Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Japan: Wildfires Grow in Iwate’s Otsuchi as Evacuation Orders Widen

Two wildfires broke out in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northeast Japan on the afternoon of April 22. The blazes have scorched more than 1,000 hectares of land as of Friday, April 24, with at least eight structures — including a home — reported destroyed. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people as firefighting efforts continue.

E

US: Tornado Spotted Near Braman, Oklahoma

A tornado was captured near Braman, Oklahoma on Thursday, April 23.

E

China: Massive Sandstorm Engulfs City in Xinjiang, Turning Day Into Darkness

This is the shocking moment that a towering wall of sandstorm swept across a city in China, rapidly engulfing buildings and streets as strong winds pushed the dense dust forward. On April 17, 2026, in Xinjiang, China, the video captured a powerful sandstorm advancing toward an urban area, forming what appeared to be a massive moving wall of dust. The sky quickly darkened as the storm rolled in, with visibility dropping sharply. Buildings in the distance were gradually swallowed by the thick haze, while the fast-moving sand created an overwhelming sense of pressure and urgency. The footage showcased how the sandstorm surged forward in waves, covering roads, infrastructure, and entire neighborhoods within moments. According to the local meteorological bureau, wind speeds during the event had reached up to 25.2 meters per second, contributing to the intensity and rapid spread of the sandstorm. The video ended with the city almost completely obscured by the dust, leaving only faint outlines of buildings visible through the thick, swirling sand.

E

US: Tornado Hits Enid, Oklahoma

A tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday night, April 23, damaging homes and hitting Vance Air Force Base. Several injuries were confirmed on the city's south side, with no fatalities reported. The twister moved through residential areas, an airport, and several colleges before heading toward the nearby town of Fairmont. A separate tornado was also confirmed near Braman, Kay County, around 7:30 p.m.

E

US: Tornado Hits Enid, Oklahoma 2

A tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday night, April 23, damaging homes and hitting Vance Air Force Base. Several injuries were confirmed on the city's south side, with no fatalities reported. The twister moved through residential areas, an airport, and several colleges before heading toward the nearby town of Fairmont. A separate tornado was also confirmed near Braman, Kay County, around 7:30 p.m.

E

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes 3

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

E

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes 4

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

E

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes 2

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

E

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

E

US: Multiple Tornadoes Strike Olmsted County, Minnesota, Prompting Disaster Declaration

Multiple tornadoes struck Olmsted County, Minnesota, on Friday, April 17, damaging dozens of homes and displacing residents, prompting the county board to issue a disaster declaration. Several hundred customers were left without power, while emergency services disconnected electricity and natural gas in affected areas for safety reasons.

E

US: Damage Reported as Multiple Tornadoes Tear Through Olmsted County, Minnesota

Multiple tornadoes struck Olmsted County, Minnesota, on Friday, April 17, damaging dozens of homes and displacing residents, prompting the county board to issue a disaster declaration. Several hundred customers were left without power, while emergency services disconnected electricity and natural gas in affected areas for safety reasons.

E

US: Super Typhoon Sinlaku Batters CNMI and Guam With Destructive Weather 3

Super Typhoon Sinlaku slammed into the Northern Mariana Islands on Tuesday, April 14, lashing Saipan and Tinian with 150 mph sustained winds and torrential rain. Reported damage includes shredded roofs and widespread flooding. While Guam avoided a direct hit, the island still faced high winds and flash floods. President Trump approved emergency disaster declarations for both Guam and the CNMI on April 12.

E

US: Super Typhoon Sinlaku Batters CNMI and Guam With Destructive Weather 2

Super Typhoon Sinlaku slammed into the Northern Mariana Islands on Tuesday, April 14, lashing Saipan and Tinian with 150 mph sustained winds and torrential rain. Reported damage includes shredded roofs and widespread flooding. While Guam avoided a direct hit, the island still faced high winds and flash floods. President Trump approved emergency disaster declarations for both Guam and the CNMI on April 12.

E

US: Super Typhoon Sinlaku Batters CNMI and Guam With Destructive Weather

Super Typhoon Sinlaku slammed into the Northern Mariana Islands on Tuesday, April 14, lashing Saipan and Tinian with 150 mph sustained winds and torrential rain. Reported damage includes shredded roofs and widespread flooding. While Guam avoided a direct hit, the island still faced high winds and flash floods. President Trump approved emergency disaster declarations for both Guam and the CNMI on April 12.

E

US: Super Typhoon Sinlaku Slams Northern Marianas and Guam, Prompting Disaster Declarations

Super Typhoon Sinlaku slammed the U.S. Northern Marianas and Guam in the western Pacific Ocean before daybreak on Wednesday, April 15, bringing high winds, storm surge, and flooding rainfall as the planet's strongest tropical cyclone of 2026 so far. President Trump approved emergency disaster declarations for the area.

E

Fiji: Tropical Cyclone Vaianu Strikes Island With Category 3 Winds and Heavy Rain

Tropical Cyclone Vaianu struck Fiji on April 7 as a Category 3 storm, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread flooding. Roads were cut off, schools closed, and flights cancelled, with nearly 300 people evacuated to emergency shelters.

E

New Zealand: Cyclone Vaianu Batters North Island, Forcing Evacuations and Power Outages

Cyclone Vaianu made landfall on New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, April 12, bringing winds exceeding 130 km/h, heavy rain, and waves over 6 meters. Around 5,000 homes lost power, hundreds were evacuated, and over 90 regional flights were cancelled. Several areas were placed under emergency declarations.

E

New Zealand: Cyclone Vaianu Batters North Island, Forcing Evacuations and Power Outages 2

Cyclone Vaianu made landfall on New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, April 12, bringing winds exceeding 130 km/h, heavy rain, and waves over 6 meters. Around 5,000 homes lost power, hundreds were evacuated, and over 90 regional flights were cancelled. Several areas were placed under emergency declarations.

E