
Texas flood death toll rises to 131, dozens still missing amid new rain threat
The torrential July 4 storm dumped over a foot of rain in under an hour in Texas Hill Country — an area ominously nicknamed "flash flood alley" — triggering a lethal surge down the Guadalupe River basin.Recovery and search efforts have been further complicated by another round of storms. A National Weather Service flood watch forecasting heavy downpours of up to half a foot of rain was posted until Tuesday morning for a wide swath of central Texas extending from the Rio Grande east to San Antonio and Austin.Officials have halted recovery operations along the riverbanks due to renewed flooding concerns. Residents and search teams have been urged to seek higher ground.Abbott also announced that the Texas Legislature will convene a special session later this month to investigate the flood disaster's root causes, including emergency response and preparedness. He noted rising public concern over the 'lack of flash-flood warning sirens in Kerr County and staffing shortages at National Weather Service offices' due to earlier federal cuts.- EndsInputs from Reuters
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Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
More Than 132 Million Face Wilting Heat Across Eastern US
(Bloomberg) -- More than 132 million people across the central and eastern US are facing blistering temperatures to start the week, with rising humidity making it feel even worse and putting a strain on the energy grid as air conditioners and fans get a workout. Heat advisories or excessive-heat warnings have been issued from Nebraska to Massachusetts and from North Dakota to Florida, covering all or part of 29 states and more than 38% of the US population, according to the National Weather Service. Sweltering conditions will peak today and Monday before gradually easing. The US Southeast will be the last to get some relief, later in the week or next. 'It's miserable but the end is near,' said Brian Hurley, a senior branch forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. 'A couple of days to go, maybe more than a couple of days if you are in the Southeast.' Heat threatens human life, as well as stressing electric grids and transportation networks. From 1979 to 2022 more than 14,000 Americans died from heat-related causes, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. A wide area of the US faces a moderate heat risk Sunday, with as many as 88.4 million people under a major threat and 10.8 million enduring extreme conditions, mainly along the eastern seaboard from Washington to Florida, the weather service said. The high temperatures, made worse by humidity, have set a smattering of records, particularly in the Southeast. Charlotte, North Carolina, hit a high of 101F (38C) Saturday. Sixty more records may be breached or tied in coming days. In New York City, temperatures will likely peak Tuesday at 94F but with humidity may feel closer to 105F, the weather service said. In Washington, readings are forecast to reach 98F Tuesday and 99F Wednesday. Utilities are gearing up for continued high demand. PJM Interconnection LLC, a grid operator that moves electricity across 13 states and the District of Columbia, issued hot weather alerts for its Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions Sunday and for its entire operating area on Monday. The heat will start to ease as a weather front pushes south, leaving lower temperatures and milder humidity in its wake, Hurley said. In a week, a large part of the central and eastern US will likely be cooler than normal for early August, according to the US Climate Prediction Center. In addition to the heat, ground-level ozone parts of New York and New Jersey may make breathing difficult for the young, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions, the weather service said. Further north, across Upstate New York and New England, smoke from Canadian forest fires is also harming air quality. Much of that threat should start to diminish in the coming days, Hurley said. More stories like this are available on

Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Smoke in New York: Canadian wildfires worsen air quality
The skies over New York turned hazy again on Saturday as smoke from Canada's wildfires drifted south, prompting state officials to issue a health advisory. The alert, covering New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and the Adirondacks, warns that the air is now 'unhealthy for sensitive groups.' Canada's wildfires are causing widespread air quality concerns in the U.S., with advisories issued for New York and surrounding areas. Pitts Stop Garage/via REUTERS (Pitts Stop Garage via REUTERS) Also Read: Michigan stabbing: Meet Derrick Perry, the brave shopper who stopped Walmart attacker Notice issued by DECD amid bad air quality The notice came from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health, both posting the message on X. Anyone with breathing issues, especially kids and older