Category Major Events

California faces worst drought in decades: ‘Economic disaster’

After two consecutive dry years, the California drought is back. How bad is it? “This is the worst drought since 1977,” said Ernest Conant, the federal Bureau of Reclamation’s California regional director. California melon farmer Joe Del Bosque called it…

Storm leaves 3 dead, displaces thousands in Philippines

A tropical storm left at least three people dead and displaced thousands of villagers in the southern and central Philippines, where it triggered floods and landslides, officials said Wednesday. Forecasters said the storm Choi-wan was blowing off Victoria town in…

Severe floods as Amazon rivers reach record highs in Brazil

The Rio Negro has swollen to levels unseen in over a century of record-keeping. More than 450,000 people have been affected state-wide. Residents in Manaus, the biggest city in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, were struggling to cope with severe flooding after…

Indian state estimates $1.4 billion damage from Cyclone

Cyclone Tauktae caused an estimated 100 billion Indian rupees ($1.4 billion) worth of damage in the Indian state of Gujarat after making landfall on May 17, Times of India reported. Agriculture, energy and housing sectors have recorded the highest losses.…

Back-to-back Tornadoes Kill 12 in China; More Than 300 Injured

Photo Illustration Back-to-back tornadoes killed 12 people in central and eastern China and left more than 300 others injured, authorities said Saturday. Eight people died in the inland city of Wuhan on Friday night and four others in the town…