The Asia Pacific Senyar Tropical Cyclone Disaster Aftermath - Indonesia

The Asia Pacific Senyar Tropical Cyclone Disaster Aftermath - Indonesia

On December 14, 2025, Tropical Cyclone Senyar struck Menang Gini in Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia, causing extensive devastation. The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reports that the cyclone resulted in 1,016 fatalities across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, with an ongoing search for 212 missing individuals, including 36 in Aceh. The disaster has directly impacted over 3.3 million people, resulting in more than 1 million displacements. This event, alongside associated storms, marks one of the deadliest natural disasters in Southeast Asia for 2025, with total casualties estimated to exceed 2,370 across the region. This situation highlights the urgent need for regional cooperation in recovery and response efforts. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

RECAP: Violent Storm Strikes Emilia-Romagna Coast, Italy, Forcing State of Crisis

A violent storm, described as a “maritime supercell,” hit northeast Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region on August 24, causing widespread damage in tourist towns such as Milano Marittima, Rimini, and Ravenna. Winds exceeded 100 km/h, heavy rain and hail struck the coast, 265 trees fell in Milano Marittima damaging vehicles, and streets and properties were flooded. No injuries were reported. In response, the Emilia-Romagna regional government declared a state of crisis for the affected coastal municipalities, enabling emergency resources and recovery operations. Authorities are assessing damage to public and private infrastructure, restoring roads and services, and supporting residents and businesses affected by the storm.

China: Floodwaters Sweep Through Hebei Construction Site After Intense Rain

On July 28, torrential rain in Xinglong County, Hebei, triggered flash floods that swept through a construction site, submerging makeshift iron shelters and cutting off access to nearby villages. The National Disaster Committee deployed a team to assess damage and coordinate relief efforts.

Canada: Convoy of Evacuees Arrives in Opaskwayak Cree Nation Amid Wildfires

Thousands of people in Manitoba have been forced to evacuate as massive, out-of-control wildfires sweep through the province, prompting a monthlong state of emergency. This video, recorded Wednesday, May 28, shows a convoy of evacuees arriving in the areas surrounding Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN), The Pas, and the Rural Municipality of Kelsey.

Saudi Arabia: Heavy Rains, Intense Lightning Hit Makkah Region, Causing Flooding

Severe thunderstorms brough torrential rains and lightning strikes, causing flooding in the Makkah region on Monday, September 2. Authorities increased its safety guidelines in response to severe weather warnings issued by the National Center for Meteorology.

Greece: Two Minors Arrested For Alleged Arson In Terpsithea

A large fire broke out in a forest area in Terpsithea of ​​Glyfada on Monday, August 12. According to the Arson Crimes Response Directorate (D.A.E.E.), two 14-year-olds were arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire. The fire was quickly brought under control with the help of drones and thermal cameras.

Chile: Red Alert Declared As Heavy Rains Cause Severe Flooding In Marga Marga

Heavy rains caused severe flooding on Friday, June 21, in several areas in the Valparaíso region. The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) declared a red alert for Valparaíso and Marga Marga provinces, prompting evacuations.

China: Cars Submerged In Floodwater After Heavy Downpours In Nanning

On May 19, extreme torrential rains hit Guangxi and Guangdong, prompting Nanning in Guangxi to issue a red alert for heavy rain. The heavy downpour caused flooding that nearly swept away all the vehicles on the road in Xixiangtang District, Nanning. Video filmed by residents from around 6 a.m. to 7. a.m. shows submerged vehicles on the streets that turned into a river in merely an hour. The downpour has caused urban flooding in multiple districts, escalating the emergency response for heavy rain to Level III and the flood control emergency response to Level III out of four levels. According to local media, the peak rainfall intensity in Nanning exceeded 100 millimeters in one hour. As of 7:30 PM on May 19, the last waterlogged area in Nanning had drained, and municipal road traffic had returned to normal.

China-donated tents offer swift shelter for flood-hit Afghans

STORY: China-donated tents offer swift shelter for flood-hit Afghans SHOOTING TIME: May 4, 2024 DATELINE: May 8, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:26 LOCATION: HERAT, Afghanistan CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the flood-affected area in Aderskan District, west Afghanistan's Herat Province 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): SAYED AHMAD, Tent recipient 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): MAWLAWI ENAYATULLAH SABIR, Deputy director for Herat's disaster management authority 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): IMAMUDIN AHMADI, Tent recipient STORYLINE: In a continuation of humanitarian support reminiscent of last year's earthquake response, China-donated tents were distributed to families affected by flooding in west Afghanistan's Herat Province a couple of days ago, to offer a temporary refuge to those grappling with the aftermath of natural disasters. "Heavy rains and flash floods have destroyed our homes and rendered us homeless. Luckily the timely distribution of China-donated tents as shelter has been very helpful for us," a tent recipient Saye

