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dalia intensifies, floods Florida coast areas
Hurricane Idalia intensified into a Category 3 storm overnight and caused flooding in some beaches of Florida state’s west coast early Wednesday. Idalia is forecast to become a category 4 hurricane before it reaches the Big Bend coast of Florida Wednesday morning, the United States National Hurricane Center said in an advisory issued at 2 a.m. Eastern time, according to Agence France-Presse. NHC said Idalia’s maximum sustained winds have increased to near 195 kilometers per hour with higher gusts. Videos from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office posted online show flooded streets of the coastal Florida resort cities of Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach early Wednesday, CNN reported. Three to four feet of water forced the closure of roads along Madeira Beach’s main artery, Gulf Boulevard, the PCSO said. Authorities in Florida had earlier described Idalia and its potentially deadly storm surge as a once-in-a-lifetime event for the state’s northwest coast, ordering mass evacuations and issuing flood alerts ahead of its projected landfall. The NHC warned of potentially disastrous storm surge inundation of 3 to 5 meters in some coastal areas. The NHC said Idalia is likely to still be a hurricane while moving across southern Georgia, and possibly when it reaches the coast of Georgia or southern South Carolina late Wednesday. WITH AFP The post dalia intensifies, floods Florida coast areas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Typhoon ‘Goring’ batters 2.3K families, Cagayan Valley infra damage now at P40M
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said a total of 2,302 families or 7,919 individuals residing in six regions have been badly affected by the onslaught of Typhoon “Goring” as of Monday. The latest data from NDRRMC showed that the storm has prompted the evacuation of affected families from 93 barangays in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and the Cordillera Administrative Region. Of the number, 538 individuals equivalent to 1,948 persons are now being sheltered in 53 activated evacuation centers while another 107 families or 359 persons are being aided outside. No casualties due to "Goring" have so far been recorded. No major communication interruptions were reported, while 16 areas in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa have experienced power outages—10 of which have already been restored. Calabarzon is currently experiencing water supply interruption. The Office of the Civil Defense said some P2.37 billion of disaster funds and prepositioned relief items are now on standby. The NDRRMC also reported P40 million in damage to infrastructure within the Cagayan Valley. The post Typhoon ‘Goring’ batters 2.3K families, Cagayan Valley infra damage now at P40M appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CAAP issues alerts on North Korea satellite launches
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issued two notices to airmen regarding satellite launches of North Korea starting yesterday until Sept. 1......»»
Optimism amidst negative prognoses
Against an avalanche of negative prognoses, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno remains optimistic that the Philippine economy will be able to catch up despite the totally unexpected 4.3 percent sluggish growth exhibited during the second quarter of 2023......»»
Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, and anger grows
The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century ticked towards 100 Sunday, fueling criticism that government inaction contributed to the heavy loss of life. At least 96 people were confirmed to have died as of Sunday night, but officials warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs work their way through hundreds of homes and burned-out vehicles in Lahaina. The historic coastal town on the island of Maui was almost destroyed by the fast-moving inferno early Wednesday morning, with survivors saying there had been no warnings. When asked Sunday why none of the island's sirens had been activated, Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said she would wait for the results of an investigation announced by the state's attorney general. "I'm not going to make any excuses for this tragedy," Hirono, a Democrat, told CNN's "State of the Union." "We are really focused, as far as I'm concerned, on the need for rescue, and, sadly, the location of more bodies." More than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless. "The remains we're finding are from a fire that melted metal," said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. "When we pick up the remains... they fall apart." That was making identification difficult, he added, appealing for those with missing relatives to give DNA samples that might speed up the process. Pelletier said cadaver dogs still had a vast area to search in the hunt for what could still be hundreds of people who are unaccounted for. "We're going as fast as we can. But just so you know, three percent -- that's what's been searched with the dogs," he said. Questions over alert system The wildfire is the deadliest in the United States since 1918, when 453 people died in Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to nonprofit research group the National Fire Protection Association. The death toll surpassed 2018's Camp Fire in California, which virtually wiped the small town of Paradise off the map and killed 86 people. Questions are being asked about how prepared authorities were for the catastrophe, despite the islands' exposure to natural hazards such as tsunamis, earthquakes and violent storms. In its emergency management plan last year, the State of Hawaii described the risk wildfires posed to people as being "low." Yet the layers of warning that are intended to buffer a citizenry if disaster strikes appear not to have operated. Maui suffered numerous power outages during the crisis, preventing many residents from receiving emergency alerts on their cell phones. No emergency sirens sounded and many Lahaina residents spoke of learning about the blaze from neighbors running down the street or seeing it for themselves. "The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack," resident Vilma Reed, 63, told AFP. "You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us." Reed, whose house was destroyed by the blaze, said she was dependent on handouts and the kindness of strangers, and was sleeping in a car with her daughter, grandson and two cats. The New York Times reported Sunday that firefighters sent to tackle