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Natural disasters
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Natural disasters. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A damaged port in Anamizu, Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture, after a strong earthquake on January 1 last year. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

Japan on alert as Hokkaido tremors reignite megaquake fears

While scientists stress earthquakes are impossible to predict, residents are being urged to prepare for a worst-case scenario.

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India

Video | Deadly monsoon rains and landslides lash northeast India

Italy

Italy’s Mount Etna volcano spews huge plume of ash, gas and rock

Climate change

Rising snow and glacier melt puts almost 2 billion in South Asia at risk: report

The risks are aggravated by black carbon pollution, which could curb water supply from many rivers flowing through the Himalayan plains.

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Snow and glacier melt across the Himalayas has been accelerating, aggravated by black carbon pollution. Photo: EPA-EFE
Extreme weather

Thousands evacuated in 3 Canada provinces as wildfires rage

Smoke was worsening air quality in Canada and into some US states along the border.

Japan

Can Japan find a new home for contaminated Fukushima soil?

The Japanese government has promised Fukushima residents that it will find permanent storage for the soil elsewhere in the country by 2045.

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India

At least 22 dead as India monsoon rains wreak havoc in northeast

Non-stop rains over the last few days have triggered landslides and flash flooding in areas such as Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

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Women commute in cycle rickshaws through a flooded street after heavy rains in Guwahati, in India’s Assam state, on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Nepal

Swiss Birch glacier collapse is a chilling warning to Asia

At-risk regions like the Himalayas would benefit from the early-warning system which averted mass casualties in Switzerland, experts say.

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Africa

At least 111 people dead in Nigeria after floods submerge market town

The floods were triggered by torrential rains that lasted several hours.

Insurance

Hong Kong aims to attract catastrophe bond issuers, investors with incentives

Issuers, including World Bank and Peak Re, have raised US$800 million since Hong Kong implemented a new regulatory regime in 2021.

Serious flooding in Chai Wan during the black rainstorm on September 8, 2023. Photo: Dickson Lee
Climate change

Killer heat ahead: new global forecast warns of deadly climate extremes

World is likely to break another annual temperature record in the next five years, scientists predict.

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Scientists warn of an increased frequency of wildfires and other extreme events. File photo: AP
Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Technology can help as Hong Kong’s rainy season poses threat of landslides

City has made advances to guard against dangerous slopes, but with climate change affecting weather patterns, vigilance remains paramount.

Australia

What’s in the air? Australian state reels from deluge of dust

New South Wales is grappling with a widespread dust storm days after record flooding that killed five and displaced 50,000 people.

Asia travel

Looking like an ancient temple, place 50 metres below ground protects Tokyo

People can visit the flood protection facility in Kasukabe, which safeguards Tokyo and has shafts large enough to fit the Statue of Liberty.

KASUKABE, SAITAMA, JAPAN - 2016/06/01: GCANS Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel is an underground water flood control project. It is the largest underground flood water facility in the world and was built to control the overflow of Tokyo's rivers during Japan's monsoon seasons. GCANS has five large containment silos connected by six kilometers of tunnels. Its most famous feature is the large cistern with giant pillars that resemble an underground cathedral or temple. The main job of GCANS is to store, then divert, the overflow of water into the Edo River to avoid flood damage. (Photo by John S Lander/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Extreme weather

US tornadoes kill more than 20 in Kentucky and Missouri

Severe storms laid waste to local communities and cut off electricity to nearly 200,000 people.

A destroyed home is seen on Saturday after a severe storm in London, Kentucky. Photo: AP
International Property

Earthquake jitters sway Thailand’s market for high-rise office towers

Concerns over building safety are adding further pressure to a market that was already grappling with slowing demand.

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Myanmar

Opinion | How Myanmar’s devastating earthquake threatens to leave a lasting economic scar

The earthquake in central Myanmar poses serious risks to its fragile economy, with damages disrupting agriculture, trade and infrastructure.

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Myanmar

‘Junta in the way’: Myanmar quake crisis worsens amid air strikes, scarce UN aid

Myanmar’s junta is conducting air strikes after a deadly earthquake, despite a ceasefire, while a US$275 million UN aid appeal has received only US$34 million.

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People are seen at a shelter in a makeshift tent camp near a railway track, following a strong earthquake in Amarapura township, Myanmar. Photo: Reuters
Japan

As tourist bookings plunge over earthquake prophecies, Japan shuts down rumours

The Chinese embassy in Tokyo inadvertently added to the fears by warning citizens to take precautions against natural disasters.

Thailand

Bangkok to trial disaster alerts after Myanmar quake criticism

The system will use three mobile networks to send warning messages in Thai and English, accompanied by a siren.

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Thailand

Thai-Chinese firm denies safety breach at probe of Bangkok skyscraper collapse

Xin Ke Yuan Steel is being scrutinised for the quality of steel rods in a high-rise that collapsed during last month’s Bangkok earthquake, the only building to fail that day.

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A collapsed building in Bangkok, Thailand after A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28. Photo: Xinhua
Thailand

Chinese executive linked to Bangkok tower collapse arrested

The 30-storey tower was reduced to rubble when a quake struck neighbouring Myanmar last month, killing 47 people and leaving 47 missing.

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Rescue workers conduct a search operation for survivors at the site of the collapsed tower on 29 March. Photo: EPA-EFE
Australia

Strong swells on Australia’s east coast claim 6 over Easter weekend

Waves as high as 3.5 metres are creating hazardous surf conditions, lifesavers warn.

Myanmar

Letters | Quake-hit Myanmar can draw hope from Nepal’s rebuilding

Readers discuss Nepal’s recovery from the 2015 quake, Disney’s remake of Snow White, and the heartwarming scenes that play out on Hong Kong’s public transport.

Myanmar

Myanmar struggles to recover 3 weeks after deadly earthquake

The United Nations estimated that at least 2.5 million tons of debris from the quake, roughly 125,000 truckloads, will need to be removed.

A monk takes photos on the banks of the Irrawaddy River in front of the collapsed Ava Bridge, also known as the Inwa Bridge, in Sagaing, Myanmar, on April 3. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

‘Heavy heart’: Myanmar quake survivors mark ‘Thingyan’ new year amid ruins

Two weeks after the disaster which killed over 3,600, the ruling junta has commanded the usually raucous festival to have no music or dancing.

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A destroyed Buddhist monastery is pictured in Inn Wa on the outskirts of Mandalay on April 6 following the devastating March 28 earthquake. The quake killed over 3,600 people and made thousands more homeless. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Editorial | Misery of Myanmar earthquake survivors must not be forgotten

Hong Kong has role to play as the United Nations appeals for help in humanitarian crisis facing more than 17 million people.

Japan

Japan’s Kyoto offers natural disaster survival tips for foreign visitors

The move comes as more foreign travellers have been visiting the ancient Japanese capital in recent years.

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