, after flight records show she recently took a three-minute flight for a journey that would have been a 40-minute drive. On the weekend, she posted on Instagram herself and partner Travis Scott cuddling between two private jets, with the caption “you wanna take mine or yours ?” This resulted in her being called a “full time climate criminal” online.Ekwurzel called the emotional response “justified.”“This emergency — these heat waves, and future weather disasters — have come about because of a system where the richest among us, like Kylie Jenner, can consume on an unimaginable scale, and policies are skewed in her favor to further enable her cohort,” said Noga Levy-Rapoport, a UK climate activist and student who has been at the forefront of #FridaysForFuture protests inspired by Greta Thunberg, warned that lives were at stake if governments failed to act.The 20-year-old activist dismissed the suggestions that the individual habits or lifestyle changes of the average person could change the tides when the contribution is significantly smaller compared to “the level of resource extraction and exploitation” by fossil fuel corporations.“The climate crisis is a systemic crisis,” she said. “The heat wave is dangerous and terrifying and should be yet another crucial wake-up call for our leaders to finally take charge on climate.” Just last week, Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat and oil baron, finally killed the Biden administration’s attempt at a climate deal after months and months of lengthy negotiations. His colleague, Sen. Ed Markey, who has been pushing hard for climate legislation, tweeted afterward: “Rage keeps me from tears.”President Joe Biden will make a climate speech on Wednesday, although Reuters currently reports that he won’t declare a “national emergency” over climate change, which would allow executive action measures to take place. The sound of ice cracking on Mont Blanc.
The regional authorities have advised people not to travel to part of the mountain due to the risk of rockfall, as melting glacier ice due to Europe's heatwave loosens boulders 02:30 PM - 18 Jul 2022 Twitter: @NaomiOhReally Levy-Rapoport said that support for the cause and concern over the crisis has ballooned since she began walking out of school lessons back in 2019 to lead protests to demand urgent climate action.“We’ve seen an immense rise in climate literacy and awareness, particularly in terms of media coverage and wider public concern, as evidenced by the emphasis placed on climate policy in elections and at crucial international summits,” she said, “but we have a long way to go; support has to be channeled into action and protest to bring about greater political pressure. We can’t let concern be forced into paralyzing eco-anxiety as corporations continue to get away with the planetary damage they’re inflicting.” 27 degrees by 9am in the UK. We are not built for this. Our country is built for rain and misery. No one can afford a good fan and the cheap fans feel like a ghost sneezing on you. Ice-cream vans will soon be mad max style warrior chariots. Pray for us. 07:56 AM - 18 Jul 2022 Twitter: @TechnicallyRon While the past two days have been lightened with British humor, it’s easy to overlook the very real eco-anxiety people are sharing online.“This weather has scared me into wondering what life will be like for my son when he’s older,” one Twitter user wrote.“As if my baseline eco-anxiety wasn't high enough, on weeks like these I'm absolutely terrified.” climate journalist Anna Gumbau tweeted.But activists such as Levy-Rapoport believe that there is still so much to fight for.“Eco-anxiety can be terrifying, but it’s vital to keep going to avoid even further damage,” she said. “We still have lives to save and entire frontline communities and countries to rescue from the brunt of climate change. It is never too late to take climate action.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Businesses and residents near Yellowstone National Park eagerly awaited summer 2022. The park, which attracts more than 4 million visitors annually, had reopened after intermittently closing during the pandemic, and tourists were expected to once again flood gateway communities near the park’s main entrances. Instead, historic flooding inundated the region over the weekend, prompting Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte to declare a state of emergency and forcing 10,000 visitors to flee as surrounding communities wondered how they would rebuild after yet another setback.“It’s been very, very difficult and very stressful,” said MacNeil Lyons, owner and lead guide of Yellowstone Insight, which offers year-round tours of the national park. “I feel like I’ve aged a lot in the past three years.”River rafts sit piled up at rafting company in Gardiner, Mont., which relies heavily on tourism for its economy from Yellowstone National Park, on June 15, 2022. David Goldman / APLyons’ business is based out of Gardiner, Montana, one of the areas hardest hit by this week’s flooding. He watched as a house was swept away into a roaring river and was stranded in Gardiner for two days, waiting for the water to recede and roads to reopen so he could reunite with his family in Bozeman, where he lives most of the time.Officials closed Yellowstone National Park on Monday, and it’s unclear when it will reopen.The flooding started when up to 3 inches of rain and snowmelt from warming temperatures combined to create catastrophic conditions in the 150-year-old park, which spans three states and some 2.2 million miles. Several homes and structures were swept away and about 100 people were airlifted to safety.On Thursday, President Joe Biden declared a disaster in Montana, making federal relief funds available to help in the recovery effort, Gianforte’s office said.“Over the last several days, flooding has destroyed homes, washed away roads and bridges, left Montanans without power and water services, and threatened Montanans’ livelihoods,” Gianforte said in a statement. Officials said the park’s southern section that contains the Old Faithful geyser could reopen to the public next week but the north end, including Tower Fall and other tourist favorites, could be closed for several months because of severe road damage. Communities bordering the northern edge of the park are struggling as phone lines and electricity flicker on and off and residents are advised to boil their tap water before drinking it.“While you can’t label any one weather event as being created by climate change, that’s the 50,000 pound gorilla in the room,” said Howie Wolke, who lives 18 miles outside Gardiner in Tom Miner Basin, where a bridge was wiped out earlier this week. “All of the projections say there are going to be more extreme weather events … and that’s what we’re already seeing.”Wolke, who ran an outfitting business for more than 40 years, has had to rethink operations as summers grow hotter and the snow melts earlier. When he started in the industry, he planned camping trips around peak mosquito season, but in recent years his attention has turned to wildfires and drought.Pedestrians walk down a street washed away from Rock Creek floodwaters in Red Lodge, Mont., on June 15, 2022. David Goldman / AP“Businesses are going to have to adapt,” he said. “We’re dealing with a new reality now.”Speaking to reporters earlier in the week, Park County Commissioner Bill Berg highlighted the financial burden on gateway communities like Gardiner that rely on tourism. The national park, which lies mostly in Wyoming but spans part of Montana and Idaho, was closed for two months in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic and has also been closed periodically during government shutdowns that affect federal workers.Lyons, of Yellowstone Insight, has been in the guide business for more than 20 years and says he has already weathered everything from wildfires to shutdowns. But when the pandemic hit in 2020, he was forced to postpone or refund dozens of reservations for guests from all over the world. In a nightmare scenario, one customer from the United Kingdom this week canceled her third attempt since 2019 to visit Yellowstone, Lyons said. He estimates he could be on the hook for about $70,000 in reservations this year because of possible postponements or cancelations and is considering shutting down for the season if conditions don’t dramatically improve. “This is going to put me in a real financial hole,” he said. “It’s a wash. My season is a wash.”Alicia Victoria Lozano is a California-based reporter for NBC News focusing on climate change, wildfires and the changing politics of drug laws. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
CNN — As a prolonged record-setting heat wave tightens its grip on the West, millions in California are for a fifth day being asked to reduce their energy consumption amid worries about a strained power grid. More than 45 million people throughout the Western US are currently under excessive heat warnings and advisories. Many are spending the holiday weekend sweltering in triple-digit temperatures, including in California, Oregon and Idaho, according to the National Weather Service. Multiple cities have already seen recording-breaking hot temperatures. Boise, Idaho, sizzled under a record temperature of 101 degrees Friday, tying its previous daily record set in 1950. Salt Lake City hit 103 degrees Saturday, beating its previous record of 98 set in 2017. In Southern California, Burbank set a new monthly record for August at 112 degrees on Wednesday. The dangerous heat wave is expected to continue to impact much of the West through the weekend and into the middle of the week. Temperatures will range 15 to 20 degrees above normal with highs over 100 degrees. Temperatures as high as 110 degrees with nighttime lows in the 80s are possible Sunday. In California, where some areas are seeing blistering temperatures 10 to 25 degrees above normal for this time of year, the heat is already increasing demand for power and straining the power grid. And the hottest temperatures are yet to come, Sarah Rogowski with the National Weather Service said in a Saturday briefing. The California Independent System Operator – which manages 80% of the state’s power grid – extended another Flex Alert into Sunday, asking residents to conserve electricity to protect the power grid due to the potential for a supply shortfalls. Despite the heat, Californians are being urged to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using major appliances, and turn off all unnecessary lights between the hours of 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday. The operator asked residents to pre-cool their homes before 4 p.m. “Additional Flex Alerts will likely be called as heat will only intensify through Tuesday, with little relief from triple-digit temperatures seen over the next several days,” California Independent System Operator said in a news release. During the past three days, the power operator received the highest demand for power it has seen since September 2017, Elliot Mainzer, president and chief executive officer of the California Independent System Operator, said during the news briefing Saturday. “Those last few days are likely to be a dress rehearsal for what’s going to be a much more significantly stressed set of conditions here,” said Mainzer. He stressed that residents’ compliance with the alert is critical to ensuring there are no blackouts. “That response can be the difference between the light staying on or not,” Mainzer said. Power provider NV Energy, which serves more than 1.5 million homes and businesses throughout Nevada, has also been asking residents to cut back on their electricity use to avoid straining the power grid between the hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Scorching temperatures across the region, coupled with low relative humidity, also means increased wildfire risk. Parts of Northern California, southeast Oregon, northwestern Nevada and southwestern Idaho are under critical fire weather, according to NOAA. The National Weather Service in Spokane, Washington, said regional and local wildfires are degrading air quality. Two Northern California wildfires that broke out Friday quickly grew, both forcing evacuations. “Over the last several days, we’ve definitely seen a steady increase in the number and the size of wildfires burning throughout California,” Chief Deputy Director of Cal Fire Chris Anthony said during the Saturday news conference. The Mill Fire in Siskiyou County burned an estimated 4,254 acres as of Saturday evening and had destroyed 50 structures. In the same county, the Mountain Fire grew to cover 4,812 acres. Farther south, the Route Fire in Los Angeles County was at 5,208 acres Saturday evening with 87% containment, according to an update from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The blaze destroyed two structures and threatened hundreds more. The heat dome producing the heat wave will slowly spread eastward into the central and northern plains by mid-week. More than 150 high-temperature records could be set or tied through Thursday, according to CNN Meteorologist Derek Van Dam. While the sweltering hot temperatures are expected to continue through the middle of the week, with little relief during overnight hours, cooler temperatures are expected Thursday. “There is some relief in sight with … cooler temperatures reaching northern parts of the state by Thursday, moving further south through Thursday and Friday,” Sarah Rogowski with the National Weather Service said Saturday in a briefing. “However, temperatures are remaining above normal, and that’s expected to continue through the middle parts of the month,” she added. Extreme weather events, including heat waves like the current one, have been occurring more often and will continue to be more frequent and intense due to the impacts of human-driven climate change, scientists have warned. CNN’s Paradise Afshar, Derek Van Dam and Aya Elamroussi contributed to this report. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Extreme temperatures are expected to bake much of the U.S. this week as potential record-breaking temperatures were forecast to linger until next weekend. More than 85 million Americans, from the Pacific Northwest to the southern Great Plains to the East Coast’s heavily populated Interstate 95 corridor, were under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service. The agency warned of "extremely oppressive" conditions from Washington to Boston, with numerous record highs expected to be tied or broken in the Northeast.Philadelphia, where city officials opened cooling centers, hit 99 degrees Sunday without factoring in the humidity. Newark, New Jersey, saw its fifth consecutive day of 100 degrees or higher, the longest such streak since records began in 1931. Boston also hit 100 degrees, surpassing the previous daily record high of 98 degrees set in 1933.HEATWAVE RESPONSIBLE FOR MULTIPLE DEATHS ACROSS US Nicole Brown wipes sweat from her face while setting up her beverage stand near the National Mall on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)On the West Coast, temperatures could break daily records in Seattle, Portland and Northern California by Tuesday and climb to the highest level since a heat wave last year that killed hundreds of people across the Pacific Northwest.Highs ranging from 95 degrees to 110 degrees were forecast for inland areas. An excessive heat watch was issued for central and eastern Washington state and the central Idaho Panhandle from Tuesday morning through Friday evening.Sweltering temperatures and low humidity in California have resulted in tough conditions for some 2,000 firefighters battling the Oak Fire near Yosemite National Park. The destructive and out-of-control wildfire has forced thousands of residents to flee remote mountain communities. Jennifer Pagan, center, reacts as she sits in front of an open fire hydrant in The Bronx section of New York, Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)Extreme heat and rising fuel costs have left over half the U.S. at risk for large-scale and recurring blackouts during the summer months, according to the North American Energy Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) 2022 Summer Reliability Assessment released in May. North American Energy Reliability Corporation highlighted the risk of blackouts across the western U.S. during summer. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe report highlights that much of the western half of the country is at risk for widespread blackouts and capacity shortfalls during peak usage hours. The report cites myriad issues contributing to the risk including decreased hydroelectric generation from widespread drought conditions, damaged transmission lines due to extreme weather events, premature closure of coal and other fossil fuel plants and supply chain issues that continue to disrupt key American industries. Fox News’ Andrew Keiper and The Associated Press contributed to this report. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A team from McMaster University in Hamilton conducted a behavioral study on spiders and discovered that severe weather may have an impact on their aggressiveness through evolutionary ways. They came to this conclusion as they found that aggressive spiders had an advantage when it comes to survival odds in extreme weather circumstances.The researchers studied populations of spiders that live in regions that frequently encounter storms. It seems that extreme weather has the ability to alter the living space of these spiders. Storms, cyclones and hurricanes have the ability to take down trees and scatter fragments of debris everywhere, making severe changes to the living space of spiders and other organisms. Changes in global weather pasterns due to climate change may further increase pressure on these populations. According to Jonathan Pruitt (one of the researchers) the amount of tropical storms will increase as sea levels rise. According to him it is important that we contend with the evolutionary impacts on non-human animals. We can only agree with this statement as it is clear that mankind’s main concern regarding climate change has thus-far been mainly concentrated on its impact on humans. On a practical level the research has been done through an examination of female spider colonies of a specific spider species called Anelosimus studiosus, a type of cobweb spider that can be found in north and south America. They studied specific populations that live in areas prone to tropical storms.One particular fact inherent to the Anelosimus studiosus spiders is that there are two different sets of personality traits within the species. One docile and laid-back, the other more aggressive. Aggressive colonies are better at dealing with changing environments and circumstances as they, among other things, respond quicker to prey and predatory foreign spiders. While this behavior has its disadvantages apparently they are better at finding food in the face of scarcity which gives them the edge when it comes to the odds of surviving with more frequent extreme weather events. According to research published in the Journal of Climate, there are still some questions regarding a projected increased frequency of storms due to climate change however, models do project a 45-87 percent increase of category 4 and 5 hurricanes. This study shows that if the amount of tropical storms and or hurricanes really increases in the future, we can expect the species to become more aggressive as a whole.Sources and further reading: McMAster University news release / Anelosimus studiosus / Hurricanes and climate change | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