the flames found some hydrants had run dry. "There was just no water in the hydrants," the paper quoted firefighter Keahi Ho as saying. Roadblocks The congregation of Grace Baptist Church, which was leveled in the blaze, gathered Sunday in a coffee shop in Kahului for two hours of solace. Pastor Arza Brown led the service in his sandals, the only shoes that survived the blaze that destroyed his house. But the trappings of ministry were far from his mind as he comforted fellow evacuees. "That's one thing about getting together today -- just to be with each other and encourage each other," he said. For some survivors, the difficult days after the tragedy were being worsened by what they see as official intransigence, with roadblocks preventing them from getting back to their homes. Maui police said the public would not be allowed into Lahaina while safety assessments and searches were ongoing -- even some of those who could prove they lived there. Maui's fires follow other extreme weather events in North America this summer, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. Scientists say human-caused global warming is exacerbating natural hazards, making them both more likely and more deadly. The post Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, and anger grows appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, anger grows
The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century was expected to cross the 100-mark Sunday, fueling criticism that an inadequate official response contributed to the heavy loss of life. Officials updated the toll to 93 late Saturday but warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs continued the grim task of searching burned-out homes and vehicles in the epicenter of Lahaina. The historic coastal town on the island of Maui was almost completely destroyed by the fast-moving inferno early Wednesday morning, with survivors saying there had been no warnings. When asked Sunday why none of the island's sirens had been activated, Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said she would wait for the results of an investigation announced by the state's attorney general. "I'm not going to make any excuses for this tragedy," Hirono, a Democrat, told CNN's "State of the Union." "We are really focused, as far as I'm concerned, on the need for rescue, and, sadly, the location of more bodies." More than 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless. "The remains we're finding are from a fire that melted metal," said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. "When we pick up the remains... they fall apart." Among the ruins in Lahaina, a town of more than 12,000 and the former home of the Hawaiian royal family, an iconic, 150-year-old banyan tree remained standing but severely burned, AFP journalists saw. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he was "looking at" the possibility of visiting the island. Questions over alert system The wildfire is the deadliest in the United States since 1918, when 453 people died in Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to the non-profit research group the National Fire Protection Association. The death toll surpassed 2018's Camp Fire in California, which virtually wiped the small town of Paradise off the map and killed 86 people. Maui suffered numerous power outages during the crisis, preventing many residents from receiving emergency alerts on their cell phones. No emergency sirens were sounded, and many Lahaina residents have spoken of learning about the blaze because of neighbors running down the street. "The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack," resident Vilma Reed, 63, told AFP. "You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us." Reed, whose house was destroyed by the blaze, said she was depending on handouts and the kindness of strangers while sleeping in a car with her daughter, grandson, and two cats. In its emergency management plan last year, the State of Hawaii described the risk wildfires posed to people as being "low". Some residents who fled the flames have also expressed anger at a roadblock put up preventing them from returning to their homes. Maui police said members of the public would not be allowed into Lahaina while safety assessments and searches were ongoing -- even some of those who could prove they lived there. Some residents waited for hours hoping to be allowed in to comb through the ashes or look for missing pets or loved ones. When asked about growing anger at the response, Hirono told CNN she understood the frustration because "we are in a period of shock and loss." Maui's fires follow other extreme weather events in North America this summer, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. Scientists say human-caused global warming is exacerbating natural hazards, making them both more likely and more deadly. The post Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, anger grows appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trash your indifference
Tons of plastic waste are disposed of daily, and most people don’t mind, don’t care, or don’t know about it until they see inorganic matter washing up on our shores or floating in our flooded houses come typhoon season. Plastic bags, bottles, food wrappers, and containers are part of our daily lives. We throw them in the trash, unmindful of where they go. Up to now post-post-‘Ondoy’ and all the other terrible typhoon names we remember people still chuck a candy wrapper out a vehicle window or carelessly kick a plastic cup out of the way. Trash bags from residential and commercial establishments are groaning. Broken plastic pails and dirty drinking tumblers are rejected in a pile that goes into garbage bins or the waterways. Plastic wrap, bubble wrap, nifty little individual packs that provide such convenience — they meet the trash can pretty quick and we never hear of them again. The planet is dying. As for our lovely islands surrounded by vibrant oceans that amaze divers from around the world, a plastic crisis is at hand. The Philippines reportedly generates some “2.7 million tons of plastic waste per year.” What does this mean? It means we are destroying our environment. We are guilty of taking the quick and easy way and sacrificing our very home, our Mother Earth, to get immediate gratification. Millions and tons are words alone that should alarm anyone — but, really, what is most alarming is that plastics are non-biodegradable. They “stick around the environment for ages,” says Friends of the Earth, and the way they go into our food chain, they can even be in some “food we eat.” One day, a plastic avalanche will overcome the planet. Long have environment warriors fought to make “recycle, reuse, reduce” a lifestyle mantra. Yet following the recent typhoons, we can say we have a long way to go. Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga during World Environment Day said the country is “not winning the war” against single-use plastics. In a report, she said, “The daily waste generation has increased to 61,000 metric tons from only 16,000 MT in 2016.” DENR-Environmental Management Bureau data reveals that “at least 12 percent or 7,090 MT of the total garbage being produced every day are plastic waste.” Now the government is pushing for reforms — from policies and laws made to suit each person’s daily personal habits. First should come consumption and proper waste disposal. Another aspect is production and corporate responsibility. In his second State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for prioritization and solutions to address the plastic crisis. This year, Congress proposed measures to solve the problem of plastic waste. Tax measures are being proposed to reduce its use. It is also calling for companies to “take responsibility for the plastic packaging waste they produce.” A refill system — one that countless companies have been undertaking for years — should cause businesses to change their game. Aside from refill stations, they should moreover encourage reusable packaging. Like everything else the Marcos government is trying to fix, this environmental problem will need everyone’s cooperation and commitment. There really isn’t much of a choice if we want the planet to prosper. The post Trash your indifference appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Typhoon ‘Doksuri’ batters China
Typhoon “Doksuri” battered southeastern China with high winds and rains on Friday. The storm’s winds clocked 175 kilometers per hour off the coast of Fujian province around 10 a.m., Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said. State news agency Xinhua reported more than 416,000 people in Fujian had been evacuated for safety. The national weather observatory categorized it as most severe in its four-tier system on Friday to warn the public of its potential danger to life and property. China’s National Meteorological Center also renewed an orange alert for rainstorms across broad swathes of the country, effective from 2 p.m. Friday until 2 p.m. Saturday. Local governments and transport authorities were advised to take precautions as drainage systems and roads are expected to be impacted by heavy rains, Xinhua reported. Pictures shared on social media showed huge gusts of wind pummelling residential tower blocks on Friday in Jinjiang, a county-level urban area south of the city of Quanzhou. Live footage broadcast by CCTV showed a reporter wading through flooded streets flanked by several downed trees, warning viewers in the area to stay home except in emergencies. Videos of colossal waves crashing over embankments and howling winds whipping through urban areas were posted to the social media platform Weibo by the state-backed People’s Daily. The powerful typhoon is expected to continue moving in a northwestern direction over central China as its intensity gradually weakens. But Xinhua reported that the storm-level gales would affect “coastal regions of Taiwan, Fujian, Zhejiang and Guangdong, among others” until 8 a.m. on Saturday. “Doksuri” left 13 dead and 21 missing in the Philippines earlier. WITH AFP The post Typhoon ‘Doksuri’ batters China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Games SMC plays
Manipulating the system, using its sheer dominance of the electricity industry with the huge generating capacity at its disposal, has long been suspected of business giant San Miguel Corp. Think tank Center for Energy, Ecology and Development or CEED found instances in 2021 of unplanned power outages during the peak summer demand periods where SMC appeared to have generated maximum markups. Monitoring by the group showed that between 31 May and 6 June 2021, the Ilijan plant owned by SMC unit South Premiere Power Corp. experienced a supply shortfall that was augmented through the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market by SMC units Ilijan, the SMC Limay coal-fired power plant, and the Masinloc coal-fired plant. Later, between 12 and 18 July, Luzon was hit by yellow and red alerts due to another Ilijan failure. To its rescue came the same three SMC subsidiaries. When SMC Limay had a derating, Meralco bought electricity from SMC Limay and Masinloc through the spot market. The price at WESM, during a red or yellow alert, spikes which mean bigger returns for the suppliers and higher monthly electricity bills. According to CEED, in early 2022, the first of several outages occurred as six coal-fired power plants and one hydropower plant underwent simultaneous forced outages. At the same time, three coal-fired power plants and one gas-fired power plant derated their capacities on 26 March 2022. The electricity network operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines declared a yellow alert after 2,834 megawatts, or MW, were removed from the Luzon Grid. The most recent occurrence of outages was a red alert declared in Luzon by the NGCP last 8 May as two units of Masinloc Power Plant with a combined capacity of 659 MW went on a forced outage. The Masinloc coal plant, according to CEED, underwent unplanned outages seven times; the Limay coal power plant and cogeneration power plant twelve times; and the Sual coal plant counted 10 disruptions. Allegations of gaming thus arise, which the think tank said cannot be overlooked, “as major power players such as SMC continue to report soaring net incomes despite their power generation assets going on unplanned outages regularly.” A deep dive into the outages data showed that there were several power players whose power plants underwent outages or deratings, while their sister companies supplied electricity to the WESM during the same period. According to the CEED, the generation companies that contributed to the effective supply of WESM during the series of yellow and red alerts were sister companies of the power plants that had caused the alerts in the first place. The same gaming allegations were brought against SMC regarding the bidding for Meralco contracts. Two SMC units, SPPC, and San Miguel Energy Corp. offered very low bids for straight pricing contracts of Meralco which were designed to prevent sudden increases in electricity rates. Three years into the 10-year contract, SMC sought a revision of the terms with the Energy Regulatory Commission, or ERC, citing an increase in international coal prices and supply restrictions in the depleted Malampaya natural gas field. ERC turned down the SMC petitions and directed the company’s units to follow the terms of its contracts. SMC did not ask for reconsideration but instead went to the Court of Appeals where it promptly obtained a temporary restraining order which was progressively upgraded to a permanent injunction that stopped ERC from implementing its decision. In short, SMC got what it wanted through the Court injunction that threw away the regulator’s ruling and disregarded its quasi-judicial function. Using its vast influence, SMC was able to tear up contracts that it did not like without suffering any consequences. That’s what absolute big business power can do, to the extent of destroying government institutions. The post Games SMC plays appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Angeles residents evacuated amid ‘Egay’
