Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

May 14, 2019: A powerful earthquake in Papua New Guinea measuring magnitude 7.5 triggers a tsunami alert for the country and the nearby Solomon Islands. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said that the hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000km of the earthquake epicentre. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred 45km NE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea at a shallow depth of 10km. The reported epicentre lies within the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of regular seismic activity. The US Geological Survey mentioned that the earthquake in the New Ireland region of Papua New Guinea occurred as the result of shallow strike-slip faulting within the interior of the Pacific plate. Strong tremor of MMI VI was reported from Kokopo and Namatanai area.

May 13, 2019: There is a rumor spread about another severe tropical cyclone in Odisha in June 2019.  The message has been widely spreading across social medias. People in Odisha are warned of another severe cyclone after Fani . We would like to suggest to check the India Meteorological Department Website instead of running behind the rumors. If there are any storm or cyclone details, the website will provide the necessary information. People are panicked after the recent cyclone Fani slammed Odisha causing deaths of 64 as of today. Atleast 39 people died in Puri district alone.

May 12, 2019: An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 rattles Calayan town in Cagayan on Sunday afternoon. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake was followed by a magnitude 4.4 aftershock. The magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred at 4:59 p.m with its epicenter at 87 km northwest of Calayan, Cagayan. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 20 km.  An hour later, 4.4 magnitude aftershock was also felt in Calayan town in Cagayan, Philippines .

May 12, 2019: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 has been recorded in Dailekh district of Karnali province of Nepal. According to the Nepal Seismological center, the earthquake occurred at 00:36 midnight. The quake's epicenter was located near Baluwatar.  No preliminary damage or injuries have been reported. Last week, magnitude 4.0 earthquake occurred in Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal. This was the aftershock of magnitude 7.9 earthquake which occurred in Gorkha, Nepal on April 25, 2015.

May 2, 2019: According to an advisory issued by National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, Royal Government of Bhutan on May 2, 2019, Bhutan is very likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over the southern, eastern and isolated places of central parts of the country due to Cyclone Fani. The rest of the country is likely to receive moderate to heavy rain from 3rd May to 5th May.  Gusty wind is also very likely over the country during this period. Following the cyclone projected path, Bhutan will most likely not feel the direct impact of cyclone Fani. It indicated low pressure towards Bhutan. Bhutan is expected to have the peripheral effect of the cyclone due to the large size of the cyclonic system. Cyclone Fani has became an "extremely severe cyclonic" storm wind speeds up to 200 kmph keeping Coastal Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh region of India on high alert. 

May 3, 2019: An earthquake of magnitude 3.3 has been recorded 9km W of Templeton, California today. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was felt in Templeton on May 2, 2019 at 10:22 pm Thursday night. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 5km. The tremor was felt in Templeton, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Cayucos, Cambria, Los Osos, San Simeon, Bradley CA.