Tropical <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-rise-over-storm-barry-middle-east-tensions-235170">storm Barry</a> could strengthen into a hurricane by Friday night or early Saturday when the centre is near the coast of Louisiana, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-attorney-general-william-barr-recuses-himself-from-boeing-737-max-probe-justice-department-235216">US</a> National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

The storm, about 140 miles (220 km) southeast of Morgan City, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heavy-rains-flood-new-orleans-streets-forecasters-predict-hurricane-234833">Louisiana</a>, is packing maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (85 km per hour), the NHC said.

"Dangerous storm surge, heavy rains, and wind conditions are expected across the north-central Gulf Coast," the Miami-based weather forecaster added.

Meteorologists predicted between 10 and 20 inches (25-50 cm) of rain along much of the Gulf Coast on Friday and Saturday.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/storm-barry-bears-down-on-new-orleans-with-extreme-rainfall-flooding-risk-235208/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell warned that 48 hours of heavy rain could overwhelm pumps designed to purge streets and storm drains of excess water in the low-lying city.

A tropical storm warning was posted on Thursday afternoon for metropolitan New Orleans, and a hurricane warning for a stretch of the Louisiana coast south of the city. The weather service later reported winds increasing to 45 mph (72 kph), with higher gusts.

The storm swiftly disrupted oil and gas operations along the Gulf, as energy companies halted production on more than half of the region's petroleum output and evacuated nearly 200 offshore facilities and a coastal refinery.

With the brunt of the storm expected to skirt the western edge of New Orleans instead of making a direct hit, city officials ordered evacuations.

Tropical storm Barry could strengthen into a hurricane by Friday night or early Saturday when the centre is near the coast of Louisiana, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

Tropical storm Barry could strengthen into a hurricane by Friday night or early Saturday when the centre is near the coast of Louisiana, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The storm, about 140 miles (220 km) southeast of Morgan City, Louisiana, is packing maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (85 km per hour), the NHC said. "Dangerous storm surge, heavy rains, and wind conditions are expected across the north-central Gulf Coast," the Miami-based weather forecaster added. Meteorologists predicted between 10 and 20 inches (25-50 cm) of rain along much of the Gulf Coast on Friday and Saturday. Watch Video: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell warned that 48 hours of heavy rain could overwhelm pumps designed to purge streets and storm drains of excess water in the low-lying city. A tropical storm warning was posted on Thursday afternoon for metropolitan New Orleans, and a hurricane warning for a stretch of the Louisiana coast south of the city. The weather service later reported winds increasing to 45 mph (72 kph), with higher gusts. The storm swiftly disrupted oil and gas operations along the Gulf, as energy companies halted production on more than half of the region's petroleum output and evacuated nearly 200 offshore facilities and a coastal refinery. With the brunt of the storm expected to skirt the western edge of New Orleans instead of making a direct hit, city officials ordered evacuations.

Tropical Storm Barry to hit Louisiana may develop into hurricane: US weather forecaster

Hurricane Willa made landfall in Mexico Tuesday, lashing the Pacific coast with powerful wind, heavy rain and what forecasters warned was "extremely dangerous" storm surge.

"The eye of Hurricane Willa is now over the coastline near the town of Escuinapa, Sinaloa," Mexico's National Meteorological Service said on Twitter.

The powerful storm, which was a maximum Category 5 hurricane on Monday, had weakened to Category 3 as it moved toward land. But forecasters warned it still had the potential to unleash deadly flooding and landslides.

The National Hurricane Center warned, "an extremely dangerous storm surge is occurring along portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico."

Mexico braced Tuesday for the impact of Hurricane Willa as it began unleashing a powerful storm surge on its Pacific coast, hours from what forecasters warned would be a potentially deadly landfall.

More than 4,250 people have been evacuated from high-risk areas, including tourists who were on vacation at the beach, the head of Mexico's emergency services, Luis Felipe Puente, told a press conference.

They are being housed in 58 temporary shelters.

The Mexican army has deployed troops to roll out a disaster response operation in the area.

Mexico's Pacific coast has already been hit by deadly storms and rains this hurricane season.

In September, at least 15 people were killed when flash floods hit the states of Sinaloa and Michoacan. Last week, 11 more people died in Oaxaca, including seven children.

Hurricane Willa made landfall in Mexico Tuesday, lashing the Pacific coast with powerful wind, heavy rain and what forecasters warned was "extremely dangerous" storm surge.

Hurricane Willa made landfall in Mexico Tuesday, lashing the Pacific coast with powerful wind, heavy rain and what forecasters warned was "extremely dangerous" storm surge. "The eye of Hurricane Willa is now over the coastline near the town of Escuinapa, Sinaloa," Mexico's National Meteorological Service said on Twitter. The powerful storm, which was a maximum Category 5 hurricane on Monday, had weakened to Category 3 as it moved toward land. But forecasters warned it still had the potential to unleash deadly flooding and landslides. The National Hurricane Center warned, "an extremely dangerous storm surge is occurring along portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico." Mexico braced Tuesday for the impact of Hurricane Willa as it began unleashing a powerful storm surge on its Pacific coast, hours from what forecasters warned would be a potentially deadly landfall. More than 4,250 people have been evacuated from high-risk areas, including tourists who were on vacation at the beach, the head of Mexico's emergency services, Luis Felipe Puente, told a press conference. They are being housed in 58 temporary shelters. The Mexican army has deployed troops to roll out a disaster response operation in the area. Mexico's Pacific coast has already been hit by deadly storms and rains this hurricane season. In September, at least 15 people were killed when flash floods hit the states of Sinaloa and Michoacan. Last week, 11 more people died in Oaxaca, including seven children.

Hurricane Willa makes landfall in Mexico

Hurricane Willa crashed ashore in western Mexico Tuesday, lashing the Pacific coast with powerful winds and heavy rain before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved inland.

The powerful storm, which was a maximum Category 5 hurricane on Monday, had weakened to Category 3 as it moved toward land.

Forecasters warned that the storm still had the potential to unleash deadly flooding and landslides.

However, storm surge levels will subside over the course of Wednesday and Willa is expected to dissipate by the afternoon, the US National Hurricane Center said.

As of 0600 GMT, the storm's maximum sustained winds had decreased to 45 mph (75 kph).

Willa first swept over the Marias islands, where Mexico has a federal prison.

The interior ministry did not respond to questions on whether it had evacuated the 1,000 inmates housed there or what other emergency measures were in place for the penal colony.

"We do not have any reports of damages there so far," the head of Mexico's emergency services, Luis Felipe Puente, told a press conference.

More than 4,250 people were evacuated from high-risk areas, including tourists who were on vacation at the beach, he said.

They are being housed in 58 temporary shelters.

'Up against nature'

At a shelter in Escuinapa, a town of 30,000 people that sits in the middle of the storm's likely path, residents fretted over their houses as they waited out the storm.

"Let's just hope this is over soon so we can go home," said Epigmenio Cardenas, 44, a farmer who was among the 2,500 people huddled there.

"You feel bad leaving everything behind, but what can you do? We're up against nature," he told AFP.

Many residents had boarded up their windows with plywood.

"They told us it was going to hit hard, and that we had to come here" to the shelter, said Maria Virginia Cardenas, 59, a cook.

"God, please just let us go back home unharmed."

The Mexican army deployed troops to roll out a disaster response operation in the area.

In Mazatlan, a tranquil resort town with turquoise waters, the hotels that line the coast were largely empty as workers nailed plywood over the windows and built sandbag barriers to keep out the flood waters earlier in the day.

As the storm moved over the town, drenching it in a light but steady rain, some hardy residents even went for walks or bike rides on the oceanfront avenue, the Malecon.

State of alert

At its peak, Willa packed maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers (120 miles) per hour, the NHC said.&nbsp;

It is expected to dump 15 to 30 centimeters (six to 12 inches) of rain on parts of Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco states, with some areas getting up to 45 centimeters.

The three states had already declared an alert and cancelled school.

In the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval on Monday ordered the evacuation of hotels and coastal areas, warning the storm could have "very destructive consequences."

In Michoacan state, also on the Pacific coast, heavy rain caused a freight train to derail Monday in the town of La Goleta, injuring at least two workers for the Kansas City Southern rail line, authorities said.

Adding to the weather chaos, the remnants of Tropical Storm Vicente were moving over Michoacan on Tuesday, bringing more heavy rainfall.

Mexico's Pacific coast has already been hit by deadly storms and rains this hurricane season.

In September, at least 15 people were killed when flash floods hit the states of Sinaloa and Michoacan. Last week, 11 more people died in Oaxaca, including seven children.

Hurricane Willa crashed ashore in western Mexico Tuesday, lashing the Pacific coast with powerful winds and heavy rain before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved inland.

Hurricane Willa crashed ashore in western Mexico Tuesday, lashing the Pacific coast with powerful winds and heavy rain before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved inland. The powerful storm, which was a maximum Category 5 hurricane on Monday, had weakened to Category 3 as it moved toward land. Forecasters warned that the storm still had the potential to unleash deadly flooding and landslides. However, storm surge levels will subside over the course of Wednesday and Willa is expected to dissipate by the afternoon, the US National Hurricane Center said. As of 0600 GMT, the storm's maximum sustained winds had decreased to 45 mph (75 kph). Willa first swept over the Marias islands, where Mexico has a federal prison. The interior ministry did not respond to questions on whether it had evacuated the 1,000 inmates housed there or what other emergency measures were in place for the penal colony. "We do not have any reports of damages there so far," the head of Mexico's emergency services, Luis Felipe Puente, told a press conference. More than 4,250 people were evacuated from high-risk areas, including tourists who were on vacation at the beach, he said. They are being housed in 58 temporary shelters. 'Up against nature' At a shelter in Escuinapa, a town of 30,000 people that sits in the middle of the storm's likely path, residents fretted over their houses as they waited out the storm. "Let's just hope this is over soon so we can go home," said Epigmenio Cardenas, 44, a farmer who was among the 2,500 people huddled there. "You feel bad leaving everything behind, but what can you do? We're up against nature," he told AFP. Many residents had boarded up their windows with plywood. "They told us it was going to hit hard, and that we had to come here" to the shelter, said Maria Virginia Cardenas, 59, a cook. "God, please just let us go back home unharmed." The Mexican army deployed troops to roll out a disaster response operation in the area. In Mazatlan, a tranquil resort town with turquoise waters, the hotels that line the coast were largely empty as workers nailed plywood over the windows and built sandbag barriers to keep out the flood waters earlier in the day. As the storm moved over the town, drenching it in a light but steady rain, some hardy residents even went for walks or bike rides on the oceanfront avenue, the Malecon. State of alert At its peak, Willa packed maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers (120 miles) per hour, the NHC said. It is expected to dump 15 to 30 centimeters (six to 12 inches) of rain on parts of Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco states, with some areas getting up to 45 centimeters. The three states had already declared an alert and cancelled school. In the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval on Monday ordered the evacuation of hotels and coastal areas, warning the storm could have "very destructive consequences." In Michoacan state, also on the Pacific coast, heavy rain caused a freight train to derail Monday in the town of La Goleta, injuring at least two workers for the Kansas City Southern rail line, authorities said. Adding to the weather chaos, the remnants of Tropical Storm Vicente were moving over Michoacan on Tuesday, bringing more heavy rainfall. Mexico's Pacific coast has already been hit by deadly storms and rains this hurricane season. In September, at least 15 people were killed when flash floods hit the states of Sinaloa and Michoacan. Last week, 11 more people died in Oaxaca, including seven children.

Hurricane Willa slams Mexico's Pacific coast, weakens

Hurricane Willa, an extremely <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/hurricane-willa-surges-towards-mexico-coastal-areas-on-alert-172702">dangerous a Category 4 storm</a>, weakened slightly as it veered toward popular tourist resorts on Mexico's Pacific coast on Monday, prompting government warnings for people to evacuate high-risk areas and take cover.

Mexican authorities urged residents to evacuate to temporary shelters, closed ports, cancelled classes and suspended beachside and marine activities.

The storm was due to come ashore after lunch on Tuesday just south of Mazatlan, a popular beach resort in the northwestern state of Sinaloa. Several other tourist destinations also lie near to the storm's path.

Willa, which earlier in the day had been a Category 5 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, was blowing maximum sustained winds of near 155 miles per hour (250 kph) by mid-afternoon with higher gusts, the Miami-based US&nbsp;National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

Complete power outages, damage to roofs and even the foundations of buildings that are up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the coastline were possible, Mexico's National Meteorological Service (SMN) said.

Alberto Hernandez, head of the SMN, said the storm would probably be a Category 4 or 3 hurricane when it reached land, and could cause waves several meters (feet) high.

It could also lead to the formation of waterspouts in front of the coast of Puerto Vallarta, the SMN said, referring to another beach resort in the state of Jalisco.

Nearly three years ago to the day, Hurricane Patricia, one of the most powerful storms on record, struck Mexico close to Puerto Vallarta with winds that tore down trees, moved cars and forced thousands of people to flee homes.

Speaking in the western city of Guadalajara, President Enrique Pena Nieto warned the population to prepare for the arrival of Willa and urged residents to take cover.

The storm was about 110 miles (175 km) west-southwest of the town of Cabo Corrientes and is "expected to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the coast of Mexico" the NHC said.

Willa is moving northward and is forecast to gradually lose power during the next day or so and weaken rapidly after hitting the coast.

The SMN urged residents to "exercise extreme caution" as rains have softened the soil in some areas. Willa's downpours could cause landslides, flooding and damage to roadways.

The NHC said that the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter Aircraft that was en route to Willa experienced a safety issue before entering the storm and had to return to base.

Willa is expected to douse coastal states Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa with 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) of rain, likely triggering flash floods and landslides, the NHC said. Some areas may see as much as 18 inches&nbsp;of rainfall.

To the south, Tropical Storm Vicente weakened further, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph). It was churning some 310 miles (500 km) southeast of the Pacific port Manzanillo.

While Vicente is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by Monday night or Tuesday, it could produce major rainfall and the risk of flash floods and landslides, the NHC said.

Hurricane Willa, an extremely dangerous a Category 4 storm, weakened slightly as it veered toward popular tourist resorts on Mexico's Pacific coast on Monday, prompting government warnings for people to evacuate high-risk areas and take cover.

Hurricane Willa, an extremely dangerous a Category 4 storm, weakened slightly as it veered toward popular tourist resorts on Mexico's Pacific coast on Monday, prompting government warnings for people to evacuate high-risk areas and take cover. Mexican authorities urged residents to evacuate to temporary shelters, closed ports, cancelled classes and suspended beachside and marine activities. The storm was due to come ashore after lunch on Tuesday just south of Mazatlan, a popular beach resort in the northwestern state of Sinaloa. Several other tourist destinations also lie near to the storm's path. Willa, which earlier in the day had been a Category 5 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, was blowing maximum sustained winds of near 155 miles per hour (250 kph) by mid-afternoon with higher gusts, the Miami-based US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Complete power outages, damage to roofs and even the foundations of buildings that are up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the coastline were possible, Mexico's National Meteorological Service (SMN) said. Alberto Hernandez, head of the SMN, said the storm would probably be a Category 4 or 3 hurricane when it reached land, and could cause waves several meters (feet) high. It could also lead to the formation of waterspouts in front of the coast of Puerto Vallarta, the SMN said, referring to another beach resort in the state of Jalisco. Nearly three years ago to the day, Hurricane Patricia, one of the most powerful storms on record, struck Mexico close to Puerto Vallarta with winds that tore down trees, moved cars and forced thousands of people to flee homes. Speaking in the western city of Guadalajara, President Enrique Pena Nieto warned the population to prepare for the arrival of Willa and urged residents to take cover. The storm was about 110 miles (175 km) west-southwest of the town of Cabo Corrientes and is "expected to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the coast of Mexico" the NHC said. Willa is moving northward and is forecast to gradually lose power during the next day or so and weaken rapidly after hitting the coast. The SMN urged residents to "exercise extreme caution" as rains have softened the soil in some areas. Willa's downpours could cause landslides, flooding and damage to roadways. The NHC said that the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter Aircraft that was en route to Willa experienced a safety issue before entering the storm and had to return to base. Willa is expected to douse coastal states Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa with 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) of rain, likely triggering flash floods and landslides, the NHC said. Some areas may see as much as 18 inches of rainfall. To the south, Tropical Storm Vicente weakened further, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph). It was churning some 310 miles (500 km) southeast of the Pacific port Manzanillo. While Vicente is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by Monday night or Tuesday, it could produce major rainfall and the risk of flash floods and landslides, the NHC said.

Hurricane Willa targets  Mexico's Pacific coast;  high-risk areas evacuated

Undeniably, this year has been marred by and fraught with natural disasters and calamities all across the globe. From the destructive deluge that hit the south Indian state of Kerala, wildfires that scorched Europe and America, to quakes, cyclones, heat-waves, droughts, typhoons and the recent Indonesian quake-tsunami disaster; almost every continent had some climatic mishap happening this year and it doesn’t seem to stop.

This year’s extreme climatic upheavals got many to think about climate change, global warming and the large-scale environmental imbalances. Thousands and hundreds of people have lost their lives in climate-related disasters all across the globe, millions of dollars have been wasted to grapple with the aftermath. A UN report claims that India, in the last two decades, has lost around <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-lost-795-billion-from-climate-related-disasters-in-20-years-un-report-170812">$79.5 billion from climate-related disasters</a>.

The question remains, can you and I still take baby steps towards reversing the damage? Is it possible to put the environmental imbalance back into equilibrium? Will our individual effort matter?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<h5>Experts suggest that the pace at which the West is consuming meat, it will only throw the ecological chain off balance</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Experts suggest that the pace at which the West is consuming meat, it will only throw the ecological chain off balance" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Earlier this week, another report on climate change, published in the journal Nature, proposed slashing global meat consumption to mitigate climatic disasters.

Experts suggest that the pace at which the West is consuming meat, it will only throw the ecological chain off balance, and in order to ensure that the planet is able to support and sustain 10 billion people by 2050, the West has to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/world-must-slash-meat-consumption-to-save-climate-study-170772">cut down on its meat intake by a whopping 90 per cent</a>. The report further warned that the damaging effects of the food industry will escalate by nearly 90 per cent by mid-century.

Food production -- which produces damaging greenhouse gases from livestock, ruins enormous swathes of forests and uses unsustainable amounts of water -- is a major contributor to climate change, news agency AFP reported.

In addition, the livestock industry uses immense amounts of water -- 500 grammes (a pound) of beef is estimated to require close to 7,000 litres of water.

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<h5>Experts call for a gradual, but eventual, shift toward plant-based diets.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

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Experts, therefore, call for a gradual, but eventual, shift toward plant-based diets for sustainability, better health and more secure future of mankind and global resources.

All aspects of human life must be towed toward attaining a balance, it becomes imperative to think at the microcosmic level and then see the larger picture to see how the smallest of changes help mend the situation at the global level.

Succinctly put, the problem will not be solved by getting meat eaters to suddenly switch to plant-based diets, it will happen only when each one of us pledges to make a conscious and consistent effort to depend less on our environment. You and I have to realize the price of natural resources and be mindful of how we use them while trying to conserve them.

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<h5>Population explosion is another big factor; the number of humans on the planet has slowly begun to outpace the resources produced to meet the demand.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Population explosion is another big factor; the number of humans on the planet has slowly begun to outpace the resources produced to meet the demand." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Population explosion is another big factor; the number of humans on the planet has slowly begun to outpace the resources produced to meet the demand. With an ever-expanding population, we will only need more resources, more place to live, more water, more vehicles, more burden on resources, greater loss of equilibrium, more pollution, leading to an increased burden on the environment – as a result, the climatic equation will only deplete, faster than ever imagined or estimated.

We need to act now before it gets too late. Maybe there is going to be no dramatic end to the world, no apocalypse or doomsday like in the time of the gigantic woolly mammoth or the dinosaurs. Maybe the planet won't come to an end after getting hit by a colossal asteroid.

It would not be wrong to imagine that you and I are already sitting on a ticking time-bomb, still having an option to avert the outcome and script a different end. Maybe, there will be no big bang, and as TS Eliot noted in his celebrated poem ‘The Hollow Men’ almost a century ago – it is possible for the world to end in just a whimper.

“This is the way the world ends 
Not with a bang but a whimper,” – ‘The Hollow Men,’ TS Eliot, 1925.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Undeniably, this year has been marred by and fraught with natural disasters and calamities all across the globe. From the destructive deluge that hit the south Indian state of Kerala, wildfires that scorched Europe and America, to quakes, cyclones, heat-waves, droughts, typhoons and the recent Indonesian quake-tsunami disaster; almost every continent had some climatic mishap happening this year and it doesn’t seem to stop.

Undeniably, this year has been marred by and fraught with natural disasters and calamities all across the globe. From the destructive deluge that hit the south Indian state of Kerala, wildfires that scorched Europe and America, to quakes, cyclones, heat-waves, droughts, typhoons and the recent Indonesian quake-tsunami disaster; almost every continent had some climatic mishap happening this year and it doesn’t seem to stop. This year’s extreme climatic upheavals got many to think about climate change, global warming and the large-scale environmental imbalances. Thousands and hundreds of people have lost their lives in climate-related disasters all across the globe, millions of dollars have been wasted to grapple with the aftermath. A UN report claims that India, in the last two decades, has lost around $79.5 billion from climate-related disasters. The question remains, can you and I still take baby steps towards reversing the damage? Is it possible to put the environmental imbalance back into equilibrium? Will our individual effort matter? Experts suggest that the pace at which the West is consuming meat, it will only throw the ecological chain off balance × Earlier this week, another report on climate change, published in the journal Nature, proposed slashing global meat consumption to mitigate climatic disasters. Experts suggest that the pace at which the West is consuming meat, it will only throw the ecological chain off balance, and in order to ensure that the planet is able to support and sustain 10 billion people by 2050, the West has to cut down on its meat intake by a whopping 90 per cent. The report further warned that the damaging effects of the food industry will escalate by nearly 90 per cent by mid-century. Food production -- which produces damaging greenhouse gases from livestock, ruins enormous swathes of forests and uses unsustainable amounts of water -- is a major contributor to climate change, news agency AFP reported. In addition, the livestock industry uses immense amounts of water -- 500 grammes (a pound) of beef is estimated to require close to 7,000 litres of water. Experts call for a gradual, but eventual, shift toward plant-based diets. × Experts, therefore, call for a gradual, but eventual, shift toward plant-based diets for sustainability, better health and more secure future of mankind and global resources. All aspects of human life must be towed toward attaining a balance, it becomes imperative to think at the microcosmic level and then see the larger picture to see how the smallest of changes help mend the situation at the global level. Succinctly put, the problem will not be solved by getting meat eaters to suddenly switch to plant-based diets, it will happen only when each one of us pledges to make a conscious and consistent effort to depend less on our environment. You and I have to realize the price of natural resources and be mindful of how we use them while trying to conserve them. Population explosion is another big factor; the number of humans on the planet has slowly begun to outpace the resources produced to meet the demand. × Population explosion is another big factor; the number of humans on the planet has slowly begun to outpace the resources produced to meet the demand. With an ever-expanding population, we will only need more resources, more place to live, more water, more vehicles, more burden on resources, greater loss of equilibrium, more pollution, leading to an increased burden on the environment – as a result, the climatic equation will only deplete, faster than ever imagined or estimated. We need to act now before it gets too late. Maybe there is going to be no dramatic end to the world, no apocalypse or doomsday like in the time of the gigantic woolly mammoth or the dinosaurs. Maybe the planet won't come to an end after getting hit by a colossal asteroid. It would not be wrong to imagine that you and I are already sitting on a ticking time-bomb, still having an option to avert the outcome and script a different end. Maybe, there will be no big bang, and as TS Eliot noted in his celebrated poem ‘The Hollow Men’ almost a century ago – it is possible for the world to end in just a whimper. “This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper,” – ‘The Hollow Men,’ TS Eliot, 1925.

A year fraught with natural disasters, quit turning blind eye to climate change

The hunt for missing people in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael early Sunday is turning into a search for the dead, as hope of finding more people alive fades in the Florida Panhandle, US&nbsp;officials said.

"We're going into recovery mode, unfortunately," said Fire Chief Alex Baird of Panama City, one of the coastal Florida communities clobbered by the hurricane that made landfall Wednesday as a Category 4 storm, packing more than 140 mph winds and deadly storm surges.

"At sunrise, we'll start again on our search," Baird said. "We hope that we'll find more (survivors), but it's more and more doubtful."

President Donald Trump is expected to visit both Florida and Georgia early this week to inspect the damage, and the White House said late Saturday the president was fully committed to helping state and local agencies with the recovery.

The death toll of the storm reached at least 18 Saturday night and is expected to rise in the US&nbsp;Southeast as rescuers go door-to-door in coastal communities in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Search and rescue volunteers have already located hundreds of people reported missing last week.

On Saturday, rescue crews heard cries for help and crowbarred into a mobile home crumpled by the storm in Panama City, freeing a mother and daughter, both diabetics who had been trapped in a closet without insulin for two days and were on the verge of diabetic shock, rescuers said.

A lack of food and water is among the most pressing issues for people reeling from the storm, said one volunteer who had been working in the Panama City area.

Rescue teams, hampered by power and telephone outages, used cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to hunt for people in the rubble.

More than 1,700 search and rescue workers were deployed, including seven swift-water rescue teams and nearly 300 ambulances, Florida Governor Rick Scott's office said.

Electricity and phone service were being slowly restored, but it could be weeks before power is restored to the most damaged areas.

The hunt for missing people in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael early Sunday is turning into a search for the dead, as hope of finding more people alive fades in the Florida Panhandle, US officials said.

The hunt for missing people in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael early Sunday is turning into a search for the dead, as hope of finding more people alive fades in the Florida Panhandle, US officials said. "We're going into recovery mode, unfortunately," said Fire Chief Alex Baird of Panama City, one of the coastal Florida communities clobbered by the hurricane that made landfall Wednesday as a Category 4 storm, packing more than 140 mph winds and deadly storm surges. "At sunrise, we'll start again on our search," Baird said. "We hope that we'll find more (survivors), but it's more and more doubtful." President Donald Trump is expected to visit both Florida and Georgia early this week to inspect the damage, and the White House said late Saturday the president was fully committed to helping state and local agencies with the recovery. The death toll of the storm reached at least 18 Saturday night and is expected to rise in the US Southeast as rescuers go door-to-door in coastal communities in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Search and rescue volunteers have already located hundreds of people reported missing last week. On Saturday, rescue crews heard cries for help and crowbarred into a mobile home crumpled by the storm in Panama City, freeing a mother and daughter, both diabetics who had been trapped in a closet without insulin for two days and were on the verge of diabetic shock, rescuers said. A lack of food and water is among the most pressing issues for people reeling from the storm, said one volunteer who had been working in the Panama City area. Rescue teams, hampered by power and telephone outages, used cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to hunt for people in the rubble. More than 1,700 search and rescue workers were deployed, including seven swift-water rescue teams and nearly 300 ambulances, Florida Governor Rick Scott's office said. Electricity and phone service were being slowly restored, but it could be weeks before power is restored to the most damaged areas.

Hopes fade for more survivors of Hurricane Michael

Portugal placed most of the country under red alert Saturday as Hurricane Leslie, which threatens to be the fiercest storm to hit the country since 1842, approached the coast.

The country's civil protection officials called on people along the coast to stay indoors, saying the most serious conditions were likely to be Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The Spanish authorities, meanwhile, were making their own preparations for the hurricane, which Spanish meteorologists expect to reach their territory early Sunday.

The Portuguese capital Lisbon is bracing for the first effects of the hurricane, with strong winds and rain expected at around 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) on Saturday, said the Portugese meteorological institute.

According to meteorological records, only five hurricanes have ever arrived in this part of the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Leslie could turn out to be the fiercest storm to hit Portugal since 1842.

Strong winds from Hurricane Ophelia in Portugal and eastern Spain fed forest fires that killed around 40 people during the heatwave in 2017.

Spain is still recovering recovering from the heavy rains that provoked a mudslide in the Mediterranean island of Majorca that killed 12 people Tuesday.

Portugal placed most of the country under red alert Saturday as Hurricane Leslie, which threatens to be the fiercest storm to hit the country since 1842, approached the coast.

Portugal placed most of the country under red alert Saturday as Hurricane Leslie, which threatens to be the fiercest storm to hit the country since 1842, approached the coast. The country's civil protection officials called on people along the coast to stay indoors, saying the most serious conditions were likely to be Saturday night and Sunday morning. The Spanish authorities, meanwhile, were making their own preparations for the hurricane, which Spanish meteorologists expect to reach their territory early Sunday. The Portuguese capital Lisbon is bracing for the first effects of the hurricane, with strong winds and rain expected at around 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) on Saturday, said the Portugese meteorological institute. According to meteorological records, only five hurricanes have ever arrived in this part of the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Leslie could turn out to be the fiercest storm to hit Portugal since 1842. Strong winds from Hurricane Ophelia in Portugal and eastern Spain fed forest fires that killed around 40 people during the heatwave in 2017. Spain is still recovering recovering from the heavy rains that provoked a mudslide in the Mediterranean island of Majorca that killed 12 people Tuesday.

Hurricane Leslie threatens to be the fiercest storm to hit Portugal since 1842, red alert sounded

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-from-michael-seen-rising-as-florida-towns-remain-cut-off-171306">Death</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-from-michael-seen-rising-as-florida-towns-remain-cut-off-171306"> toll from Michael seen rising as Florida towns remain cut off</a>

The death toll was expected to rise this weekend in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael as hundreds remained unaccounted for along the Florida Panhandle where decimated communities remained cutoff and in the dark.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/50-people-tested-positive-for-zika-virus-in-jaipur-rajasthan-171286">Zika virus scare: 51 people tested positive in Rajasthan</a>

Around 51&nbsp;people have been tested positive for Zika virus in Rajasthan's Jaipur district, news agency ANI reported on Saturday.&nbsp; According to reports, eighteen more people in Jaipur have been tested positive for Zika virus, taking the total number of cases to 50.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-12-killed-in-bomb-attack-on-afghan-election-rally-officials-171291">At least 12 killed in bomb attack on Afghan election rally: Officials</a>

A motorcyle carrying explosives blew up among supporters of an Afghan election candidate on Saturday, killing at least 12 people, officials said, in the latest violence to strike a political gathering.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-london-general-bajwa-discusses-indias-role-in-pak-afghan-tensions-171312">In London, General Bajwa discusses India's role in Pak-Afghan tensions</a>

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa met UK's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Gareth Baley in London.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-mla-joins-ruling-bjp-in-chhattisgarh-171288">Ahead of elections in Chhattisgarh, Congress MLA joins ruling BJP</a>

In a major setback to the opposition Congress in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, its state working president and MLA Ramdayal Uike Saturday joined the ruling BJP.

Death toll from Michael seen rising as Florida towns remain cut off The death toll was expected to rise this weekend in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael as hundreds remained unaccounted for along the Florida Panhandle where decimated communities remained cutoff and in the dark.

Death toll from Michael seen rising as Florida towns remain cut off The death toll was expected to rise this weekend in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael as hundreds remained unaccounted for along the Florida Panhandle where decimated communities remained cutoff and in the dark. Zika virus scare: 51 people tested positive in Rajasthan Around 51 people have been tested positive for Zika virus in Rajasthan's Jaipur district, news agency ANI reported on Saturday. According to reports, eighteen more people in Jaipur have been tested positive for Zika virus, taking the total number of cases to 50. At least 12 killed in bomb attack on Afghan election rally: Officials A motorcyle carrying explosives blew up among supporters of an Afghan election candidate on Saturday, killing at least 12 people, officials said, in the latest violence to strike a political gathering. In London, General Bajwa discusses India's role in Pak-Afghan tensions Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa met UK's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Gareth Baley in London. Ahead of elections in Chhattisgarh, Congress MLA joins ruling BJP In a major setback to the opposition Congress in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, its state working president and MLA Ramdayal Uike Saturday joined the ruling BJP.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The death toll was expected to rise this weekend in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael as hundreds remained unaccounted for along the Florida Panhandle where decimated communities remained cutoff and in the dark.

As of early on Saturday, state officials were reporting that at least 18 have been killed in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

Rescue teams, hampered by power and telephone outages, were going door-to-door and using cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to hunt for people in the rubble in Mexico Beach and other Florida coastal communities, such as Port St. Joe and Panama City.

"We still haven’t gotten into some of the hardest-hit areas," said Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Friday, noting that he expects to see the number of people killed climb.

The Houston-based volunteer search-and-rescue network CrowdSource Rescue said its teams were trying to find about 2,100 people either reported missing or stranded and in need of help in Florida, co-founder Matthew Marchetti said.

Social media websites were crowded with messages from those trying to reach missing families in Florida's Bay and Gulf Counties.

Marchetti said his volunteer search teams, consisting mostly of off-duty police officers and firefighters, had rescued or accounted for 345 others previously reported to CrowdSource Rescue.

Michael crashed ashore near Mexico Beach on Wednesday afternoon as one of the most powerful storms in US&nbsp;history, with winds of up to 155 mph (250 kph). It pushed a wall of seawater inland, causing widespread flooding.

The tropical storm, which grew in less than two days into a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, tore apart entire neighborhoods in the Panhandle, reducing homes to naked concrete foundations or piles of wood and siding.

Dogs and bulldozers

FEMA crews have been using bulldozers and other heavy equipment to push a path through debris so rescuers can sift the rubble using specially trained search dogs.

More than 1,700 search and rescue workers have been deployed, Governor Rick Scott’s office said in a statement, including seven swift-water rescue teams and nearly 300 ambulances.