Disasters Expo USA explores latest strategies for natural disaster response

STORY: Disasters Expo USA explores latest strategies for natural disaster response DATELINE: Oct. 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:17 LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, U.S. CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the event STORYLINE: Emergency management professionals, public safety specialists and disaster mitigation experts from across the globe joined a leading expo in Southern California on Wednesday and Thursday, to explore the latest strategies to prepare, respond to and recover from national disasters. Disasters Expo USA was held in Anaheim Convention Center in Orange County of Southern California, focusing on the leading preparation, management, and recovery solutions for natural disasters. The expo drew a variety of disaster management and response professionals, showcasing the latest tools, strategies, and insights to enhance protection for communities around the world from disasters. A series of seminars were held during the expo, offering platforms for professionals and industry experts to share th

Leading expo in U.S. California features latest progress in disaster response

STORY: Leading expo in U.S. California features latest progress in disaster response DATELINE: Nov. 11, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:58 LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, U.S. CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY/ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Natural Disasters Expo 2. SOUNDBITE (English): JANNINE WILMOTH, Emergency manager of Emergency Management and Preparedness of Anaheim Fire and Rescue STORYLINE: The world's leading Natural Disasters Expo was launched Wednesday at the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California, showcasing the latest equipment, services, strategies and innovative technologies in disaster preparedness and management. According to the organizer, about 200 speakers, 300 suppliers and thousands of visitors were expected to participate in the two-day expo. Emergency management specialists and emergency response professionals from around the globe sourced the newest disaster-related products and services, maximized recovery methods, and discovered new ways to achieve community outreach and preparedness. The exp

China supports developing countries' demand on climate finance: envoy

STORY: China supports developing countries' demand on climate finance: envoy DATELINE: Nov. 11, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:35 LOCATION: SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): XIE ZHENHUA, China's special envoy for climate change 2. various of the COP27 3. various of natural disaster response 4. various of China's aid to Pakistan over flood control 5. various of street views in Sharm El-Sheikh STORYLINE: China's special envoy for climate change Xie Zhenhua said China supports the demand of developing countries, especially the vulnerable ones, to appeal for loss and damage funds from rich countries in regard to the impacts of climate change. Xie made the remarks during a press conference at the ongoing 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). SOUNDBITE (Chinese): XIE ZHENHUA, China's special envoy for climate change "Seeing the sufferings of other developing countries, we are fully aware of t

Death toll rises to 16 in northwest China flood

STORY: Death toll rises to 16 in northwest China flood DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:36 LOCATION: XINING, China CATEGORY: BREAKING SHOTLIST: 1. various of the flood-hit area STORYLINE: The death toll from a mountain torrent disaster triggered by heavy rain in northwest China's Qinghai Province has risen to 16 as of Thursday noon, with another 36 still missing, according to local authorities. A sudden heavy rainfall, starting 10:25 p.m. Wednesday, lashed Datong Hui and Tu Autonomous County, triggering flash floods and mudslides and causing rivers to change courses, according to the county's publicity department. A total of 6,245 residents in six villages have been affected by the natural calamity, the publicity department said. The province immediately activated its Level II emergency response for disasters, the second highest level of four levels from I to IV. Local authorities have dispatched more than 2,000 personnel from the armed police, public security, emergency, health and other

Botched U.S. COVID-19 response a man-made calamity: Chinese FM spokesperson

STORY: Botched U.S. COVID-19 response a man-made calamity: Chinese FM spokesperson DATELINE: May 11, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:24 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (Chinese/English): ZHAO LIJIAN, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson STORYLINE: "The botched COVID response of the U.S. government is not only a natural disaster, but also a man-made calamity that reflects the U.S. government's indifference and inaction in the face of people's lives," said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday. SOUNDBITE (Chinese/English): ZHAO LIJIAN, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson "I noted such reports. The U.S. has the world's most advanced medical technologies and richest medical resources. The botched COVID response of the U.S. government is not only a natural disaster, but also a man-made calamity that reflects the U.S. government's indifference and inaction in the face of people's lives. The rampant coronavirus compounded by persistent social problems, has further aggravated the

Osaka district produces comic-style evacuation manual for disasters

Osaka district produces comic-style evacuation manual for disasters

A comic-style evacuation manual, shown in this undated photo, has been published in a bulletin paper issued since April 2015 by the Konohana district of the city of Osaka, western Japan, in an effort to raise public awareness of the proper response procedures in the event of a tsunami or other natural disaster. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo