January Current Events 2023: Disaster News

Updated January 27, 2023 | Infoplease Staff

World News | US News | Science & Technology News | Current Events This Week

The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the Disaster news events you need to know so far for January 2023.

  1. Wet Winter Expected In The Alps Due To Snow Scarcity
  2. Threats Of Extinction Of Madagascar’s Wildlife Worries Scientists
  3. 60,000 People Reported With Covid-Related Death In China In Less Than 40 Days
  4. Eastern Asia Witnessing Extreme Cold Temperature

Wet Winter Expected In The Alps Due To Snow Scarcity

Snowless Alps

Photo Source: AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

 

Wednesday, January 4, 2023 – A resort in Adelboden recorded a reported high winter temperature of 20°C, which is regarded as one of the highest ever in the region in the month of January.

The season is usually used to host the Ski world Cop, but due to the snow shortages, many doubted the possibility of hosting the tournament. Although the hosts of the tournament are considering using artificial snow to augment the existing one.

Other regions, such as Austria and France, also have snow shortages, where most resorts have to depend on artificial snow to begin operations. Climate experts commented the shortages were expected as the rise in temperature melted the glaciers and also caused the snow to lose its dryness. 

A recent study shows that many resorts may have to close down because they won't be able to cope with the cost of keeping the snow existing artificially, as these may require increasing their water consumption by 80%. 

Source: BBC

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Threats Of Extinction Of Madagascar’s Wildlife Worries Scientists

Madagascar deforestation

Photo Source: AP Photo/Alexander Joe

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 – In a recent report by wildlife biologists, the risk of extinction to the endangered species of Madagascar is still very much alive. Many local species of the region, such as the ring-tailed lemur, are referred to as pristine species as they are not found anywhere else on the planet. The island's isolation also makes it difficult for them to thrive naturally in other places without human intervention.

Current extinction reports state that about 3 million years are needed to combat the level of extinction that has occurred in the past 2,500 years of human settlement. 

A dataset constructed by biologists and paleontologists included all of the mammal species on the island, those alive before humans arrived, and those known only through fossil records. Thirty of the 249 species discovered are extinct. More than 120 of the island's 219 animal species are on the verge of extinction.

Source: The Guardian 

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60,000 People Reported With Covid-Related Death In China In Less Than 40 Days

China Covid

Photo Source: AP Photo/Andy Wong

 

Saturday, January 14, 2023 — Since the start of December 2022, China has seen a continual large amount of death from the coronavirus infection. The surge began shortly after President Xi lifted the Zero-Covid Policy to allow for the movement of people for upcoming holidays.

The Head of the Bureau of Medical Administration stated in his account of events that most of those who died were over the age of 65 years and had underline conditions, while some of the victims died due to respiratory distress.

The reported death accounted for were those that occurred in the hospitals only, with worries that the actual number of casualties may be higher. This prompted several countries to issue mandatory testing for those coming from China.

Experts believe that the surge in death has peaked in most areas; however, with high travel schedules, the risk may increase significantly. Therefore, people have been advised to limit their visits to certain areas of the country.

Source: The Guardian 

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Eastern Asia Witnessing Extreme Cold Temperature

Asian cold front

Photo Source: AP Images/Wally Santana

 

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 – Deadly cold weather was recorded in several Asian countries, especially Japan, China, and the Korean peninsula, with experts saying the trend is the new norm.

The extreme temperatures have resulted in death across the areas affected, with reports that four of those who died in Japan were working to clear the snow that resulted from the cold temperatures. Hundreds of domestic flights in Japan were canceled because heavy snow and high winds made visibility difficult. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled a total of 229 flights.

According to the North Korean State Media, cold storms going as low as -22°F (-30°C) swept through the Korean peninsula affecting the Pyongyang province majorly.

China's meteorological service has also predicted significant temperature reductions in several areas of the nation and issued a blue notice for a cold wave on Monday, the lowest level in a four-tier warning system. Mohe, China's northernmost city, temperatures dropped to -63.4°F (-53°C) on Sunday, the lowest temperature ever recorded.

Source: CNN 

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