LONDON (AP) — Britain shattered its record for highest temperature ever registered Tuesday amid a heat wave that has seared swaths of Europe — and the national weather forecaster predicted it would get hotter still in a country ill prepared for such extremes.The typically temperate nation was just the latest to be walloped by unusually hot, dry weather that has triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans and led to hundreds of heat-related deaths. Images of flames racing toward a French beach and Britons sweltering — even at the seaside — have driven home concerns about climate change.The U.K. Met Office registered a provisional reading of 40.2 degrees Celsius (104.4 degrees Fahrenheit) at Heathrow Airport in early afternoon — breaking the record set just an hour earlier and with hours of intense sunshine still to go. Before Tuesday, the highest temperature recorded in Britain was 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019.As the nation watched the mercury rise with a combination of horror and fascination, the forecaster warned temperatures could go higher still.The sweltering weather has disrupted travel, health care and schools in a country not prepared for such extremes. Many homes, small businesses and even public buildings, including hospitals, don’t even have air conditioning, a reflection of how unusual such heat is in the country better known for rain and mild temperatures.The intense heat since Monday has damaged the runway at London’s Luton Airport, forcing it to shut for several hours, and warped a main road in eastern England, leaving it looking like a “skatepark,” police said. Major train stations were shut or near-empty on Tuesday, as trains were canceled or ran at low speeds out of concern rails could buckle.London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Tuesday that the heat wave has caused a “huge surge” in the number of fires in the city, putting the fire service under “immense pressure.” The blazes include a grass fire in Wennington on the eastern edge of the city that is being tackled by 100 firefighters.Electric fans cooled the traditional mounted troops of the Household Cavalry as they stood guard in central London in heavy ceremonial uniforms. Other guards reduced their duties. The capital’s Hyde Park, normally busy with walkers, was eerily quiet — except for the long lines to take a dip in the Serpentine lake.“I’m going to my office because it is nice and cool,” said geologist Tom Elliott, 31, after taking a swim. “I’m cycling around instead of taking the Tube.’’Queen Elizabeth II carried on working. The 96-year-old monarch held a virtual audience with new U.S. ambassador Jane Hartley from the safety of inside Windsor Castle.A huge chunk of England, from London in the south to Manchester and Leeds in the north, remained under the country’s first “red” warning for extreme heat Tuesday, meaning there is danger of death even for healthy people.Such dangers could be seen in Britain and around Europe. At least six people were reported to have drowned across the U.K. in rivers, lakes and reservoirs while trying to cool off. Meanwhile, nearly 750 heat-related deaths have been reported in Spain and neighboring Portugal in the heat wave there. The highest temperature previously recorded in Britain was 38.7 C (101.7 F), a record set in 2019. Tuesday’s reading was provisional, which means they are produced as near to real time as possible with final readings issued after data quality-control, the Met Office said.Climate experts warn that global warming has increased the frequency of extreme weather events, with studies showing that the likelihood of temperatures in the U.K. reaching 40 C (104 F) is now 10 times higher than in the pre-industrial era. The head of the U.N. weather agency expressed hope that the heat gripping Europe would serve as a “wake-up call” for governments to do more on climate change. “I hope that also in democratic countries, these kind of events will have an impact on voting behavior,” World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Taalas told reporters Tuesday in Geneva. Combatting climate change head on is the only solution for Britain, said Professor Myles Allen, a climate scientist at the University of Oxford, because continually refurbishing the country’s infrastructure to cope will be “extremely expensive.” “We cannot afford to live in an ever-changing climate,” he told the BBC. “We have to stop this, turn this around.”Drought and heat waves tied to climate change have also made wildfires harder to fight.In the Gironde region of southwestern France, ferocious wildfires continued to spread through tinder-dry pines forests, frustrating firefighting efforts by more than 2,000 firefighters and water-bombing planes.Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from homes and summer vacation spots since the fires broke out July 12, Gironde authorities said.A smaller third fire broke out late Monday in the Medoc wine region north of Bordeaux, further taxing firefighting resources. Five camping sites went up in flames in the Atlantic coast beach zone where blazes raged around the Arcachon maritime basin famous for its oysters and resorts.But weather forecasts offered some consolation, with temperatures expected to ease along the Atlantic seaboard Tuesday and the possibility of rains rolling in late in the day.Britain was not the only northern European country experiencing unusual heat. As Amsterdam baked Tuesday, municipal workers sprayed water on some mechanical bridges over the Dutch city’s canals to prevent metal in them from expanding, which can jam them shut blocking boat traffic. Temperatures in the city are expected to approach 39 C (102 F) on Tuesday.___Associated Press writers John Leicester in Le Pecq, France, Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this story.___Follow AP’s climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
England is likely to be declared officially in drought on Friday, a move that will allow water companies to impose tough restrictions on water use as temperatures remain high across swathes of the UK.Hosepipe bans are likely to follow in areas that have not yet declared them, with people being urged to save water by not washing their cars, using lawn sprinklers or filling large pools.Ministers will take the decision after a meeting on Friday morning of the National Drought Group, which will hear from water companies, farming leaders and conservation groups.The greens and fairways on a golf course near New Romney, Kent, in the driest July in south-east England since 1935. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PAIf drought is declared, water companies will be expected to start putting their drought plans into action, and will not need further permission from ministers to impose some restrictions on water use.With temperatures likely to reach 36C in some places over the weekend, England is experiencing its driest nine-month period since 1976. South-east England received less than 10% of its usual amount of rainfall in July, making it the driest July since 1935. Rainfall has been at about 74% of its long-term average since last November.Scientists said it was highly unlikely that “extreme” measures of the kind used in 1976 would be needed to deal with the heatwave. Standpipes and rationing – for many, the key memories from 1976 – were still “incredibly unlikely”, according to hydrologists, even though reservoirs were at their lowest levels since current records began in 1990.Climate experts said the drought had been predicted for some time. Mike Rivington, a senior scientist at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, said: “The scale of heatwaves and droughts we’re currently experiencing has been projected by climate research for many years now. What we are seeing is a clear signal of what the future is going to be like.”Nigel Arnell, a professor of climate system science at Reading University, said: “It’s incredibly unlikely that we will see major restrictions on water use in the UK. There are lots of things water companies can do before restricting a large number of users.”He said the case of a village in Oxfordshire that ran out of water was a “one-off” and a result of “technical issues” rather than a foretaste of what the rest of England could expect.Jamie Hannaford, the principal hydrologist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said water companies were also “more resilient than in 1976, we have better water management”.Farmers were facing restrictions on how much water they were allowed to take from rivers and groundwater sources, threatening crop yields and raising the prospects of even higher food prices.Satellite image from Wednesday shows the vast areas that have been affected by the prolonged dry conditions, leaving the parched land turning from green to yellow and brown. Photograph: Met Office/Crown Copyright/PAJerry Knox, a professor of agricultural water management at Cranfield University, said: “We are starting to see real issues for crops such as potatoes. We will see reduced yields and particularly reduced quality.”These problems would continue into autumn, he said, as farmers were unable to plant crops as usual and livestock farmers were already giving animals feed intended for winter because they were unable to graze in the fields.Nature experts said they feared that some rivers were reaching “a point of no return”, as pollution and sewage outflows into rivers and streams had already vastly reduced their natural capacity to cope with drought.There was also a high risk of wildfires across the country, as satellite images had shown extraordinary levels of dryness in vegetation and soils. Arnell said access to some vulnerable areas could be restricted to prevent people accidentally or deliberately starting fires, and firefighters had warned that the UK was “completely unprepared” for the conditions.The Environment Agency has told water companies not to allow sewage outflows into rivers if any heavy rainfall follows the drought. Seven canals have been closed to navigation because of low water levels.Rain and cooler weather were expected next week, but these would do little to alleviate the drought conditions, experts said.“Lower temperatures will reduce demand for water, but the rainfall next week is likely to be showers and thunderstorms, which are hit and miss [in terms of their impact],” said Liz Bentley, the chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society and a professor of meteorology at Reading University.Dry soils cannot absorb heavy rainfall, so any storms next week could lead to flash flooding. “We are going to need a prolonged period of steady rainfall over days if not weeks [to alleviate the drought],” said Bentley.The Conservative party leadership candidate Rishi Sunak said in a statement: “For too long, water hasn’t had the attention that it deserves. We are living through some of the driest conditions in decades, and we need to make sure that measures to boost resilience to extreme weather conditions are part of our holistic plan for water – to protect its supply and clean it up.”He said he would “hold water companies accountable”, would fast track approvals for water reservoirs and “explore possible incentives to encourage private investment in infrastructure which can mitigate against the impact of floods and droughts”.England is already judged by experts to be in a state of meteorological, hydrological and agricultural drought – meaning there has been little rainfall, that water stores and soil moisture have been depleted, and farmers are being badly affected – but drought can only be officially declared by ministers, and this affects what water companies can do.A boy plays football on the very dry pitches of Hackney Marshes in east London. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PARiccardo la Torre, the national officer for the Fire Brigades Union, said lives were at stake from wildfires – scores of homes were destroyed in last month’s heatwave – and that cuts to its services in recent years were to blame for a lack of preparedness.La Torre told Sky News: “These are brutal, brutal fires to fight: the temperature that they burn at, the speed at which they spread. The reality is we’ve been left completely unprepared to do that as a fire and rescue service.“We’ve had over a fifth of the workforce cut since 2010 – that’s over 11,500 firefighters cut. Yet we’re asking them to deal with these extreme weather events in increasing regularity and increasing severity.”Bentley said some of the impacts of the drought could be long term or permanent, especially if wildfires destroyed forests and peatlands. “Businesses and houses can be rebuilt, but there will be significant long-term effects on landscapes and on people’s lives.”Rivington said that as the climate warmed these events would become more frequent and more severe. “In the future, there is a substantial risk that the recharge of water tables by winter rainfall may not be sufficient to make up for the increased summer water deficit, so if there are two successive years of drought, water shortages will be even more severe.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
U.S. Forest Service employees made several mistakes, including underestimating the impact of climate change on conditions in the Southwest, when planning a controlled burn to reduce the threat of wildfires in New Mexico earlier this year, according to a report from the agency released Tuesday.As a result, the burn exploded into the largest fire in the state’s history, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.Carson Hot Shots Tyler Freeman works to keep a burning log from rolling down a slope, May 23, 2022, as he and his co-workers work on hot spots from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire in the Carson National Forest west of Chacon, N.M. (Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal via AP, File)“Climate change is leading to conditions on the ground we have never encountered,” wrote Forest Service Chief Randy Moore in the foreword to the report. “We know these conditions are leading to more frequent and intense wildfires. Drought, extreme weather, wind conditions and unpredictable weather changes are challenging our ability to use prescribed fire as a tool to combat destructive fires. This spring in New Mexico, a pile burn of hazardous logs that started in January, smoldered underground for months, persisting through multiple snowstorms and freezing temperatures, before resurfacing as a wildfire. That type of event was nearly unheard of until recently in the century-plus of experience the Forest Service has in working on these landscapes.”After decades of aggressive fire-fighting strategies designed to keep wildfires away from population centers, many U.S. forests have become overgrown, increasing the need for prescribed burns that thin overgrowth and reduce the risk of fire spreading out of control.“Over the past dozen years, prescribed fire has accounted for an average of 51% of the acreage of hazardous fuels reduction accomplished, or an average of 1.4 million acres per year,” the report noted. “Meeting the objectives of the IIJA is likely to require the Forest Service to conduct prescribed fires on between 2.5 and 4 million acres annually, nationally.”A backlog of scheduled prescribed burns dating to Department of Interior furloughs during the 2018-2019 government shutdown "built a sense of urgency to accomplish projects to 'catch up,'" the report stated.A scorched structure and vehicle stand on a property mostly destroyed by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire on June 2, 2022 near Las Vegas, New Mexico. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)The prescribed burn in New Mexico was started in April and almost immediately took unexpected turns. “Within hours of declaring the test fire a success that day, multiple spot fires were reported outside containment lines and there were not enough resources or water to rein them in,” the Washington Post reported.As of Tuesday, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire had burned 533 square miles making it the largest fire so far this year in the United States. The area burned nationally this year — 5,000 square miles — is more than two and half times the national average for the past 10 years at this point in the season, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.In addition to causing warmer temperatures, climate change significantly impacts the water cycle, both of which experts say contributed to the conditions that resulted in the New Mexico fire getting out of hand."Along with below normal precipitation, the seasonal snowpack was significantly compressed, as it did not start until January then abruptly melted off much earlier than average," the report stated.Going forward, the Forest Service will have to more effectively factor climate change into its plans, the report stated.“Fires are outpacing our models and, as the final report notes, we need to better understand how megadrought and climate change are affecting our actions on the ground,” Moore concluded._____Global temperatures are on the rise and have been for decades. Step inside the data and see the magnitude of climate change. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Vice President Kamala Harris is set to announce $1 billion in disaster relief funding for states experiencing extreme heat or flooding on Monday.Harris' announcement will come as part of a White House package seeking to shore up states' readiness for extreme weather that the Biden administration attributes to climate change."The Biden-Harris Administration is taking a wide range of actions to respond to intensifying heat waves and reduce associated health risks, especially for vulnerable groups and underserved communities," the White House wrote in a statement."We know that the impacts of the climate crisis are here, and that we must invest in building resilience to protect our communities, infrastructure and economy,″ the White House said.WHAT DOES FLOOD INSURANCE COVER? Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the National Education Association annual meeting and representative assembly in Chicago on July 5, 2022. (Tannen Maury/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images) A damaged vehicle and debris are seen along the Bert T Combs Mountain Highway on July 29, 2022, near Hazard, Kentucky. At least 16 people have been killed and hundreds had to be rescued amid flooding from heavy rainfall. (Michael Swensen/Getty Images)WEST WILDFIRES: CREWS MAKE PROGRESS IN IDAHO, CALIFORNIAHarris will make the announcement during an appearance alongside the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Deanne Criswell, in Florida.The vice president is expected to address both ongoing flooding in Kentucky and the widespread wildfires in California during her Monday speech.The announcement comes days after President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for Kentucky last week, where floods have killed nearly 30 people in recent days.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"Federal funding is available to commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures in the counties of Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe," the administration wrote in a statement. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The UK is no longer a cold country, scientists have said, as climate breakdown means “previously impossible heatwaves are killing people”.This week temperatures of 40C (104F) have been predicted for the first time by the Met Office, but climate models show these weather events are expected to become more common.Climate scientists have called for the UK to quickly adapt to extreme heat or risk thousands of excess deaths.This includes having a specific heat risk strategy drawn up by the government, updating housing stock and ensuring newbuilds can cool down in hot weather.Bob Ward, the policy and communications director at LSE’s Grantham Institute, said: “The current prime minister has ignored repeated calls to create a national heat risk strategy that would engage all relevant government departments in tackling the growing threat from heatwaves.”He hit out at commentators and MPs who have said those who fear heatwaves are “snowflakes”. Sir John Hayes, the chair of the Common Sense Group of Conservative MPs, said at the weekend that heat warnings were evidence of a “cowardly new world”, adding: “It is not surprising that in snowflake Britain the snowflakes are melting. Thankfully most of us are not snowflakes.”Ward responded: “In the UK media in recent days, some have claimed that the increasing attention being paid to the dangers of heatwaves is a sign of a decline in British resilience. But such displays of callousness about hundreds of preventable deaths simply highlights the challenge we face in dealing with the growing risks from climate change.“It is time for the UK to stop thinking of itself only as a cold country, where any bout of summer sunshine is celebrated as an opportunity for beach visits and ice-creams. Heatwaves are deadly extreme weather events that will grow worse for at least the next 30 years. We must adapt and do a better job of protecting ourselves, particularly those who are most vulnerable to hot weather.”Scientists have urged governments to work quickly to phase out fossil fuels and reach net zero emissions in order to stop the situation becoming more deadly.Dr Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute, said: “Climate change is driving this heatwave, just as it is driving every heatwave now. Greenhouse gas emissions, from burning fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil, are making heatwaves hotter, longer lasting and more frequent. Heatwaves that used to be rare are now common; heatwaves that used to be impossible are now happening and killing people.“Heatwaves will keep getting worse until greenhouse gas emissions are halted. The longer it takes the world to reach net zero emissions, the hotter and more dangerous heatwaves will get, and the more common and longer lasting they will be. The only way to stop heat records being broken time and again is to stop burning fossil fuels as quickly as possible.”Dr Eunice Lo, a climate scientist at the University of Bristol Cabot Institute for the Environment, said: “The climate has warmed since 1976 significantly. We have a record going back to 1984 and the top 10 hottest days have all occurred since 2002.