The Watchers - Featured stories

Bhote Koshi flash flood kills over 170, leaves 1 500 missing after glacier collapse on Nepal-Tibet border

Rishav Kothari — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:00:30 +0000

A massive glacial collapse in Tibet triggered a destructive flash flood through the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river system in Nepal on August 26, 2026, killing at least 165 people and leaving 826 missing as of August 27. Among those reported out of contact are 590 tourists, including 476 foreign nationals, while search and rescue operations continue across multiple districts downstream of the Nepal-China border.

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Global sea surface temperature sets new record, reaching 21.1°C (70°F) as El Niño strengthens

Rishav Kothari — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:51:00 +0000

The daily average sea surface temperature across the extra-polar global ocean, between 60°S and 60°N, reached 21.1°C (70°F) on August 22, 2026, the highest value in the Copernicus Climate Pulse record beginning in 1979. The reading exceeded the previous daily record of 21.09°C (69.96°F), set in March 2024, and came in August, although temperatures across the domain normally reach their annual maximum in March and April.

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State of emergency declared as Hawk Fire injures six near Reno, Nevada

Rishav Kothari — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:18:52 +0000

Six people were injured and approximately 42 000 remained in GO NOW evacuation zones after the Hawk Fire expanded across the Peavine Peak area northwest of Reno, Nevada, on August 22–23, 2026. Nevada declared a State of Emergency in Washoe County, while the latest available mapping placed the fire at approximately 6 086 ha (15 040 acres) with 0% containment late on August 23.

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Hawaiʻi County declares emergency as Tropical Storm Moke raises flood risk on Lala-damaged Big Island

Rishav Kothari — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:25:18 +0000

Hawaiʻi County declared a local state of emergency and announced six shelters on August 22, 2026, as Tropical Storm Moke moved west south of the islands, with heavy rain forecast over saturated areas damaged by Hurricane Lala. At 23:00 HST on August 22 (09:00 UTC on August 23), Moke was 530 km (330 miles) south-southeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph).

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Dover declares State of Emergency after tornadoes and severe storms strike parts of Pennsylvania and Delaware

Rishav Kothari — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:35:41 +0000

A confirmed tornado moved through Dover, Delaware, on August 20, 2026, prompting a Particularly Dangerous Situation warning and a city State of Emergency. The tornado damaged buildings, downed trees, flooded roads and disrupted power in Dover, while severe storms in Pennsylvania injured 1 person, displaced at least 13 residents and damaged Eastern York High School and buildings in Columbia.

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Hurricane Lala leaves one dead, more than 100 homes damaged or destroyed in Hawaii

Rishav Kothari — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:20:00 +0000

Officials confirmed one death linked to Hurricane Lala as Hawaii remained in recovery on August 18, 2026, after the storm caused severe flooding, landslides, and widespread infrastructure damage. More than 100 homes were reported damaged or destroyed on Hawaiʻi Island, while Hawaiian Electric reported 88 670 customers without power across its service territory at 18:00 HST on August 17 (04:00 UTC on August 18).

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El Niño forecast to reach historic strength ahead of winter 2026–27

Rishav Kothari — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:35:45 +0000

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has raised the probability of a very strong El Niño during late 2026, increasing the likelihood of characteristic El Niño impacts across the United States during winter 2026–27. Current seasonal guidance favors wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the southern tier and drier conditions across parts of the Northwest and northern United States, while above-normal temperatures are favored across much of the West, northern tier and parts of the East. The probability of a very strong El Niño during October–December rose from 81% in CPC’s July assessment to 95% in August, with a 69% chance that the Relative Oceanic Niño Index (RONI) will reach at least +2.5°C (+4.5°F), a level that would exceed previous El Niño events in NOAA’s record dating to 1950. The strength and location of tropical Pacific warming and convection will influence how closely winter 2026–27 follows established El Niño patterns.

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At least six dead as severe storms and historic flooding hit Indiana

Teo Blašković — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 07:51:34 +0000

At least six people have died after severe storms and flooding spread across Indiana beginning August 11, 2026, while major White River flooding forced evacuations and rescues across several counties. The National Weather Service said widespread flooding was affecting the White River late August 15, with major flooding at Noblesville and Nora and extensive flooding around Ravenswood near and north of Indianapolis. NWS described the flooding in parts of central Indiana as catastrophic.

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Major M7.7 earthquake hits Flores region, Indonesia, leaving 105 dead

Teo Blašković — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:48:12 +0000

A major earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.7 hit 68 km (42 miles) NNW of Ende, Indonesia at 21:58 UTC on August 14, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.7 at a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). BMKG reported M7.7 and a tsunami potential following the earthquake.

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Wildfire near Omiš burns homes and vehicles, injures 40 and forces 1 200 people to evacuate, Croatia

Teo Blašković — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:37:02 +0000

A large wildfire reported near Lokva Rogoznica at 20:15 LT (18:15 UTC) on August 13, 2026, spread toward Omiš overnight, reaching residential areas and burning about 900 ha (2 200 acres) by 12:00 LT on August 14, according to the Croatian Firefighting Association (HVZ). At least 1 200 people were evacuated, 40 were treated in hospitals, of which seven with life-threatening injuries. Local media are describing it as one of the worst wildfires in Croatia's history.

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