A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the east coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on August 17, 2024, at 8:10 PM UK time. The quake, recorded at a depth of 51 km (32 miles), was centered approximately 50 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city with over 150,000 residents. The US National Tsunami Warning Centre issued a tsunami warning, predicting waves up to one meter above tide level for some coastal areas but with limited impact. There is a "low likelihood" of casualties. The quake's effects could be felt up to 100 km away.

Typhoon Ampil brought widespread disruptions to Japan during the Obon holiday week. The storm, with sustained winds of 162kph, prompted evacuation orders for thousands and cancellations of hundreds of flights and trains. Although Ampil did not make landfall, authorities took precautions to ensure public safety. The Japan Meteorological Agency tracked the storm's movement, predicting it would weaken to a tropical storm by Sunday. Ampil was the seventh typhoon to hit Japan in 2024. The government's swift response minimized risks, as millions of people returned to their hometowns for the holiday. No major casualties were reported.

Japan has lifted its recent megaquake advisory after a strong tremor in the Nankai Trough zone, which initially led to heightened warnings. No unusual seismic activity has been observed in the past week, according to Yoshifumi Matsumura, Japan's state minister for disaster management. Following a magnitude-7.1 quake, the government had urged residents to review evacuation plans. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cancelled a diplomatic tour to focus on disaster management. Despite this, Japan remains at high risk for a Nankai Trough megaquake, with potential devastation estimated in future scenarios.

   A cloudburst struck the Damhal Hanjipora area of Kulgam district in Jammu and Kashmir early Thursday morning, leading to the death of one person and injuries to three others. The deceased has been identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Chouhan, while Rafakat Ahmad Chouhan was among the injured. Local officials promptly launched search and rescue operations in the affected area. Earlier this month, a cloudburst in the Ganderbal district damaged the Srinagar-Leh highway, which remains closed due to road damage.

A report by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health reveals over 47,000 heat-related deaths in Europe in 2023, making it the deadliest year on record. The study attributes the high mortality to intense heat exacerbated by climate change, particularly affecting southern countries like Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, and Spain. The death toll was notably lower than the previous year's estimate of over 60,000 due to effective adaptation measures, including early warning systems and healthcare improvements. Researchers highlight reduced vulnerability due to these measures but stress ongoing risks from rising temperatures.

London is set to experience its hottest day of 2024 with temperatures reaching up to 34C on Monday. The heatwave will also impact East Anglia and the home counties, driven by high pressure from Europe. However, northern regions, including Scotland and Northern Ireland, will face thunderstorms and heavy rain. A yellow heat health warning is in effect across the UK until Wednesday, advising people to stay hydrated and keep curtains closed during peak heat. Temperatures will drop to around 27C in London on Tuesday, with cooler weather expected by midweek.

Heavy rains wreaked havoc across north and northwest India, claiming at least 32 lives in 48 hours. Rajasthan was the hardest hit, with 17 deaths on August 10 and 11. In Punjab, nine people, including eight family members, died as their vehicle was swept away by a flooded rivulet. Himachal Pradesh reported three deaths, while two others died in Uttar Pradesh. Severe flooding, landslides, and house collapses caused widespread disruption. Rescue operations are ongoing in several affected areas, with authorities on high alert. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings for continued heavy rainfall in the region.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Himachal Pradesh and several other states due to ongoing heavy rainfall. This alert, effective through August 12, also includes flash flood warnings for Himachal Pradesh's northern districts. The IMD predicts continued heavy rain with risks of landslides and damage to infrastructure. Rainfall has already caused significant disruption, notably in Mandi, where 110 mm was recorded in 24 hours. Yellow alerts are in place for Delhi, with moderate to heavy rain expected through August 11.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a megaquake advisory following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in southern Kyushu that injured eight people. This advisory, the first under a new system established post-2011, signals an elevated risk of a major quake but does not guarantee one will occur. The tremor caused minor damage, with traffic lights shaking and dishes falling, but no severe destruction. Japan, located on four major tectonic plates, experiences about 1,500 quakes annually. The government warns that a major quake could impact the Pacific coastline and threaten up to 300,000 lives.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Konkan, Goa, and Central Maharashtra. The alert comes as the monsoon intensifies, with a deep depression in North East Madhya Pradesh and low pressure in Southwest Rajasthan. The IMD forecasts extremely heavy rain for these regions, while Delhi-NCR is expected to remain dry for the next two days. Additionally, widespread light to moderate rainfall is anticipated in parts of Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and other regions over the coming week.