“Previously unthinkable temperatures are now happening. This hasn’t happened before; it is unprecedented. There is no comparison to 1976 – that record has already been broken in 2019. There is a high chance of breaking this again in the next couple of days. By definition these are new extremes.”Meteorologists have given the news of the scorching heat with dismay. “We hoped we wouldn’t get to this situation but for the first time ever we are forecasting greater than 40C in the UK,” said Dr Nikos Christidis, a climate attribution scientist at the Met Office.Sign up to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BSTHe added: “Climate change has already influenced the likelihood of temperature extremes in the UK. The chances of seeing 40C days in the UK could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence. The likelihood of exceeding 40C anywhere in the UK in a given year has also been rapidly increasing and, even with current pledges on emissions reductions, such extremes could be taking place every 15 years in the climate of 2100.”It looks as if the threat of extreme heat will not be over this week. Prof Hannah Cloke, natural hazards researcher at the University of Reading, said: “From what I understand we will hopefully see temperatures dip back down in a couple of days, but there is a risk of temperatures shooting back up in a week or so, which for the UK and Europe is very concerning.“There is a strong risk of further heatwaves across the world for the rest of the summer and we will be watching that very carefully.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A residential cul-de-sac is covered in floodwaters after heavy rain in Chehalis, Washington, U.S., January 7, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Nathan HowardRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Worsening droughts, storms and torrential rain in some of the world's largest economies could cause $5.6 trillion in losses to the global economy by 2050, according to a report released on Monday.This year heavy rains have triggered floods that inundated cities in China and South Korea and disrupted water and electricity supply in India, while drought has put farmers' harvests at risk across Europe. read more Such disasters are costing economies hundreds of billions of dollars. Last year's extreme droughts, floods and storms led to global losses of more than $224 billion, according to the Emergency Events Database maintained by the Brussels-based Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comBut as climate change fuels more intense rainfall, flooding and drought in coming decades, these costs are set to soar, warns the report by engineering and environmental consultancy firm GHD. read more Water – when there's too much or too little – can "be the most destructive force that a community can experience," said Don Holland, who leads GHD's Canadian water market programme.GHD assessed the water risks in seven countries representing varied economic and climatic conditions: the United States, China, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates and Australia. Using global insurance data and scientific studies on how extreme events can affect different sectors, the team estimated the amount of losses countries face in terms of immediate costs as well as to the overall economy.In the United States, the world's biggest economy, losses could total $3.7 trillion by 2050, with U.S. gross domestic product shrinking by about 0.5% each year up until then. China, the world's No. 2 economy, faces cumulative losses of around $1.1 trillion by mid-century.Of the five business sectors most vital to the global economy, manufacturing and distribution would be hit hardest by disasters costing $4.2 trillion as water scarcity disrupts production while storms and floods destroy infrastructure and inventory. read more The agricultural sector, vulnerable to both drought and extreme rainfall, could see $332 billion in losses by 2050. Other sectors facing major challenges are retail, banking and energy.At this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a global group of experts launched a new commission to research the economics of water that aims to advise policymakers on water management. read more We must "transform how we govern water and the climate together," said commission co-chair Tharman Shanmugaratnam. "The costs of doing so are not trivial, but they are dwarfed by the costs of letting extreme weather wreak havoc."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Gloria Dickie; Editing by Katy Daigle and Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The risk of global societal collapse or human extinction has been “dangerously underexplored”, climate scientists have warned in an analysis.They call such a catastrophe the “climate endgame”. Though it had a small chance of occurring, given the uncertainties in future emissions and the climate system, cataclysmic scenarios could not be ruled out, they said.“Facing a future of accelerating climate change while blind to worst-case scenarios is naive risk management at best and fatally foolish at worst,” the scientists said, adding that there were “ample reasons” to suspect global heating could result in an apocalyptic disaster.The international team of experts argue the world needs to start preparing for the possibility of the climate endgame. “Analysing the mechanisms for these extreme consequences could help galvanise action, improve resilience, and inform policy,” they said.Explorations in the 1980s of the nuclear winter that would follow a nuclear war spurred public concern and disarmament efforts, the researchers said. The analysis proposes a research agenda, including what they call the “four horsemen” of the climate endgame: famine, extreme weather, war and disease.They also called for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to produce a special report on the issue. The IPCC report on the impacts of just 1.5C of heating drove a “groundswell of public concern”, they said.“There are plenty of reasons to believe climate change could become catastrophic, even at modest levels of warming,” said Dr Luke Kemp at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, who led the analysis. “Climate change has played a role in every mass extinction event. It has helped fell empires and shaped history.“Paths to disaster are not limited to the direct impacts of high temperatures, such as extreme weather events. Knock-on effects such as financial crises, conflict and new disease outbreaks could trigger other calamities.”The analysis is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and was reviewed by a dozen scientists. It argues that the consequences of global heating beyond 3C have been underexamined, with few quantitative estimates of the total impacts. “We know least about the scenarios that matter most,” Kemp said.A thorough risk assessment would consider how risks spread, interacted and amplified, but had not been attempted, the scientists said. “Yet this is how risk unfolds in the real world,” they said. “For example, a cyclone destroys electrical infrastructure, leaving a population vulnerable to an ensuing deadly heatwave.” The Covid pandemic underlined the need to examine rare but high-impact global risks, they added.Particularly concerning are tipping points, where a small rise in global temperature results in a big change in the climate, such as huge carbon emissions from an Amazon rainforest suffering major droughts and fires. Tipping points could trigger others in a cascade and some remained little studied, they said, such as the abrupt loss of stratocumulus cloud decks that could cause an additional 8C of global warming.The researchers warn that climate breakdown could exacerbate or trigger other catastrophic risks, such as international wars or infectious disease pandemics, and worsen existing vulnerabilities such as poverty, crop failures and lack of water. The analysis suggests superpowers may one day fight over geoengineering plans to reflect sunlight or the right to emit carbon.“There is a striking overlap between currently vulnerable states and future areas of extreme warming,” the scientists said. “If current political fragility does not improve significantly in the coming decades, then a belt of instability with potentially serious ramifications could occur.”There were further good reasons to be concerned about the potential of a global climate catastrophe, the scientists said: “There are warnings from history. Climate change has played a role in the collapse or transformation of numerous previous societies and in each of the five mass extinction events in Earth’s history.”New modelling in the analysis shows that extreme heat – defined as an annual average temperature of more than 29C – could affect 2 billion people by 2070 if carbon emissions continue.“Such temperatures currently affect around 30 million people in the Sahara and Gulf Coast,” said Chi Xu, at Nanjing University in China, who was part of the team. “By 2070, these temperatures and the social and political consequences will directly affect two nuclear powers, and seven maximum containment laboratories housing the most dangerous pathogens. There is serious potential for disastrous knock-on effects.”Sign up to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BSTThe current trend of greenhouse gas emissions would cause a rise of 2.1-3.9C by 2100. But if existing pledges of action are fully implemented, the range would be 1.9-3C. Achieving all long-term targets set to date would mean 1.7-2.6C of warming.“Even these optimistic assumptions lead to dangerous Earth system trajectories,” the scientists said. Temperatures more than 2C above pre-industrial levels had not been sustained on Earth for more than 2.6m years, they said, far before the rise of human civilisation, which had risen in a “narrow climatic envelope” over the past 10,000 years.“The more we learn about how our planet functions, the greater the reason for concern,” said Prof Johan Rockström, at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. “We increasingly understand that our planet is a more sophisticated and fragile organism. We must do the maths of disaster in order to avoid it.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Waukegan’s shoreline is full of environmental hazards, including a coal-power plant, nearby coal ash ponds, four toxic-waste sites and other sources of industrial pollution.Brian Ernst/Sun-Times Rising Lake Michigan levels, strong wind gusts and waves of nearly 10 feet high, all from extreme weather brought on by climate change, pose toxic threats to the entire lakefront — stretching from Zion to the Southeast Side and even to Northwest Indiana, a new analysis finds.A just-released report examines possible climate-related disasters caused by high lake levels, powerful storms and erosion along Lake Michigan. The report, by Chicago’s Environmental Law and Policy Center, largely focuses on toxic hazards in four states bordering the lake but also notes that densely populated neighborhoods — including Rogers Park, Edgewater and Uptown on the North Side and South Shore on the South Side — face potentially devastating flooding if weather patterns continue as they have. Large parts of those areas may face more severe flooding as much as a half-mile inland.“Lake Michigan is where we live, work and play,” said ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner in an interview. “Climate change is forcing us to see another side of Lake Michigan.”Using government data, study authors simulated different flood levels and mapped the potential impacts. In a seven-year period that began with a historic low in 2013, the average level of Lake Michigan rose 6 feet. If those swings, along with high wind and waves continue, toxic-waste Superfund sites, a recently closed coal plant in Waukegan north of Chicago and a dismantled nuclear plant in Zion all represent an opportunity for water to “breach facility barriers and carry industrial pollutants to surrounding areas and into Lake Michigan,” the report said. “A major storm surge, combined with high lake levels, could simultaneously flood streets, homes and businesses from Zion to the Southeast Side of Chicago,” according to the report, which also looked at hazards in Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. “A major flood could also threaten public health by carrying contaminants, such as PCBs and heavy metals into populous neighborhoods.”PCBs are shorthand for polychlorinated biphenyls, a once widely used cancer-causing industrial chemical, that is now banned.The PCB chemicals are present at the former location of Outboard Marine, one of four Superfund toxic-waste sites in Waukegan. Those sites neighbor the recently closed NRG Energy coal plant and nearby coal-ash ponds. The other Superfund locations are Johns-Manville and two formerly operated by North Shore Gas. The combination of toxic sources — all built decades ago — in the city of almost 90,000 people makes it stand out in Illinois as they all “create significant risk and potential problems,” Learner said. An aerial view of construction in Lake Michigan near Waukegan Municipal Beach and North Beach just south of the Waukegan industrial area. Brian Ernst/Sun-Times In addition to cleaning up the toxic sites and reassessing them as a potential threat, government officials need to consider natural remedies such as wetlands restoration and green infrastructure, such as vegetated landscaping, Learner said. Zoning and planning also needs to be re-evaluated, he added. “Policymakers need to rethink the Lake Michigan shore’s built environment,” Learner said, and “make decisions based on today’s realities.” Just north of Waukegan, spent nuclear fuel is encased along the lake in Zion. The nuclear plant there was shut down in 1998 and its dismantling, now completed, began more than a decade ago. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said government officials continue to inspect the site to ensure that it’s safe and not a health or environmental hazard. But there’s no place for the fuel to be transferred and, therefore, there is not a timeline for removing it.The ELPC report urges regulators to update their reviews for protection against potential flooding, something the nuclear commission spokeswoman said is ongoing.On the Southeast Side, several locations, including a closed scrap-metal operation by Sims Metal, a dump for Calumet River dredged material and a shipping terminal managed by the Illinois International Port District all contain toxic materials that can spread to neighborhoods and into the lake if flooded, the report said.Just to the east, in Northwest Indiana, a number of current and former industrial sites raise pollution concerns, including the U.S. Steel Gary Works and the now-demolished State Line coal plant, the report noted.Other threats remain, including a lakeside wastewater treatment plant in South Haven, Michigan, as well as two wastewater facilities in Manitowoc and Two Rivers in Wisconsin. Areas of the Alliant Edgewater coal plant and its ash ponds in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, may also be vulnerable to flood waters, the report said. Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Pakistan’s flooded southern Sindh province braced Sunday for a fresh deluge from swollen rivers in the north as the death toll from this year’s monsoon topped 1,000.The mighty Indus River that courses through Pakistan’s second-most populous region is fed by dozens of mountain tributaries to the north, but many have burst their banks after record rains and glacier melt.Officials warned torrents of water are expected to reach Sindh in the next few days, adding misery to millions already affected by the floods.“Right now, Indus is in high flood,” said Aziz Soomro, the supervisor of a barrage that regulates the river’s flow near Sukkur.The annual monsoon is essential for irrigating crops and replenishing lakes and dams across the Indian subcontinent, but it also brings destruction.Officials say this year’s monsoon flooding has affected more than 33 million people – one in seven Pakistanis – destroying or badly damaging nearly a million homes.On Sunday, the country’s National Disaster Management Authority said the death toll from the monsoon rains had reached 1,033, with 119 killed in the previous 24 hours.It said this year’s floods were comparable to 2010 – the worst on record – when more than 2,000 people died and nearly a fifth of the country was under water.Thousands of people living near flood-swollen rivers in Pakistan’s north were ordered to evacuate from danger zones, but army helicopters and rescuers are still plucking laggards to safety.“People were informed around three or four o’clock in the morning to evacuate their houses,” rescue worker Umar Rafiq told AFP.“When the flood water hit the area we had to rescue children and women.”Many rivers in the area – a picturesque tourist destination of rugged mountains and valleys – have burst their banks, demolishing scores of buildings including a 150-room hotel that crumbled into a raging torrent.Guest house owner Nasir Khan, whose business was badly hit by the 2010 flooding, said he had lost everything.“It has washed away the remaining part of the hotel,” he said. – Officials blame the devastation on human-driven climate change, saying Pakistan is unfairly bearing the consequences of irresponsible environmental practices elsewhere in the world.Pakistan is eighth on NGO Germanwatch’s global climate risk index, a list of countries deemed most vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change.Exacerbating the situation, corruption, poor planning and the flouting of local regulations mean thousands of buildings have been erected in areas prone to seasonal flooding.The government has declared an emergency and mobilised the military to deal with what the climate change minister, Sherry Rehman, has called “a catastrophe of epic scale”.In parts of Sindh, the only dry land are the elevated roads and rail tracks, alongside which tens of thousands of poor rural people have taken shelter with their livestock.Near Sukkur, a row of tents stretched for 2km, with people still arriving by boats loaded with wooden charpoy beds and pots and pans – the only possessions they could salvage.“Water started rising in the river from yesterday, inundating all the villages and forcing us to flee,” labourer Wakeel Ahmed, 22, said.Barrage supervisor Soomro said every sluice gate was open to deal with a river flow of more than 600,000 cubic metres a second.The flooding could not come at a worse time for Pakistan, where the economy is in freefall and the former prime minister Imran Khan was ousted by a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April.While the capital Islamabad and adjoining twin garrison city of Rawalpindi have escaped the worst of the flooding, its effects were still being felt.“Currently supplies are very limited,” said Muhammad Ismail, a produce shopkeeper in Rawalpindi.“Tomatoes, peas, onions and other vegetables are not available due to the floods,” he said, adding prices were also soaring. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A general view of flooded Han river from an observation platform in Seoul, South Korea, August 11, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-JiRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSEOUL, Aug 11 (Reuters) - The heaviest rain in Seoul in 115 years has spurred the South Korean capital to revive a $1.15 billion plan to improve drainage after floods exposed how even the affluent Gangnam district is vulnerable to climate change-driven extreme weather.Experts say the city's capacity to drain water is far behind what's needed to handle a deluge like the one suffered this week. That has disasterous implications for low-lying areas like Gangnam, as these bouts of extreme weather are becoming increasingly common.This week's torrential rain killed at least 11 people across the northern part of the country, as of Thursday morning. The downpour, which began on Monday and shifted southwards on Wednesday, knocked out power, caused landslides and flooded roads and subways. read more Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comMonetary estimates of the damage were still being compiled.In the wake of the downpour, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced on Wednesday the city will spend 1.5 trillion won ($1.15 billion) in the next decade to build six massive underground tunnels to store and release rainwater to prevent flooding."The damage from this record rainfall shows that there are limits with short-term water control measures when unusual weather conditions due to global warming have become common," Mayor Oh said, vowing to establish a city-wide system capable of handling 100 mm (3.94 inches) rainfall an hour from the current 95 mm.The city's development meant increased pavement and impermeable surfaces, leading to higher runoff and more flooding. More than 50% of Seoul's land areas are impermeable, with the figure much higher in the affluent Gangnam district with wide boulevards and office buildings, experts said."It's always a see-saw game between cost and safety," said Moon Young-il, a professor of civil engineering at University of Seoul. "We need to find a balance point and 100 mm seems reasonable enough."Seoul had lacked any detailed plan for water control as it grew from a city of 2 to 3 million people in the 1960s to one with over 10 million by the 1990s, Moon said.The underground tunnels were originally proposed in 2011 after heavy rains and landslides killed 16 people, many of them in Gangnam. But the plan was put on hold amid decreased precipitation and budget issues in the following years.The Seoul city also plans to ban basement or lower ground apartments after three family members including a woman with developmental disabilities drowned in their home on Monday. read more The calamitous wet weather prompted President Yoon Suk-yeol to hold a series of meetings with officials this week, to find fundamental ways to improve South Korea's preparedness against similar climate change-induced disasters.Warmer weather increases moisture levels in the air, leading to more intense rainfall. So while there has been little change in the annual precipitation over the past four decades, the frequency of heavy rains in Seoul has increased by 27% since the 2000s, according to a 2021 report by the Seoul Institute."It was indeed an extreme weather. But we can no longer call this kind of weather event unusual," President Yoon told a meeting on Wednesday. "The largest, highest record can be broken at any time."($1 = 1,302.2400 won)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Heejung Jung, Minwoo Park and Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Josh Smith and Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSummaryHomes and campsites evacuated, livelihoods threatenedFlames tear down hillside near Portugal's PombalBlaze rages near tallest sand dune in EuropeEurope is a 'heatwave hotspot', says scientistLEIRIA, Portugal/RASLINA, Croatia, July 14 (Reuters) - Wildfires raged across tinder-dry country in Portugal, Spain, France and Croatia on Thursday, burning homes and threatening livelihoods, as much of Europe baked in a heatwave that has pushed temperatures into the mid-40Cs in some countries.In Portugal's central Leiria district, tired firefighters battled to control blazes that have been fanned by strong winds. Footage from the area on Wednesday showed smoke darkening the sky and billowing across a highway, while flames licked around the roofs of houses in one small village."Yesterday was a very tough day," Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said as he attended a briefing with the national meteorological institute IPMA.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"It is absolutely crucial we avoid new events because it leads to the exhaustion of firefighters and all others ... who are doing their best to control the situation."The most concerning blaze was near the town of Pombal, where on Thursday aircraft and helicopters dropped water on flames that were tearing down a hillside lined with highly flammable pine and eucalyptus trees."When it gets to the eucalyptus it's like an explosion," Antonio, an elderly resident of the nearby village of Gesteira, said as he anxiously watched the approaching flames.Across the border in western Spain, a fire that started in the Extremadura region on Tuesday swept into Salamanca province in the region of Castile and Leon, forcing the evacuation of 49 children from a summer camp on Thursday.Regional authorities said more than 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres) of land had been burned.Spain's meteorological agency AEMET expected the heatwave to reach its peak later on Thursday, with temperatures likely to exceed 44 Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) in large parts of southern Spain.On Croatia's Adriatic Coast, firefighting planes swooped low to dump water over burning forests, and troops were called in to help firefighters battling to contain three major wildfires around Zadar and Sibenek.Arndt Dreste, 55, had moved to the village of Raslina, near Sibenik this year, after selling his property in Germany. His house was severely damaged by the fire.A fire fighting helicopter works to contain a wildfire in Leiria, Portugal July 13, 2022. REUTERS/Rodrigo Antunes"I bought this house in January ... I (am) cut off from Germany and this is my life here ... it was here," Dreste told Reuters, showing the charred walls of his home.'HEATWAVE HOTSPOT'In southwestern France, about 1,000 firefighters, supported by six water-bombing planes, were battling two wildfires that started on Tuesday."The fires are still not under control," the local authority for the Gironde department said.The biggest of the two Gironde fires was around the town of Landiras, south of Bordeaux, where roads have been closed and 500 residents evacuated.The other blaze was along the Atlantic Coast, close to the "Dune du Pilat" - the tallest sand dune in Europe - in the Arcachon Bay area, above which heavy clouds of dark smoke were seen rising into the sky.Around 6,000 people were evacuated from five surrounding campsites on Wednesday, and another 60 people early on Thursday.Thousands of people were also evacuated from homes on Turkey's southwestern Datca peninsula, as a fire that started on Wednesday was fanned by strong winds overnight and threatened residential areas.The forestry minister said the fire had been brought under control on Thursday after seven firefighting aircraft and 14 helicopters were deployed to contain it. read more Scientists blame human-caused climate change for the increased frequency of extreme weather such as heatwaves, which have also hit parts of China and the United States in recent days.A study in the journal Nature last week found the number of heatwaves in Europe has increased three-to-four times faster than in the rest of the northern mid-latitudes, such as the United States and Canada, due in large part to the jet stream air current splitting into two parts for longer periods."Europe is very much affected by changes in atmospheric circulation," co-author Kai Kornhuber, a climate scientist at Columbia University, told Reuters. It's a heatwave hotspot."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comAdditional reporting by Emma Pinedo in Madrid, Benoit Van Overstraeten in Paris, Gloria Dickie in London, Ali Kucukgocmen and Yesim Dikmen in Istanbul; Writing by Alex Richardson; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
BEIJING (AP) — Flash floods in southwest and northwest China have left at least a dozen dead and put thousands of others in harm's way, state media reported Sunday.In the southwestern province of Sichuan, at least six people have died and another 12 are missing after torrential rain triggered flash floods, state-owned news outlet CGTN reported.Some 1,300 people had been evacuated as of Saturday, the report said.Meanwhile, in Longnan city in the northwestern province of Gansu, another six deaths were reported and 3,000 people have been evacuated, state broadcaster CCTV said. Rainfall in 1 1/2 day was as much as 98.9 millimeters (3.9 inches) in the worst affected areas, almost double the July average.The rains come amid a heat wave in parts of the country including eastern Zhejiang province and the city of Shanghai, with temperatures soaring as high as 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit) last week.Experts say such extreme weather events are becoming more likely because of climate change. Warmer air can store more water, leading to bigger cloudbursts when it’s released.The flooding adds to economic woes brought on partly by stringent “zero-COVID” measures restricting travel and disrupting supply chains.China is not the only country experiencing extreme weather this summer. In Germany, low water levels in the Rhine due to droughts have disrupted the supply chain for commodities into the country. Heat waves have also hit the southern part of the U.S., with temperatures expected to soar over 38 C (100 F) in coming days. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
LONDON — The weather maps for Europe were blood-red Sunday as heat that has been baking Spain and Italy and fanning fires in southwest France worked its way north toward Britain.In London, it was warm, in the high 80s, but temperatures Monday and Tuesday were forecast to hit 100 or higher and to shatter records in a place where air conditioning is rare and buildings are constructed to retain heat.In France, the extreme temperatures that have fed wildfires in the south are expected to sweep into the north, especially along the Atlantic coast, which was bracing for uncharacteristically scorching weather.In Italy, where temperatures were expected to be in the 90s on Sunday, the heat was bad enough, but the country is also experiencing its worst drought in years. The government has allocated about $36.8 million for water-starved farmers in northern regions. Two hydro-electrical plants had to be shut in the area because there was not enough water to cool them.And in Spain, a heat wave entered its eighth day, with 30 wildfires burning across the country. Relief is hard to find, even after the sun goes down — Saturday night was Madrid’s fifth consecutive “torrid night,” a term used when temperatures do not fall below 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The previous record stood at three nights. Rubén del Campo, the State Meteorological Agency’s spokesman, said that of the 27 torrid nights recorded in the past century, 15 were since 2012.Like everywhere else on Earth, Europe is seeing more extreme weather events more frequently, partly as a result of climate change. For proof, one has to look back only to last summer, when floods washed through Germany and other countries in July, killing hundreds. In August, multiple wildfires consumed large areas of Greece. And, also in August, one town in Sicily may have recorded the hottest temperature ever in Europe: 124 degrees Fahrenheit.But Sunday, the attention in France was focused on the wildfires, in the southwestern Gironde region near Bordeaux, where over 1,200 firefighters were still struggling to contain two separate blazes.The fires have destroyed over 25,000 acres of vegetation and have forced more than 14,000 people to evacuate since Tuesday, local authorities said.Four firefighters so far have been slightly injured, they said, and damage to buildings and homes has been minimal. Still, authorities warned that the situation was unstable, with higher temperatures and shifting winds expected Monday.“The weather conditions are very, very bad,” Vincent Ferrier, a local official in Langon, an area of Gironde, told reporters Sunday. “These are obviously the worst conditions that you can have when you are fighting against a fire.”In Rome, where it has been in the 90s for the past week, street vendors dozed in the shade Sunday morning while tourists filled their water bottles from the famous fountains.“It’s hot — too hot to walk around during the day,” said Serena Vendoni, 57, a hairdresser from northern Italy who was visiting Rome with her family for a long weekend. “But it’s hot even at home. We have been turning on the AC every day and every night for almost two months now.”She said that her family’s electric bill had skyrocketed as temperatures had rarely been under 86 for weeks.“We want to be careful with the AC,” Vendoni said. Energy prices have shot up in Europe partly because of the war in Ukraine. “But we have to be able to live in the house — and sleep.”On Sunday in Britain, people were making their own plans to withstand the coming heat. The forecasts for Monday and Tuesday were dire; Friday, the country’s national weather service issued the most severe warning it has for London and a large part of England.The warning, a “red” alert, is meant to convey a risk to life, and health officials stressed that even healthy people could be adversely affected. The public was warned to try to stay out of the sun from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to make only essential journeys on those days, to avoid exercising during the hottest part of the day and to carry water with them. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comHOSTENS, France, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Firefighters flew to France from across Europe to battle a "monster" wildfire raging for a third day near the wine-growing heartland of Bordeaux on Thursday, with no let-up in blistering temperatures likely before the weekend.More than 1,000 firefighters backed by water-bombing aircraft tried to contain the blaze in the southwestern Gironde region that has forced thousands of people from their homes and scorched 6,800 hectares of forest."It's an ogre, it's a monster," Gregory Allione from the French firefighters body FNSPF told RTL radio.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comFrench President Emmanuel Macron said European countries were coming to France's rescue. Two Greek tanker planes were arriving alongside two Swedish airtractors, 64 firefighters from Germany, 146 from Poland and more from Austria and Romania, his office added.Wildfires have broken out across Europe this summer as successive heatwaves bake the continent, bring record temperatures and renew focus on climate change risks to industry and livelihoods.Overnight the darkened skies glowed orange above the burning forests in Gironde, leaving residents to face another anxiety-wracked night as the fire advanced.Firefighters said they had managed to save the village of Belin-Beliet, transformed into a ghost village after police told residents to evacuate as the flames approached.In nearby Hostens, Allisson Fayol and her father stayed in their home, their bags packed in case they needed to make a hasty departure."There is still a lot of smoke but for now it's not coming this way," Fayol said after watching many of her neighbours leave their homes overnight.Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne was visiting the region.General view of smoke and flames from the fire in Belin-Beliet, as wildfires continue to spread in the Gironde region of southwestern France, August 10, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane MaheHEATWAVES, FLOODS, MELTING GLACIERSHeatwaves, floods and crumbling glaciers have heightened concerns over climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather across the globe.The head of the European Space Agency, Josef Aschbacher, said successive heatwaves, shrinking rivers and rising land temperatures as measured from space left no doubt about the toll on agriculture and other industries from climate change."It's pretty bad. We have seen extremes that have not been observed before," Aschbacher told Reuters. read more ESA's Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite series has measured "extreme" land surface temperatures of more than 45C in Britain, 50C in France and 60C in Spain in recent weeks.More than 57,200 hectares have gone up in flames so far in France this year, nearly six times the full-year average for 2006-2021, data from the European Forest Fire Information System shows.French authorities said temperatures in the Gironde region would reach 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) on Thursday and stay high until Saturday.Firefighters warned of an "explosive cocktail" of weather conditions with wind and the tinder-box conditions helping fan the flames.The Gironde was hit by big wildfires in July which destroyed more than 20,000 hectares of forest and temporarily forced almost 40,000 people from their homes.Hostens mayor Jean-Louis Dartiailh described the past weeks as a disaster."The area is totally disfigured. We're heartbroken, we're exhausted," he told Radio Classique. "(This fire) is the final straw."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Manuel Ausloos and Stephane Mahe in Hostens, Layli Foroudi and Michel Rose in Paris, Christina Thykjaer in Madrid and Catarina Demony in Lisbon; writing by Richard Lough; editing by Jason Neely and Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The Environment Agency has warned we are facing the 'early signs of drought' with no rain on the horizon during another spell of sizzling weatherVideo LoadingVideo UnavailableUK weather: Temperatures to reach 39 degree in mid-AugustThe UK is facing a second weather “event" of the year with a blistering heatwave threatening to spark an extended drought. Temperatures could soar up to 35C (95F) during a ten day scorcher this week, prompting fears of even more “terrifying” wildfires. The Environment Agency (EA) has warned they are seeing the “early signs of drought” and The Met Office say there is little chance of rain on the horizon. People in the UK are being urged to use 35 litres less of water per day by not using hosepipes and showering less. Those who break the law face £1000 fines if taken to court. A Government minister even suggested installing a water-saving device in your toilet cistern. The Government has also taken the unusual step of telling water companies to “step up” and take action now and bring in more hosepipe bans. The hot summer has parched Britain's parks and fields like in Blackheath, south London (
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PA) Extreme weather has forced three water companies to announce hosepipe bans, affecting around 2.4 million people in England and Wales. Southern Water has already imposed a hosepipe ban for Brits in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, South East Water will follow suit this Friday, with a ban in force for those in Kent and Sussex. But amid fears the water bosses have left it too late, Environment Secretary George Eustice has strongly urged other companies to follow suit. He warned them if they failed to act, he “won’t hesitate to step in and take further action”. Mr Eustice wrote in The Sunday Telegraph: “In accordance with their drought plans, water companies across the country have rightly taken action to mitigate the effects of this prolonged dry weather using the range of tools available to them. I strongly urge others to do the same”. Burrator Reservoir in Devon is 44% full (
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SWNS) But the Government was blasted for having "no plan" itself to deal with drought conditions. Jim McMahon, the shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, said: “This crisis in our system was entirely predictable and the government should have both anticipated and planned for it. “In a country with plenty of rain outside of mid-summer, we should not need to rely on hosepipe bans to get us through the dry months. Incredible historic temperatures of 40.3C last month and the lack of rainfall, has left much of the south parched. Even the source of the Thames has started to dry up and in Norfolk the River Wensum stopped flowing through a historic watermill for the first time in a century. More wildfires broke out in England and Wales in July than there were in entirety of last year. A fire in Essex yesterday took hold very quickly in the dry conditions and spread to 15 gardens (
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NC) Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said temperatures are nine to ten degrees above average temperatures for August, which is normally 21.5 in southern England and 17C in Scotland. “There is a likely chance we will be seeing heatwave areas across a number of areas. Temperatures are definitely well above our average. “Science has pointed us towards these hot periods becoming more frequent with climate change. We’ve already seen this in July and now we have a notable one in August as well. “This one would be seen as quite the event of the year, if we’d not already seen temperatures like we did in July. “The second half of this week will see heatwaves fairly widely across southern England and potential for eastern areas too. Scotland might even make heatwave threshold of 25C.” He said on Monday it will be 29C pushing towards 30C on Wednesday while in the north west temperatures could reach 28C on Thursday. He said by Friday and Saturday temperatures will get higher again and be around 33C and 34C. The dramatic fire in Chelmsford last night “But there is a 40 percent chance of seeing temperatures above 35C. It’s a reasonable chance,” he said. Britain faces the driest period since the summer of 1976, with the south of England in particular having already suffered the driest July since records began in 1836. Ex EA boss, Dave Throup, pointed out “dry stubble” in the fields and said: “Next week a real concern for wildfires.” In Cornwall, 40 firefighters tackled a wild fire near Truro on Saturday. A green shoot in the bone dry Lindley Wood reservoir in Yorkshire (