Angeles City, Pampanga — The local government here on Tuesday ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents living near riverbanks and creeks as part of its preparations for the coming super typhoon “Egay.” Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. said that he instructed Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer chief Rudy Simeon and City Engineer Donato Dizon to lead the evacuation, stressing that it is better to be alert and prepared before any disaster happens. He also assured that in the event of an emergency, the city government — through the ACDRRMO and CEO — is ready to respond to any rescue, evacuation and clearing operations. According to Simeon, the ACDRRMO is closely monitoring the major river channels in Angeles City, the Abacan River and Sapang Balen Creek and as of the moment, no incident of overflowing and soil erosion on both sides of the riverbanks and creeks were reported. Waterflows in Sapang Balen creek and Abacan River, on the other hand, are still under normal condition. The ACDRRMO is in continuous coordination with the 33 Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils for any alerts in case of typhoon “Egay’s” onslaught. Meanwhile, Dizon said that his roving teams are ready to clear roads from any obstructions. Lazatin, meantime, wants to ensure everyone’s safety in the event of emergencies like strong winds toppling down certain obstructions. In other developments, at least 480 passengers are stranded in two ports of Western Visayas following the cancellation of trips due to super typhoon “Egay” and the southwest monsoon on Tuesday. Data from the Coast Guard District Western Visayas showed that 165 passengers bound for Tabuelan, Cebu were stranded at the Barcelona port in Escalante, Negros Occidental while 315 others bound for Mindoro, Romblon, and Batangas were stuck at the Caticlan Jetty port in Malay, Aklan. Canceled trips included those from ports of Estancia, Iloilo going to Sicogon/Gigantes Island; Concepcion to Tambaliza, Igbon, and Malangabang; Bancal in Carles to Gigantes Island, all in Iloilo and Ajuy port going to EB Magalona in Negros Occidental. Trips from the port of San Carlos City in Negros Occidental going to Toledo, Cebu were also suspended. The Montenegro Shipping Lines canceled its trips from Lapuz wharf going to Guimaras. Trips from Iloilo City to Bacolod City via Ocean Jet and Weesam Express were canceled except for the latter’s 11:30 a.m. schedule. The post Angeles residents evacuated amid ‘Egay’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Extreme heat scorches Europe, world
Swathes of Europe baked Tuesday in a heatwave trailed by wildfires and health warnings, as parts of Asia and the United States also suffered under extreme weather. Firefighters battled blazes in parts of Greece and the Canary Islands and Spain issued heat alerts, while some children in Italy's Sardinia were warned away from sports for safety reasons. In the United States, the city of Phoenix broke a 49-year-old record with its 19th consecutive day of temperatures of 43.3 Celsius (110 Fahrenheit) or higher, weather officials said. "You can't be in the street, it's horrible," said Lidia Rodriguez, 27, in Madrid. From Washington to Beijing, authorities have warned in recent days of the health dangers of the extreme heat, urging people to drink water and shelter from the sun. Several local temperature records were broken in southern France, the weather service there said. Meteo France said a record 29.5 C (85 F) had been reached in the Alpine ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, which sits at an altitude of 1,860 meters (6,100 ft), while 40.6 C (105F) had been recorded for the first time in Verdun in the foothills of the Pyrenees. In a stark reminder of the effects of global warming, the UN's World Meteorological Agency (WMO) said the trend of heatwaves "shows no signs of decreasing". "These events will continue to grow in intensity, and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves," John Nairn, a senior extreme heat advisor at the WMO told reporters in Geneva. Wildfires and scorching heat Northwest of the Greek capital Athens, columns of smoke loomed over the forest of Dervenohoria, where one of several fires around the capital and beyond was still burning. Still burning was a forest fire by the seaside resort of Loutraki, where the mayor said 1,200 children had been evacuated Monday from holiday camps. In the Canary Islands, some 400 firefighters battled a blaze that has ravaged 3,500 hectares of forest and forced 4,000 residents to evacuate, with authorities warning residents to wear face masks outside due to poor air quality. Temperatures were unforgiving in Italy and in Spain, where three regions were put under hot weather red alerts. The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily have been on watch to possibly surpass a continent-wide record of 48.8C (nearly 120F), recorded in Sicily in August 2021. At Lanusei, near Sardinia's eastern coast, a children's summer camp was restricting beach visits to the early morning and forbidding sports, teacher Morgana Cucca told AFP. In the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, pharmacist Teresa Angioni said patients were complaining of heat-related symptoms. "They mainly buy magnesium and potassium supplements and ask us to measure their blood pressure, which is often low," Angioni said. Many throughout Italy sought escape by the sea, including outside Rome, where the midday heat hit 40C (104F). "Certainly it's better at the beach, you can at least get a little wind from the sea. It's not even possible to remain in the city, too hot," said Virginia Cesario, 30, at the Focene beach near the capital. Climate change impact Tens of millions of Americans experienced