News
Typhoon Gaemi Strikes: Taiwan and Philippines Face Challenges
As Typhoon Gaemi wreaks havoc across Taiwan and the Philippines, communities are coming together to weather the storm’s impact. In the Philippines, the government has declared a state of calamity for Metro Manila, home to about 15 million residents. This declaration empowers local officials to allocate emergency funds for swift relief operations.
Despite heavy rains continuing today, the situation has shown signs of improvement compared to the previous day. While schools and some offices remain closed, efforts to restore normalcy are underway.
Tragically, Taiwan has reported three fatalities. A woman lost her life when a falling tree struck her motorized scooter, another man was crushed by an overturned excavator, and a third woman died after a wall collapsed onto her car. Over 200 people have sustained injuries, and more than 290,000 homes are experiencing power outages, according to disaster officials.
A significant incident involved a tanker, MT Terra Nova, which capsized off the coast of the Philippines, resulting in an oil spill extending several kilometers. While 16 crew members have been rescued, one remains missing. The typhoon’s effects, though it did not make landfall in the Philippines, intensified monsoon rains, leading to widespread flooding in the capital region and northern provinces.
Despite its path over the Pacific, Typhoon Gaemi intensified seasonal monsoon rains, affecting multiple regions. As the storm progresses, it is expected to cross northern Taiwan before moving toward the Chinese mainland. The storm’s winds are predicted to weaken as it travels further inland.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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