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Asadour Guzelian) There are fears we could follow France which has set up a crisis team to tackle a historic drought that has left more than 100 regions short of drinking water. The Minister for Ecological Transition Christophe Bechu warned: “There is nothing left in the pipes. “This is a situation like nothing we’ve ever seen... And the bad news is that, as far as we can see, there’s no reason to think that it will stop.” The drought in the UK has been described as a death sentence for Britain’s wildlife, with blackbirds and thrushes unable to find worms in a rock-hard ground to feed their starving chicks. There is still hardly any rain forecast over the next couple of weeks (
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SWNS) Environment Agency boss, John Curtin, tweeted: “In these conditions we can see aquatic wildlife in distress” and urged the public to report it if they say fish dying or gasping for air. There are also fears for Britain’s struggling hedgehog population which has plunged from fifty million to less than 900,000 during the last few decades. Although experts fear the nation’s drought conditions and looming nationwide hosepipe bans will create even more of an ideal environment for wasps to multiply and swarm. Mark Lloyd, chief executive of The Rivers Trust, has criticised water companies for taking action too late. Dried up river bed in Somerford Keynes, Glos (
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PA) He said: “Every year we get to this perilous position and at the last possible moment, when the rivers are at their lowest, we get discussion of temporary use bans. “Announcing it at the last minute causes people to rush to wash their cars and fill their paddling pools, wash the dog, and causes an increase in demand before the ban comes in. “This should happen before the rivers come to a desperate condition and there’s not enough water for wildlife.” Read More Read More | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
World August 29, 2022 / 7:30 AM / CBS News Pakistan flooding death toll tops 1,000 Pakistan flooding death toll tops 1,000 00:18 Islamabad — Authorities in Pakistan issued an emergency appeal for international humanitarian aid as the death toll from 2022's "monster monsoon" season soared over 1,000. Flooding from weeks of torrential rain has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless across the south Asian nation, which was already reeling from a deep economic crisis.Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned Sunday night that the flooding brought by this year's extreme monsoon rains, in addition to meltwater running down from Pakistan's glaciers, would exacerbate the country's economic woes and that financial aid would be needed."I haven't seen destruction of this scale. I find it very difficult to put into words," he said. "It is overwhelming." A man pushes his child through a flooded area after heavy monsoon rains in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, August 29, 2022. ABDUL MAJEED/AFP/Getty According to Bhutto-Zardari, at least 30 million people out of Pakistan's total population of 220 million have been affected in some way by the flooding. Lives and homes lost to the floodsAt least 1,061 people have been killed amid the deluges that began with the seasonal monsoon rains in mid-June, and that toll is set to rise further as many communities in the mountainous northern regions remain cut off by flood-swollen rivers that washed away roads and bridges.Army helicopters were struggling to pluck people cut off by raging torrents up to safety in the north, where steep hills and valleys make for treacherous flying conditions. Many rivers in the region — which is a picturesque tourist destination when there aren't monsoon rains — have burst their banks, sweeping away scores of buildings including a 150-room hotel that crumbled into a raging torrent. The swollen Swat River forced tens of thousands of people in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to flee their homes and seek shelter in relief camps set up in government buildings. But with so many displaced, provincial government spokesperson Kamran Bangash said many people were just camped out on roadsides, desperate to avoid the flooding wherever they could find higher ground. Bangash said some 330,000 people had been evacuated from villages in the districts of Charsadda and Nowshehra alone. The devastation has also been intense in the southern provinces of Balochistan and Sindh. Pakistani flood victims wade through flood water after monsoon rains in Matiari, Sindh province, Pakistan, August 29, 2022. Shakeel Ahmad/Anadolu Agency/Getty Bhutto-Zardari said at least 1 million tents were among the aid items needed most urgently, to temporarily house those left homeless by the inundations. "Climate catastrophe" leaving Pakistan underwaterPakistan's climate minister has warned that a third of the country could be underwater by the time this year's "monster monsoon" flooding recedes. Pakistan is hit, on average, with three or four spells of monsoon rains per season, but this year has been wicked. The country is currently in the grips of its eighth spell of relentless rainfall of the summer."We could well have one fourth or one-third of Pakistan underwater," Sherry Rehman, a Pakistani senator and the Federal Minister for Climate Change, said on Sunday. Residents gather beside a road damaged by flood waters following heavy monsoon rains in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, August 29, 2022. ABDUL MAJEED/AFP/Getty She said Pakistan was experiencing a "serious climate catastrophe.""We are at the moment at the ground zero of the front line of extreme weather events, in an unrelenting cascade of heatwaves, forest fires, flash floods, multiple glacial lake outbursts, flood events and now the monster monsoon of the decade is wreaking non-stop havoc throughout the country," said Rehman.She warned that the warming climate was speeding up the rate at which glaciers in Pakistan's mountainous north are melting, exacerbating the impact of the heavy rain. Pakistan has 7,532 glaciers, more than anywhere else outside of the polar regions. A photograph taken on May 7, 2022, shows a bridge partially collapsing due to flash floods sparked by a glacial lake outburst, in Hassanabad village, in Pakistan's northern Hunza district. AFP via Getty Officials say Pakistan is unfairly bearing the consequences of irresponsible environmental practices elsewhere in the world. The country ranks eighth on the Germanwatch organization's global climate risk index, which lists countries deemed to be the most vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change. But domestic problems aren't helping matters. Corruption, poor planning and the flouting of local regulations mean thousands of buildings have been erected in areas prone to seasonal flooding. A call for helpBhutto-Zardari said Sunday that the floods would take an even greater economic toll on Pakistan than the coronavirus pandemic, and he made it clear that help was needed as soon as possible.Much of this year's crops have been wiped out, he noted, and in a nation where so many people rely on agriculture as a means of providing for themselves and their families, "obviously, this will have an effect on the overall economic situation." "I would expect not only the International Monetary Fund, but the international community and international agencies to truly grasp the level of devastation," said the foreign minister. Humanitarian aid from the United Arab Emirates is offloaded at the Nur Khan Airbase, in Pakistan's Punjab province, August 29, 2022, to help victims of the flooding caused by a "monster monsoon" season. Handout/Pakistan Ministry of Information and Broadcasting The U.S. and U.K. governments have pledged around $1 million each in emergency relief, and the first foreign aid was starting to trickle into Pakistan on Monday on flights from Turkey and the UAE.Pakistan was already facing high inflation, a depreciating currency and a cash deficit, and Bhutto-Zardari said he hoped the flooding emergency would persuade the IMF's board this week to release $1.2 billion as part of the next installments in an already-running national bailout program from the global rescue fund. In: Climate Change Pakistan Flooding Flood Thanks for reading CBS NEWS. Create your free account or log in for more features. Please enter email address to continue Please enter valid email address to continue | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
In what has already been a brutal summer of heat waves across much of Europe, temperature records are expected to be broken in parts of the U.K., Germany and France this week, putting thousands of lives in danger.Temperatures are expected to reach as high as 109°F on Tuesday in locations where air conditioning is not a common amenity, and health officials are warning that excess deaths due to heat are all but guaranteed. With temperatures forecast to be 15°F to 30°F above normal, the U.K. Met Office issued a first-ever extreme heat warning, and scorching conditions could drag on for weeks.More than 1,000 people have been killed in Spain and Portugal due to heat-related causes in recent weeks. Temperatures around the continent are expected to shatter all-time records Monday and Tuesday, and the death rate is expected to rise sharply. With luck, it won't mirror the toll of 70,000 who were killed during a heat wave in Europe in 2003.With the extreme heat that scientists have shown is linked to climate change, wildfires have erupted on the continent. In a pine forest left parched due the rapid evaporation caused by high temperatures, nearly 1,700 firefighters in France have been battling an enormous blaze near Bordeaux.“The situation is critical, mainly because the weather is unfavorable to us,” Vincent Ferrier, a French official, told reporters Monday.A church is pictured during sunset as a heat wave hits Europe, in Oisy-le-Verger, France, on July 14. (Pascal Rossignol/Reuters)Wildfires, made more frequent due to rising global temperatures, have also erupted in Spain and Portugal, forcing thousands from their homes. As shocking as the effects of climate change have been to witness in recent years, scientists continue to warn that they will worsen as long as humans continue to pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.Every fraction of a degree of global warming increases the likelihood of extreme weather events like the current #heatwave in Europe. This year, countries must deliver on their promise to raise ambition in their national climate plans & keep the 1.5°C goal alive. #COP27 pic.twitter.com/LBi2XWgnWD— UN Climate Change (@UNFCCC) July 18, 2022An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) study published last year found that Europe was warming faster than many other parts of the globe due to fluctuations in the jet stream caused by rising temperatures.In fact, Europe has already exceeded the 1.5°C threshold for catastrophic climate change set forth by the IPCC, having warmed by 2.2°C since the start of the Industrial Revolution.Flames rise at a forest fire near Louchats in southwestern France on Monday. (Philippe Lopez/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)“Every fraction of a degree counts. Greenhouse gas concentrations are at record levels. Extreme weather and climate disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said of the report.Indeed, the speed at which climate change is unfolding has caught some experts by surprise. In 2020, for instance, the Met Office produced a hypothetical map of what summertime heat wave temperatures might look like in 2050. That reality, however, was nearly matched this week.In 2020, the @metoffice produced a hypothetical weather forecast for 23 July 2050 based on UK climate projections.Today, the forecast for Tuesday is shockingly almost identical for large parts of the country. pic.twitter.com/U5hQhZwoTi— Dr Simon Lee (@SimonLeeWx) July 15, 2022As has been documented over the past several years, the climate change dangers now facing Europe include extreme heat waves, drought, wildfires and inundating rainfall. Last year, more than 150 people died when torrential downpours resulted in flash flooding in parts of Germany and Belgium, and a record-breaking heat wave in Greece helped fuel a wildfire that destroyed homes and businesses. Europe's hottest day on record was recorded in Sicily last August, when the mercury hit 119.8°F.These individual events are part of a larger pattern and a consequence of a warning planet. A mountain of research has shown that it is by no means limited to Europe or the United States.Last month observed the 2nd hottest June on record across mid-latitude land areas in the Northern Hemisphere... the last two years are yikes 🥴 pic.twitter.com/ZCgVZs7XvA— Zack Labe (@ZLabe) July 16, 2022At a time when Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., all but torpedoed President Biden's goal of cutting U.S. emissions in half by 2030 when he announced Friday he would not vote to pass a budget reconciliation bill that included measures intended to tackle climate change, the problem of rising temperatures is taken seriously across the political spectrum in Europe.Yet while leaders there have pledged ambitious goals for reducing the emissions causing climate change, they will need the help of nations like the U.S., China and India in order to make a significant impact on the heat waves that continue to make life miserable on the continent.Touring the scene of one of the many wildfires currently ravaging Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez summed up the dire situation."Climate change kills,” he said Monday. “It kills people, it kills our ecosystems and biodiversity.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
China is scrambling to alleviate power shortages and bring more water to the drought-hit basin of the Yangtze river as it battles a record-breaking heatwave by seeding clouds, deploying relief funds and developing new sources of supply.For more than two months, baking temperatures have disrupted crop growth, threatened livestock and forced industries in the hydropower-dependent regions of the south-west to shut down so as to ensure electricity supplies for homes.China has repeatedly warned that it faces a proliferation of extreme weather events in coming years as it tries to adapt to climate change and rises in temperature that are likely to be more severe than elsewhere.The current extreme heat is likely to stem from a “special case” of high pressure from a west Pacific subtropical high extending over much of Asia, said Cai Wenju, a researcher with Australia’s national scientific research institute, CSIRO.China’s heatwave has run for 64 days, making it the longest since full records began in 1961, state media said, citing data from the National Climate Centre. High temperatures will persist until 26 August in the Sichuan basin and large parts of central China, according to forecasts. A villager fills up at a water distribution point in Luoping village in south-west China's Chongqing municipality. Photograph: Xinhua/REX/ShutterstockOn Wednesday, China’s south-western province of Sichuan said it would ration power supplies to homes, offices and shopping malls, after having already ordered producers of energy-intensive metals and fertiliser to curb operations.In what appears to be an official call to cut electricity use, government offices were asked to set air conditioners no lower than 26 degrees Celsius (79 Fahrenheit) and use the stairs instead of lifts, the Sichuan Daily, run by the provincial government, said.Fountains, light shows and commercial activities after dark are to be suspended, it added.On Wednesday, the central province of Hubei became the latest to unveil an effort to induce rainfall, by sending airplanes to fire the chemical silver iodide into the clouds.Other regions on the Yangtze have also launched “cloud seeding” programmes, but with cloud cover too thin, operations in some parched areas have stayed on standby.Power shortages have also prompted several companies in the sprawling Chongqing region bordering Sichuan to say they would suspend production.Chinese vice premier Han Zheng visited the State Grid Corporation on Wednesday and said further efforts were needed to ensure power supply for residents and key industries, and to prevent power cuts, according to a state media report.China should accelerate projects to improve power load management and promote the joint operation of coal power and renewable energy, Han said.Staff carry out artificial rain seeding operations as part of the drought relief measures in Zigui county of Yichang, Hubei province, on Tuesday. Photograph: China Daily/ReutersHydropower makes up about 80% of Sichuan’s power capacity, but dwindling water flows on the Yangtze and its tributaries led to a struggle to meet mounting demand for air conditioning as temperatures soared to 40C and beyond.Average precipitation in Sichuan is 51% less than that of previous years, according to state news agency Xinhua, which cited the provincial branch of State Grid.Some reservoirs have dried up, after water from major rivers reduced by as much as half, it said.Drought throughout the Yangtze river basin was also “adversely affecting” drinking water for rural people and livestock, as well as the growth of crops, the water resources ministry said in a notice.It urged drought-hit regions to make plans to maintain water supply with steps such as temporary water transfer, the development of new sources and the extension of pipe networks.To boost downstream supplies, China’s biggest hydropower project, the Three Gorges dam, will step up water discharges by 500m cubic metres over the next 10 days, it said on Tuesday. Water flows there this week were about half those of a year earlier.Some livestock from drought-hit areas had been temporarily moved elsewhere, the finance ministry said this week, promising disaster relief of 300m yuan ($44m). | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A transmission tower is seen on July 11, 2022 in Houston, Texas. ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) is urging Texans to voluntarily conserve power today, due to extreme heat potentially causing rolling blackouts.Brandon Bell | Getty ImagesTexas' grid operator is warning residents to conserve energy for the second time this year, as fears mount over potential rolling blackouts amid scorching temperatures this week.The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages about 90% of the state's electricity load, said that residents and businesses should turn up thermostats by at least one degree Fahrenheit and not use any major appliances between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Central time on Monday.The Texas regulator also projected a shortage in energy reserves on Monday "with no market solution available," but said it does not expect systemwide outages. Less than 10% of wind power generation will be available on Monday, ERCOT said, further lowering the amount of available power in the state."The heat wave that has settled on Texas and much of the central United States is driving increased electric use," ERCOT said in a statement. "While solar power is generally reaching near full generation capacity, wind generation is currently generating significantly less than what it historically generated in this time period."Roughly 50 million people in the U.S. were under heat warnings or advisories over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Heat indexes reached over 110 degrees in southeast Texas on Sunday, leading to record high power demand that's put pressure on the grid.Record power usage caused by extreme weather has prompted concerns over the vulnerability of the state's grid system, following a deadly winter storm in February 2021 that left millions of residents without power for days.Climate change has triggered more frequent and intense disasters such as heat waves, drought and wildfires, which have forced more blackouts and overwhelmed some of the country's infrastructure. Extreme weather has caused 67% more major power outages in the U.S. since 2000, according to an analysis by research group Climate Central.ERCOT forecast that electricity demand in Texas will peak at 79,671 megawatts, slightly below the available 80,083 megawatts on Monday. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The UK could hit its highest-ever temperature today or tomorrow, surpassing the current record of 38.7C (101F) which was set in Cambridge in 2019.The mercury may soar above 38C (100F), 39C (102F) or even 40C (104F) in some parts of the country, with the current heatwave due to peak on Tuesday, before cooler conditions push in from the Atlantic, rather than hot weather coming from southern Europe.
Scientists say climate change is increasing the likelihood of exceptional heatwaves in Britain, a country unaccustomed to such high temperatures.So, how much are these kind of extreme heatwaves down to climate change?Alex Deakin from the Met Office is in no doubt. The meteorologist told Sky News: "We've had hot spells in the past. But what is absolutely clear is that these hot spells, these heatwaves are becoming more intense, more frequent. The science is absolutely clear that climate change has its fingerprints all over this current hot spell."