dangerous heat levels on Tuesday. In the town of San Angelo, Texas, where temperatures were expected to reach 104-108F (40-42C), the National Weather Service said it was "running out of ways to say that it's gonna be hot out there today." "With temperatures across the area likely topping the 105 mark yet again, we implore you to continue to practice heat safety and try to stay as cool," the agency said on Twitter. And in Arizona, the mercury at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport again reached 110F on Tuesday, breaking the previous record of 18 consecutive days at or above that temperature, set in 1974. The heat waves across Europe and the globe are "not one single phenomenon but several acting at the same time," said Robert Vautard, director of France's Pierre-Simon Laplace climate institute. "But they are all strengthened by one factor: climate change." Heat record in China In parts of Asia, record temperatures have triggered torrential rain. Nearly 260,000 people were evacuated in southern China and Vietnam before a typhoon made landfall late Monday, bringing fierce winds and rain but weakening to a tropical storm by Tuesday. The record-setting heat came as US climate envoy John Kerry met with Chinese officials in Beijing, as the world's two largest polluters revive stalled diplomacy on reducing planet-warming emissions. Speaking Tuesday at Beijing's Great Hall of the People with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Kerry called for "global leadership" on climate issues. The post Extreme heat scorches Europe, world appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mercury hits new highs as heat waves scorch the globe
Temperatures reached new highs on Monday as heatwaves and wildfires scorched swathes of the Northern Hemisphere, forcing the evacuation of 1,200 children close to a Greek seaside resort. Health authorities have sounded alarms from North America to Europe and Asia, urging people to stay hydrated and shelter from the burning sun, in a stark reminder of the effects of global warming. Near Athens, a forest fire flared in strong winds by the popular beach town of Loutraki where the mayor said holiday camps for youngsters had come under threat. "We have saved 1,200 children who were in the holiday camps," said mayor Giorgos Gkionis. Emergency services were also battling wildfires in Kouvaras and the resorts of Lagonissi, Anavyssos and Saronida near Athens. Several homes were burned in the area, according to footage from public broadcaster ERT. "The extreme weather ... is having a major impact on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy and water supplies," said World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. "This underlines the increasing urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as deeply as possible." 'We thought we'd escape' In Rome, where temperatures hit a near-record 39C on Monday, American Colman Peavy could not believe the heat as he sipped a cappuccino at a cafe with his wife Ana at the start of a two-week vacation. "We're from Texas and it's really hot there, we thought we would escape the heat but it's even hotter here," said the 30-year-old. It was already the world's hottest June on record, according to the EU weather monitoring service, and July looks to be readying to challenge its own record. China reported a new high for mid-July in the northwest of the country, where temperatures reached 52.2C in the Xinjiang region's village of Sanbao, breaking the previous high of 50.6C set six years ago. Heatstroke alerts had been issued in 32 out of Japan's 47 prefectures, mainly in central and southwestern regions. At least 60 people were treated for heatstroke, media reported, including 51 taken to hospital in Tokyo. In Cyprus, where temperatures are expected to remain above 40C through Thursday, a 90-year-old man died as a result of heatstroke and three other seniors were hospitalised, health officials said. 'Oppressive' US heat In western and southern US states, which are used to high temperatures, more than 80 million people were under advisories as a "widespread and oppressive" heatwave roasted the region. California's Death Valley, often among the hottest places on Earth, reached a near-record 52C Sunday afternoon. In Arizona, state capital Phoenix tied its record of 18 consecutive days above 43C (109F), as temperatures hit 45C (113F) early Monday afternoon. The US National Weather Service predicts similar highs at least through Sunday, while warning of overnight lows remaining dangerously elevated, above 32C (90F). "We're used to 110, 112 (degrees Fahrenheit)... But not the streaks," Nancy Leonard, a 64-year-old retiree from the nearby suburb of Peoria, told AFP. "You just have to adapt." In Southern California, several wildfires have ignited over the past few days in rural areas east of Los Angeles. The biggest, named the Rabbit Fire, had burned nearly 8,000 acres and was 35 percent contained on Monday morning, according to authorities. In neighbouring Canada, 882 wildfires were active on Monday, including 579 considered out of control, authorities said. Smoke from the fires has descended on the United States again, prompting air quality alerts across much of the northeast. Historic highs forecast In Europe, Italians were warned to prepare for "the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time", with a red alert issued for 16 cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence. Spain enjoyed little reprieve with temperatures of 47C in the southern town of Villarrobledo. Along with the heat, parts of Asia have also been battered by torrential rain. South Korea's president vowed Monday to "completely overhaul" the country's approach to extreme weather, after at least 40 people were killed in recent flooding and landslides during monsoon rains, which are forecast to continue through Wednesday. The post Mercury hits new highs as heat waves scorch the globe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Temperature reaches new highs as heatwaves scorch the globe
