Latest news with #MeteorologicalAgency
NHK
2 days ago
- Climate
- NHK
Moderately strong quakes hitting Hokkaido since late May
Moderately powerful earthquakes have been hitting Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, but weather officials say they are unlikely to trigger larger quakes. The Meteorological Agency says a magnitude-6.3 tremor occurred early Monday morning, with its epicenter located off the coast of the Tokachi region. The quake registered an intensity of four on the Japanese seismic scale of zero to seven. The agency estimates that it occurred where the Pacific Plate meets a continental plate. It was the latest in a series of earthquakes along the Pacific coast of Hokkaido since late May, which had each registered an intensity of up to four. Agency officials say they have not been strong enough to trigger more powerful quakes, and each of them is believed to have been an isolated tremor. However, the officials warn that a massive quake could occur anytime along the Chishima Trench off the coast of Hokkaido. In 2003, a magnitude-8.0 quake occurred off Tokachi. Officials are urging the public to prepare for earthquakes.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Nigeria: Death toll from major floods passes 150
People search in flooded area following a downpour in Mokwa, Nigeria (Image credit: AP) The death toll from widespread floods in central Nigeria rose to more than 150 people on Saturday, local emergency services reported. After torrential rains earlier in the week, flood waters have swept away more than 50 homes in the market town of Mokwa in the central Niger State. Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesperson for the Niger State emergency agency told AFP on Friday that he "expected the toll to rise considerably because there are different rescuers at different locations." Additionally, more than 3,000 people have been displaced. Bola Tinubu offers condolences: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu offered his condolences to those affected and said federal agencies had been instructed to help with the emergency response. "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the good people of Niger State at this difficult time," he said on social media. "Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilized to support the state government's efforts," Tinubu added. "Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay." Why is flooding so dangerous in Nigeria? Mokwa is a key local hub for traders from the south of the country and farmers from the north. It is located around 220 kilometers (140 miles) west of the capital Abuja. The flooding was triggered by several hours of heavy rain, with the collapse of a nearby dam exacerbating the situation. Nigeria's Meteorological Agency warned of possible flash floods in 15 of Nigeria's 36 states, including Niger State, between Wednesday and Friday. Nigeria's rainy season has only just started and normally lasts around six months. The annual occurrence regularly kills hundreds of people. A lack of drainage, the construction of homes on waterways and the dumping of waste in drains and water channels all make the flooding worse. Nigeria suffered one of its worst disasters in decades in 2024, with flooding killing more than 1,200 people and displacing another 1.2 million. The flooding, which impacted 31 of the country's 36 states, also destroyed more than 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) of farmland.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Climate
- Reuters
Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hits Japan's Hokkaido, JMA says
May 31 (Reuters) - An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hit Hokkaido in Japan on Saturday afternoon, the country's Meteorological Agency said, adding that it hit at a depth of 20 km (12 miles). The epicentre of the earthquake was off the east coast of Hokkaido, the agency said, adding that no tsunami warning had been issued. There were no immediate reports of damage.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Earthquake of magnitute 6.1 strikes Japan
Earthquake of magnitute 6.1 strikes Japan JAPAN: A strong earthquake of magnitude of 6.1 struck off the eastern coast of Hokkaido on Saturday evening, according to Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA). The quake occurred at 5:37 pm local time (0837 GMT) at a depth of approximately 20 kilometers beneath the seabed. The epicenter was located off the coast near Kushiro, a city in southeastern Hokkaido. Although minor fluctuations in sea level may be observed, authorities have not issued risk of a tsunami or significant coastal impact. Emergency services are actively monitoring the situation, and as of now, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage. Residents are advised to remain alert but calm.
DW
4 days ago
- Climate
- DW
Nigeria: Death toll from major floods passes 150 – DW – 05/31/2025
Torrential rains in central Nigeria on Wednesday triggered flooding and widespread damage. Rescuers say the death toll has surpassed 150 people. The death toll from widespread floods in central Nigeria rose to more than 150 people on Saturday, local emergency services reported. After torrential rains earlier in the week, flood waters have swept away more than 50 homes in the market town of Mokwa in the central Niger state. More than 3,000 people have been displaced. Torrential rain submerges Nigerian market town To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video How did President Tinubu respond to the flooding? "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the good people of Niger State at this difficult time," Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said in a statement on X. "Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilised to support the state government's efforts," he added. "Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay." Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesperson for the Niger State emergency agency told AFP on Friday that he "expected the toll to rise considerably because there are different rescuers at different locations." Why is flooding so dangerous in Nigeria? Mokwa is a key local hub for traders from the south of the country and farmers from the north. It is located around 220 kilometers (140 miles) west of the capital Abuja. The flooding was triggered by several hours of heavy rain, with the collapse of a nearby damn exacerbating the situation. Nigeria's Meteorological Agency warned of possible flash floods in 15 of Nigeria's 36 states, including Niger State, between Wednesday and Friday. Nigeria's rainy season has only just started and normally lasts around six months. The annual occurrence regularly kills hundreds of people. A lack of drainage, the construction of homes on waterways and the dumping of waste in drains and water channels all make the flooding worse. Flood awareness and alleviation in Nigeria To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Nigeria suffered one of its worst disasters in decades in 2024, with flooding killing more than 1,200 people and displacing another 1.2 million. The flooding, which impacted 31 of the country's 36 states, also destroyed more than 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) of farmland. Edited by: Wesley Dockery, Zac Crellin