He added: "What we know is that 40C is now 10 times more likely in the UK than it would be under a naturally-varying climate - so one that humans haven't influenced. More on Climate Change Red alert: UK set to roast in 'ferocious heat' as temperatures could hit above 40C and bring widespread disruption Heatwave: Melting roads, buckling tracks, productivity loss - Britain needs to adapt to more soaring temperatures French firefighters battle huge forest blaze and pilot dies in crash in Portugal as wildfires rage across Europe "So we are going to experience these kind of heatwaves more and more frequently."He went on: "Heatwaves are getting more severe, getting more ferocious, they are lasting longer and temperatures are rising and that's all part of climate change." Image: The Met Office has issued a red alert for Monday and Tuesday Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, said the UK is at a "crossroads" in terms of the "most indisputable change sign that we've ever seen"."Data has been one-way traffic for the last decade and more. The global records have all been in the last decade in terms of the heat and the CO2 levels."It's no longer denial - man-made climate change - it's here."He added: "It's not just about heat. It's about other aspects as well that we'll see into the future - storms, floods - these aspects that climate change brings." How ready is the UK to deal with such high temperatures?Mr Deakin said the infrastructure in the UK is not ready to cope with such levels but it must increasingly prepare for them, including by the government.He called them "unprecedented values", adding: "When you go on holiday your body is prepared for it and the infrastructure in those countries (such as southern Europe) is set up. You have air conditioning."Mr Deakin warned: "It's the night-time temperatures, as well as the daytime temperatures, that are going to cause the problems (in the UK) as people won't be able to sleep as well, and if your body does not get that rest then it really struggles to cope in the high temperatures."Read more:What is a national heatwave emergency and what could it mean for the UK?Schools close, hospitals cancel appointments and events are scrappedMet Office chief executive Penny Endersby said people can find it hard to know what to expect when "climate change has driven such unprecedented severe weather events"."Here in the UK we're used to treating a hot spell as a chance to go and play in the sun," she added."This is not that sort of weather."What should the UK do?Nigel Arnell, a professor of climate system science at the University of Reading, said Britain needs to prepare for more hot weather in the future, retrofitting buildings to cope with extreme weather and planting more greenery in cities.Adaptation and resilience need to become a political priority, he said."We can't keep on dealing with extremes in crisis mode," Mr Arnell said.Susan Scholefield - a former director of the Cabinet Office's Civil Contingencies Secretariat - said people should make their homes more fuel efficient.In the immediate situation, she said people should adapt their behaviour."Close curtains during the day and open them up during the night," she suggested.London mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to only travel on Monday and Tuesday if it is essential and to prepare for disruption because speed restrictions will be in place on rail and Tube networks. And fire brigades, including South Wales Fire And Rescue Service, Scottish Fire And Rescue and London Fire Brigade, have issued safety warnings, urging people to act responsibly.They warn people to dispose of barbecues, lit cigarettes and glass bottles responsibly, to not burn any rubbish such as garden waste and use local authority services instead.And that barbecues should not be used on balconies or near sheds, fences, trees, shrubs and garden waste to avoid anything catching alight.They also urge people who are cooling off in waterways to be aware of cold-water shock. What is the evidence from the Met Office linking climate change to UK heatwaves?The Met Office looked at the summer of 2018, the joint warmest on record.It found the chance of such a hot summer in a natural climate was just 0.5%. But because of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, that had increased to 12%.In other words, a record summer is almost 30 times more likely now as a result of climate change.The warming trend will accelerate. By mid-century, the Met Office predicts a summer as hot as 2018 will happen every other year.And if greenhouse gas emissions continue to climb as predicted, by the end of the century UK temperatures will peak at 40C (104F) or more once every three to four years. How many heatwave-related deaths are there annually in the UK?Such sweltering heat is life-threatening - particularly for the young and old - when temperatures remain high for several days.Heatwave deaths currently average around 2,000 a year. By 2050, they're predicted to reach 7,000."Even as a climate scientist who studies this stuff, this is scary," said Professor Hannah Cloke, a natural hazards researcher at the University of Reading, about the current situation."This feels real. At the start of the week I was worried about my goldfish getting too hot. Now I'm worried about the survival of my family and my neighbours."What will weather experts learn from this latest heatwave?Sky weather producer Kirsty McCabe said scientists wait until after the event, once we see how hot it actually got, before they can attribute it to climate change.She said: "They compare what temperatures we would expect in different scenarios (ie different amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere). With the extreme temperatures linked to higher emissions."She added: "Current research says heatwaves will happen more frequently, last longer and be more intense, unless we curb global warming. If not, 40C in the UK could occur every few years in the future."Watch the Daily Climate Show at 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and The Climate Show with Tom Heap on Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm and 7.30pm.All on Sky News, on the Sky News website and app, on YouTube and Twitter.The show investigates how global warming is changing our landscape and highlights solutions to the crisis. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Brooke Conley looks for personal items to salvage at her flooded wellness studio in the Fair Park section of Dallas, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. Residents are cleaning up the day after heavy rains across the drought-stricken Dallas-Fort Worth area caused flash flooding.LM Otero | APResidents in the area of Dallas, Texas are recovering from torrential rains and floodwaters that inundated entire neighborhoods and roads and prompted dozens of high-water rescues this week.Photos and video footage show firefighters rescuing residents from flooded homes and people escaping and swimming away from inundated vehicles. At least one person is dead after floodwaters swept away their vehicle in east Dallas, authorities said.More than 100 homes have been damaged after parts of the Dallas area saw more than 10 inches of rainfall on Monday. Flooding also caused sanitary sewers to overflow in several locations, the city said in a release on Monday.The flooding in Texas this week is the latest extreme weather event to impact the U.S. Disasters like storms and flooding, wildfires and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate changes. Scientists have warned that climate change fuels more brief and intense periods of rain.Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed a disaster declaration for 23 counties to provide state resources for flood victims. He said the situation was Dallas' second worst rainstorm and flooding event on record. The National Weather Service said that flood warnings in the Dallas area were in effect until at least Wednesday morning.Abandoned cars on the flooded Interstate 635 in MesquiteStalled cars sit abandoned on the flooded Interstate 635 Service Road on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, in Mesquite, Texas.Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News via APWoman searches her flooded wellness studio in South DallasBrooke Conley looks for personal items to salvage from her flooded wellness studio in the Fair Park section of Dallas, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. Residents are cleaning up the day after heavy rains across the drought-stricken Dallas-Fort Worth area caused flash flooding. LM Otero | APFirefighters rescue family by boat in Balch SpringsMembers of the Balch Springs Fire Department bring a family of four by boat to higher ground after rescuing them from their home along Forest Glen Lane in Balch Springs, Texas, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022.Elías Valverde II | The Dallas Morning News via APGov. Abbott signs state disaster declaration for 23 countiesGreg Abbott, governor of Texas, holds up a signed disaster declaration during a news conference in Dallas, Texas, US, on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022.Shelby Tauber | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesResidents navigate floodwaters after heavy rain in SeagovilleResidents navigate floodwaters after heavy flooding in the Dallas metro area submerged roads and entire neighborhoods, in Seagoville, Texas, U.S., August 22, 2022, in this still image taken from video.WFAA TV via ABC via ReutersTrinity River flows through a flooded area in DallasThe Trinity River flows through a flooded area in Dallas, Texas on Monday, August 22, 2022. (Emil Lippe for The Washington Post via Getty Images)Emil Lippe | The Washington Post | Getty ImagesA car sits in floodwaters covering a closed highway in DallasA car sits in flood waters covering a closed highway in Dallas, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022.LM Otero | AP | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Lidl will start selling fruit and vegetables “stunted” by UK drought conditions as part of efforts to support farmers struggling with the driest summer for 50 years.The discount supermarket said it had written to its British suppliers who may need extra support, and would try to accommodate produce hit by extreme weather, even if they were different from what shoppers were used to.Lidl said it wanted to ensure that perfectly good fruit and vegetables did not go to waste.“Farmers across the country are facing a big challenge this year due to the extreme weather conditions experienced over the summer months,” said Lidl GB’s chief executive, Ryan McDonnell.“Whilst the crop coming out may look and feel a bit different to what we’re all used to, it’s still the same great British quality,” he added. “We therefore want to show support for our suppliers by working with them to find solutions to help.”Several areas of the UK are still in drought despite heavy rain and thunderstorms over the past week. Drought was officially declared across eight regions of England on Friday 12 August, with a ninth, Yorkshire, added a few days later.Experts from the National Drought Group have since warned of widespread crop failures across England. According to leaked documents seen by the Guardian, the group has raised concerns that half of the potato crop could fail as it cannot be irrigated owing to hosepipe bans, and that crops that are usually drought-tolerant, such as maize, have been failing.They are also expecting losses of 10-50% for crops including carrots, onions, sugar beet, apples and hops. Milk production has dropped nationally because of a lack of food for cows, and wildfires are putting large areas of farmland at risk. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
By Jasmine Andersson & James GregoryBBC NewsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, People are being asked to balance enjoying the sun with being careful as temperatures soar in large parts of the UKThe Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for Sunday, as temperatures are expected to climb to 34C on Monday. The rare amber alert is used to warn people of potential health and transport issues caused by the heat. The warning, covering most of England and parts of Wales, will last into early next week.A high of 31.2C has been recorded at Heathrow, with temperatures soaring elsewhere in England.That airport was also the site of the UK's hottest day so far this year on 17 June when it was 32.7C. Level three heat-health alerts, which are separate to the amber alert, are in place across the south, the Midlands and eastern parts of England. BBC weather presenter Chris Fawkes said Monday had a "decent shout at being the hottest day of the year so far".He said eastern parts of England, including Cambridgeshire, could see 34C being reached. The Met Office said central and southern parts of England could possibly see maximum highs of 33C, but for most it will be dry and sunny - and "well into the high 20s". Image source, PA MediaImage caption, People are flocking to beaches around the UK, like here at Barry Island in south WalesImage source, PA MediaImage caption, A man takes a dip in the Sky Pool suspended 35m above ground between two apartment buildings in Nine Elms, central LondonTemperatures could remain high overnight going into Tuesday, making it an uncomfortable night for many.The Met Office is advising people to stay indoors where possible and to drink plenty of fluid to cope with the heat. Parents are also being encouraged to limit their children's exposure to the sun.The heat-health alerts, issued jointly by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, are expected to stay in place until next weekend.Heatwaves are becoming more likely and more extreme because of climate change.The highest temperature ever recorded in the UK was 38.7C on 25 July 2019 in Cambridge Botanic Garden.Scotland and Northern Ireland had their hottest days of the year so far on Sunday.Aboyne in the Highlands hit highs of 27.3C, while Derrylin in Country Fermanagh reached 24.3C. Sweltering temperatures are also affecting the north of England, with Manchester set to reach a high of 28C.A heatwave is sweeping across Europe, with a plume of hot air coming up from Africa and northwards through Spain.Temperatures are expected to hit 38C in Madrid and 47C in Seville on Monday. France, Germany and Italy could see the heat exceed 40C over the coming weekend. Image source, PA MediaImage caption, One way to cool off - this swimmer took to the water in London's Hyde ParkImage source, PA MediaImage caption, There was a more leisurely approach at Embankment Gardens in central LondonImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Staff at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling helped the resident lemurs cool down with icy treatsDr Agostinho Sousa from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to stay hydrated and try to find shade when the rays are strongest in the afternoon. The agency said the elderly, people with underlying health conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk.It suggests people shade or cover windows exposed to direct sunlight, check fans and fridges are working properly, and that medicines are correctly stored.The Met Office declares a heatwave when it records at least three days in a row with maximum temperatures exceeding a set temperature - which varies in different areas of the country.The UK's four-level heat-health system highlights the potential health impacts of high temperatures.Media caption, How do UK weather warnings work?The level three currently in place requires health and social care workers to target high-risk groups of people such as the elderly and vulnerable. Train services were suspended between Victoria and Brixton in south London earlier when a fire broke out on tracks at Battersea Bridge. Network Rail believes the fire was caused by a stray spark touching the bridge's timbers.Image source, Network Rail Image caption, The cause of the fire on tracks at Battersea Bridge is under investigationPassengers in the West Midlands are also facing disruption to some services, with an operator blaming hot tracks.High track temperatures meant fewer trains could run because of a speed restriction, West Midlands Railway said. Hampshire County Council is preparing to deploy gritters to deal with road surfaces being melted by the sun.The machines are normally used to tackle snow but will instead be spreading light dustings of sand to help drivers.Dog owners have also been advised to avoid over-exercising their pets in hot weather.Battersea Dogs and Cats Home said taking your pet for walks in the early morning or early evening when temperatures have cooled can prevent heatstroke.It also added that dogs should never be left in parked cars when temperatures go above 21C - in a locked car this can jump to 40C. Some weather models are predicting extreme heat for the UK next weekend.BBC weather presenter Chris Fawkes said temperatures could rise to the high 30s due to hot weather across Spain and Portugal being drawn to the UK - boosting temperatures through the week and into next weekend. In some cases, temperatures above 40C (104F) are being predicted in southern England. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began in the latter half of the 18th century, and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.In England, there were 2,500 excess deaths in the summer of 2020 as a result of hot weather, while heat-related deaths in the UK could treble in 30 years, the British Red Cross predicts. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
It's simply so overwhelming and it's hard to put into words. Pakistan is drowning. An area of land that is the equivalent of the whole of the UK is under water.
Our team is witnessing a mass exodus of people made homeless in their own homeland. But there's nowhere to go, there is water everywhere.These people have been on the move for days. Their children are all ill but, there's no money for a doctor or medication. Image: A flood victim stands amid the damages of his house in Nowshera, Pakistan Pakistan officials are unequivocal, they believe this is a very real consequence of climate change.
Its citizens have been experiencing extreme weather conditions, starting with a heatwave which caused glaciers to melt in the north and now a monster monsoon.Some people have managed to stay at least close to where they once lived and called home. They work on these fields. More on Pakistan Pakistan: Tourist destination engulfed by floods with fears of more heavy rain as people say 'we are scared' Pakistan floods: UK charities launch DEC appeal 'to save lives' as six million in dire need Pakistan floods: 'The climate catastrophe of the decade' Radha told us: "We almost drowned, we managed to escape here and are really anxious. We almost lost the smaller children as the water besieged us."It's a huge agricultural expanse of land and now it's an island. They are surrounded by water and muddy bogs - you cannot even walk through it to get to the main road. Spreaker Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcastsAs we were driving we saw an entire village of people wading through the water. They had tied their beds to tyres as makeshift rafts. Abandoning their homes, they salvage what they can.While passing, Mashook said: "We don't even have a boat to save our belongings. We've just picked up what we can and carried it ourselves. We've been ruined, we're homeless". Image: A boy lies on a cot near his flood-hit home, in Charsadda, Pakistan They don't know where they are going or what they will do. People have not just lost their homes but their livelihoods too. And they are frustrated. The aid is not coming through.Read more:Satellite images and maps show scale of disaster in PakistanPakistan's climate minister says 'gargantuan' relief effort is overstretching resourcesSat on the side of the road, a woman named Balkees told me: "Everybody has lost their livelihoods, our youngsters are all educated but can't work now. What are we to do? We're poor people. Nobody cares about us."Earlier, Pakistan's climate change minister told Sky News that the flooding was stretching the country "to the max" and that more help was urgently needed.The people here in Sindh, like millions of others up and down the country, are finding what little dry land they can on riverbanks, in muddy fields and on roadsides.For now, this is home. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A record-breaking heat wave could cause “danger to life” in the U.K., forecasters warned as scorching temperatures fueled wildfires and promptsx weather warnings in several European countries. On Saturday Britain's government held a meeting of its emergency committee, known as Cobra, after the country's national weather service issued its first-ever “red warning” for extreme heat for Monday and Tuesday.This means “it very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure,” the Meteorological Office, known as the Met Office, said on its website. It came after the U.K. Health Security Agency increased its heat- health warning from level three to level four — which constitutes a national emergency.Temperatures in southern England were forecasted to reach 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, the Met Office said Friday. That would surpass U.K.’s highest-ever temperature of 101.7 degrees, recorded in July 2019. As a result, officials in a country where air-conditioning in homes is rare have urged people not to take public transportation, and some schools have said they would hold classes remotely. Across Britain, Met Office data showed that cities like London and Manchester would hit temperatures forecasted in long-range climate projections for the year 2040. Highs of almost 104 degrees are predicted.Scorching temperatures are also forecast for parts of France and Spain, where a high of 107.6 degrees is predicted on Monday.A man uses a drinking fountain to cool his face in Paris on Wednesday.Bertrand Guay / AFP - Getty ImagesIn the Bordeaux region of southwestern France, 12,200 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires sweep through, the local authority for the Gironde Department said in a statement Saturday. Almost 1,200 firefighters and four specialist planes were battling to contain two blazes that have burned 25,000 acres of land, including woodlands south of the Atlantic resort town of Arcachon, which have burned since Tuesday, the statement added. Although one of the fires had been partially contained, hotter temperatures and winds over the weekend could complicate the firefighting efforts, according to the department's statement.“We are living through an exceptionally harsh (summer) season,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday during a visit to the government crisis management center at the Interior Ministry in Paris. The number of French forests burned in fires this year is already triple those destroyed in 2020, he said.Further south in Portugal, a national high of 117 degrees was recorded in the northern town of Pinhao on Wednesday, as the mass of hot and dry air from Africa blew over the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula. On Saturday, More than 3,000 firefighters continued to battle multiple blazes as citizens desperately sought to save their homes. A water-bomber pilot died Friday after his aircraft crashed while he fought a raging wildfire in the northern Portuguese municipality of Torre de Moncorvo, near the Spanish border.Portugal's Civil Protection Agency said just under 25,000 acres of land had been scorched this week alone.Meanwhile, in neighboring Spain, temperatures topped 104 degrees for several days while firefighters struggled to control a fire erupted by a lightning strike on Monday in the west-central Las Hurdes area that consumed about 13,600 acres of land. Around 400 people from eight villages were evacuated on Thursday as flames approached their homes and spread into the nearby Monfrague National Park. In the Spanish town of Seville, some unions called for workers to be sent home. Firefighters in Croatia and Hungary also battled blazes throughout the week, brought by high temperatures and lightning. Firefighters discovered a corpse Thursday morning among the ruins of a burned farmhouse, Hungary's disaster management authority said Thursday in a statement. Several villages were also evacuated in Greece and Morocco as fires swept across the Mediterranean.As a result, the European Union has urged member states to prepare for wildfires this summer as the continent faces another extreme weather shift that scientists say has been triggered by climate change.The Associated Press and Reuters contributed. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
The UN is appealing for $160m (£136m) in emergency funding to help Pakistan deal with devastating floods.More than 1,150 people have been killed and nearly half a million displaced in the disaster.
"Pakistan is awash in suffering," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message for the launch of the appeal."The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids… people's hopes and dreams have washed away."The floods have affected more than 33 million people, or one in seven Pakistanis.