Temperatures reached new highs on Monday as heatwaves scorched parts of the Northern Hemisphere, triggering health warnings and fanning wildfires in the latest stark reminder of the effects of global warming. From North America to Europe and Asia, people gulped water and sought shelter from the sweltering heat, with the mercury expected to reach new highs in several places in the next few days. Europe, the globe's fastest-warming continent, was bracing for its hottest-ever temperature this week on Italy's islands of Sicily and Sardinia, where a high of 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) is predicted, according to the European Space Agency. "We're from Texas and it’s really hot there, we thought we would escape the heat but it’s even hotter here," Colman Peavy, 30, said as he sipped a capuccino at an outside terrasse in central Rome with his wife Ana at the start of a two-week Italian vacation. With June already having been the world's hottest on record, according to the EU weather monitoring service, Mother Nature seemed intent on July not falling far behind. China reported a new high for mid-July in the northwest of the country, where temperature reached 52.2C in the Xinjiang region's village of Sanbao, breaking the previous high of 50.6C set six years ago. In nearby Turpan city, where ground surface temperatures sizzled at 80C in some parts, authorities have told workers and students to stay home and ordered special vehicles to spray water on major thoroughfares, the meteorological body said. In Cyprus, where temperatures are expected to remain above 40C through Thursday, a 90-year-old man died as a result of heatstroke and three other seniors were hospitalized, health officials said. In Japan, heatstroke alerts were issued in 32 out of the country’s 47 prefectures, mainly in central and southwestern regions. At least 60 people in Japan were treated for heatstroke, local media reported, including 51 who were taken to hospital in Tokyo. The heat was enough for at least one man to dispense with social mortification in Hamamatsu city. "It’s honestly unbearable without a parasol, although I have to admit it is a bit embarrassing," he told national broadcaster NHK of the umbrella in his hand. Japan's highest-ever temperature was 41.1C first recorded in Kumagaya city in 2018. 'Oppressive' US heat In western and southern states in the US, which are used to high temperatures, more than 80 million people were under advisories as a "widespread and oppressive" heatwave roasted the region. California's Death Valley, often among the hottest places on Earth, reached a near-record 52C Sunday afternoon. In Arizona, the state capital Phoenix recorded its 17th straight day above 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), as temperatures hit 113F (45C) on Sunday afternoon. "We're used to 110, 112 (degrees Fahrenheit) ... But not the streaks," Nancy Leonard, a 64-year-old retiree from the nearby suburb of Peoria, told AFP. "You just have to adapt". Southern California was fighting numerous wildfires, including one in Riverside County that has burned more than 7,500 acres (3,000 hectares) and prompted evacuation orders. Historic highs forecast In Europe, Italians were warned to prepare for "the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time," with the health ministry sounding a red alert for 16 cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence. Temperatures were due to hit 42C-43C in Rome on Tuesday, smashing the record of 40.5C set in August 2007. Nevertheless, visitors thronged to tourist hot spots like the Colosseum and the Vatican. "I'm from South Africa. We're used to this heat," said Jacob Vreunissen, 60, a civil engineer from Cape Town. "You have to drink lots of water, obviously wear your hat and that’s about it." Greece saw a respite on Monday, as temperatures eased a bit and the Acropolis in Athens resumed its regular opening hours after shutting for a few hours during the previous three days. But a new heatwave was expected from Thursday and meteorologists warned of a heightened risk of wildfires amid strengthening winds from the Aegean Sea. In Romania, temperatures are expected to reach 39C on Monday across most of the country. Little reprieve is forecast for Spain, where meteorologists warned that "abnormally high" temperatures on Monday, including up to 44C in the southern Andalusia region in what would be a new regional record. Killer rains Along with the heat, parts of Asia have also been battered by torrential rain. South Korea's president vowed Monday to "completely overhaul" the country's approach to extreme weather, after at least 40 people were killed in recent flooding and landslides during monsoon rains, which are forecast to continue through Wednesday. In northern India, relentless monsoon rains have reportedly killed at least 90 people, following burning heat. Major flooding and landslides are common during India's monsoons, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity. It can be difficult to attribute a particular weather event to climate change, but many scientists insist that global warming is behind the intensification of heatwaves. The post Temperature reaches new highs as heatwaves scorch the globe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Uruguay scrambles for potable water
Workers in Montevideo, Uruguay are frantically laying pipes between two rivers so one can replenish the other, and digging for underground water wells as the city grapples with severe water shortage due to drought. For weeks already, the 1.8 million residents of the Montevideo metropolitan area — home to more than half the South American country’s total population — have switched en masse to bottled water for drinking and some cooking. Water from the capital’s main source — the Santa Lucia River — has had to be increasingly augmented with brackish water from the River Plate, an estuary on the Atlantic Ocean. 'Some people take eight, 12 large bottles (between six and 10 liters) at a time each.' But the estuary itself has had less fresh water input from the Uruguay and Parana rivers, which both start in Brazil, as the worst drought in decades batters parts of South America. Thus, 13.3 kilometers of pipe are being laid to transfer freshwater from the San Jose River to the Santa Lucia River State-owned water company OSE is also building a dam and a pumping station on the San Jose River. Meanwhile, at Montevideo's Batlle Park, a well recently drilled by OSE to extract groundwater produces about 30,000 liters per hour, which are distributed in tankers to hospitals. Pending the completion of the river pipes and other underground water wells, Montevideo’s residents use bottled water for drinking and cooking as water flowing from the tap is not potable. Pregnant women and those with high blood pressure — almost a third of the Uruguayan population according to the World Health Organization — as well as those with chronic kidney disease, heart and liver problems should avoid it, Public Health Minister Karina Rando warned. Since the beginning of July, the government has made available two liters of bottled water a day for each of the more than 500,000 low-income residents of Montevideo. For those who can afford to buy their own, it has eliminated value added tax. Nevertheless, the contingency is costing Uruguayans a lot, if it is still available in the supermarket. Vendor Nicolas Perez, 40, said bottled water was flying off the shelves. “Some people take eight, 12 large bottles (between six and 10 liters) at a time each,” he said. “Some businesses take up to 20” per day. The post Uruguay scrambles for potable water appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