Except for the emergency 911 system, authorities in Bay County, the epicenter of the disaster, were virtually without telephone or internet service until late on Friday, making communications internally and with the public difficult.

Ruth Corley, a spokeswoman for the Bay County Sheriff's Department, said local television stations were knocked off the air for two days, and authorities were relying on the Gulf State College radio station to transmit public service bulletins.

By Friday morning the storm remnants were about 275 miles (445 km) southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph).

More than 940,000 homes and businesses on the US&nbsp;East Coast were without power and it could be weeks before power is restored to the most damaged parts of Florida.

The death toll was expected to rise this weekend in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael as hundreds remained unaccounted for along the Florida Panhandle where decimated communities remained cutoff and in the dark.

The death toll was expected to rise this weekend in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael as hundreds remained unaccounted for along the Florida Panhandle where decimated communities remained cutoff and in the dark. As of early on Saturday, state officials were reporting that at least 18 have been killed in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Rescue teams, hampered by power and telephone outages, were going door-to-door and using cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to hunt for people in the rubble in Mexico Beach and other Florida coastal communities, such as Port St. Joe and Panama City. "We still haven’t gotten into some of the hardest-hit areas," said Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Friday, noting that he expects to see the number of people killed climb. The Houston-based volunteer search-and-rescue network CrowdSource Rescue said its teams were trying to find about 2,100 people either reported missing or stranded and in need of help in Florida, co-founder Matthew Marchetti said. Social media websites were crowded with messages from those trying to reach missing families in Florida's Bay and Gulf Counties. Marchetti said his volunteer search teams, consisting mostly of off-duty police officers and firefighters, had rescued or accounted for 345 others previously reported to CrowdSource Rescue. Michael crashed ashore near Mexico Beach on Wednesday afternoon as one of the most powerful storms in US history, with winds of up to 155 mph (250 kph). It pushed a wall of seawater inland, causing widespread flooding. The tropical storm, which grew in less than two days into a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, tore apart entire neighborhoods in the Panhandle, reducing homes to naked concrete foundations or piles of wood and siding. Dogs and bulldozers FEMA crews have been using bulldozers and other heavy equipment to push a path through debris so rescuers can sift the rubble using specially trained search dogs. More than 1,700 search and rescue workers have been deployed, Governor Rick Scott’s office said in a statement, including seven swift-water rescue teams and nearly 300 ambulances. Except for the emergency 911 system, authorities in Bay County, the epicenter of the disaster, were virtually without telephone or internet service until late on Friday, making communications internally and with the public difficult. Ruth Corley, a spokeswoman for the Bay County Sheriff's Department, said local television stations were knocked off the air for two days, and authorities were relying on the Gulf State College radio station to transmit public service bulletins. By Friday morning the storm remnants were about 275 miles (445 km) southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph). More than 940,000 homes and businesses on the US East Coast were without power and it could be weeks before power is restored to the most damaged parts of Florida.

Death toll from Michael seen rising as Florida towns remain cut off

Hurricane Michael claimed its first life after roaring ashore in Florida on Wednesday, flooding homes and streets and toppling trees and power lines in the Gulf of Mexico beachfront area where it made landfall as a raging Category 4 storm.

Florida officials said Michael, packing winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), was the most powerful storm to hit the state's northern Panhandle area in more than a century.

Michael had weakened to a Category 1, with maximum winds of 90 mph as of 8:00 pm Eastern time (0000 GMT), but that still left it an extremely dangerous storm.

Pictures and video from Mexico Beach -- a community of about 1,000 people where Michael made landfall around 1:00 pm Eastern time (1700 GMT) -- showed scenes of devastation, with houses floating in flooded streets, some ripped from their foundations and missing roofs.

Roads were filled with piles of floating debris.

After being battered for nearly three hours by strong winds and heavy rains, roads in Panama City were virtually impassable and trees, satellite dishes and traffic lights lay in the streets.

Briefing President Donald Trump at the White House, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief Brock Long said Michael was the most intense hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle since 1851.

"Along our coast, communities are going to see unimaginable devastation," Scott said, with storm surge posing the greatest danger.

"Water will come miles in shore and could easily rise over the roofs of houses," he said.

"Those who stick around to experience storm surge don't typically live to tell about it," said FEMA's Long.

At a rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday night, Trump offered his "thoughts and prayers" to those in the path of the storm and said he would be visiting Florida soon.

"I'll be traveling to Florida very, very shortly and I just want to wish them all the best. Godspeed," Trump said.

Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate their homes and the governor told residents who had not done so to "hunker down and be careful."

Ken Graham, director of the Miami-based National Hurricane Center, said Michael is "unfortunately, a historical and incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation."

Smith, in Gadsden County, said the situation was dangerous even for emergency personnel.

"We've been very cautious with sending our first responders out right now," she said.

- Just shy of Category 5 - 
Olivia Smith, public information officer for the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, said there was "one hurricane-related fatality," adding that the incident was "debris-related. There was a tree involved."

Smith could not provide details on the victim.

The death, in an area west of state capital Tallahassee, was the first confirmed since Michael made landfall.

General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command, said some Florida residents may have been surprised by the rapid growth of the storm.

"It really started as a tropical storm, and then it went to Category 1, then it was Category 2 and before you know it, it was Category 4," O'Shaughnessy said.

"Where that becomes a factor is with the evacuation of some of the local populations," he said. "We haven't seen as robust of an evacuation response from the civilian population that we have seen in other storms."

Several hours after the hurricane made landfall, the eye of the storm had moved out of the Panhandle and was just west of Albany, Georgia, the NHC said.

"Michael should weaken as it crosses the southeastern United States through Thursday," the NHC said.

Long, the head of FEMA, said many Florida buildings were not built to withstand a storm above the strength of a Category 3 hurricane on the five-level Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

As it came ashore, Michael was just shy of a Category 5 -- defined as a storm packing top sustained wind speeds of 157 mph or above.

- 'Leave NOW' - 
An estimated 375,000 people in more than 20 counties were ordered or advised to evacuate.

The National Weather Service office in Tallahassee issued a dramatic appeal for people to comply with evacuation orders.

"Hurricane Michael is an unprecedented event and cannot be compared to any of our previous events. Do not risk your life, leave NOW if you were told to do so," it said.

Trump issued an emergency declaration for Florida, freeing up federal funds for relief operations and providing the assistance of FEMA, which has more than 3,000 people on the ground.

State officials issued disaster declarations in Alabama and Georgia and the storm is also expected to bring heavy rainfall to North and South Carolina.

The Carolinas are still recovering from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month.

It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches (101 centimeters) of rain.

Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the western Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Harvey, which caused a record-equaling $125 billion in damage when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area.

Scientists have long warned that global warming will make storms more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible.

bur-wd/mdl

Hurricane Michael claimed its first life after roaring ashore in Florida on Wednesday, flooding homes and streets and toppling trees and power lines in the Gulf of Mexico beachfront area where it made landfall as a raging Category 4 storm.

Hurricane Michael claimed its first life after roaring ashore in Florida on Wednesday, flooding homes and streets and toppling trees and power lines in the Gulf of Mexico beachfront area where it made landfall as a raging Category 4 storm. Florida officials said Michael, packing winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), was the most powerful storm to hit the state's northern Panhandle area in more than a century. Michael had weakened to a Category 1, with maximum winds of 90 mph as of 8:00 pm Eastern time (0000 GMT), but that still left it an extremely dangerous storm. Pictures and video from Mexico Beach -- a community of about 1,000 people where Michael made landfall around 1:00 pm Eastern time (1700 GMT) -- showed scenes of devastation, with houses floating in flooded streets, some ripped from their foundations and missing roofs. Roads were filled with piles of floating debris. After being battered for nearly three hours by strong winds and heavy rains, roads in Panama City were virtually impassable and trees, satellite dishes and traffic lights lay in the streets. Briefing President Donald Trump at the White House, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief Brock Long said Michael was the most intense hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle since 1851. "Along our coast, communities are going to see unimaginable devastation," Scott said, with storm surge posing the greatest danger. "Water will come miles in shore and could easily rise over the roofs of houses," he said. "Those who stick around to experience storm surge don't typically live to tell about it," said FEMA's Long. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday night, Trump offered his "thoughts and prayers" to those in the path of the storm and said he would be visiting Florida soon. "I'll be traveling to Florida very, very shortly and I just want to wish them all the best. Godspeed," Trump said. Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate their homes and the governor told residents who had not done so to "hunker down and be careful." Ken Graham, director of the Miami-based National Hurricane Center, said Michael is "unfortunately, a historical and incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation." Smith, in Gadsden County, said the situation was dangerous even for emergency personnel. "We've been very cautious with sending our first responders out right now," she said. - Just shy of Category 5 - Olivia Smith, public information officer for the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, said there was "one hurricane-related fatality," adding that the incident was "debris-related. There was a tree involved." Smith could not provide details on the victim. The death, in an area west of state capital Tallahassee, was the first confirmed since Michael made landfall. General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command, said some Florida residents may have been surprised by the rapid growth of the storm. "It really started as a tropical storm, and then it went to Category 1, then it was Category 2 and before you know it, it was Category 4," O'Shaughnessy said. "Where that becomes a factor is with the evacuation of some of the local populations," he said. "We haven't seen as robust of an evacuation response from the civilian population that we have seen in other storms." Several hours after the hurricane made landfall, the eye of the storm had moved out of the Panhandle and was just west of Albany, Georgia, the NHC said. "Michael should weaken as it crosses the southeastern United States through Thursday," the NHC said. Long, the head of FEMA, said many Florida buildings were not built to withstand a storm above the strength of a Category 3 hurricane on the five-level Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. As it came ashore, Michael was just shy of a Category 5 -- defined as a storm packing top sustained wind speeds of 157 mph or above. - 'Leave NOW' - An estimated 375,000 people in more than 20 counties were ordered or advised to evacuate. The National Weather Service office in Tallahassee issued a dramatic appeal for people to comply with evacuation orders. "Hurricane Michael is an unprecedented event and cannot be compared to any of our previous events. Do not risk your life, leave NOW if you were told to do so," it said. Trump issued an emergency declaration for Florida, freeing up federal funds for relief operations and providing the assistance of FEMA, which has more than 3,000 people on the ground. State officials issued disaster declarations in Alabama and Georgia and the storm is also expected to bring heavy rainfall to North and South Carolina. The Carolinas are still recovering from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month. It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches (101 centimeters) of rain. Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the western Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Harvey, which caused a record-equaling $125 billion in damage when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area. Scientists have long warned that global warming will make storms more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible. bur-wd/mdl

Monstrous Hurricane Michael tears into Florida, kills one

With Hurricane Michael swirling around her, Loren Beltran thought the safest place would be her boyfriend's apartment, in a sturdy building designed to withstand a Category Five storm -- the maximum.

But it never occurred to her, in the rushing and the chaos and the wet, that the building was surrounded by trees and pines.

They only brought more danger for her and her three-year-old daughter.

As she took shelter there "the wind sounded absolutely terrible, like the kind of monster's roar you hear in a horror movie," said Beltran, 38.

Then came the wait in the brief still of the storm's eye, as it passed over Florida's northern Panhandle region Wednesday.

"Here comes the second part," she thought. &nbsp;

"First a tree fell, and then almost an hour went by. We heard another huge noise, and the wind sent the tree crashing through the window into a bedroom."

Thankfully she and her family were in another room.&nbsp;

"I had just come running out of that room about five minutes before," she said.

Beltran and her boyfriend tried to place towels and other objects to block the incoming rain, but it was futile.

She had fled to the apartment earlier from her own home.

"My house, which is in Mexico Beach, is under water," said Beltran, distraught after learning that water had reached the ceiling of her damaged home, in a district of beach towns that depend on tourism and fishing.&nbsp;

"I lost everything I have," she said. "But thank God, we are still alive.

Hurricane Michael made landfall Wednesday as a catastrophic Category 4 storm with winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kph).

When the eye of the storm reached Mexico Beach, 32 kilometers (20 miles) south of the larger Panama City, it poured so hard that at some points rain was moving horizontally, Beltran recalled.

Many brick buildings were partly collapsed.&nbsp;

More trees were toppled than standing.

Metal containers, pieces of roofing, satellite antennas and stoplights all were strewn on the ground.

As Beltran and her boyfriend tried to stop the deluge, there was a new worry: Whether the storm surge of rising waters would be as bad as forecasters feared.&nbsp;

If so, it could simply carry away what's left, she feared. 
&nbsp;

With Hurricane Michael swirling around her, Loren Beltran thought the safest place would be her boyfriend's apartment, in a sturdy building designed to withstand a Category Five storm -- the maximum.

With Hurricane Michael swirling around her, Loren Beltran thought the safest place would be her boyfriend's apartment, in a sturdy building designed to withstand a Category Five storm -- the maximum. But it never occurred to her, in the rushing and the chaos and the wet, that the building was surrounded by trees and pines. They only brought more danger for her and her three-year-old daughter. As she took shelter there "the wind sounded absolutely terrible, like the kind of monster's roar you hear in a horror movie," said Beltran, 38. Then came the wait in the brief still of the storm's eye, as it passed over Florida's northern Panhandle region Wednesday. "Here comes the second part," she thought. "First a tree fell, and then almost an hour went by. We heard another huge noise, and the wind sent the tree crashing through the window into a bedroom." Thankfully she and her family were in another room. "I had just come running out of that room about five minutes before," she said. Beltran and her boyfriend tried to place towels and other objects to block the incoming rain, but it was futile. She had fled to the apartment earlier from her own home. "My house, which is in Mexico Beach, is under water," said Beltran, distraught after learning that water had reached the ceiling of her damaged home, in a district of beach towns that depend on tourism and fishing. "I lost everything I have," she said. "But thank God, we are still alive. Hurricane Michael made landfall Wednesday as a catastrophic Category 4 storm with winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kph). When the eye of the storm reached Mexico Beach, 32 kilometers (20 miles) south of the larger Panama City, it poured so hard that at some points rain was moving horizontally, Beltran recalled. Many brick buildings were partly collapsed. More trees were toppled than standing. Metal containers, pieces of roofing, satellite antennas and stoplights all were strewn on the ground. As Beltran and her boyfriend tried to stop the deluge, there was a new worry: Whether the storm surge of rising waters would be as bad as forecasters feared. If so, it could simply carry away what's left, she feared.

Escaping the 'monster's roar': A US hurricane survivor's story

Florida's governor mobilized National Guard troops and thousands of Gulf Coast residents were ordered evacuated on Monday, two days before Hurricane Michael was forecast to slam ashore with life-threatening waves, winds and rains.

Michael was packing sustained winds of up to 85 miles per hour (140 kph) and gaining strength as it skirted past Cuba's western tip en route to a likely Wednesday landfall as the most powerful storm to strike the Florida Panhandle in at least a decade.

Currently ranked as a Category 1 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale, Michael could grow into a Category 3, becoming the second major hurricane in the Atlantic basin this year following Florence last month, forecasters said.

The storm is expected to unleash coastal storm surges of up to 12 feet (3.7 meters) along Florida's Panhandle and dump as much as a foot (30 cm) of rain across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.

The NHC warned that both could trigger deadly flooding and that residents within the hurricane warning zone should likewise "prepare for life-threatening winds."

Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 35 counties along Florida's Panhandle and Big Bend regions. Mandatory evacuations were under way in coastal areas, with 1,250 National Guard soldiers aiding the process and more than 4,000 troops placed on standby, Scott tweeted.

"The FL panhandle needs to be prepared for a direct hit with sustained hurricane force winds," Scott wrote on Twitter on Monday.

In Gulf County alone, the first to begin ordering residents of low-lying areas to higher ground, mandatory evacuation notices encompassed an estimated 3,800 homes, said Jessica Sasich of the county's emergency operations centre.

Many are located in the coastal town of Port St. Joe, the county's largest municipality, lying directly in the hurricane's projected path, she said.

In neighbouring Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey declared an emergency for the entire state on Monday in anticipation of wind damage, heavy rains and power outages.

Michael kills 13 in Central America

As the storm moved north it battered Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba with drenching rains and winds of up to 80 mph (130 kph), the Miami-based hurricane centre said.

Torrential downpours and flash-flooding over the weekend caused 13 deaths in Central America after Michael formed off the coast of northern Honduras.

In Florida, state offices, schools and universities were set to close on Tuesday through the end of the week in panhandle counties. Some beach town residents were left to decide on their own for the time being whether to leave their homes.

"I haven't made up my mind yet, but I know some of my staff are going," said Dave Trepanier, owner of Firefly, a restaurant a block from the beach in Panama City, Bay County, an area where the hurricane is expected to come ashore.

Lines at gasoline stations were growing long in Panama City as people prepared to leave areas under mandatory evacuation, Trepanier said.

Hurricane Michael would be the first major hurricane to hit the panhandle since Hurricane Dennis in 2005, which made landfall near Pensacola, according to hurricane centre data.