Pakistani authorities, supported by the military, rescuers and volunteers, have been battling the aftermath of the floods.Although rainfall stopped three days ago and floodwater in some areas has receded, large areas remain underwater. More on Pakistan Pakistan minister says West has 'responsibility' to help with floods as it's caused climate change Why Pakistan is at 'ground zero' of the climate crisis after suffering deadly flooding Pakistan flooding: Pictures reveal devastation caused after monsoon rains Rescue workers were evacuating stranded people to safer ground, including makeshift tent camps that have sprung up along motorways, villages, and towns.According to initial estimates by the government, the devastation has caused $10m (£8.5m) of damage to the economy, however, the planning minister, Ahsan Iqbal, said this was a preliminary estimate and the actual cost will be "far greater". Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Why is Pakistan flooding? More than $1bn in aid releasedOn Monday, the International Monetary Fund's executive board approved the release of $1.17bn (£1bn), as part of a bailout accord the IMF and Pakistan signed in 2019.But the release of a $1.17bn tranche had been put on hold this year after the IMF raised concerns about Pakistan's compliance with the deal's terms under Imran Khan's government.Last week, the UN allocation $3m (£2.5m) for aid agencies and their partners to respond to the floods, with the money used for health, nutrition, food security, water, and sanitation services.Pakistan's climate minister, Sherry Rehman said on Monday that new monsoons were expected in September.While monsoons are common at this time of year in the region, they hit earlier than usual in Pakistan, according to officials. Image: The whole of Pakistan has been impacted by the latest flooding Why are these floods particularly devastating?The massive rainfall last week affected nearly the whole country.Pakistan is used to monsoon rains and flooding, Ms Rehman said, but not like this.The flooding has the hallmarks of a natural disaster fuelled by climate change, but it is too early to assign blame on global warming, experts said."This year, Pakistan has received the highest rainfall in at least three decades. So far this year the rain is running at more than 780% above average levels," said Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and a member of Pakistan's Climate Change Council."Extreme weather patterns are turning more frequent in the region, and Pakistan is not an exception."Read more:Why Pakistan is at 'ground zero' of the climate crisisPictures reveal devastating impact of Pakistan's floodsQueen and PM send messages to Pakistan Image: A man swims in floodwaters while heading for a higher ground in Charsadda Poorer nations paying the price of climate changePakistan saw similar flooding and devastation in 2010 that killed nearly 2,000 people, but the government did not implement plans to prevent future flooding by preventing construction and homes in flood-prone areas and river beds, said Mr Suleri.Floods and monsoon rains have damaged one million houses and affected 33 million people and reflects how poorer nations can often pay the price for climate change largely caused by more industrialised nations.Since 1959, Pakistan has been responsible for only 0.4% of the world's historic CO2 emissions, while the US is responsible for 21.5%, China for 16.5% and the EU 15%.According to the National Disaster Management Authority, at least 498,000 people in the country of 220 million are in relief camps after being displaced.Many more displaced victims are believed to be living with relatives, friends, or out in the open, without shelter.Pakistan started receiving international aid this week, and more planes carrying aid from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates landed at an airport near Islamabad on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the military.It said Chinese planes carrying aid will arrive later on Tuesday and 6,500 Pakistani military personnel have been deployed to help authorities in rescue and relief operations. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Boats moor next to living rooms on Fiji's Serua Island, where water breaches the seawall at high tide, flooding into the village. Planks of wood stretch between some homes, forming a makeshift walkway as saltwater inundates gardens. Village elders always believed they would die here on prized land where their chiefs are buried. 16 Jul 2022. Veivatuloa, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott Seawater floods past an ineffective sea wall into the community of Veivatuloa Village. But as the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. Semisi Madanawa, raising three children who wade through playgrounds, says that given the flooding, erosion and exposure to extreme weather, the village must relocate to Fiji's main island to secure a future for the next generation. 15 Jul 2022. Serua, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott Local girl Tokasa Robanakadavu, 10, wades through seawater flooding her community during high tide in Serua Village. Village elders are resisting, wondering if land reclamation might stop the sea from taking Serua Island's homes and ancestral burial sites, he says. "It takes time for an idea to settle in the hearts of us human beings so we can accept the changes that are coming," says Madanawa, 38. "Climate change is happening and we need to make a decision." 15 Jul 2022. Serua, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott From (L) Local students Jona Togaciri, Talikai Kavu, Semisi Dradra, Tavaga Dradra and Joanna Dradra gather at the edge of a flooded sea wall during high tide, while working on a boat motor in Serua Village. Serua Island is one of many coastal villages making difficult decisions about their future, seeking government assistance for expensive projects to adapt or move, say Fiji government officials. Leaders of 15 low-lying Pacific island nations declared climate change their "single greatest existential threat" at a mid-July summit in Fiji's capital, Suva. 14 Jul 2022. Serua, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott Local boy Ratukali Madanawa, 8, takes a break from diving in the sea at Serua Village. Facing some of the most direct effects of climate change, they want developed nations, who contributed the most to global warming, not only to curb their emissions but to pay for the steps that islanders must take to protect their people from rising sea levels. The push has become a key battle at United Nations climate conferences. Building seawalls, planting mangroves and improving drainage are no longer enough to save villages in many cases, says Shivanal Kumar, a climate-change adaptation specialist in Fiji's economy ministry. 16 Jul 2022. Veivatuloa, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott Roemoni Tubivuna and his grandson Roemoni Tubivuna Jr., 10, prepare for a fishing outing at Veivatuloa Village. "A lot of communities are in genuine crisis, they've been trying to survive," he says. "The impacts of climate change have been felt for many years and there came a time where they gave up and said it's now time to move." Relocation aims to preserve human rights by protecting people from rising seas, bigger storm surges and more extreme cyclones, Kumar says. 15 Jul 2022. Serua, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott Village children pass the time in front of a home next to a flooding sea wall at high tide in Serua Village. But the funds pledged by developed nations at U.N. climate conferences do not cover relocation, only adaptation, such as building a seawall, officials say. At last year's global climate conference, called COP26, developed nations agreed only to keep talking about compensation for the unavoidable impacts of climate change, including migration, suffered by vulnerable societies. 19 Jul 2022. Vunidogoloa, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott Local residents fish in front of the abandoned site of the old Vunidogoloa Village. The Pacific leaders at their summit called for developed nations to show meaningful progress at COP27 on a new goal - swift funding for such "loss and damage". The president of COP26, British politician Alok Sharma, said in Suva on Wednesday he understood the disappointment of Pacific villagers on the front line of climate change. 17 Jul 2022. Vunidogoloa, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott Community members gather for a Sunday church service in Vunidogoloa Village. "You are forced to deal with the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions generated largely by the biggest emitting countries, who are a long way from here. This is not a crisis of your making," he said in a speech. "We are going to have to find a way of having a substantive discussion on loss and damage at COP27." 20 Jul 2022. Vunidogoloa, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott Children get off a school bus as they return home for the day to the new relocated site of Vunidogoloa Village. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands some 2,000 km (1,200 miles) north of New Zealand, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. Six villages have moved or plan to with government support, but a new process to prioritise the most urgent relocations is still under development. A further 795 will need to move, says climate youth activist Salote Nasalo, who says she loses sleep thinking about where they can go. Pacific youth will continue protesting against inaction on financing by the big emitters, says Nasolo, a University of South Pacific student. 18 Jul 2022. Vunidogoloa, Fiji. Reuters/Loren Elliott The inland relocated site of Vunidogoloa Village. The first community to relocate was Vunidogoloa, after villagers invited officials to see how they lived with water up to their knees. Saltwater had destroyed the ability of the 150 residents to grow crops, taking away livelihoods and food security, says former village headman Sailosi Ramatu. In the new village 1.5 km (1 mile) inland on Vanua Levu Island, children now sit outside their homes, dry feet planted firmly on the ground. Story Ramatu, 63, says it took time to persuade the elders to move, but the village came together and listened to experts."We can also make a decision in the world if the leaders come together," he says. "They should help us, they should pay for our loss and damage."(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Suva and Loren Elliott in Serua; Writing by Kirsty Needham; Photo Editing by Gabrielle Fonseca Johnson;Text Editing by William Mallard; Layout by Marta Montana Gomez) | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Patrick Vallance has warned MPs that the world is about to be plunged into even deeper turmoil than it was during the Covid pandemic because of the impact of climate change.The government’s chief scientific adviser gave an emergency briefing to 70 parliamentarians this week, warning of the dangers of the climate crisis and urging them to act.He was joined by Prof Stephen Belcher from the Met Office, Prof Emily Shuckburgh, from Cambridge Zero and Prof Gideon Henderson, the chief scientific adviser at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. All of them showed MPs slides – like the ones they perhaps became used to during the Covid lockdowns – which can be seen in full on this link.Vallance warned MPs: “We’ve had two and a half years of a global crisis in the form of a pandemic. We face 50 years of really big problems relating to climate, and the nature of that threat to countries around the world means that this has to be one of the things that has to be on every government’s agenda. There is no way we can pretend it isn’t happening.”While the scientists made no political recommendations, as they were there simply to present the science, they told MPs that action is needed now to stop the worst effects of the climate emergency.“To give three observational facts … the world is warmer than it was, the CO2 levels in the atmosphere are higher than they have ever been, and extreme weather events are more common than before all this happened. That’s what we face, and the aim of this briefing is to speak about the science,” Vallance said.The slides are similar to those shown to Boris Johnson before Cop26 by Vallance, which the prime minister said was his “road to Damascus” moment on climate change.Belcher’s data from the Met Office makes for uncomfortable reading, showing that widespread changes in the ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred since the emergence of homo sapiens. The charts in his slides dramatically make that point. He also showed that Arctic sea ice cover has reduced by 12 every decade, and in 40 years we could have lost enough to cover an area greater than India, Bhutan and Bangladesh combined.He also drew attention to recent extreme weather events in the US, Europe and Bangladesh, to show that the effects of climate change are already being felt, with worse predicted to come.Shuckburgh’s message was slightly more upbeat, showing how emissions can be reduced while increasing GDP. However, she also showed that while we have made some progress, emissions need to be reduced more quickly and in a wider variety of sectors to reach net zero. This includes surface transport and buildings as a priority.Henderson gave his presentation even more relevance by drawing attention to the predicted heatwave, where temperatures could hit record highs in coming days. He focused on the threats from extreme weather, and how it could hit food production by increasing issues including potato blight and livestock thermal heat stress.The briefing also showed parliamentarians that the way we currently lead our lives is going to have to change, as new technologies to remove carbon from the atmosphere are not going to be enough to offset emissions in time.Vallance warned: “Technology is going to be an important part of dealing with this, but it is not a magic solution and isn’t going to deal with it on its own. If you take 2050, any technology that you can’t see already working is not going to save our bacon because of the scale of which these things need to be introduced.”The briefing was arranged after the activist Angus Rose staged a 37-day hunger strike outside parliament, calling for the information to be given to all MPs. He was backed by 79 of the UK’s leading climate scientists in an open letter, who said a briefing similar to those given during the Covid pandemic would be useful to MPs. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
While it feels as though Europe should be starting to see the end of its heatwaves, scorching temperatures are expected to continue across the north and west of the continent this week. As high pressure becomes established, parts of France and Spain could experience temperatures of 38C (100.4F) between Wednesday and Saturday. A prolonged hot period is also forecast to hit the UK with temperatures exceeding 30C, and maximum temperatures possibly hitting as high as 35C.Meanwhile, low pressure and a slack south-westerly wind across the East China and Yellow seas will bring heavy rain across the Korean peninsula over the coming week, the second monsoon spell of the season. Daily rainfall totals of 100mm to 150mm could hit South Korea’s capital, Seoul, on Monday, with high levels of precipitation extending north-eastwards across northern Chungcheong and North Gyeonsang provinces.And there is no relief further into the week with 120mm to 150mm of rainfall expected on Tuesday and between 60mm and 80mm on Wednesday and Thursday. Overall, parts of northern South Korea could have cumulative totals between Monday and Thursday in excess of 350mm to 400mm.Sign up to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7amHigh rainfall totals are not unusual at this time of year owing to the east Asian monsoon, whereby warm and moist air interacts with drier and cooler air to the north. Where these two air masses meet, these systems bring most of the rain across the Korean peninsula. However, the average rainfall for a typical August in South Korea is about 250mm, which would mean that more than 150% of the monthly average rainfall would fall in the space of four days. Meanwhile, southern parts of North Korea are also expected to experience more than 300mm of rain between Monday and Wednesday.Another extreme weather scenario has been playing out across eastern China this summer, with 900 million people affected by the third strongest regional heatwave since 1963, second only to 2013 and 2017. Unfortunately, there is not expected to be any letup with this heat through August, with temperatures in provinces such as Shaanxi, Henan and Hubei frequently exceeding 40C this week. This is about 10C above the climatological average. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
RED LODGE, Mont. — More than 10,000 visitors were ordered out of Yellowstone as unprecedented flooding tore through the northern half of the nation’s oldest national park, washing out bridges and roads and sweeping an employee bunkhouse miles downstream, officials said Tuesday. Remarkably, no one was reported injured or killed.The only visitors left in the massive park straddling three states were a dozen campers still making their way out of the backcountry.Yellowstone National Park, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, could remain closed as long as a week, and northern entrances may not reopen this summer, Superintendent Cam Sholly said.“The water is still raging,” said Sholly, who noted that some weather forecasts include the possibility of additional flooding this weekend.The Yellowstone River hit historic levels after days of rain and rapid snowmelt and wrought havoc across parts of southern Montana and northern Wyoming, where it washed away cabins, swamped small towns and knocked out power. It hit the park just as a summer tourist season that draws millions of visitors was ramping up.Instead of marveling at massive elk and bison, burbling thermal pools and the reliable blast of Old Faithful’s geyser, tourists found themselves witnessing nature at its most unpredictable as the Yellowstone River river crested in a chocolate brown torrent that washed away everything in its path.“It is just the scariest river ever,” Kate Gomez of Santa Fe, New Mexico, said Tuesday. “Anything that falls into that river is gone.”Waters were only starting to recede Tuesday, and the full extent of the destruction may not be known for a while. It was not expected to have affected wildlife.Closure of the northern part of the park will keep visitors from features that include Tower Fall, Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley, which is known for viewing wildlife such as bears and wolves. Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake and viewing the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are on the park’s southern loop road and likely to be reopened.Residents of Red Lodge, Montana, are seen clearing mud, water and debris from the small city's main street on June 14, 2022, after flood waters courses through a residential area with hundreds of homes. (Matthew Brown/AP)Sholly said the backpackers who remained in the park had been contacted. Crews were prepared to evacuate them by helicopter, but that hasn’t been needed yet, he said.Sholly said he didn’t believe the park had ever shut down from flooding.Gomez and her husband were among hundreds of tourists stuck in Gardiner, Montana, a town of about 800 residents at the park’s north entrance. The town was cut off for more than a day until Tuesday afternoon, when crews reopened part of a washed away two-lane road.While the flooding can’t directly be attributed to climate change, it came as the Midwest and East Coast sizzle from a heat wave and other parts of the West burn from an early wildfire season amid a persistent drought that has increased the frequency and intensity of fires that are having broader impacts. Smoke from a fire in the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona, could be seen in Colorado.Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, said a warming environment makes extreme weather events more likely than they would have been “without the warming that human activity has caused.”“Will Yellowstone have a repeat of this in five or even 50 years? Maybe not, but somewhere will have something equivalent or even more extreme,” he said.Heavy rain on top of melting mountain snow pushed the Yellowstone, Stillwater and Clarks Fork rivers to record levels Monday, according to the National Weather Service.Officials in Yellowstone and in several southern Montana counties were assessing damage from the storms, which also triggered mudslides and rockslides.Some of the worst damage happened in the northern part of the park and Yellowstone’s gateway communities in southern Montana. National Park Service photos showed mud and rock slides, washed out bridges and roads undercut by churning floodwaters of the Gardner and Lamar rivers.In Red Lodge, Montana, a town of 2,100 that’s a popular jumping-off point for a scenic, winding route into the Yellowstone high country, a creek running through town jumped its banks and swamped the main thoroughfare, leaving trout swimming in the street a day later under sunny skies.At least 200 homes flooded in the city and in Fromberg, Carbon County authorities said.Residents described a harrowing scene where the water went from a trickle to a torrent over just a few hours.The water toppled telephone poles, knocked over fences and carved deep fissures in the ground through a neighborhood of hundreds of houses. Power was restored by Tuesday, though there was still no running water in the affected neighborhood.Heidi Hoffman left early Monday to buy a sump pump in Billings, but by the time she returned her basement was full of water.“We lost all our belongings in the basement,” Hoffman said as the pump removed a steady stream of water into her muddy backyard. “Yearbooks, pictures, clothes, furniture. Were going to be cleaning up for a long time.”On Monday, Yellowstone officials evacuated the northern part of the park, where roads may remain impassable for a substantial length of time, Sholly said. But the flooding affected the rest of the park, too, with park officials warning of yet higher flooding and potential problems with water supplies and wastewater systems at developed areas.The rains hit just as area hotels have filled up in recent weeks with summer tourists. More than 4 million visitors were tallied by the park last year. The wave of tourists doesn’t abate until fall, and June is typically one of Yellowstone’s busiest months.It was unclear how many visitors to the region remained stranded, or how many people who live outside the park were rescued and evacuated.Mark Taylor, owner and chief pilot of Rocky Mountain Rotors, said his company airlifted about 40 paying customers over the past two days from Gardiner, including two women who were “very pregnant.”Taylor spoke as he ferried a family of four adults from Texas, who wanted to do some more sightseeing before heading home.“I imagine they’re going to rent a car and they’re going to go check out some other parts of Montana — somewhere drier,” he said.At a cabin in Gardiner, Parker Manning of Terre Haute, Indiana, got an up-close view of the roiling Yellowstone River floodwaters just outside his door. Entire trees and even a lone kayaker floated by.In early evening, he shot video as the waters ate away at the opposite bank where a large brown house that had been home to park employees, who had evacuated, was precariously perched.In a large cracking sound heard over the river’s roar, the house tipped into the waters and was pulled into the current. Sholly said it floated 5 miles before sinking.In south-central Montana, flooding on the Stillwater River stranded 68 people at a campground. Stillwater County Emergency Services agencies and Stillwater Mine crews rescued people Monday from the Woodbine Campground by raft. Some roads in the area were closed and residents were evacuated.The towns of Cooke City and Silvergate, just east of the park, were also isolated by floodwaters.In Livingston, residents in low-lying neighborhoods were told to leave and the city’s hospital was evacuated as a precaution after its driveway flooded.Officials in Park County, which includes Gardiner and Cooke City, said extensive flooding throughout the county had made drinking water unsafe in many areas.The Montana National Guard said Monday it sent two helicopters to southern Montana to help with evacuations.In the hamlet of Nye, at least four cabins washed into the Stillwater River, said Shelley Blazina, including one she owned.