App members continue to enjoy improved services and special features
Back in 2020, at the height of Covid-19 pandemic, Uniqlo launched its shopping app, Uniqlo.com, to provide a convenient and reliable way to purchase from the LifeWear line of this Japanese global apparel retailer. Today, Uniqlo.com app members continue to enjoy improved services and special features. For starters, they were treated to a celebration from 7 to 9 July at the Mega Fashion Hall of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. They got to access the different activations that showcase the various app features through the thoughtfully set up booths. They also availed some limited novelty items and freebies from partner brands. Meanwhile, new app members received a Php300 coupon upon registration. At the App Notification booth, members learned how they could be notified about new offers and arrivals, as well as updates on the availability of items from their wishlist and alerts on special prices and limited offers. They were then informed at the Online Exclusive Sizes booth that they could get exclusive sizes from XS to 3XL on preferred tops and bottoms, plus access to a wide array of colors. The Online Alteration Service booth enlightened members that they could have their purchases altered just by clicking the alteration tab and following the instructions to have their perfectly fit item delivered. Next, the Click & Collect + Next Day Delivery booth explained that items purchased on weekdays (except holidays) and before 12 noon would arrive at their doorsteps within 24 hours. Free shipping is available through the Click and Collect service. The pick-up option is now available, with Uniqlo Alabang Westgate and Blue Bay Walk stores as pick-up points. Over at the Capture Corner booth, members got to know they could conveniently check the availability of their desired items’ sizes and colors through either manual input or barcode scan. Finally, they found out at the Customer Review booth that they could not only check out ratings and reviews from other members, but they could actually write their own review of their purchases, whether bought online or in-store. Those members who visited all the booths and accomplished the tasks got a Uniqlo stainless steel bottle as a prize. The celebration has just started, as Uniqlo Philippines chief operating officer Geraldine Sia pointed out, “We aim to continue improving their shopping experience with its better features and benefits that will provide a more seamless purchasing process through their phones up to receiving their orders at their doorsteps and hassle-free.” The post App members continue to enjoy improved services and special features appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
4 yellow alerts until Aug —DoE
The Department of Energy expects four yellow alerts by the third week of July and in August with the onset of the El Niño phenomenon. According to Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra, there will be three yellow alerts in August based on the agency’s power outlook for the dry season. While a yellow alert does not necessarily result in power disruptions, Guevarra nevertheless said expensive power may be tapped to stave off any outages. “We always say this, when we have a yellow alert we can run our more expensive diesel plants so we don’t have brownouts. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has that ready, and that’s in their plan, the ancillary services in case we actually have a lack of supply,” Guevarra said during a public briefing Friday. A yellow alert denotes low reserves on the grid and is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the regulating and contingency requirements of the grid. Ready to cover supply gap According to Guevarra, power plant operators are willing and very cooperative in augmenting the power supply. She said the power generators will perform preventive maintenance to ensure that the country would not suffer power interruptions for the remaining part of the year. “We are ready for up to four possible yellow alerts for the rest of the year,” she said. The NGCP is also speeding up the completion of three major projects: the San Hermosa to San Jose interconnection in Luzon, the Mindanao-Visayas link, and the Cebu-Negros-Panay project 3, all of which are expected to be completed by August. The projects are expected to alleviate the impact of El Niño as the electricity from hydroelectric plants is depleted. “Today, many of our hydro plants are located in Mindanao. What’s good about Mindanao is that only two-thirds of their supply becomes their demand. So El Niño will not pose a problem for Mindanao and Visayas. In Luzon, the impact is quite significant,” Guevarra said The post 4 yellow alerts until Aug —DoE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Airlines asked: Reduce flights, address cancellations
To address the issue of canceled flights, the Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority are encouraging local airlines to reduce the number of flights. DoTr Undersecretary Roberto Lim said during an interview over radio and television that overbooking is not the issue here. Flights, he said, are canceled because there are red lightning alerts which disrupt the operations of an already congested airport. Bryan Co., officer-in-charge of the Manila International Airport Authority, said the authority was asking airlines to mount a schedule they could support in terms of the number of aircraft that they have. Move flights to evening The Airport Acting Chief added that one of the solutions they advised local airlines was to move some of their flights to the evening or past midnight. Philippine Airlines spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said that in compliance with the request of DoTr and MIAA, PAL has reduced flights to improve schedule reliability, on-time performance, and most importantly, operational flexibility. For her part, Cebu Pacific spokesperson Carmina Romero said in a text message, “Given the sudden unprecedented number of grounded aircraft, some of which will be out of service for a considerable amount of time, we have reduced our flight schedule to account for the long-term unserviceable aircraft and enable more standby aircraft on the day.” The post Airlines asked: Reduce flights, address cancellations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Budget airline but with better services