After striking Florida, Michael is forecast to move up the East Coast on Wednesday and Thursday ploughing through the Carolinas, still recovering from Hurricane Florence last month.

Energy companies halted nearly a fifth of Gulf of Mexico oil production and evacuated personnel from 10 platforms on Monday.

The Gulf of Mexico is home to 17 per cent of daily U.S. crude oil output and 5 per cent of daily natural gas output, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Florida's governor mobilized National Guard troops and thousands of Gulf Coast residents were ordered evacuated on Monday, two days before Hurricane Michael was forecast to slam ashore with life-threatening waves, winds and rains.

Florida's governor mobilized National Guard troops and thousands of Gulf Coast residents were ordered evacuated on Monday, two days before Hurricane Michael was forecast to slam ashore with life-threatening waves, winds and rains. Michael was packing sustained winds of up to 85 miles per hour (140 kph) and gaining strength as it skirted past Cuba's western tip en route to a likely Wednesday landfall as the most powerful storm to strike the Florida Panhandle in at least a decade. Currently ranked as a Category 1 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale, Michael could grow into a Category 3, becoming the second major hurricane in the Atlantic basin this year following Florence last month, forecasters said. The storm is expected to unleash coastal storm surges of up to 12 feet (3.7 meters) along Florida's Panhandle and dump as much as a foot (30 cm) of rain across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported. The NHC warned that both could trigger deadly flooding and that residents within the hurricane warning zone should likewise "prepare for life-threatening winds." Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 35 counties along Florida's Panhandle and Big Bend regions. Mandatory evacuations were under way in coastal areas, with 1,250 National Guard soldiers aiding the process and more than 4,000 troops placed on standby, Scott tweeted. "The FL panhandle needs to be prepared for a direct hit with sustained hurricane force winds," Scott wrote on Twitter on Monday. In Gulf County alone, the first to begin ordering residents of low-lying areas to higher ground, mandatory evacuation notices encompassed an estimated 3,800 homes, said Jessica Sasich of the county's emergency operations centre. Many are located in the coastal town of Port St. Joe, the county's largest municipality, lying directly in the hurricane's projected path, she said. In neighbouring Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey declared an emergency for the entire state on Monday in anticipation of wind damage, heavy rains and power outages. Michael kills 13 in Central America As the storm moved north it battered Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba with drenching rains and winds of up to 80 mph (130 kph), the Miami-based hurricane centre said. Torrential downpours and flash-flooding over the weekend caused 13 deaths in Central America after Michael formed off the coast of northern Honduras. In Florida, state offices, schools and universities were set to close on Tuesday through the end of the week in panhandle counties. Some beach town residents were left to decide on their own for the time being whether to leave their homes. "I haven't made up my mind yet, but I know some of my staff are going," said Dave Trepanier, owner of Firefly, a restaurant a block from the beach in Panama City, Bay County, an area where the hurricane is expected to come ashore. Lines at gasoline stations were growing long in Panama City as people prepared to leave areas under mandatory evacuation, Trepanier said. Hurricane Michael would be the first major hurricane to hit the panhandle since Hurricane Dennis in 2005, which made landfall near Pensacola, according to hurricane centre data. After striking Florida, Michael is forecast to move up the East Coast on Wednesday and Thursday ploughing through the Carolinas, still recovering from Hurricane Florence last month. Energy companies halted nearly a fifth of Gulf of Mexico oil production and evacuated personnel from 10 platforms on Monday. The Gulf of Mexico is home to 17 per cent of daily U.S. crude oil output and 5 per cent of daily natural gas output, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Hurricane Michael menaces Florida after fatal flooding in Central America

Tropical storm Michael strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane Monday as it barreled toward the US Gulf Coast packing maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, meteorologists said.

The weather system was located between Mexico's Yucatan peninsula and the west coast of Cuba by 1500 GMT and was heading slowly towards the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said.

It is expected to be a major Category 3 hurricane by the time it hits Florida on Wednesday, before moving northeast across the southeastern United States through Thursday.&nbsp;

"#Michael could produce three life-threatening hazards along portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast: storm surge, heavy rainfall, and hurricane-force winds, with storm surge and hurricane watches in effect," the NHC said on Twitter.

"Residents in these areas should follow advice given by local officials."

Heavy rainfall from Michael could produce "life-threatening flash flooding," the NHC said, from the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region into portions of the Carolinas through Thursday.

The first rains from Michael were already beginning to soak the Florida Keys on Monday, with up to four inches (10 centimeters) expected to fall through Tuesday.

Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 26 counties.

Get ready 'right now'&nbsp;

"This morning I met with local officials and emergency management professionals in Bay County in preparation for Hurricane Michael," he tweeted.

"I will be in Pasco County this afternoon to give another briefing. FL families need to get ready for this storm RIGHT NOW."

The Carolinas are on the long recovery from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month.

It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches (one meter) of rain.

Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the west Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Hurricane Harvey -- causing a record-equaling $125 billion (107 billion euros) in damages when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area.

For this hurricane season, the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting service and Britain's Met Office predict between five and nine storms of Category 3 or stronger.&nbsp;

Scientists have long warned that global warming will make cyclones more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible.

At their most fearsome, these low-pressure weather fronts pack more power than the energy released by the atomic bomb that levelled Hiroshima.

"EVERY FAMILY must be prepared. We can rebuild your home, but we cannot rebuild your life," Scott added.

Tropical storm Michael strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane Monday as it barreled toward the US Gulf Coast packing maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, meteorologists said.

Tropical storm Michael strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane Monday as it barreled toward the US Gulf Coast packing maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, meteorologists said. The weather system was located between Mexico's Yucatan peninsula and the west coast of Cuba by 1500 GMT and was heading slowly towards the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said. It is expected to be a major Category 3 hurricane by the time it hits Florida on Wednesday, before moving northeast across the southeastern United States through Thursday. "#Michael could produce three life-threatening hazards along portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast: storm surge, heavy rainfall, and hurricane-force winds, with storm surge and hurricane watches in effect," the NHC said on Twitter. "Residents in these areas should follow advice given by local officials." Heavy rainfall from Michael could produce "life-threatening flash flooding," the NHC said, from the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region into portions of the Carolinas through Thursday. The first rains from Michael were already beginning to soak the Florida Keys on Monday, with up to four inches (10 centimeters) expected to fall through Tuesday. Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 26 counties. Get ready 'right now' "This morning I met with local officials and emergency management professionals in Bay County in preparation for Hurricane Michael," he tweeted. "I will be in Pasco County this afternoon to give another briefing. FL families need to get ready for this storm RIGHT NOW." The Carolinas are on the long recovery from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month. It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches (one meter) of rain. Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the west Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Hurricane Harvey -- causing a record-equaling $125 billion (107 billion euros) in damages when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area. For this hurricane season, the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting service and Britain's Met Office predict between five and nine storms of Category 3 or stronger. Scientists have long warned that global warming will make cyclones more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible. At their most fearsome, these low-pressure weather fronts pack more power than the energy released by the atomic bomb that levelled Hiroshima. "EVERY FAMILY must be prepared. We can rebuild your home, but we cannot rebuild your life," Scott added.

Tropical storm Michael upgraded to hurricane in Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Michael is on track to hit the Florida Panhandle midweek as a Category 2 hurricane packing 100 miles per hour (160 kmh) or stronger winds, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said early Monday in an advisory.

The tropical storm is expected to swell into a Category 1 hurricane as soon as Monday night or early Tuesday as it rolls into the US Gulf of Mexico, with winds of 70 mph, as of 5 am eastern time, forecasters said, just shy of being named a hurricane.

A storm is designated a Category 1 hurricane if it reaches speeds of 74 mph (119 km) or more, and a Category 2 hurricane at 96 mph (154 km) or more on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.

Florida Govt Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in more than 20 counties along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend on Sunday and has put more than 5,000 National Guard soldiers on alert.

"Our state understands how serious tropical weather is and how devastating any hurricane of tropical storm can be," Scott said in a statement.

He advised Gulf Coast residents to prepare for possible evacuation orders.

Michael battered parts of Mexico and Cuba with powerful winds and drenching rains on Sunday and into early Monday as it churned in the Caribbean.

The storm moved north on a path between Cozumel in southeastern Mexico and the western tip of Cuba, the Miami-based hurricane centre said.

A hurricane watch has been issued from the Alabama-Florida border eastward to the Suwanee River, Florida.

Outer bands from Michael are expected produce as much as 4 inches (10 cm) of rain through Tuesday in the Florida Keys, one of several areas in the state devastated by Hurricane Irma last year.

After hitting Florida, the storm is then forecast to move northeast along the Atlantic Coast and batter the Carolinas, which are still recovering from Hurricane Florence last month. That hurricane killed at least 50 people and caused billions of dollars in damage.

The Commodity Weather Group said on Sunday some oil rigs in the gulf area may be evacuated as a precaution, which may slow down operations but was not likely cause many interruptions.

The Gulf of Mexico is home to 17 per cent of US crude oil and 5 per cent of natural gas output daily, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

More than 45 per cent of the nation's refining capacity is located along the US Gulf Coast, which also is home to 51 per cent of total US natural gas processing capability.

Tropical Storm Michael is on track to hit the Florida Panhandle midweek as a Category 2 hurricane packing 100 miles per hour (160 kmh) or stronger winds, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said early Monday in an advisory.

Tropical Storm Michael is on track to hit the Florida Panhandle midweek as a Category 2 hurricane packing 100 miles per hour (160 kmh) or stronger winds, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said early Monday in an advisory. The tropical storm is expected to swell into a Category 1 hurricane as soon as Monday night or early Tuesday as it rolls into the US Gulf of Mexico, with winds of 70 mph, as of 5 am eastern time, forecasters said, just shy of being named a hurricane. A storm is designated a Category 1 hurricane if it reaches speeds of 74 mph (119 km) or more, and a Category 2 hurricane at 96 mph (154 km) or more on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Florida Govt Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in more than 20 counties along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend on Sunday and has put more than 5,000 National Guard soldiers on alert. "Our state understands how serious tropical weather is and how devastating any hurricane of tropical storm can be," Scott said in a statement. He advised Gulf Coast residents to prepare for possible evacuation orders. Michael battered parts of Mexico and Cuba with powerful winds and drenching rains on Sunday and into early Monday as it churned in the Caribbean. The storm moved north on a path between Cozumel in southeastern Mexico and the western tip of Cuba, the Miami-based hurricane centre said. A hurricane watch has been issued from the Alabama-Florida border eastward to the Suwanee River, Florida. Outer bands from Michael are expected produce as much as 4 inches (10 cm) of rain through Tuesday in the Florida Keys, one of several areas in the state devastated by Hurricane Irma last year. After hitting Florida, the storm is then forecast to move northeast along the Atlantic Coast and batter the Carolinas, which are still recovering from Hurricane Florence last month. That hurricane killed at least 50 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. The Commodity Weather Group said on Sunday some oil rigs in the gulf area may be evacuated as a precaution, which may slow down operations but was not likely cause many interruptions. The Gulf of Mexico is home to 17 per cent of US crude oil and 5 per cent of natural gas output daily, according to the US Energy Information Administration. More than 45 per cent of the nation's refining capacity is located along the US Gulf Coast, which also is home to 51 per cent of total US natural gas processing capability.

Storm Michael expected to hit Florida as a hurricane midweek

The metrological department in Thiruvananthapuram has issued a cyclone alert in Kerala with high waves expected to reach 11 feet along the coast.

&quot;Squally winds speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely over Comorin area,&quot; meterological office said.

Sea condition will be rough to very rough over Comorin and adjoining sea areas during next 48 hours, the metrological office observed.

Fishermen in the area have been asked not to venture into the sea. The weathermen have also said similar conditions will exist in Lakshadweep and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea during 12-14th March.

Sea condition will be rough to very rough over Comorin and adjoining sea areas during next 48 hours, the metrological office observed.

The metrological department in Thiruvananthapuram has issued a cyclone alert in Kerala with high waves expected to reach 11 feet along the coast. "Squally winds speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely over Comorin area," meterological office said. Sea condition will be rough to very rough over Comorin and adjoining sea areas during next 48 hours, the metrological office observed. Fishermen in the area have been asked not to venture into the sea. The weathermen have also said similar conditions will exist in Lakshadweep and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea during 12-14th March.

Cyclone alert along Kerala coast: Metrological department

Three Army soliders <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-heavy-snowfall-in-jk-jammu-srinagar-national-highway-closed-26507">have gone missing after a snow</a> avalanche at the Mani post in Bagtor Gurez sector along the Line of Control(LoC) in Bandipora.

Kashmir valley has been&nbsp;cut off from the rest of the country today with flights suspended at Srinagar airport due to low visiblity.

Jammu -Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic as J&amp;K&nbsp;received its first snowfall of the season.

Director, Srinagar airport, Sharad Kumar told PTI,&quot;Air traffic to and fro from Srinagar airport has been suspended due to low visibility.&quot;

&quot;The situation will be reviewed around noon and if visibility improves flight operations will be restored,&quot; he added.

Heavy snowfall was also reported in Himachal Pradesh including Shimla and Solang valley in Manali.

Jammu -Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic today as J&K?received its first snowfall of the season.

Three Army soliders have gone missing after a snow avalanche at the Mani post in Bagtor Gurez sector along the Line of Control(LoC) in Bandipora. Kashmir valley has been cut off from the rest of the country today with flights suspended at Srinagar airport due to low visiblity. Jammu -Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic as J&K received its first snowfall of the season. Director, Srinagar airport, Sharad Kumar told PTI,"Air traffic to and fro from Srinagar airport has been suspended due to low visibility." "The situation will be reviewed around noon and if visibility improves flight operations will be restored," he added. Heavy snowfall was also reported in Himachal Pradesh including Shimla and Solang valley in Manali.

3 Army soldiers missing in J&K avalanche, Kashmir valley cut off

Jammu -Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic today as Jammu and Kashmir received its first snowfall of the season.

Pir Panjal range witnessed heavy snowfall with the Mughal road closed for traffic. People in the state had to light fire to keep themselves warm.

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Jammu &amp; Kashmir: Srinagar receives season&#39;s first snowfall <a href="https://t.co/VGq0se3moc">pic.twitter.com/VGq0se3moc</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940420105678159873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Doda received fresh snowfall today with Kharapathar in Shimla shrouded in snow.

Solang valley in Manali was also covered under heavy snow on Tuesday morning.

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Himachal Pradesh: Snowfall continues in Lahul-Spiti district&#39;s Keylong. <a href="https://t.co/4yx2wmwbjV">pic.twitter.com/4yx2wmwbjV</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940250948869414912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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As forecast earlier showers lashed Delhi on Monday evening clearing the weather which has been hit due to pollution.

Pir Panjal range witnessed heavy snowfall with the Mughal road closed for traffic

Jammu -Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic today as Jammu and Kashmir received its first snowfall of the season. Pir Panjal range witnessed heavy snowfall with the Mughal road closed for traffic. People in the state had to light fire to keep themselves warm. Jammu & Kashmir: Srinagar receives season's first snowfall pic.twitter.com/VGq0se3moc — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × Doda received fresh snowfall today with Kharapathar in Shimla shrouded in snow. Solang valley in Manali was also covered under heavy snow on Tuesday morning. Himachal Pradesh: Snowfall continues in Lahul-Spiti district's Keylong. pic.twitter.com/4yx2wmwbjV — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017 × As forecast earlier showers lashed Delhi on Monday evening clearing the weather which has been hit due to pollution.

Watch: Heavy snowfall in J&K, Jammu-Srinagar national highway closed

Cyclone Ockhi is expected <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-at-least-16-dead-several-missing-as-cyclone-ockhi-nears-lakshadweep-sri-lanka-25598">to make landfall in Maharashtra and south Gujarat </a>in the next 24 hours, the Indian Metrological Department(IMD) said.

India&#39;s Metrological Department <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-indian-navy-finds-9-kochi-fishermen-missing-for-15-days-25804">said heavy&nbsp;rains are likely to occur over </a>north Konkan and Goa including Mumbai tonight.&nbsp;

Several districts in Gujarat will also receive &quot;light rains with increased intensity&quot;, the weather forecaster said, adding, that sea conditions will become rough over north Maharashtra and Gujarat coast.

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Mumbai: 12 Ships, 3 Dornier aircraft and 3 helicopters deployed by Coast Guard Region (West) for providing critical assistance to the fishermen at sea. Coast Guard District Headquarters at Cochin &amp; Kavaratti directed to provide assistance to stranded fishermen <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/SByv7juTDT">pic.twitter.com/SByv7juTDT</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937637334555619328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The IMD has warned fishermen in the Maharashtra and Gujarat area not to venture into the sea. India&#39;s defence forces are continuing efforts to airlift fishermen in the area&nbsp;who have been caught in the cyclone.

India has deployed ten Naval ships and eight aircrafts to assist in rescue and relief effort. The cyclone has claimed 14 lives in Kerala and Tamil Nadu&nbsp; 
with several fishermen still missing.

