Journalism of Courage
Two people died in Andhra Pradesh amid heavy rainfall in the state after Cyclone Gulab made landfall at Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district on Sunday. Neighbouring Telangana also received heavy rainfall as a fallout of the landfall. In Andhra Pradesh, record levels of rainfall were reported in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, which inundated low-lying areas. (PTI Photo)
Due to this weather system, heavy rains were witnessed in Gujarat's Saurashtra region. Seen here are anchored fishing boats after Pakistan Metrological Department website advised fishermen not to venture in the sea due to rough conditions. (Reuters)
At least eight persons died as torrential rain caused flood havoc across the Marathwada region of central Maharashtra and parts of the state’s eastern region of Vidarbha. Homes and fields were submerged, and the administration had to scramble to relocate families and livestock in a total of nine badly affected districts as a depression caused by Cyclone Gulab, which made landfall on the east coast, dumped rain on Maharashtra, especially on the drought-prone Marathwada region. Seen here are NDRF personnel carrying out rescue work in Latur district. (PTI Photo)
Heavy rain lashed all eight districts of Marathwada over the last two days, filling up several dams in the region, as a result of which water had to be discharged from these catchments, causing flooding downstream. Of the 11 districts in Vidarbha, the worst hit by the rain were Buldhana, Akola, Washim, Yavatmal and Chandrapur. The trail of devastation caused crop damage across an estimated 17 lakh hectares of agricultural land. Seen here is the Godavari river in Nasik, which swelled up following heavy rains. (PTI Photo)
A tornado tore through Australia's rural southeast on Thursday, ripping roofs off houses, uprooting trees, toppling power lines and causing minor injuries, authorities said. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Agata Imielska said the tornado was part of a weather system crossing Australia's most populous state and causing thunderstorms. The NSW State Emergency Service issued a warning for people to secure loose items outside their homes. Seen here is debris flying around a tornado funnel in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, on September 30, 2021. (Reuters)
One of the most active volcanos on Earth is erupting on Hawaii's Big Island. Officials with the US Geological Survey confirmed that an eruption has begun in Kilauea volcano's Halemaumau crater at the volcano's summit. Webcam footage of the crater showed lava fountains covering the floor of the crater and billowing clouds of volcanic gas rising into the air. The eruption is not in an area with homes and is entirely contained within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The volcano's alert level has been raised to "warning” and the aviation code changed to red. (Reuters)
At least 855 buildings and 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) of roads, as well as other key infrastructure, have been wiped out so far. Banana plantations that are the source of income for many islanders have also been either destroyed or damaged by volcanic ash. Over 6,000 residents have been evacuated so far, and hundreds more were advised to stay home to avoid the possible inhalation of toxic gases. (Reuters)
The surface of Spain's La Palma island is continuing to expand as lava from a volcano flows into the Atlantic Ocean and hardens when it comes into contact with the water, European Union scientists said. The hydrochloric acid and tiny particles of volcanic glass released into the air can cause skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation. Molten fluid emanating from the volcano that first erupted on September 19 was still running downhill like a river and then tumbling over a cliff into the Atlantic. But uneven terrain could make the lava overflow its current path, spread to other areas, and destroy more houses and farmland. (Reuters)
Authorities sandbagged low-lying areas in the Thai capital of Bangkok and checked pumping stations along the Chao Phraya River in preparation for possible flooding as dams upstream, swollen by heavy rains, were forced to release water as a precaution. Flooding in the northern and central regions has already displaced thousands. Seven people have died and one woman is missing. The floods have affected 227,470 households in 31 provinces — one province and 30,000 households more than Wednesday, according to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigations. (AP)
In Sukhothai province, a team of paraglider enthusiasts has been doing what it can to help out areas cut off by the waters, flying sorties over villages and dropping aid packages to the stranded residents. Using powered paragliders, also known as paramotors, the 15-member group has been dropping packages of water, instant noodles, rice and other dried foods to villagers to help them make it through until the floods recede. Seen here are a mother and daughter on the second floor of their house in a flooded area in Ban Sai village. (Reuters)
A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 struck the southern Greek island of Crete on Monday, killing one person and injuring several more. The quake sent people fleeing into the streets, while schools were evacuated. Repeated aftershocks were rattling the area, and local media reported damage in villages near the epicentre. The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the quake struck at 9:17 am local time with an epicentre 246 km south southeast of Athens. A woman walks past the rubble of a house in Crete. (Reuters)
At least nine aftershocks also struck the area, with the EMSC giving a preliminary magnitude of 4.6 for the two strongest ones. Residents of the city of Heraklion rushed out into the streets. Local media in Crete reported damage, with collapsing walls of old stone buildings in villages near the epicentre of the temblor on the eastern part of the island. Seen here is the damaged Metamorfosi Sotiros church in Voni village. (AP)
The Windy Fire burns in Sequoia National Forest near California Hot Springs, September 24. (Reuters)
A police officer closes an intersection where debris is scattered on the road after an earthquake damaged a building in Melbourne on September 22. A magnitude 5.8 earthquake caused damage in the city of Melbourne in an unusually powerful temblor for Australia, Geoscience Australia said. (AP)
