分类： world

A tragic avalanche struck the Yalung Ri mountain in Nepal’s Dolakha district on Monday, claiming the lives of at least three climbers, including a French national. The incident occurred at 09:00 local time near the base camp, where a group of 12 trekkers and local guides had set out just over an hour before the disaster. Among the deceased were two Italians, a German, and a Canadian. Five Nepali guides who managed to return to the base camp sustained non-critical injuries. Rescue operations are ongoing, but efforts are being hindered by adverse weather conditions and logistical challenges. A rescue helicopter has been deployed to the Na Gaun area, approximately a five-hour walk from the base camp. Separately, search and rescue missions continue for two Italian climbers, Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, who went missing while attempting to scale Panbari mountain in western Nepal. The duo, along with three local guides, became stranded last week due to heavy rain and snowfall triggered by Cyclone Montha. While one member of their group, Velter Perlino, has been rescued, the fate of the others remains uncertain. The cyclone also left several trekkers and tourists stranded in the Himalayas, including two British and one Irish woman who were rescued after being trapped for days in the Mustang region.

Thousands of residents in the Philippines have been evacuated as Typhoon Kalmaegi approaches Leyte Island, bringing with it powerful winds and the threat of devastating storm surges. The typhoon, with sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 150 kph, is expected to make landfall in a region historically vulnerable to catastrophic storms. Evacuations have been ongoing for two days, particularly in coastal towns like Palo and Tanauan, which were severely impacted by Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, a disaster that claimed over 6,000 lives. Neighboring Samar Island has also seen thousands evacuated, with predictions of three-meter storm surges. Local authorities in Guiuan town have even enforced mandatory evacuations to ensure safety. The Philippines, which faces an average of 20 storms annually, has already reached that number this year, with experts warning of three to five more storms before the end of December. In Dinagat Islands province, south of Leyte, preemptive evacuations have relocated 10,000 to 15,000 people to safer areas. Scientists attribute the increasing intensity of storms to human-driven climate change, while weather specialists note that higher cyclone activity often accompanies the La Nina climate pattern. The Philippines recently endured two major storms in September, including Super Typhoon Ragasa, which caused significant damage and fatalities in Taiwan.

A devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, resulting in at least seven fatalities and approximately 150 injuries, according to provincial authorities. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers (17.4 miles), struck near Mazar-e Sharif, a city with a population of around 523,000. The US Geological Survey (USGS) issued an orange alert through its PAGER system, warning of significant casualties and widespread disaster potential. Past events with similar alerts have necessitated regional or national-level responses. The earthquake caused extensive damage, including the partial destruction of the revered Blue Mosque, a holy shrine in Mazar-i-Sharif, as confirmed by Balkh province spokesperson Haji Zaid. Rescue operations are underway, with videos circulating on social media platform X showing efforts to extract victims from the rubble. Afghanistan, situated on two major active fault lines, remains highly susceptible to seismic activity. This latest disaster follows a series of deadly earthquakes in recent years, including a 2023 quake that claimed over 1,000 lives. The national disaster management agency is expected to release further details on casualties and damage.

Central Vietnam is grappling with the aftermath of severe floods and landslides that have claimed at least 37 lives, displaced tens of thousands, and left many areas isolated and without power. The disaster, triggered by record-breaking rainfall since late October, has caused widespread destruction, including the erosion of canals, riverbanks, and coastlines, as well as the blockage of several national highways. Rescue teams and aid workers are racing to reach affected communities, particularly in Danang and Hue City, where rivers have reached dangerous levels. Meanwhile, Typhoon Kalmaegi is expected to intensify as it approaches Vietnam’s central coast, with winds potentially reaching 166 kph (103 mph) by Wednesday. The storm, which recently crossed the Philippines, poses an additional threat to the already battered region. Authorities have been distributing food, clean water, medicine, and shelter while assisting families in rebuilding damaged homes. Efforts are also underway to restore power, water, and transport links, clean debris, and prevent disease outbreaks. The government is focusing on repairing irrigation systems and supporting farmers to restart agricultural activities as floodwaters recede. Vietnam has faced a relentless series of storms this year, including Typhoon Ragasa, Typhoon Bualoi, and Typhoon Matmo, which collectively caused over 85 deaths or disappearances and an estimated $1.36 billion in damage. As one of the world’s most flood-prone countries, Vietnam’s vulnerability is exacerbated by climate change, which scientists warn is intensifying storms and rainfall across Southeast Asia.

The recently concluded APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, has underscored the Asia-Pacific region’s pivotal role in steering the world toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. Amid ongoing global resistance to climate action, experts emphasize that the region must spearhead efforts to combat environmental challenges. APEC’s ambitious goal, set in 2014, to double renewable energy usage by 2030 from 2010 levels, is already ahead of schedule. Between 2010 and 2022, renewable energy’s share in power generation surged by 63.4%, from 15.58% to 25.46%. Kazutomo Irie, president of the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre, expressed confidence that APEC will achieve its target in the power sector by 2030. The Gyeongju Declaration, adopted at the meeting, urged member economies to address shared challenges such as energy security, food security, and extreme weather events. Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development, highlighted the region’s growing recognition of green development’s importance amid global climate pressures. This year’s meeting, themed ‘Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper,’ emphasized collaboration to tackle climate change and promote green growth. Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy, noted that APEC provides a crucial platform for addressing common challenges, especially after the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Despite progress, the region faces hurdles such as insufficient momentum and investment in the green transition. Experts called for deeper international cooperation to enhance investment, facilitate technological exchange, and promote policy coordination. Ramay suggested establishing an apolitical green transition fund to support developing economies. Lin also advocated for reducing trade barriers to enable the entry of affordable clean energy equipment into the Asia-Pacific market, fostering both energy security and clean energy goals.