Passengers of AirAsia Philippines can expect better services from low-cost air carrier sets to add more routes, increase the frequency and utilize wide-body aircraft following its recent transfer to a bigger terminal. AirAsia Philippines started welcoming passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 last week. It will operate all its domestic flights to and from the Centennial terminal — offering guests bigger space, better amenities, and a more comfortable travel experience. “We keep saying that this is a winning move for our guests because they deserve only the best from us. Moving to Terminal 2 will allow us to add more routes, increase the frequency and utilize wide-body aircraft soon to improve connectivity and enhance customer experience,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said. Isla also pointed out that AirAsia Philippines’ On-Time Performance, or OTP the past months reached an average of around 80 to 85 percent. 100% on some days “We even reach a high of 100 percent on some days when there are no factors causing disruptions such as weather or lightning red alerts, air traffic congestion, and non-scheduled maintenance,” he added. For Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla, “industry stakeholders and government to continue to engage to ensure that passengers ultimately win.” “We shall work closely with the industry towards full and strict adherence to the Air Passenger Bill of Rights as we endeavor to go above and beyond in the service of the Filipino people,” Arcilla said. AirAsia Philippines has been allocated 20 check-in counters for guests entering the south wing of the terminal. At Terminal 2, AirAsia Philippines passengers can utilize the seven operational aero bridges in the south wing and four remote parking bays during high traffic or peak hours. AirAsia operates more than 100 domestic flights daily and aims to increase routes and frequency during winter to provide guests with affordable flights. The post Budget airline but with better services appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MIAA: Lightning red alerts expected
The Manila International Airport Authority is requesting the cooperation and understanding of the flying public as more lightning alerts are anticipated as a result of unfavorable weather conditions and lightning strikes during the rainy season. It also highlighted the need to respond to lightning alarms at all Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals, with safety as its top priority. The MIAA Airport Ground Operations and Safety Division issues a Lightning Red Alert when considered required in compliance with safety procedures and all flight and ground operations at NAIA are temporarily suspended in response to this alert until it is dropped to a Lightning Yellow Alert, which denotes the safe restart of flight and ground operations. As the airport and its stakeholders handle the elevated levels of departure and arrival activities, the effects of the Red Lightning Alerts may be felt even after they have been lifted. In order to achieve a speedy recovery and return to normalcy of operations, the MIAA works closely with the airlines, ground handlers, air traffic services, and other stakeholders. MIAA said that flight arrivals and departures on 27 June experienced severe delays as a result of the Red Lightning Alert being hoisted for more than two hours. Lightning Red Alerts are quickly sent to all airport stakeholders through radio, and passengers are informed by announcements in the terminal and on board the aircraft. Additionally, the official Ninoy Aquino International Airport Facebook page promptly posts lightning advisories. The AGOSD also coordinates with Earth Networks, a pioneering company in total lightning detection, in implementing a lightning early warning system. As a result, the real-time data provided by Earth Networks plays a crucial role in assisting MIAA in effectively curbing the severity of lightning strikes on airport operations. The MIAA guarantees the public that the safety of airport ground staff, passengers and flight crew is their first priority and seeks to uphold the best standards in flight safety. The post MIAA: Lightning red alerts expected appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Missile hits birthplace of Ukraine leader, 6 dead
A Russian missile struck the birthplace of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday killing six people and wounding 32 other people, as other cities of his country were also attacked, according to local authorities. A five-story building in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih was destroyed by the missile, Serhiy Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said. “There are still people under the rubble,” Lysak said, adding that two other Russian missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defenders. In the capital Kyiv, the city military administration said Kh-101/555 cruise missiles were destroyed by air defense. In Kharkiv, civilian infrastructure was hit in a drone attack, said the city’s mayor Ihor Terekhov. “According to initial reports, a utility company in the Kyivskyi district, as well as a warehouse in Saltivskyi district got damaged. A fire broke out as a result of the explosion on the latter,” he said. Air alerts were also sounded in the Dnipropetrovsk oblast and the neighboring Donetsk and Poltava regions. The wave of overnight strikes in Ukraine comes a day after Zelensky reported tough gains of the military’s counteroffensive. “I thank our guys for every Ukrainian flag that is now returning to its rightful place in villages on the newly de-occupied territory,” he said. Ukraine’s defense minister Ganna Malyar said “seven settlements were liberated” — referring to the villages of Lobkovo, Levadne and Novodarivka in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, which houses Europe’s largest nuclear plant, now under Russian occupation. Malyar said Ukrainian forces had also regained control of the village of Storozheve in the south of the Donetsk region, near three villages recaptured on Sunday. Russia said Monday that it repelled Ukrainian attacks in the same area in the Donetsk region near Velyka Novosilka. It also said it fought off Ukrainian attacks around the village of Levadne in the Zaporizhzhia region. The claims by Moscow and Kyiv could not be verified independently. The post Missile hits birthplace of Ukraine leader, 6 dead appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»