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Spoke to CMs of Tamil Nadu &amp; Kerala &amp; also to Administrator of Lakshadweep regarding situation in areas affected by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a>. Centre is providing all possible assistance to these states/UT. Rescue &amp; relief ops. are going on in full swing, tweets HM Rajnath Singh (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/C3A8vzkgqr">pic.twitter.com/C3A8vzkgqr</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937634299074842629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Kerala state emergency department said nearly 3,200 people were in relief camps with schools and colleges shut with at least 4,000 powerlines affected in the state.

Meanwhile, cyclone Ockhi has caused widespread damage in Sri Lanka with at least 77,000 people in sixteen districts affected in the island nation.

The southern Galle district has been badly hit by the cyclone. Nearly 4,000 people are in Sri Lankan relief camps, Reuters reported.

While Cyclone Ockhi was said to be weakening, another tropical storm was brewing in the Bay of Bengal on the east coast, officials said.

 
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India's Metrological Department said light rains are likely to occur over north Konkan and Goa including Mumbai tonight.?

Cyclone Ockhi is expected to make landfall in Maharashtra and south Gujarat in the next 24 hours, the Indian Metrological Department(IMD) said. India's Metrological Department said heavy rains are likely to occur over north Konkan and Goa including Mumbai tonight. Several districts in Gujarat will also receive "light rains with increased intensity", the weather forecaster said, adding, that sea conditions will become rough over north Maharashtra and Gujarat coast. Mumbai: 12 Ships, 3 Dornier aircraft and 3 helicopters deployed by Coast Guard Region (West) for providing critical assistance to the fishermen at sea. Coast Guard District Headquarters at Cochin & Kavaratti directed to provide assistance to stranded fishermen #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/SByv7juTDT — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × The IMD has warned fishermen in the Maharashtra and Gujarat area not to venture into the sea. India's defence forces are continuing efforts to airlift fishermen in the area who have been caught in the cyclone. India has deployed ten Naval ships and eight aircrafts to assist in rescue and relief effort. The cyclone has claimed 14 lives in Kerala and Tamil Nadu with several fishermen still missing. Spoke to CMs of Tamil Nadu & Kerala & also to Administrator of Lakshadweep regarding situation in areas affected by #CycloneOckhi. Centre is providing all possible assistance to these states/UT. Rescue & relief ops. are going on in full swing, tweets HM Rajnath Singh (File pic) pic.twitter.com/C3A8vzkgqr — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Kerala state emergency department said nearly 3,200 people were in relief camps with schools and colleges shut with at least 4,000 powerlines affected in the state. Meanwhile, cyclone Ockhi has caused widespread damage in Sri Lanka with at least 77,000 people in sixteen districts affected in the island nation. The southern Galle district has been badly hit by the cyclone. Nearly 4,000 people are in Sri Lankan relief camps, Reuters reported. While Cyclone Ockhi was said to be weakening, another tropical storm was brewing in the Bay of Bengal on the east coast, officials said.

Tracking Cyclone Ockhi: Heavy rain expected in Mumbai, Gujarat

Thane and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tracking-cyclone-ockhi-heavy-rain-expected-in-mumbai-gujarat-25828">Navi Mumbai received rains ahead </a>of Cyclone Ockhi&#39;s arrival as the India&#39;s weather department warned&nbsp;the cyclone could reach Maharashtra and south Gujarat&nbsp;in the next 24 hours.

Maharashtra&#39;s Education and Sports minister Vinod Tawde said all schools and colleges in Mumbai&#39;s metropolitan region including Sindhudurga, Thane Raigad and Palghar Districts&nbsp;would remain closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure against cyclone Ockhi.

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Precautionary holiday declared on 5/12/17 for schools and colleges in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Sindhudurga, Thane, Raigad and Palghar Districts for the safety of the students due to the serious weather predictions on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiRains?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiRains</a>
&mdash; Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) <a href="https://twitter.com/TawdeVinod/status/937679179096584192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Indian Metrological Department(IMD) has predicted the cyclone will reach north Konkan and Goa including Mumbai tonight.&nbsp;

IMD official Pankaj Kumar said cyclone Ockhi is likely to cross south Gujarat near Surat by December 5.

The Gujarat government has issued instructions to district magistrates, asking them to take adequate precautionary measures. The Gujarat government has deployed National Disaster Relief Force&nbsp;(NDRF) teams as the cyclone nears the state.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a> INS Kalpeni rescued 11 fishermen off the coast of Kochi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/dUE8PONK1K">pic.twitter.com/dUE8PONK1K</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937684083475341312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, angry fishermen protested before Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan when he visited a fishing village in the state capital, reports said. There were also protests by fishermen reportedly in Kanyakumari.

Home minister Rajnath Singh has promised &quot;all possible assistance to states and Union territories&quot; affected by Cyclone Ockhi.

Rescue &amp; relief operations are on in full swing, the home minister said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a> INS Kalpeni rescued 11 fishermen off the coast of Kochi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/dUE8PONK1K">pic.twitter.com/dUE8PONK1K</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937684083475341312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The cyclone has left a trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu. At least 19 people have been killed with several still missing in the sea.

The cyclone has&nbsp;destroyed several powerlines and houses in the state.

 
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Maharashtra's minister Vinod Tawde said all schools and colleges in Mumbai's metropolitan region would remain closed on Tuesday

Thane and Navi Mumbai received rains ahead of Cyclone Ockhi's arrival as the India's weather department warned the cyclone could reach Maharashtra and south Gujarat in the next 24 hours. Maharashtra's Education and Sports minister Vinod Tawde said all schools and colleges in Mumbai's metropolitan region including Sindhudurga, Thane Raigad and Palghar Districts would remain closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure against cyclone Ockhi. Precautionary holiday declared on 5/12/17 for schools and colleges in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Sindhudurga, Thane, Raigad and Palghar Districts for the safety of the students due to the serious weather predictions on #CycloneOckhi #MumbaiRains — Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) December 4, 2017 × The Indian Metrological Department(IMD) has predicted the cyclone will reach north Konkan and Goa including Mumbai tonight. IMD official Pankaj Kumar said cyclone Ockhi is likely to cross south Gujarat near Surat by December 5. The Gujarat government has issued instructions to district magistrates, asking them to take adequate precautionary measures. The Gujarat government has deployed National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) teams as the cyclone nears the state. #Kerala INS Kalpeni rescued 11 fishermen off the coast of Kochi #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/dUE8PONK1K — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Meanwhile, angry fishermen protested before Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan when he visited a fishing village in the state capital, reports said. There were also protests by fishermen reportedly in Kanyakumari. Home minister Rajnath Singh has promised "all possible assistance to states and Union territories" affected by Cyclone Ockhi. Rescue & relief operations are on in full swing, the home minister said. #Kerala INS Kalpeni rescued 11 fishermen off the coast of Kochi #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/dUE8PONK1K — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × The cyclone has left a trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu. At least 19 people have been killed with several still missing in the sea. The cyclone has destroyed several powerlines and houses in the state.

Watch: Rains lash Thane, Navi Mumbai as Cyclone Ockhi approaches Maharashtra coast

Wildfires whipped by strong wind gusts spawned by Hurricane Ophelia burned across northwestern Spain on Sunday, leaving three people dead, officials said.

Fifteen separate wildfires which posed a risk to built-up areas were raging across the region of Galicia, the head of the regional government, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said.

The flames were being fanned by wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres (55 miles) per hour as Hurricane Ophelia moved north off the coast of Spain towards Ireland, he told private television La Sexta.

&quot;The situation is critical,&quot; he said.

Feijoo said &quot;thousands&quot; of firefighters, soldiers and locals were battling the blazes, which were fueled by drought conditions and unusually high temperatures for this time of the year.

&quot;We have not had a situation like this in the past decade. We have never deployed so many means at this time of the year,&quot; he said.

Two people died after they became trapped by flames in their van near the town of Nigran as they tried to flee the area, the deputy mayor of Nigran, Raquel Giraldez, told AFP.

An elderly man was found in a shed behind his house in the town of Carballeda de Avia that was engulfed by flames, regional government officials said.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is from Galicia, expressed his condolences to the victims in a Twitter message.

Five wildfires were raging near Vigo, Galicia&#39;s biggest city, forcing the evacuation of a shopping mall and a PSA Peugeot Citroen factory on the outskirts of the city.

The flames had reached O Castro, a large hilltop park in the heart of Vigo with sweeping views of the city&#39;s estuary, Spanish public television TVE reported.

Images broadcast on Spanish TV showed local residents, their mouths and noses covered with handkerchiefs, battling the flames with buckets and pans of water.

Vigo mayor Abel Caballero appealed for calm and urged local residents to shut their windows to keep out the smoke which was engulfing the city.

&quot;We are making a huge effort, the fires near homes are being brought under control, with much help from locals,&quot; he told TVE.

The city of around 300,000 residents has opened up two sports centres and booked rooms in three hotels for people who were forced to evacuate their homes.

At least 10 schools cancelled classes on Monday in Vigo because of the flames, local officials said.

&#39;Intentional fires&#39;&nbsp;

Spanish state-owned rail operator Renfe said it had cancelled a train linking Vigo to Barcelona because of the wildfires.

Several roads in Galicia were closed because of the flames, local officials said.

Feijoo said arsonists were to blame for many of the blazes.

&quot;They are absolutely intentional fires, meditated, caused by people who know what they are doing,&quot; he told reporters.

The national weather office is forecasting rain and cooler temperatures in Galicia beginning early on Monday which officials hope will help put out the flames.

Meteorologists say Ophelia is the most powerful hurricane recorded so far east in the Atlantic and the first since 1939 to travel so far north.

When it reaches Ireland on Monday it is expected to weaken to a &quot;post-tropical storm&quot;, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

Fifteen separate wildfires which posed a risk to built-up areas were raging across the region of Galicia, the head of the regional government, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said

Wildfires whipped by strong wind gusts spawned by Hurricane Ophelia burned across northwestern Spain on Sunday, leaving three people dead, officials said. Fifteen separate wildfires which posed a risk to built-up areas were raging across the region of Galicia, the head of the regional government, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said. The flames were being fanned by wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres (55 miles) per hour as Hurricane Ophelia moved north off the coast of Spain towards Ireland, he told private television La Sexta. "The situation is critical," he said. Feijoo said "thousands" of firefighters, soldiers and locals were battling the blazes, which were fueled by drought conditions and unusually high temperatures for this time of the year. "We have not had a situation like this in the past decade. We have never deployed so many means at this time of the year," he said. Two people died after they became trapped by flames in their van near the town of Nigran as they tried to flee the area, the deputy mayor of Nigran, Raquel Giraldez, told AFP. An elderly man was found in a shed behind his house in the town of Carballeda de Avia that was engulfed by flames, regional government officials said. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is from Galicia, expressed his condolences to the victims in a Twitter message. Five wildfires were raging near Vigo, Galicia's biggest city, forcing the evacuation of a shopping mall and a PSA Peugeot Citroen factory on the outskirts of the city. The flames had reached O Castro, a large hilltop park in the heart of Vigo with sweeping views of the city's estuary, Spanish public television TVE reported. Images broadcast on Spanish TV showed local residents, their mouths and noses covered with handkerchiefs, battling the flames with buckets and pans of water. Vigo mayor Abel Caballero appealed for calm and urged local residents to shut their windows to keep out the smoke which was engulfing the city. "We are making a huge effort, the fires near homes are being brought under control, with much help from locals," he told TVE. The city of around 300,000 residents has opened up two sports centres and booked rooms in three hotels for people who were forced to evacuate their homes. At least 10 schools cancelled classes on Monday in Vigo because of the flames, local officials said. 'Intentional fires' Spanish state-owned rail operator Renfe said it had cancelled a train linking Vigo to Barcelona because of the wildfires. Several roads in Galicia were closed because of the flames, local officials said. Feijoo said arsonists were to blame for many of the blazes. "They are absolutely intentional fires, meditated, caused by people who know what they are doing," he told reporters. The national weather office is forecasting rain and cooler temperatures in Galicia beginning early on Monday which officials hope will help put out the flames. Meteorologists say Ophelia is the most powerful hurricane recorded so far east in the Atlantic and the first since 1939 to travel so far north. When it reaches Ireland on Monday it is expected to weaken to a "post-tropical storm", according to the US National Hurricane Center.

3 dead as Hurricane Ophelia fans wildfires in Spain

Schools were closed Monday as Ireland braced for an &quot;unprecedented storm&quot;, with authorities warning that violent winds, rain and storm surges could pose a risk to life.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/ireland-braces-for-worst-atlantic-storm-ophelia-6054">Ophelia, the largest hurricane ever recorded</a> so far east in the Atlantic Ocean, was downgraded to a storm before it hit the Irish coast but the Met Eireann national weather service warned people to remain indoors.

&quot;Ex-hurricane Ophelia is forecast to track directly over Ireland during daytime today. Violent and destructive gusts are forecast with all areas at risk,&quot; the service said early Monday.

It warned of &quot;heavy rain and storm surges along some coasts will result in flooding. There is a potential risk to lives&quot;.

The education ministry said &quot;all schools, colleges and other educational institutions&quot; would be closed on Monday, after official advice on what it called an &quot;unprecedented storm&quot;.

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Sunday that defence forces would be deployed to areas due to be hit by the storm.

Cork airport in the southwest cancelled a number of flights. Speed restrictions were placed on trains, and some lines in the south were cancelled.&nbsp;

Government offices were also closed across the country.

Met Eireann issued a nationwide &quot;status red&quot; alert, while a less serious amber wind warning has been issued for Northern Ireland during the afternoon.

&quot;By the time Ophelia reaches our latitudes, she will be weakening and will be an ex-hurricane,&quot; said Steve Ramsdale, chief forecaster at Britain&#39;s Met Office national weather service.

&quot;However, Ex-Ophelia will be bringing some significant impacts to Northern Ireland and western and northern Britain on Monday and Tuesday.&quot;

Scotland, Wales and parts of England were under yellow warnings issued by the Met Office, which forecast &quot;very strong winds&quot; and heavy rain in some areas.

The storm came 30 years to the day of the Great Storm, which ravaged southern England in the early hours of October 16, 1987, leaving 18 people dead.

High Alert

Ophelia is the 15th named storm of the 2017 Atlantic season, which is expected to last until the end of November.

Three major hurricanes -- Harvey, Irma and Maria -- caused catastrophic damage in the Caribbean and the US Gulf Coast.

Meteorologists say Ophelia was the most powerful hurricane recorded so far east in the Atlantic and the first since 1939 to travel so far north.

It was classed Category 3 on Saturday as it passed near Portugal&#39;s Azores islands, which means it packed winds of at least 178 kilometres (110 miles) per hour.

When Ophelia reaches Ireland on Monday it was expected to weaken to a &quot;powerful extra-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds&quot;, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

Matt Crofts, a lifesaving manager with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said the seas could be &quot;particularly dangerous and unpredictable&quot;.

&quot;Stormy conditions may be tempting to watch but big waves can easily knock you off your feet,&quot; he said.

&quot;We understand why people want to experience extreme weather, but it&#39;s not worth risking your life, so we strongly urge people to respect the water and watch from a safe distance.&quot;

Seven of the nine islands in the Azores were put on high alert for the storm&#39;s passage, but it did not cause major damage, authorities told reporters.

In Spain, three people have died in wildfires whipped by strong wind gusts spawned by Hurricane Ophelia.

Six people have also died in wildfires in Portugal, which local authorities said had been exacerbated by drought.