adults, is being told to limit time outdoors. "DEC and @HealthNYGov have issued an air quality health advisory today, July 26, for Long Island, NYC Metro, Lower and Upper Hudson Valley, and Adirondacks due to smoke from wildfires in Canada. Air Quality Hotline: 1-800-535-1345," read the post. Wildfires across Canada are still burning out of control. Tens of thousands of residents have been forced to leave their homes. The smoke is crossing the border, turning much of the northern U.S. into a haze-filled zone. AQI climbs above 100 According to the BBC, State officials revealed that the air quality index is expected to top 100, with some areas pushing 135. Numbers like that mean the air can irritate lungs and trigger asthma or heart problems. Parts of New England are also dealing with the same conditions. The AQI is a simple scale: the higher the number, the worse the pollution. Anything over 100 is considered a health risk for vulnerable groups. These warnings have become all too familiar this summer. In mid-July, Chicago dealt with a similar alert as smoke rolled across the Midwest. Also Read: New Jersey weather radar: Flood, power outages hit NJ and New York amid NWS warnings Wildfires raise political concerns The smoke has even become a political issue. Earlier this month, six U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to Canada's ambassador, saying the haze was making life miserable for Americans trying to enjoy summer. Canada is currently fighting more than 550 active fires, with most centered in Manitoba. Around 6.1 million hectares - about 15 million acres - have already burned in the past year. In May and June, 30,000 people were evacuated in Saskatchewan and Manitoba after states of emergency were declared, according to the BBC. Experts say climate change is behind the worsening fire seasons. Canada is warming at roughly twice the global average, while its Arctic regions are heating up almost three times faster. FAQs Why is New York's air quality so bad right now? Because smoke from Canadian wildfires has drifted into the region. Which areas are under alert in New York? Long Island, NYC metro, Lower and Upper Hudson Valley, and the Adirondacks. How bad is the air quality index today? It's forecasted to be above 100, with some areas hitting 135. Are Canadian wildfires linked to climate change? Scientists say rising temperatures are making wildfire seasons longer and more intense. How many wildfires are burning in Canada? Authorities report more than 550 active fires, mostly in Manitoba.
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First Post
16 hours ago
- First Post
IND vs ENG, 4th Test: Will rain help India on Day 5 in must-win clash in Manchester?
India face a massive task on Day 5 of the Manchester Test as they are still trailing England by 137 runs despite a brave partnership between Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Indians fans would be hoping for the weather gods to save India on the final day. Here's what the forecast suggests. read more There haven't been any significant weather disruptions in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy so far. Reuters Indian fans hoping for some help from the weather on the final day of the fourth Test may be left disappointed. This is crucial because India are still 137 runs behind despite a strong fightback on Day 4. After losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan for ducks in the very first over of their second innings, captain Shubman Gill (78) and KL Rahul (87) steadied the ship with a brilliant 174-run partnership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, Indian fans will still hope for a miracle, with rain being their last line of defence. But if India fail to bat through the entire day, even the weather gods won't be able to rescue them from this ditch. The rain is likely to have no impact on the game on Day 5. But the conditions will be slightly overcast. Will rain impact play on Day 5? According to Accuweather, there is only a 25% chance of rain on Sunday, which means the weather is likely to stay clear in Manchester. The hourly forecast is also looking good for cricket as the chances of precipitation are 7% at the scheduled start at 10 AM. It is likely to stay the same throughout the day. Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes hammered a sensational 141 to take his team to a massive 669 all out. He was helped by Joe Root (150), Ben Duckett (94), Zak Crawley (84), Ollie Pope (71), and Brydon Carse (47) in the process. India were 311 runs behind when they started their second innings. After two early blows, the visitors managed to build a much-needed partnership and reduce the deficit. Even so, the Shubman Gill-led side still has a mountain to climb on the final day, with only eight wickets remaining. England now have a huge upper hand in the match, and India will need another heroic effort to save it. India will hope to bat all day long on the final day, while England will back themselves to make the breakthrough and push for victory.