“It was my sanctuary,” she said Tuesday. “Yesterday I was in shock. Today I’m just in intense sadness.”The Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs crested at 13.88 feet Monday, higher than the previous record of 11.5 feet set in 1918, according to the National Weather Service.Yellowstone got 2.5 inches of rain Saturday, Sunday and into Monday. The Beartooth Mountains northeast of Yellowstone got as much as 4 inches, according to the National Weather Service.Whitehurst reported from Salt Lake City. Associated Press writers Amy Beth Hanson in Helena, Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, R.J. Rico in Atlanta, and Brian Melley in Los Angeles contributed to this report. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Pakistan is not to blame for a climate crisis-fuelled disaster that has flooded much of the country, the prime minister has said, as he made a desperate plea for international help in what he said was the “toughest moment” in the nation’s history.“We are suffering from it but it is not our fault at all,” Shehbaz Sharif told journalists on Tuesday afternoon at a press conference where his climate change minister referred to the flooding as a “climate catastrophe”.“We are dealing with a situation I have not seen in my life,” Sharif said. “More than one million houses are damaged or destroyed. Seventy-two districts of Pakistan are in calamity and all four corners of Pakistan are underwater and more than 3,500km [2,175 miles] of roads have been washed away. Around one million animals have died.“It is the toughest movement in the history of Pakistan. He has never seen such floods in his life … Now I say without fear, I have not seen such devastation in my life,” he said. “We request the international community to come and help us and stand by us at this hour.” The floods had caused up to $10bn (£8.5bn) in damage, he said, adding that there would be transparency on all assistance funds donated.Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s climate change minister, said towns had become “oceans and rivers” but, due to climate heating, she expected the country to go straight into a drought in upcoming weeks. “We are on the front of unfolding climate catastrophe.”Areas in Pakistan affected by flood watersRehman said Pakistan was responsible for less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. “Our footprint is so small … There are countries that have got to become rich on the back of fossil fuels and let’s be honest about this,” she said. “Now the time has to come to make a change and we all have a role to play but they have a greater role in this climate catastrophe.”At the same press conference, Ahsan Iqbal, the planning and development minister, said: “People are enjoying their lives in the west but someone here is paying the price.”The UN secretary general, António Guterres, warned that Pakistan was facing a “monsoon on steroids” as the government issued more flood warnings for the next 24 hours.Heavy rains over two months have caused the nation’s worst flooding in more than a decade.Guterres said on Tuesday that south Asia was a hotspot for the climate crisis and the catastrophic flooding in Pakistan that had left tens of millions needing help was a warning to every nation of the destruction wreaked by human-caused global heating.“The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids – the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding,” he said. “It breaks my heart to see these generous people suffering so much.” The UN has issued an urgent appeal for $160m to provide help.“People living in these [climate crisis] hotspots are 15 times more likely to die from climate impacts,” Guterres said. “As we continue to see more and more extreme weather events around the world, it is outrageous that climate action is being put on the back burner, putting all of us, everywhere, in growing danger.”In Pakistan, the Balochistan and Sindh provinces have had more than four times the average rainfall of the last three decades.Pakistan floods: drone footage shows scale of destruction – videoMajid Ali Bughio, 30, left his home town in Sindh with 20 extended family members in the early morning on Monday after they heard of breaches in a nearby embankment.Bughio said by telephone that he had advised his family to go towards Karachi, as many parts of the Dadu and Badin districts were under water. “We need rations, food, medicines and emergency help from the Sindh government and the government must help us to vacate. We have been left on our own,” he said. “More than 70% of the population in the [wider city of Khairpur Nathan Shah] have left. The shops and all bazaars are deserted and many villages are underwater.”The flash floods have affected more than 33 million people, officials said. The National Disaster Management Authority on Monday said the death toll from the monsoon rains and floods in Pakistan had reached 1,136 – with 75 killed in the previous 24 hours.The worst-hit regions in PakistanIn an immediate warning issued on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Flood Forecasting Division said that over the next 24 hours a very high level of flooding was likely to continue in the Kabul River, which flows into Pakistan’s Indus River.The Indus highway in Sindh was submerged under two feet of water. The highway connects Sindh with the Punjab and Balochistan provinces.A video shared by residents showed a coach that had slipped on the highway while water was flowing and authorities were involved in the rescue of passengers. Local people said there were no casualties.The local media reported a rise in waterborne diseases in Sindh and other parts of Pakistan. In some parts of Sindh there had been a 100% increase in diseases.The flooding has washed away bridges, roads, houses, livestock and people across the country.Gul Hasan, 38, in Khairpur Nathan Shah, had sent his three children and wife to upper parts of Sindh, while he stayed in his home town. He said: “I did not leave because after some of my neighbours had left yesterday, people barged into their houses and stole their belongings.“This is so sad at this hour of calamity we are witnessing such issues. I will leave my home town after I leave the luggage and other stuff on the rooftop and water comes to the city completely and I know that now no one can steal our decades of savings.”Aamer Sarfraz, a Conservative member of the British House of Lords, said on Tuesday that he was in Pakistan seeing the “devastating effects of the floods first-hand”.“I hope our government significantly increases financial support for humanitarian relief immediately. I know it’s summer recess and we have the distraction of a leadership contest – but this really can’t wait. This is the moment to step up, like we have done in the past.” | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Nations and Pakistan issued an appeal Tuesday for $160 million in emergency funding to help millions affected by record-breaking floods that have killed more than 1,150 people since mid-June.U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres said Pakistan’s flooding, caused by weeks of unprecedented monsoon rains, were a signal to the world to step up action against climate change.“Let’s stop sleepwalking toward the destruction of our planet by climate change,” he said in a video message to an Islamabad ceremony launching the funding appeal. “Today, it’s Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country.”This aerial view shows a flooded residential area in Dera Allah Yar town after heavy monsoon rains in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province on Aug. 30.FIDA HUSSAIN via Getty ImagesMore than 33 million people, or one in seven Pakistanis, have been affected by the catastrophic flooding, which has devastated a country already trying to revive a struggling economy. More than 1 million homes have been damaged or destroyed in the past two and half months, displacing millions of people. Around a half million of those displaced are living in organized camps, while others have had to find their own shelter.Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the floods badly destroyed crops, and his government was considering importing wheat to avoid any shortage of food.Sharif said Pakistan was witnessing the worst flooding in its history and any inadvertent delay by the international community in helping victims “will be devastating for the people of Pakistan.”He promised funds from the international community would be spent in a transparent manner and that he would ensure all aid reaches those in need. “This is my commitment,” he told reporters, saying his country is “facing the toughest moment of its history.”According to initial government estimates, the devastation caused $10 billion in damage to the economy.“It is a preliminary estimate likely to be far greater,” Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal told The Associated Press. More than 160 bridges and more than 3,400 kilometers (2,100 miles) of road have been damaged.Although rains stopped three days ago, large swaths of the country remain underwater, and the main rivers, the Indus and the Swat, are still swollen. The National Disaster Management Authority on Tuesday warned emergency services to be on maximum alert, saying flood waters over the next 24 hours could cause further damage.Rescuers continued to evacuate stranded people from inundated villages to safer ground. Makeshift tent camps have sprung up along highways.Meteorologists have warned of more rains in coming weeks.A woman carrying a child walks along a street during a heavy rainfall in the flood hit Dera Allah Yar town in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province.FIDA HUSSAIN via Getty Images“The situation is likely to deteriorate even further as heavy rains continue over areas already inundated by more than two months of storms and flooding. For us, this is no less than a national emergency,” Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Tuesday, urging the international community to give generously to the U.N. appeal.“Since mid-June, in fact, Pakistan has been battling one of the most severe, totally anomalous cycles of torrential monsoon weather,” he said. Rainfall during that time was three times the average, and up to six times higher in some areas, he said.The U.N. flash appeal for $160 million will provide food, water, sanitation, health and other forms of aid to some 5.2 million people, Gutteres said.“The scale of needs is rising like the flood waters. It requires the world’s collective and prioritized attention,” he said.A day earlier, the International Monetary Fund’s executive board approved the release of a much awaited $1.17 billion for Pakistan.The funds are part of a $6 billion bailout agreed on in 2019. The latest tranche had been on hold since earlier this year, when the IMF expressed concern about Pakistan’s compliance with the deal’s terms under the government of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan was ousted through a no-confidence vote in the parliament in April.Pakistan has risked default as its reserves dwindle and inflation has spiraled, and to get the IMF bailout, the government has had to agree to austerity measures.Children walk past tents set up for people displaced due to flooding in Dera Allah Yar town after heavy monsoon rains in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province on Aug. 30.FIDA HUSSAIN via Getty ImagesThe flooding catastrophe, however, adds new burdens to the cash-strapped government. It also reflects how poorer countries often pay the price for climate change largely caused by more industrialized nations. Since 1959, Pakistan is responsible for only 0.4% of the world’s historic emissions blamed for climate change. The U.S. is responsible for 21.5%, China for 16.5% and the EU 15%.Several scientists say the record-breaking flooding has all the hallmarks of being affected by climate change.“This year, Pakistan has received the highest rainfall in at least three decades,” said Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and a member of Pakistan’s Climate Change Council. “Extreme weather patterns are turning more frequent in the region and Pakistan is not an exception.”Pakistan saw similar flooding and devastation in 2010 that killed nearly 2,000 people. But the government didn’t implement plans to prevent future flooding by preventing construction and homes in flood prone areas and river beds, said Suleri.Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten contributed to this story from Geneva. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
Falling water levels of the Yangtze River in China has revealed a submerged island with three Buddhist statues believed to be 600 years old.Parts of the Yangtze - the world's third longest river - has been drying up amid a severe heatwave which has led to the issuing of a nationwide drought alert.
The three statues were found on the highest part of the island reef in China's southwestern city of Chongqing.One of the statues on the island - called Foyeliang - depicts a monk sitting on a lotus pedestal.The heatwave is the most extreme in six decades and has seen temperatures regularly exceed 40C (104F) in a number of cities.
Forecasters have warned the sweltering conditions could last well into September amid fears of a "grave situation" in the Sichuan province over the loss of water to the hydropower system.Authorities have been working to maintain power and find fresh water to irrigate crops ahead of the autumn harvest. More on China China announces new military drills as more US politicians visit Taiwan Elon Musk writes column for Chinese Communist Party online censor agency's magazine What does China want from Taiwan? The severe heatwave across the Yangtze basin has been caused by a larger-than-usual Western Pacific subtropical high.It has lasted for over two months, reducing hydropower supplies and parching large expanses of arable land. The Yangtze River supports about a third of the country's population. Officials in Beijing have warned of the increasing risk of extreme weather in China as a result of climate change - while heavy rainfall has continued to take its toll in other parts of the country.Read more on Sky News:How a humpback whale superhighway is offering warnings about climate changeWater levels on the main trunk of the Yangtze and the flood basin lakes of Dongting and Poyang are now at least 4.85 metres (16ft) shallower than normal - and the lowest on record for the period, officials have said.Rainfall in the basin has been around 45% lower than normal since July, according to forecasters. | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A drought has officially been declared across vast swathes of England. Rivers and reservoirs are evaporating in front of our eyes. Water may soon be rationed and crop irrigation restricted. Drought, and the extreme heat that exacerbates it, isn’t some occasional freak occurrence that can be brushed off as “super scorchio” fun once or twice a year. It’s a consequence of years of inaction on the climate emergency. This is producing a perfect storm of energy insecurity, food supply chaos and extreme weather that is wreaking havoc on society.Getting a firm grip on this crisis requires both immediate and long-term solutions. Our lame duck government is offering neither. It’s clear that the privatisation experiment for water companies has failed. They’re fit for profit, not for purpose. The head of Thames Water – the company responsible for the supply fiasco at Northend in Oxfordshire – is set to receive a £3.1m “golden hello” for signing on as CEO. English water firms across the board have handed over £72bn to shareholders in dividends.Ed Vaizey claimed on Good Morning Britain this week that “you get better run companies in the private sector”. Are these the same companies that dithered over hosepipe bans for fear of annoying customers, further intensifying our drought crisis? Companies that failed to meet their own targets on fixing leaks and faulty mains pipes? Companies whose incessant dumping of raw sewage has blighted our waterways?All that profit, yet investment in our waterways is falling woefully short. Not a single new reservoir has been built in the past three decades, and our Victorian water pipes are being replaced at a rate 10 times slower than our European neighbours. So we need immediate action. The Green party is calling for an urgent enforcement order on water firms, a cut to bosses’ obscene executive pay, an end to dividends to shareholders and for the water supply to be brought back into public ownership as soon as is practicably possible.Public ownership works, and is popular. Publicly owned Scottish Water is the most trusted public utility in the UK, while not-for-profit Welsh Water has helped 60,000 low-income customers to pay their bills. They invest more, too. Scottish Water has invested nearly 35% more per household in infrastructure since 2002 than privatised firms in England; it charges 14% less in water bills; and it doesn’t pay out costly dividends to shareholders.Making ourselves more resilient to droughts in the future requires long-term solutions that tackle the climate emergency at its source. Yet just when we need real climate leadership to address this urgent crisis, our government has gone awol. During last month’s heatwave, Boris Johnson ducked out of chairing several Cobra meetings, and has barely been seen in public since. Prospective leader Rishi Sunak thinks letting his daughters do the recycling will help us get to net zero. This is hardly the muscular and resolute decision-making we need to tackle the climate emergency.Meanwhile, Liz Truss is on a bizarre crusade complaining about solar panels in fields, when solar is the cheapest form of energy and covers just 0.06% of UK land, far less than the amount of land used by airports. To top it all off, Truss has also refused to increase the windfall tax on energy companies, and has pledged to lift the ban on climate-wrecking fracking.The solutions to this crisis are clear. We must keep fossil fuels in the ground and deliver a clean, green and affordable energy system. We need publicly owned utilities to do what they say on the tin, rather than simply siphon off obscene profits to shareholders. The climate emergency affects us all – and we can all be part of the solution. Caroline Lucas is the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
A yellow thunderstorm warning is in place for most of the UK today with the chance of deep flood water causing danger to life, after weeks of little rain which caused droughtsThe Met Office has issued more severe thunderstorm warningsTen areas in the UK have been warned of a flood risk with heavy rain and thunder set to continue as the heatwave comes to an end. The Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for most of the UK today, with conditions potentially causing more flash flooding as well as transport disruption and power cuts. The warning will remain in place for southern England on Wednesday, where communities could be cut off by flooded roads, and the chance of fast-flowing or deep flood water could cause danger to life. Heavy showers caused flooding in areas of Cornwall and Devon on Monday afternoon while thunderstorms developed in east coast counties such as Essex, Suffolk and Lincolnshire. The yellow thunderstorm warning will remain in place for southern England on Wednesday (
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met office) The Environment Agency has also put 10 flood alerts in areas of Norfolk, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire as of 10am today. It came as an abrupt end to the heatwave last week and followed weeks of little rain, which had caused droughts, leaving land parched. The National Drought Group on Friday moved parts of the South West, parts of southern and central England, and the East of England into official drought status while at least six water companies have imposed or are planning to impose hosepipe bans. The Met Office said localised areas in England and Wales will be hit by torrential rain, thunder and localised flooding again today. Rainy weather in Brighton, East Sussex, marking the end of the heatwave (
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Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror) Otherwise conditions will be warm and humid with a mixture of some sunny spells and showers. On the longer-term forecast this week, the Met Office's deputy chief forecaster Daniel Rudman, said: "Although the warnings are at a broad scale, forecasters expect individual thunderstorms to be quite isolated, and many within the warning not encountering storm or heavy rain. "After Wednesday conditions will settle down somewhat for most. "Whilst there may be some periods of rain, and it will be unsettled at times in northern and western parts, the heavy downpours associated with thunderstorms become less likely." A mudslide that has closed the A358 near Combe Florey, Somerset (
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Travel Somerset) The Met Office said localised areas in England and Wales will be hit by torrential rain, thunder and localised flooding (
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Travel Somerset) Meanwhile, David Black, chief executive of OfWat, has defended the regulator's record of holding water companies to account over leakages, new investment, targets and building resilience as more frequent extreme weather events put the system under increasing pressure. Mr Black defended targets set for water companies as "challenging but achievable" but acknowledged that underperforming firms "need to up their game". Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "We certainly agree that customers should get better service and expect better service and that's why we have set performance targets that aim in every case to drive better performance from companies." Challenged on suggestions he thinks there is currently nothing wrong with the system, he said: "No, I think that companies like Thames and Southern really need to up their game. Sun loungers are stacked up on a dreary looking Brighton beach in East Sussex (
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Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror) "I think it's very concerning that other companies, that may be performing better in the sector, cast a long shadow. "When we see poor performance - I think the water supply interruption you referred to earlier - is quite simply unacceptable." Asked if OfWat targets are in line with the pressure the system is going to come under in future due to weather events, he said: "We will refresh our targets at the next price review and so we will look at what can be achieved and what needs to be achieved and set those targets accordingly." Mr Black then rejected suggestions that investment has been falling every decade, adding: "Some people are excluding investment in the sector by the way they've counted their numbers. A man shields himself from the rain with an umbrella in Brighton, East Sussex (
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Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror) "The data on Ofwat's website shows that investment has been largely constant over time and that net investment in the sector has improved four-fold." Professor Hannah Cloke, an expert in hydrology at the University of Reading, previously explained why there is the potential for floods in drought-hit areas. She said: "The ground is really dry and when it is so dry it acts a little bit like concrete and that water can't get in so it drains straight off. "There is the damage to homes and businesses these floods can cause, and inconvenience with transport disruptions, but if it is very heavy in one place it can also be very dangerous." Elsewhere, the body of a teenage girl was found after emergency services were called to Stalybridge, west of Manchester, to reports of a person getting into difficulty in water on Monday evening. Read More Read More | Extreme Weather and Cataclysms |
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