Ophelia, the largest hurricane ever recorded so far east in the Atlantic Ocean, was downgraded to a storm before it hit the Irish coast but the Met Eireann national weather service warned people to remain indoors

Schools were closed Monday as Ireland braced for an "unprecedented storm", with authorities warning that violent winds, rain and storm surges could pose a risk to life. Ophelia, the largest hurricane ever recorded so far east in the Atlantic Ocean, was downgraded to a storm before it hit the Irish coast but the Met Eireann national weather service warned people to remain indoors. "Ex-hurricane Ophelia is forecast to track directly over Ireland during daytime today. Violent and destructive gusts are forecast with all areas at risk," the service said early Monday. It warned of "heavy rain and storm surges along some coasts will result in flooding. There is a potential risk to lives". The education ministry said "all schools, colleges and other educational institutions" would be closed on Monday, after official advice on what it called an "unprecedented storm". Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Sunday that defence forces would be deployed to areas due to be hit by the storm. Cork airport in the southwest cancelled a number of flights. Speed restrictions were placed on trains, and some lines in the south were cancelled. Government offices were also closed across the country. Met Eireann issued a nationwide "status red" alert, while a less serious amber wind warning has been issued for Northern Ireland during the afternoon. "By the time Ophelia reaches our latitudes, she will be weakening and will be an ex-hurricane," said Steve Ramsdale, chief forecaster at Britain's Met Office national weather service. "However, Ex-Ophelia will be bringing some significant impacts to Northern Ireland and western and northern Britain on Monday and Tuesday." Scotland, Wales and parts of England were under yellow warnings issued by the Met Office, which forecast "very strong winds" and heavy rain in some areas. The storm came 30 years to the day of the Great Storm, which ravaged southern England in the early hours of October 16, 1987, leaving 18 people dead. High Alert Ophelia is the 15th named storm of the 2017 Atlantic season, which is expected to last until the end of November. Three major hurricanes -- Harvey, Irma and Maria -- caused catastrophic damage in the Caribbean and the US Gulf Coast. Meteorologists say Ophelia was the most powerful hurricane recorded so far east in the Atlantic and the first since 1939 to travel so far north. It was classed Category 3 on Saturday as it passed near Portugal's Azores islands, which means it packed winds of at least 178 kilometres (110 miles) per hour. When Ophelia reaches Ireland on Monday it was expected to weaken to a "powerful extra-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds", according to the US National Hurricane Center. Matt Crofts, a lifesaving manager with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said the seas could be "particularly dangerous and unpredictable". "Stormy conditions may be tempting to watch but big waves can easily knock you off your feet," he said. "We understand why people want to experience extreme weather, but it's not worth risking your life, so we strongly urge people to respect the water and watch from a safe distance." Seven of the nine islands in the Azores were put on high alert for the storm's passage, but it did not cause major damage, authorities told reporters. In Spain, three people have died in wildfires whipped by strong wind gusts spawned by Hurricane Ophelia. Six people have also died in wildfires in Portugal, which local authorities said had been exacerbated by drought.

Ireland closes schools as major storm approaches

By September 20, 2017, weather experts were already forecasting that Hurricane Maria, characterised as a category 4 storm, had potential to cause major catastrophic damage in Puerto Rico,&nbsp;a United States territory. President Donald J. Trump also initially acknowledged the measured severity of the storm through his Presidential tweet-communications that seem to by-pass, if not, displace traditional White House communication practices. Trump tweeted, &ldquo;Puerto Rico being hit hard by new monster Hurricane. Be careful, our hearts are with you &ndash; will be there to help&rdquo;. This was Trump assuring Puerto Ricans,&nbsp;who are also U.S. citizens, that the federal government would be ready to assist immediately post-Hurricane Maria.

When Trump delivered this direct communication to U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico, most would have assumed, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, that his confident posture stemmed &ndash; not from his usual campaign-style bravado &ndash; but rather from knowing the needs of the island-residents and physical damage to the island. Thus, the popular assumption was that the president stood ready to send Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Health &amp; Human Services (DHHS) officials and workers as emergency first-responders to the overseas U.S. territory.&nbsp;

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<h5>Trump, finally, reacted to the devastation facing Puerto Rico, largely, because of media pressures.</h5>
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Yet, in reality for Puerto Ricans, and the international community, the President&rsquo;s rhetoric amounted to more symbolic gestures and less concrete political action. Instead of reacting promptly to these citizens&rsquo; urgent demands, Trump chose to distract the American people and the national media. He, thus, wasted precious time that should have been used to deal with Puerto Rico&rsquo;s increasing humanitarian crisis.

Trump, finally, reacted to the devastation facing Puerto Rico, largely, because of media pressures and as there were critical comments on how slow the federal response was in comparison to other recent American crises in Texas and Florida. Strong criticism came from Puerto Rico Governor Rossell&oacute; and, more recently, from San Juan Mayor Carmen Yul&iacute;n Cruz. Thus, when U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico needed presidential moral and substantive leadership, Trump made the wrong choices, which he continues to downplay, or blame others for and not his failed leadership.

Trump had the chance to show real leadership by immediately sending the necessary resources, including the assistance of the military to Puerto Rico where U.S. citizens are lacking sufficient food, water and electricity.

Puerto Rico is now a major humanitarian crisis: at least 16 deaths have been reported, and some experts estimate that over $30 billion in physical &amp; economic damages will accrue. The federal government&rsquo;s slow response under Trump&rsquo;s callous attitude &ndash; despite his tweets &ndash; reflects something fundamental: Trump&rsquo;s increasingly wrongheaded choices since assuming office January 2017.&nbsp;

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<h5>The U.S. federal government&rsquo;s full economic control of Puerto Rico is the main contributor to the current post-hurricane humanitarian crisis.</h5>
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First, his decision not to waive&nbsp;the Jones Act/Merchant Marine Law of 1920 (this law means that &ldquo;any foreign registry vessel that enters Puerto Rico must pay punitive tariffs, fees and taxes, which are passed on to the Puerto Rican consumer&rdquo;) as he previously did following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in Texas and Florida, and second, his failure to visit Puerto Rico within a few hours/days after the hurricane reveals his fundamental disconnect with the gloomy realities developing on the island.

Trump lost an opportunity to enhance his credibility, as well as, that of his divided Republican Party, among Puerto Ricans and Latinos more generally. Although it would not have made a difference considering at least 60 per cent&nbsp;of Latinos have historically supported Democrats. Trump only reversed his decision on the Jones Act (a waiver that will only be in effect for 10 days) because of mounting pressure from Puerto Rican officials, Democratic Congress members, and national media.

Trump&rsquo;s lack of empathy for his fellow U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico is consistent with his failed Presidency that is only several months in and already showing signs of rapid decline with another cabinet member resigning even as I write.

Indeed, Puerto Ricans have U.S. citizens under the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 and have historically served honourably in the U.S. military. Nevertheless, the U.S. federal government has restricted not only individual political rights but also the island&rsquo;s economic liberalism and overall development. For example, even President Obama, a supposed progressive liberal democrat, chose to protect bondholder interests over the rights of ordinary U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico.

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<h5>Having U.S. citizenship does not automatically mean Puerto Ricans enjoy full political &amp; social rights and privileges as others do on the mainland.&nbsp;</h5>
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The U.S. federal government&rsquo;s full economic control of Puerto Rico is the main contributor to the current post-hurricane humanitarian crisis. In a recent New York Times opinion editorial, Nelson A. Denis shows how much of the current crisis is due to Puerto Rico&#39;s &#39;captive market&#39; of the heavy weight of U.S. colonial policies.&nbsp;

In fact, Puerto Ricans have historically migrated to the mainland U.S., searching for financial and socio-economic stability because of these policies; travelling for more jobs, and educational opportunities to places like New York, Illinois, and Florida, for example. Yet, when you couple these factors with events due to climate chaos like recent Hurricanes Irma and Maria that hit Puerto Rico (Maria has been called the most powerful hurricane in 80 years), you basically get climate refugees. However, having U.S. citizenship does not automatically mean Puerto Ricans enjoy full political &amp; social rights and privileges as others do on the mainland.&nbsp;

As a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico, I take President Trump&rsquo;s slow response to the Puerto Rico humanitarian crisis seriously as should others. I was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, which is located a few miles south of San Juan and raised in New York City and Trenton, New Jersey. &nbsp;My perspective is not unique, but&nbsp;I share it solely to highlight the fact that, since at least the mid-2000s, Puerto Rico&rsquo;s population has declined from 3.7 million to 3.4 million partly due to having access to mainland economic markets through a limited statutory form of U.S. citizenship on the island.

Puerto Rico&rsquo;s long-standing colonial territorial status, deceivingly called Free Associated State or Commonwealth, means the U.S. Congress not only maintains complete sovereign rule over the territory, including having the final word on the political status question but also controls over 80 per cent of the island&rsquo;s economy. The Jones Act, as already mentioned, reinforces the colonial ties between the U.S. and Puerto Rico, which diminishes any form, or level of individual citizenship.&nbsp;

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<h5>Moving forward, we need real Presidential leadership because it is sometimes a matter of life and death, and not about ratings, popularity, or reality television, Mr Trump.</h5>
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Trump&#39;s divisive politics is obviously not new; it was evident even prior to the surprising November 2016 presidential election outcome.&nbsp;What is quite outrageous is the extent of Trump&#39;s bluster and wrongheaded choices now as the president.&nbsp;His explicit promotion of white nationalist ideology and disregard for the U.S. Constitution should raise real concerns among moderate, and even right of centered Republicans, let along the rest of Americans.&nbsp;As a candidate, Trump was tolerated by the conservative and GOP establishment who were hoping to regain the White House, while keeping out of national power another Clinton.&nbsp;

Last, let&#39;s look at Puerto Rico&rsquo;s humanitarian crisis from a slightly different perspective, and think more clearly about Trump&#39;s wrongheaded choices.&nbsp;Puerto Rico has a current population of approximately 3.4 million, which means there are more U.S. citizens living on the island than there are in at least 17 mainland states: Iowa (3.1), Utah (3.0), Arkansas (2.9), Kansas (2.9), Mississippi (2.9), Nevada (2.0), New Mexico (2.0), Nebraska (1.9), West Virginia (1.8), Idaho (1.6), Hawaii (1.4), Maine (1.3), Rhode Island (1.0), Montana (1.0), Delaware (0.9), South Dakota (0.8), and Alaska (0.7).&nbsp;

If any of these states were to experience the similar level of devastation as is seen in Puerto Rico, I doubt Trump and the federal government would have taken so long to provide the necessary assistance, resources, and funding. Beyond tweeting, Trump as the president and a businessman should have known the complexity surrounding Puerto Rico&rsquo;s pre- and post-Hurricane Maria humanitarian crisis: &quot;This is an ISLAND, surrounded by water. Big water. Ocean water.&quot;

This is about making the right choices for U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico, and elsewhere. Moving forward, we need real Presidential leadership because it is sometimes a matter of life and death, and not about ratings, popularity, or reality television, Mr Trump.&nbsp;

This&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/north_america/donald-trump-puerto-rico-crisis-hurricane-maria-latest-news-94045/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a>&nbsp;has been originally published in Fair Observer.

The US president failed to take preventive measures to control grievous damages in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

By September 20, 2017, weather experts were already forecasting that Hurricane Maria, characterised as a category 4 storm, had potential to cause major catastrophic damage in Puerto Rico, a United States territory. President Donald J. Trump also initially acknowledged the measured severity of the storm through his Presidential tweet-communications that seem to by-pass, if not, displace traditional White House communication practices. Trump tweeted, “Puerto Rico being hit hard by new monster Hurricane. Be careful, our hearts are with you – will be there to help”. This was Trump assuring Puerto Ricans, who are also U.S. citizens, that the federal government would be ready to assist immediately post-Hurricane Maria. When Trump delivered this direct communication to U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico, most would have assumed, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, that his confident posture stemmed – not from his usual campaign-style bravado – but rather from knowing the needs of the island-residents and physical damage to the island. Thus, the popular assumption was that the president stood ready to send Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) officials and workers as emergency first-responders to the overseas U.S. territory. Trump, finally, reacted to the devastation facing Puerto Rico, largely, because of media pressures. × Yet, in reality for Puerto Ricans, and the international community, the President’s rhetoric amounted to more symbolic gestures and less concrete political action. Instead of reacting promptly to these citizens’ urgent demands, Trump chose to distract the American people and the national media. He, thus, wasted precious time that should have been used to deal with Puerto Rico’s increasing humanitarian crisis. Trump, finally, reacted to the devastation facing Puerto Rico, largely, because of media pressures and as there were critical comments on how slow the federal response was in comparison to other recent American crises in Texas and Florida. Strong criticism came from Puerto Rico Governor Rosselló and, more recently, from San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz. Thus, when U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico needed presidential moral and substantive leadership, Trump made the wrong choices, which he continues to downplay, or blame others for and not his failed leadership. Trump had the chance to show real leadership by immediately sending the necessary resources, including the assistance of the military to Puerto Rico where U.S. citizens are lacking sufficient food, water and electricity. Puerto Rico is now a major humanitarian crisis: at least 16 deaths have been reported, and some experts estimate that over $30 billion in physical & economic damages will accrue. The federal government’s slow response under Trump’s callous attitude – despite his tweets – reflects something fundamental: Trump’s increasingly wrongheaded choices since assuming office January 2017. The U.S. federal government’s full economic control of Puerto Rico is the main contributor to the current post-hurricane humanitarian crisis. × First, his decision not to waive the Jones Act/Merchant Marine Law of 1920 (this law means that “any foreign registry vessel that enters Puerto Rico must pay punitive tariffs, fees and taxes, which are passed on to the Puerto Rican consumer”) as he previously did following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in Texas and Florida, and second, his failure to visit Puerto Rico within a few hours/days after the hurricane reveals his fundamental disconnect with the gloomy realities developing on the island. Trump lost an opportunity to enhance his credibility, as well as, that of his divided Republican Party, among Puerto Ricans and Latinos more generally. Although it would not have made a difference considering at least 60 per cent of Latinos have historically supported Democrats. Trump only reversed his decision on the Jones Act (a waiver that will only be in effect for 10 days) because of mounting pressure from Puerto Rican officials, Democratic Congress members, and national media. Trump’s lack of empathy for his fellow U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico is consistent with his failed Presidency that is only several months in and already showing signs of rapid decline with another cabinet member resigning even as I write. Indeed, Puerto Ricans have U.S. citizens under the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 and have historically served honourably in the U.S. military. Nevertheless, the U.S. federal government has restricted not only individual political rights but also the island’s economic liberalism and overall development. For example, even President Obama, a supposed progressive liberal democrat, chose to protect bondholder interests over the rights of ordinary U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico. Having U.S. citizenship does not automatically mean Puerto Ricans enjoy full political & social rights and privileges as others do on the mainland. × The U.S. federal government’s full economic control of Puerto Rico is the main contributor to the current post-hurricane humanitarian crisis. In a recent New York Times opinion editorial, Nelson A. Denis shows how much of the current crisis is due to Puerto Rico's 'captive market' of the heavy weight of U.S. colonial policies. In fact, Puerto Ricans have historically migrated to the mainland U.S., searching for financial and socio-economic stability because of these policies; travelling for more jobs, and educational opportunities to places like New York, Illinois, and Florida, for example. Yet, when you couple these factors with events due to climate chaos like recent Hurricanes Irma and Maria that hit Puerto Rico (Maria has been called the most powerful hurricane in 80 years), you basically get climate refugees. However, having U.S. citizenship does not automatically mean Puerto Ricans enjoy full political & social rights and privileges as others do on the mainland. As a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico, I take President Trump’s slow response to the Puerto Rico humanitarian crisis seriously as should others. I was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, which is located a few miles south of San Juan and raised in New York City and Trenton, New Jersey. My perspective is not unique, but I share it solely to highlight the fact that, since at least the mid-2000s, Puerto Rico’s population has declined from 3.7 million to 3.4 million partly due to having access to mainland economic markets through a limited statutory form of U.S. citizenship on the island. Puerto Rico’s long-standing colonial territorial status, deceivingly called Free Associated State or Commonwealth, means the U.S. Congress not only maintains complete sovereign rule over the territory, including having the final word on the political status question but also controls over 80 per cent of the island’s economy. The Jones Act, as already mentioned, reinforces the colonial ties between the U.S. and Puerto Rico, which diminishes any form, or level of individual citizenship. Moving forward, we need real Presidential leadership because it is sometimes a matter of life and death, and not about ratings, popularity, or reality television, Mr Trump. × Trump's divisive politics is obviously not new; it was evident even prior to the surprising November 2016 presidential election outcome. What is quite outrageous is the extent of Trump's bluster and wrongheaded choices now as the president. His explicit promotion of white nationalist ideology and disregard for the U.S. Constitution should raise real concerns among moderate, and even right of centered Republicans, let along the rest of Americans. As a candidate, Trump was tolerated by the conservative and GOP establishment who were hoping to regain the White House, while keeping out of national power another Clinton. Last, let's look at Puerto Rico’s humanitarian crisis from a slightly different perspective, and think more clearly about Trump's wrongheaded choices. Puerto Rico has a current population of approximately 3.4 million, which means there are more U.S. citizens living on the island than there are in at least 17 mainland states: Iowa (3.1), Utah (3.0), Arkansas (2.9), Kansas (2.9), Mississippi (2.9), Nevada (2.0), New Mexico (2.0), Nebraska (1.9), West Virginia (1.8), Idaho (1.6), Hawaii (1.4), Maine (1.3), Rhode Island (1.0), Montana (1.0), Delaware (0.9), South Dakota (0.8), and Alaska (0.7). If any of these states were to experience the similar level of devastation as is seen in Puerto Rico, I doubt Trump and the federal government would have taken so long to provide the necessary assistance, resources, and funding. Beyond tweeting, Trump as the president and a businessman should have known the complexity surrounding Puerto Rico’s pre- and post-Hurricane Maria humanitarian crisis: "This is an ISLAND, surrounded by water. Big water. Ocean water." This is about making the right choices for U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico, and elsewhere. Moving forward, we need real Presidential leadership because it is sometimes a matter of life and death, and not about ratings, popularity, or reality television, Mr Trump. This article has been originally published in Fair Observer.

