2020 catastrophes News

Update: Cyclone Amphan Floods Areas of India and Bangladesh, Killing Dozens of People

The biggest cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal in two decades wrecked havoc along India’s east coast and in Bangladesh, killing dozens of people, flooding low-lying areas and affecting power supply. Amphan is likely to continue to move north-northeastward …

India, Bangladesh Prepare for Biggest Cyclone in 20 Years with Evacuation of Thousands

The biggest cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal in about two decades may likely weaken as it hits coasts of India and Bangladesh late on Wednesday, with authorities making preparations to evacuate more than 5 million people to safer …

Cyclone Amphan Intensifies, Threatening India, Bangladesh with Dangerous Storm Surge

Tropical Cyclone Amphan has intensified into the equivalent of a Category 5 storm as it tracks toward India and Bangladesh through the Bay of Bengal Maximum sustained winds in Cyclone Amphan increased from 75 mph to 160 mph in just …

Typhoon Vongfong Tests Philippines’ Ability to Protect Evacuees from Coronavirus

Typhoon Vongfong forced more than 150,000 people in the Philippines to leave their homes, risking coronavirus infection as they move to usually packed shelters. Intense rains and strong winds damaged houses and crops as the first typhoon to enter the …

Typhoon Vongfong Hits the Philippines with Evacuations Expected

Typhoon Vongfong, the Northern Hemisphere’s first named storm [of 2020], is rapidly intensifying east of the Philippines, where it could clip parts of the island nation Thursday and Saturday, according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii. The …

India Releases Safety Guidelines on Restarting Factories After LG Chem Gas Leak

India has released safety guidelines for restarting manufacturing industries as it partially eases the world’s most expansive pandemic lockdown and tries to avoid further incidents after a gas leak last week. While restarting units, companies must consider the first week …

April’s Killer Tornadoes Cost Insurers Billions in Claims: Aon Report

Extensive severe weather events in the United States during April cost insurers billions of dollars, according to the latest edition of Aon’s Global Catastrophe Recap report. There were 14 killer tornadoes in the U.S. in April – the fifth-most in …

Gas Leak at LG Chem Plant in India Kills at Least 7, Forcing Evacuation of Thousands

An overnight gas leak at an LG Chem Ltd. polymer plant in southern India has killed at least seven people and forced the evacuation of thousands in the city of Visakhapatnam after the company tried to restart operations following the …

Floods Hit Canada’s Oil Sands Hub in Fort McMurray, Forcing Some Evacuations

Floods have forced mandatory evacuations in parts of Fort McMurray, the hub for Canada’s oil sands industry, even as the province of Alberta tries to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which includes Fort …

Earthquake Hits Croatia, a Month After Another Tremor Causes Damages of $6B

An earthquake rattled Croatia’s capital, a month after a stronger tremor left Zagreb in need of $6 billion for renovation, adding to a growing list of costs as the European Union battles the coronavirus. The 3.5-magnitude temblor on Thursday was …