Press release
Cyclone "Idai" causes massive damage in Mozambique and claims "huge" casualties
Massive floods following tropical storm "Idai" have wreaked havoc in Mozambique. The government of the Southeast African country has declared a state of emergency and, starting today, Wednesday, has imposed a three-day national mourning to commemorate the victims of the natural disaster. Hundreds of thousands of Mozambicans are homeless and many areas are cut off from the outside world.
Extreme cold in the US
An extreme cold wave keeps parts of Canada as well as the North of the US in an extraordinary situation. The reason is a polar weather system making its way into the American continent. Around Chicago and Minnesota authorities reported temperatures of 40 degrees minus Celsius. These numbers have not been recorded for decades. With the so called “wind chill”, feeled temperatures can be even lower. Officials warn people from staying outside for too long as frostbites can occur already after minutes. Several states have now declared a state of emergency.
Record heat in Down Under
Even if extreme summer temperatures might occur every year in Australia: Temperatures 2019 break every record. They can reach a maximum of almost 50 degrees in the outback – this year the heat approaches areas with higher population to a much higher extent – especially in the South and South East of the country. The weather situation is so extreme that the authorities report melted streets and street workers spray water on roadways to prevent asphalt from sticking to car tires. Even during the night, temperatures in New South Wales hardly drop under 35 degrees.
Bush fires in California – The digital companion for current advice
Travelers planning a trip to California in the next days or weeks should inform themselves about the current situation of the bush fires. They have reached an unprecedented scale and keep people in the US state holding their breath – especially in the region of Los Angeles, also in the coastal town of Malibu, which is highly popular with tourists. To date, authorities speak of more than 60 mortalities and over 600 people still being missed.