What Trump's response was to Puerto Rico's humanitarian crisis

President Donald Trump on Sunday defended US efforts to bring relief to storm-battered Puerto Rico, even as one island official said Trump was trying to gloss over &quot;things that are not going well.&quot;

A day after Trump launched a Twitter attack against San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz following her desperate pleas for more help, he tweeted that &quot;we have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico.&quot;&nbsp;

Trump said US military teams and the Federal Emergency Management Agency were doing &quot;amazing work&quot; and credited the island&#39;s governor and others with a &quot;fantastic job.&quot;&nbsp;

But two weeks after devastating Hurricane Maria left much of the island without electricity, fresh water or sufficient food, many Puerto Ricans seemed to have a far gloomier outlook.&nbsp;

Hilda Lopez, in her 80s, broke into tears when approached as she left Mass at San Juan&#39;s Cathedral.

&quot;It pains me that the president of the United States has expressed himself the way he has in recent days. I don&#39;t know if it&#39;s because he doesn&#39;t appreciate the pain&quot; that Puerto Ricans are suffering.

&#39;Looking for an excuse&#39;

Trump, in one tweet Sunday, said that those who continued to criticize the relief effort were either &quot;Fake News or politically motivated ingrates.&quot;

Mayor Cruz, in an interview with CNN, shrugged off the criticism. She told CNN that millions were still in dire circumstances and that Trump seemed to be &quot;looking for an excuse for things that are not going well.&quot;

Trump&#39;s criticism has drawn sharp retorts even from within his Republican Party.

&quot;When people are in the middle of a disaster, you don&#39;t start trying to criticize them,&quot; Ohio Governor John Kasich, a presidential hopeful in 2016, said on CNN. &quot;You got to be bigger than the nonsense.&quot;

And Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, told CNN: &quot;Speaking from his fancy golf club, playing golf with his billionaire friends, attacking the mayor of San Juan, who is struggling to bring electricity to the island, food to the island, water to the island, gas to the island, that is just -- it is unspeakable.

&quot;And I don&#39;t know what world Trump is living in.&quot;

Trump spent Sunday morning at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, before traveling to another golf course in nearby Jersey City to present the trophy to the winner of the Presidents Cup tournament. He dedicated the tournament trophy to all recent US hurricane victims.&nbsp;

&quot;On behalf of all of the people of Texas, and... if you look today and you see what&#39;s happening, how horrible it is but we have it under really great control, Puerto Rico,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;And the people of Florida who have really suffered over this last period of time with the hurricanes,&quot; Trump said before presenting the trophy to US captain Steve Stricker.

&quot;I want to just remember them, and we&#39;re going to dedicate this trophy to all those people who went through so much, that we love, that are part of our great state, really a part of our great nation,&quot; Trump said.

&nbsp;&#39;A long way to go&#39;&nbsp;

The Trump administration sent several top officials onto Sunday talk shows with the message that the relief effort is going well, despite complaints that the federal effort in Puerto Rico has fallen short of the work done after hurricanes ravaged Texas, Florida, and Louisiana.

&quot;The administration&#39;s done an extraordinary job of delivering goods and services to people,&quot; said White House economics adviser Gary Cohn, appearing on Fox News Sunday. &quot;We&#39;re working full-speed ahead.&quot;

FEMA administrator Brock Long offered a slightly more cautious assessment, telling ABC&#39;s &quot;This Week&quot; that &quot;we&#39;ve got a long way to go.&quot;

Long said the storms that struck Puerto Rico -- Irma and Maria -- greatly magnified the challenge for relief workers by damaging or wiping out some 3,200 roads or bridges.

Still, he said, &quot;We (have) pushed everything into that island that we can.&quot;

The US Defense Department meanwhile reported that it was continuing efforts to bring relief even to the most isolated communities, while repairing roads, ports, and electrical networks, and reinforcing the badly eroded Guajataca dam. Only one-tenth of the island has cell service.&nbsp;

The Pentagon said 59 of 69 hospitals surveyed were partly or fully operational. The Navy hospital ship Comfort is scheduled to arrive in San Juan on Wednesday.

Outside San Juan Cathedral on Sunday, 57-year-old retiree Aida Rosario said she, too, would welcome a Trump visit.

&quot;Let Trump come, let him see how things are here, let him experience what we are going through,&quot; she said.&nbsp;

&quot;There are people who can hardly eat -- or maybe once a day...&nbsp;

&quot;We are in difficult times.&quot;

A day after Trump launched a Twitter attack against San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz following her desperate pleas for more help, he tweeted that 'we have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico'

President Donald Trump on Sunday defended US efforts to bring relief to storm-battered Puerto Rico, even as one island official said Trump was trying to gloss over "things that are not going well." A day after Trump launched a Twitter attack against San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz following her desperate pleas for more help, he tweeted that "we have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico." Trump said US military teams and the Federal Emergency Management Agency were doing "amazing work" and credited the island's governor and others with a "fantastic job." But two weeks after devastating Hurricane Maria left much of the island without electricity, fresh water or sufficient food, many Puerto Ricans seemed to have a far gloomier outlook. Hilda Lopez, in her 80s, broke into tears when approached as she left Mass at San Juan's Cathedral. "It pains me that the president of the United States has expressed himself the way he has in recent days. I don't know if it's because he doesn't appreciate the pain" that Puerto Ricans are suffering. 'Looking for an excuse' Trump, in one tweet Sunday, said that those who continued to criticize the relief effort were either "Fake News or politically motivated ingrates." Mayor Cruz, in an interview with CNN, shrugged off the criticism. She told CNN that millions were still in dire circumstances and that Trump seemed to be "looking for an excuse for things that are not going well." Trump's criticism has drawn sharp retorts even from within his Republican Party. "When people are in the middle of a disaster, you don't start trying to criticize them," Ohio Governor John Kasich, a presidential hopeful in 2016, said on CNN. "You got to be bigger than the nonsense." And Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, told CNN: "Speaking from his fancy golf club, playing golf with his billionaire friends, attacking the mayor of San Juan, who is struggling to bring electricity to the island, food to the island, water to the island, gas to the island, that is just -- it is unspeakable. "And I don't know what world Trump is living in." Trump spent Sunday morning at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, before traveling to another golf course in nearby Jersey City to present the trophy to the winner of the Presidents Cup tournament. He dedicated the tournament trophy to all recent US hurricane victims. "On behalf of all of the people of Texas, and... if you look today and you see what's happening, how horrible it is but we have it under really great control, Puerto Rico," he said. "And the people of Florida who have really suffered over this last period of time with the hurricanes," Trump said before presenting the trophy to US captain Steve Stricker. "I want to just remember them, and we're going to dedicate this trophy to all those people who went through so much, that we love, that are part of our great state, really a part of our great nation," Trump said. 'A long way to go' The Trump administration sent several top officials onto Sunday talk shows with the message that the relief effort is going well, despite complaints that the federal effort in Puerto Rico has fallen short of the work done after hurricanes ravaged Texas, Florida, and Louisiana. "The administration's done an extraordinary job of delivering goods and services to people," said White House economics adviser Gary Cohn, appearing on Fox News Sunday. "We're working full-speed ahead." FEMA administrator Brock Long offered a slightly more cautious assessment, telling ABC's "This Week" that "we've got a long way to go." Long said the storms that struck Puerto Rico -- Irma and Maria -- greatly magnified the challenge for relief workers by damaging or wiping out some 3,200 roads or bridges. Still, he said, "We (have) pushed everything into that island that we can." The US Defense Department meanwhile reported that it was continuing efforts to bring relief even to the most isolated communities, while repairing roads, ports, and electrical networks, and reinforcing the badly eroded Guajataca dam. Only one-tenth of the island has cell service. The Pentagon said 59 of 69 hospitals surveyed were partly or fully operational. The Navy hospital ship Comfort is scheduled to arrive in San Juan on Wednesday. Outside San Juan Cathedral on Sunday, 57-year-old retiree Aida Rosario said she, too, would welcome a Trump visit. "Let Trump come, let him see how things are here, let him experience what we are going through," she said. "There are people who can hardly eat -- or maybe once a day... "We are in difficult times."

Trump defends Puerto Rico effort, but his tweets draw new criticism

River flooding&nbsp;continued to&nbsp;cause&nbsp;damage&nbsp;as of Sunday in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-maria-lashes-dominican-republic-after-direct-hit-on-puerto-rico-20479">Dominican&nbsp;Republic&nbsp;days after Hurricane Maria</a> lashed the eastern and northeastern coast of the country.

Thousands of people were still out of their homes, almost 1 million had no water, and 57 communities were experiencing communication outage, a report from the Emergency Operations Center (COE) said on Sunday.

The most recent river to overflow was Yuna, the largest in&nbsp;Dominican&nbsp;territory, isolating 15 communities from the provinces of Duarte and Sanchez Ramirez in the northeast, and paralyzing a stretch of road that connects the tourist city Samana in the northeast with the capital of Santo Domingo, according to Agencia EFE sources.

A total of 15,076 people had to stay in homes of relatives or friends, and another 941 were in official shelters after the disaster destroyed 188 homes, affected 861 and flooded 4,588.

Because&nbsp;of the hurricane, 942,185 people had no drinking water, while thousands&nbsp;continued to live in the dark due to power cut.

The&nbsp;Dominican&nbsp;Air Force&nbsp;continued its rescue operations in flooded areas.

Hurricane Maria landed in Dominica on Sept. 18 at a speed of 260 kilometres per hour, killing at least 15 people and leaving at least another 20 missing.

Although Maria has moved away toward North Carolina of the United States, the&nbsp;Dominican national l Office of Meteorology&nbsp;continued to maintain flood warnings for 12 provinces as rains would&nbsp;continue&nbsp;to pour in some areas of the country.

Thousands of people were still out of their homes, almost 1 million had no water, and 57 communities were experiencing communication outage, a report from the Emergency Operations Center (COE) said on Sunday.

River flooding continued to cause damage as of Sunday in the Dominican Republic days after Hurricane Maria lashed the eastern and northeastern coast of the country. Thousands of people were still out of their homes, almost 1 million had no water, and 57 communities were experiencing communication outage, a report from the Emergency Operations Center (COE) said on Sunday. The most recent river to overflow was Yuna, the largest in Dominican territory, isolating 15 communities from the provinces of Duarte and Sanchez Ramirez in the northeast, and paralyzing a stretch of road that connects the tourist city Samana in the northeast with the capital of Santo Domingo, according to Agencia EFE sources. A total of 15,076 people had to stay in homes of relatives or friends, and another 941 were in official shelters after the disaster destroyed 188 homes, affected 861 and flooded 4,588. Because of the hurricane, 942,185 people had no drinking water, while thousands continued to live in the dark due to power cut. The Dominican Air Force continued its rescue operations in flooded areas. Hurricane Maria landed in Dominica on Sept. 18 at a speed of 260 kilometres per hour, killing at least 15 people and leaving at least another 20 missing. Although Maria has moved away toward North Carolina of the United States, the Dominican national l Office of Meteorology continued to maintain flood warnings for 12 provinces as rains would continue to pour in some areas of the country.

Hurricane-triggered floods continue to cause damage in the Dominican Republic

Hurricane Maria thrashed parts of the Dominican Republic with heavy rain and high winds as it passed near its east and north coasts on Thursday after making a direct hit on Puerto Rico that caused severe flooding and cut power to the entire island.

Maria has killed at least 10 people as it raged through the Caribbean, the second major hurricane to do so this month, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said it was headed toward the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas, bringing dangerous storm surges and torrential rain.

It ripped roofs off almost all structures on the island country of Dominica, where seven people were confirmed dead. The toll is expected to climb when searches resume at daybreak.

Maria was ranked a Category 4 storm, near the top end of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds of up to 155 miles per hour (250 km per hour), when it hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday as the strongest storm to hit the U.S. territory in nearly 90 years.

It ripped apart homes, snapped power lines and turned roadways into torrents laden with debris as it cut a diagonal swath across the island.

The entire island of 3.4 million people was under a flash flood warning early on Thursday as the storm was forecast to dump 20 to 30 inches (50 to 76 cm) of rain on much of Puerto Rico through Friday, according to the NHC.

The island&#39;s governor, Ricardo Rossello, said the only fatality immediately reported was a man struck by a piece of lumber hurled by high winds.

&quot;It&#39;s nothing short of a major disaster,&quot; Rossello said in a CNN interview, adding it may take months for the island&#39;s electricity to be completely restored. Earlier he imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew for the island.

The streets of Puerto Rico&#39;s historic Old Town in the capital, San Juan, were strewn with broken balconies, air conditioning units, shattered lamp posts, fallen power lines and dead birds. Few trees escaped unscathed.

The island&#39;s recovery could be complicated by its financial woes as it faces the largest municipal debt crisis in U.S. history. Both its government and the public utility have filed for bankruptcy protection amid disputes with creditors.

Maria weakened as it went over land in Puerto Rico and picked up strength early on Thursday as it passed over warm Caribbean waters.

It was a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) about 70 miles (110 kms) north of Punta Cana, on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 GMT), the NHC said.

Punta Cana, a popular tourist area, was hit with wind gusts of 58 mph (93 kph) and Maria was forecast to bring storm surges, when hurricanes push ocean water dangerously over normal levels, of up to 6 feet (1.83 m) in the Dominican Republic, it said.

Maria was expected to pick up strength as it churns toward the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas. Storm surges on the islands could be as high as 12 feet (3.66 m), it said.

Maria would then move north in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend and there was no indication as to whether it would hit the continental United States.

It was classified a Category 5 storm when it struck Dominica on Monday night with devastating force.

Based on an aerial survey, about 95 percent of roofs in Dominica, one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean with a population of about 73,000, were damaged or destroyed by Maria, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. It added damage to the island could be in the billions of dollars.

Hartley Henry, principal adviser to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, said on Wednesday: &quot;The country is in a daze.&quot;

Passing early Wednesday just west of St. Croix, home to about 55,000 people, Maria damaged an estimated 65 percent to 70 percent of the island&#39;s buildings, said Holland Redfield, who served six terms in the U.S. Virgin Islands Senate.

President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in the U.S. Virgin Islands and ordered federal aid to supplement recovery efforts, the White House said.

The U.S. and British Virgin Islands were also hit this month by Hurricane Irma, which ranked as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record. It left a trail of destruction in several Caribbean islands and Florida this month, killing at least 84 people.

Photos posted on Facebook from St. Croix by Virgin Islands&#39; local public television station, WTJX-TV, showed fallen utility and telephone poles, tangled wires, uprooted trees and storm shutters ripped from buildings.

In the French territory of Guadeloupe, many roads were blocked and 40 percent of the population was without power, France&#39;s overseas territories ministry said.

Maria has killed at least 10 people as it raged through the Caribbean, the second major hurricane to do so this month.

Hurricane Maria thrashed parts of the Dominican Republic with heavy rain and high winds as it passed near its east and north coasts on Thursday after making a direct hit on Puerto Rico that caused severe flooding and cut power to the entire island. Maria has killed at least 10 people as it raged through the Caribbean, the second major hurricane to do so this month, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said it was headed toward the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas, bringing dangerous storm surges and torrential rain. It ripped roofs off almost all structures on the island country of Dominica, where seven people were confirmed dead. The toll is expected to climb when searches resume at daybreak. Maria was ranked a Category 4 storm, near the top end of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds of up to 155 miles per hour (250 km per hour), when it hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday as the strongest storm to hit the U.S. territory in nearly 90 years. It ripped apart homes, snapped power lines and turned roadways into torrents laden with debris as it cut a diagonal swath across the island. The entire island of 3.4 million people was under a flash flood warning early on Thursday as the storm was forecast to dump 20 to 30 inches (50 to 76 cm) of rain on much of Puerto Rico through Friday, according to the NHC. The island's governor, Ricardo Rossello, said the only fatality immediately reported was a man struck by a piece of lumber hurled by high winds. "It's nothing short of a major disaster," Rossello said in a CNN interview, adding it may take months for the island's electricity to be completely restored. Earlier he imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew for the island. The streets of Puerto Rico's historic Old Town in the capital, San Juan, were strewn with broken balconies, air conditioning units, shattered lamp posts, fallen power lines and dead birds. Few trees escaped unscathed. The island's recovery could be complicated by its financial woes as it faces the largest municipal debt crisis in U.S. history. Both its government and the public utility have filed for bankruptcy protection amid disputes with creditors. Maria weakened as it went over land in Puerto Rico and picked up strength early on Thursday as it passed over warm Caribbean waters. It was a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) about 70 miles (110 kms) north of Punta Cana, on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 GMT), the NHC said. Punta Cana, a popular tourist area, was hit with wind gusts of 58 mph (93 kph) and Maria was forecast to bring storm surges, when hurricanes push ocean water dangerously over normal levels, of up to 6 feet (1.83 m) in the Dominican Republic, it said. Maria was expected to pick up strength as it churns toward the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas. Storm surges on the islands could be as high as 12 feet (3.66 m), it said. Maria would then move north in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend and there was no indication as to whether it would hit the continental United States. It was classified a Category 5 storm when it struck Dominica on Monday night with devastating force. Based on an aerial survey, about 95 percent of roofs in Dominica, one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean with a population of about 73,000, were damaged or destroyed by Maria, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. It added damage to the island could be in the billions of dollars. Hartley Henry, principal adviser to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, said on Wednesday: "The country is in a daze." Passing early Wednesday just west of St. Croix, home to about 55,000 people, Maria damaged an estimated 65 percent to 70 percent of the island's buildings, said Holland Redfield, who served six terms in the U.S. Virgin Islands Senate. President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in the U.S. Virgin Islands and ordered federal aid to supplement recovery efforts, the White House said. The U.S. and British Virgin Islands were also hit this month by Hurricane Irma, which ranked as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record. It left a trail of destruction in several Caribbean islands and Florida this month, killing at least 84 people. Photos posted on Facebook from St. Croix by Virgin Islands' local public television station, WTJX-TV, showed fallen utility and telephone poles, tangled wires, uprooted trees and storm shutters ripped from buildings. In the French territory of Guadeloupe, many roads were blocked and 40 percent of the population was without power, France's overseas territories ministry said.

