Latest news with #Observatory
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Climate
- Shafaq News
40% of Iraq faces desertification, 70% of farmland deemed barren
Shafaq News/ Desertification has affected roughly 40% of the country's total land area, while over 70% of its agricultural land has become unproductive due to prolonged drought and poor water management, Iraq's Green Observatory warned Tuesday. In a statement marking the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the Observatory said large portions of the country now require urgent reforestation and environmental rehabilitation to stem further ecological degradation. 'The desertification crisis is not limited to public land—it has severely impacted farmlands as well,' the statement read, citing field reports from across Iraq's provinces. According to the Observatory, Dhi Qar Province recorded the highest levels of land degradation and population displacement, driven by dwindling vegetation cover and acute water scarcity. In contrast, Nineveh Province saw the lowest levels of desertification, aided by more favorable geography and increased grassroots efforts in tree planting and greenbelt initiatives. The group warned that without swift governmental and regional intervention, Iraq risks facing a severe environmental and humanitarian crisis. 'The continued migration from rural areas to cities will further strain public services and infrastructure,' it stated.
RTHK
4 days ago
- RTHK
Woman killed as truck slams into Hung Hom bus stop
Woman killed as truck slams into Hung Hom bus stop The truck ends up facing the wrong way after it slammed into the bus stop sideways in Hung Hom, hitting two women. Online photo A woman was killed and another injured when a truck careened into a bus stop on Chatham Road North in Hung Hom early on Tuesday. Police said the truck driver fled the scene. The accident occurred at around 6.30am when the Hung Hom-bound truck skidded on the rain-drenched road before crashing into the bus stop near Ping Chi Street, hitting the two women. One of them was trapped under the truck. She was extricated by emergency personnel and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital but declared dead later. The other woman suffered injuries to her limbs. The accident happened before the Observatory issued the amber rainstorm warning at 7.30am. The warning was cancelled at 10.20am.
HKFP
4 days ago
- Climate
- HKFP
Artificial intelligence predicted Typhoon Wutip better than traditional computer models, Hong Kong Observatory says
The trajectory of Typhoon Wutip was predicted better by artificial intelligence (AI) software than traditional computer models, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has said. Traditional computer models and AI software differed in their forecasts of Wutip's path, the HKO said on Sunday, as the storm moved away from the city. A European model predicted that Wutip would approach the southern coast of China, and an American model predicted the storm would come even closer to Hong Kong, passing about 100 kilometres east of Hainan Island. In contrast, two AI software models estimated that Wutip would take a more westerly path further from Hong Kong, a prediction that ultimately was closer to the storm's actual track, the HKO said. It added that last week, from Wednesday to Friday, Wutip remained more than 600 kilometres away, with only some areas of Hong Kong seeing brief periods of strong winds. The HKO issued the T1 storm signal 1 for Wutip in the early hours of Wednesday as it developed into a tropical depression. It upgraded the signal to No. 3 around noon on Saturday and lifted the warning the following day, replacing it with a strong monsoon signal to reflect the reduced wind speed. The monsoon signal was eventually cancelled at 9pm on Sunday. The Observatory has been using AI in weather forecasting in recent years, using it to evaluate air traffic flow rates at the airport and estimate visibility, among other purposes. In November 2023, after the city experienced record-breaking rainfall during a black rainstorm warning that lasted over 16 hours, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said the HKO had also used AI to optimise its rain forecasting system. According to the Observatory's forecast, 'heavy showers and thunderstorms' are expected on the coast of Southern China on Tuesday. Hong Kong is expected to see hotter weather later this week, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius on coming Sunday and Monday.
Saba Yemen
4 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor Accuses Gaza Humanitarian Foundation of Complicity in Israeli Crimes
Gaza – Saba: The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor accused the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation on Monday of direct involvement in crimes committed by Israeli forces against civilians in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the Observatory called for this organization to be held criminally accountable and placed on the blacklist of entities violating international law, according to the Sanad News Agency. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
RTHK
6 days ago
- Climate
- RTHK
HKO says T3 signal to be replaced between 3pm and 6 pm
HKO says T3 signal to be replaced between 3pm and 6 pm This comes as tropical depression Wutip further weakens as it continues to move northwards. Photo: Courtesy of the Observatory The Observatory said on Sunday it will consider replacing the Strong Wind Signal No 3 with the Strong Monsoon Signal between 3 pm and 6 pm. This comes as tropical depression Wutip further weakens as it continues to move northwards. "Local winds will still be strong this afternoon, occasionally up to gale force on high ground," the Observatory said. "But winds will moderate progressively." The forecasters said the public should remain on alert, as there will occasional be heavy showers over the coast of Guangdong on Monday and Tuesday.