Hurricane Maria lashes Dominican Republic after Puerto Rico

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-irma-hurricane-maria-follows-in-same-path-20331">&nbsp;Hurricane Maria</a>, the second major storm to hit the Caribbean this month, lashed at the French overseas&nbsp;island&nbsp;of Martinique on Monday (September 18) with violent winds and torrential rains.

The eye of the cyclone passed about 50 km from Martinique, as it began coasting the Caribbean on Monday evening from south to north, generating winds approaching 300 km/h.

An accurate assessment of the damage can only be carried out later, local authorities said. No casualties were reported.

Maria is expected to remain a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-maria-strengthens-into-category-5-storm-bears-down-on-caribbean-20368"> category 4 or 5 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-maria-strengthens-into-category-5-storm-bears-down-on-caribbean-20368">storm</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maria-now-a-major-category-3-hurricane-us-weather-forecaster-20366"> </a>on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the Miami-based NHC said.

The French Interior Ministry warned residents of Martinique and Guadeloupe of a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maria-now-a-major-category-3-hurricane-us-weather-forecaster-20366">high risk of flooding</a>, mudslides or landslides and installed measures to protect vital sites such as a desalination plant and a power plant.

The eye of the cyclone passed about 50 km from Martinique, as it began coasting the Caribbean on Monday evening from south to north, generating winds approaching 300 km/h.

Hurricane Maria, the second major storm to hit the Caribbean this month, lashed at the French overseas island of Martinique on Monday (September 18) with violent winds and torrential rains. The eye of the cyclone passed about 50 km from Martinique, as it began coasting the Caribbean on Monday evening from south to north, generating winds approaching 300 km/h. An accurate assessment of the damage can only be carried out later, local authorities said. No casualties were reported. Maria is expected to remain a category 4 or 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the Miami-based NHC said. The French Interior Ministry warned residents of Martinique and Guadeloupe of a high risk of flooding, mudslides or landslides and installed measures to protect vital sites such as a desalination plant and a power plant.

Martinique Island ripped apart by Hurricane Maria

Maria was forecast Sunday to surge to major hurricane strength as it nears the storm-battered eastern Caribbean with 85 miles (140 kilometers) per hour winds, the US National Hurricane Center said, on a path similar to that of mega-storm Irma earlier in the month.

Storm warnings and watches went up in many of the Caribbean islands still reeling from Irma&#39;s destructive passage.

As of 0300 GMT Monday, Maria was a Category One hurricane, the lowest on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale, located 100 miles (165 kilometers) northeast of Barbados while bearing west-northwest at 13 miles (20 kilometers) an hour, the NHC said.

&quot;On the forecast track, the center of Maria will move across the Leeward Islands Monday night and then over the extreme northeastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday,&quot; it said.

&quot;Rapid strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Maria is expected to become a major hurricane as it moves through the Leeward Islands,&quot; the NHC warned.

Hurricane warnings were triggered for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and Martinique.

Less urgent &#39;watches&#39; were issued for the US and British Virgin Islands where at least nine people were killed during Irma; French-Dutch island St Martin where 15 people died; Saba and St Eustatius; St Barthelemy and Anguilla.

A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the first occurrence of tropical storm-force winds while watches are issued 48 hours in advance.

In the French territory of Guadeloupe, authorities announced a &quot;red alert&quot; from Monday with schools, businesses and government offices ordered closed as officials predicted severe flooding in the lower parts of the island and urged people living there to move to higher ground.

Meanwhile, the French island of Martinique was placed on &quot;orange alert&quot; from Monday with high seas and heavy rain expected to cause flooding. Schools and universities will be closed, authorities said. 
Tropical storm warnings were in place in Antigua and Barbuda, Saba and St Eustatius, and St Lucia. The tiny island of Barbuda was decimated by Hurricane Irma September 5-6 when it made its first landfall in the Caribbean as a top intensity Category Five storm.

Dangerous storm surges

The NHC said Maria could produce a &quot;dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves&quot; that will raise water levels by four to six feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) when it passes through the Leeward Islands.

It also forecast a maximum potential rainfall of 20 inches (51 centimeters) in the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands through Wednesday night -- conditions that could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

A second hurricane, Jose, is also currently active in the Atlantic and has triggered tropical storm watches for the northeastern United States.

Irma left around 40 people dead in the Caribbean before churning east and pounding Florida, where at least 20 people were killed.

France, Britain and the Netherlands have been criticized for the pace of relief efforts in their overseas territories amid widespread shortages of food, water and electricity.

Hurricane Irma broke weather records when it sustained winds of 295 kilometers per hour (183 miles per hour) for more than 33 hours.

Many scientists are convinced that mega storms such as Irma are intensified by the greater energy they can draw from oceans that are warming as a result of global climate change.

Maria was forecast to surge to major hurricane strength as it nears the storm-battered eastern Caribbean

Maria was forecast Sunday to surge to major hurricane strength as it nears the storm-battered eastern Caribbean with 85 miles (140 kilometers) per hour winds, the US National Hurricane Center said, on a path similar to that of mega-storm Irma earlier in the month. Storm warnings and watches went up in many of the Caribbean islands still reeling from Irma's destructive passage. As of 0300 GMT Monday, Maria was a Category One hurricane, the lowest on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale, located 100 miles (165 kilometers) northeast of Barbados while bearing west-northwest at 13 miles (20 kilometers) an hour, the NHC said. "On the forecast track, the center of Maria will move across the Leeward Islands Monday night and then over the extreme northeastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday," it said. "Rapid strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Maria is expected to become a major hurricane as it moves through the Leeward Islands," the NHC warned. Hurricane warnings were triggered for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and Martinique. Less urgent 'watches' were issued for the US and British Virgin Islands where at least nine people were killed during Irma; French-Dutch island St Martin where 15 people died; Saba and St Eustatius; St Barthelemy and Anguilla. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the first occurrence of tropical storm-force winds while watches are issued 48 hours in advance. In the French territory of Guadeloupe, authorities announced a "red alert" from Monday with schools, businesses and government offices ordered closed as officials predicted severe flooding in the lower parts of the island and urged people living there to move to higher ground. Meanwhile, the French island of Martinique was placed on "orange alert" from Monday with high seas and heavy rain expected to cause flooding. Schools and universities will be closed, authorities said. Tropical storm warnings were in place in Antigua and Barbuda, Saba and St Eustatius, and St Lucia. The tiny island of Barbuda was decimated by Hurricane Irma September 5-6 when it made its first landfall in the Caribbean as a top intensity Category Five storm. Dangerous storm surges The NHC said Maria could produce a "dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves" that will raise water levels by four to six feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) when it passes through the Leeward Islands. It also forecast a maximum potential rainfall of 20 inches (51 centimeters) in the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands through Wednesday night -- conditions that could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. A second hurricane, Jose, is also currently active in the Atlantic and has triggered tropical storm watches for the northeastern United States. Irma left around 40 people dead in the Caribbean before churning east and pounding Florida, where at least 20 people were killed. France, Britain and the Netherlands have been criticized for the pace of relief efforts in their overseas territories amid widespread shortages of food, water and electricity. Hurricane Irma broke weather records when it sustained winds of 295 kilometers per hour (183 miles per hour) for more than 33 hours. Many scientists are convinced that mega storms such as Irma are intensified by the greater energy they can draw from oceans that are warming as a result of global climate change.

After Irma, Hurricane Maria follows in same path

Germany&#39;s&nbsp;Munich&nbsp;Re warned it could miss its profit target this year, the&nbsp;first&nbsp;major&nbsp;reinsurer&nbsp;to flag a hit to earnings from damage caused by hurricanes&nbsp;Harvey and&nbsp;Irma.

&quot;These two events are expected to result in high insured losses, which the market and&nbsp;Munich&nbsp;Re are unable to quantify at the moment,&quot; it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Analysts at Jefferies said they expected this to be the&nbsp;first&nbsp;of a series of such statements as insurers count the costs of the destructive storms.

Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic Ocean storms on record, ravaged several islands in the northern Caribbean, killing at least 60 people, before barrelling into Florida&#39;s Gulf Coast on Sunday, causing further destruction.

Munich&nbsp;Re had earlier this week estimated losses for the global insurance industry from&nbsp;Harvey, which struck Texas two weeks ago and caused massive flooding, of between $20 billion and $30 billion, putting the storm on the scale of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Shares in&nbsp;Munich&nbsp;Re nonetheless edged up by 0.4 percent in early trade on Thursday, with analysts saying the group had sufficient capital buffers to weather some headwinds.

Munich&nbsp;Re said it would probably report a third-quarter loss due to the hurricanes, but that it had a sufficiently solid capital base to still be able to offer full reinsurance capacity to its clients.

It said it may miss its full-year net profit goal of 2 billion to 2.4 billion euros ($2.4 bln-$2.9 bln). Analysts on average have forecast 2.35 billion euros, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Munich&nbsp;Re had said as recently as Sunday, at an annual industry meeting in Monte Carlo, that it was not especially exposed to Florida.

Analysts at Jefferies said&nbsp;Munich&nbsp;Re had an advantage over peers such as Swiss Re, given it had one of the largest budgets in the industry to cover natural catastrophes, at 1.4 billion euros for the full year.

"These two events are expected to result in high insured losses, which the market and?Munich?Re are unable to quantify at the moment," it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Germany's Munich Re warned it could miss its profit target this year, the first major reinsurer to flag a hit to earnings from damage caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma. "These two events are expected to result in high insured losses, which the market and Munich Re are unable to quantify at the moment," it said in a statement on Wednesday. Analysts at Jefferies said they expected this to be the first of a series of such statements as insurers count the costs of the destructive storms. Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic Ocean storms on record, ravaged several islands in the northern Caribbean, killing at least 60 people, before barrelling into Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday, causing further destruction. Munich Re had earlier this week estimated losses for the global insurance industry from Harvey, which struck Texas two weeks ago and caused massive flooding, of between $20 billion and $30 billion, putting the storm on the scale of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Shares in Munich Re nonetheless edged up by 0.4 percent in early trade on Thursday, with analysts saying the group had sufficient capital buffers to weather some headwinds. Munich Re said it would probably report a third-quarter loss due to the hurricanes, but that it had a sufficiently solid capital base to still be able to offer full reinsurance capacity to its clients. It said it may miss its full-year net profit goal of 2 billion to 2.4 billion euros ($2.4 bln-$2.9 bln). Analysts on average have forecast 2.35 billion euros, according to Thomson Reuters data. Munich Re had said as recently as Sunday, at an annual industry meeting in Monte Carlo, that it was not especially exposed to Florida. Analysts at Jefferies said Munich Re had an advantage over peers such as Swiss Re, given it had one of the largest budgets in the industry to cover natural catastrophes, at 1.4 billion euros for the full year.

Munich Re makes first warning by reinsurer on Harvey, Irma impact

Widespread flooding unleashed by deadly storm Harvey left Houston -- the fourth-largest US city -- increasingly isolated&nbsp;Monday, with airports and highways closed and residents being rescued from their inundated homes by boat and helicopter.

The city&#39;s two main airports suspended all commercial flights and two hospitals were forced to evacuate patients. A local television station also was knocked off the air.

At least three people have been killed so far, with reports of other fatalities still unconfirmed.

The National Hurricane Center called the flooding &quot;unprecedented&quot; and said the storm, which crashed ashore late&nbsp;Friday&nbsp;as a huge Category 4 hurricane, would move into the Gulf before doubling back midweek, bringing even more rain.

The storm early&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;remained almost stationary, inching towards the southeast at just three miles (six kilometers) per hour, the NHC said in its 0900 GMT bulletin.

President Donald Trump, who had said he did not want to disrupt emergency efforts with a visit, plans to go to the disaster zone&nbsp;on Tuesday.

Roads completely submerged&nbsp;

Rising waters from Harvey inundated roads throughout the Houston area, affecting every major freeway and hamstringing efforts to move people to safety.

&quot;It&#39;s crazy to see the roads you&#39;re driving on every day just completely under water,&quot; Houston resident John Travis told AFP.

At least three people have been killed so far, with reports of other fatalities still unconfirmed

Widespread flooding unleashed by deadly storm Harvey left Houston -- the fourth-largest US city -- increasingly isolated Monday, with airports and highways closed and residents being rescued from their inundated homes by boat and helicopter. The city's two main airports suspended all commercial flights and two hospitals were forced to evacuate patients. A local television station also was knocked off the air. At least three people have been killed so far, with reports of other fatalities still unconfirmed. The National Hurricane Center called the flooding "unprecedented" and said the storm, which crashed ashore late Friday as a huge Category 4 hurricane, would move into the Gulf before doubling back midweek, bringing even more rain. The storm early Monday remained almost stationary, inching towards the southeast at just three miles (six kilometers) per hour, the NHC said in its 0900 GMT bulletin. President Donald Trump, who had said he did not want to disrupt emergency efforts with a visit, plans to go to the disaster zone on Tuesday. Roads completely submerged Rising waters from Harvey inundated roads throughout the Houston area, affecting every major freeway and hamstringing efforts to move people to safety. "It's crazy to see the roads you're driving on every day just completely under water," Houston resident John Travis told AFP.

Houston struggles with massive flooding as more rain forecast

The 200 Indian students who were&nbsp;marooned at the University of Houston in the aftermath of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-at-least-3-dead-as-houston-battles-floods-generated-by-hurricane-harvey-19564">Hurricane Harvey</a>&nbsp;are safe, the Indian government informed in a tweet.&nbsp;

Two of the students, however, are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray wrote on Twitter that he was with the students and was organising food for them.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj">@SushmaSwaraj</a> Iam with the200 Indian students. They are safe. Organizing food <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HurricaneHarvey?src=hash">#HurricaneHarvey</a> <a href="https://t.co/IPJe92XAsS">pic.twitter.com/IPJe92XAsS</a>
&mdash; Anupam Ray (@anupamifs) <a href="https://twitter.com/anupamifs/status/902209691526287360">August 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Earlier Monday, India&#39;s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted the news of the students being surrounded by neck deep water. She said the government was ensuring that the relatives of the students in the ICU reached as soon as possible.

The external affairs minister had said&nbsp;that attempts to deliver food to the students had&nbsp;failed since the US Coast Guard did not allow the boats required for the operations.

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@CGHoust has informed me that 200 Indian students at University of Houston are marooned. They are surrounded by neck deep water. /1
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/902115420609511425">August 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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We made efforts for delivery of food but US Coast Guard did not allow as boats were required for rescue operations. /2
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/902116638320771072">August 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Mr. Anupam Ray our CG Houston is organising the rescue operations. /3
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/902117112533082112">August 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Indian students Shalini and Nikhil Bhatia are in ICU. We are ensuring that their relatives reach there at the earliest. /4
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/902118122383015936">August 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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In the coming days, more rain is expected as Harvey moves inland.

Till now,&nbsp;1,000 people had been rescued as per reports.&nbsp;

This storm is the first major hurricane in the US since 2005 and is also&nbsp;the first major natural disaster under Trump&#39;s presidency. 
&nbsp;

She ensured people in her tweet that their relatives will reach the students as early as possible

The 200 Indian students who were marooned at the University of Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey are safe, the Indian government informed in a tweet. Two of the students, however, are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray wrote on Twitter that he was with the students and was organising food for them. @SushmaSwaraj Iam with the200 Indian students. They are safe. Organizing food #HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/IPJe92XAsS — Anupam Ray (@anupamifs) August 28, 2017 × Earlier Monday, India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted the news of the students being surrounded by neck deep water. She said the government was ensuring that the relatives of the students in the ICU reached as soon as possible. The external affairs minister had said that attempts to deliver food to the students had failed since the US Coast Guard did not allow the boats required for the operations. @CGHoust has informed me that 200 Indian students at University of Houston are marooned. They are surrounded by neck deep water. /1 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 28, 2017 × We made efforts for delivery of food but US Coast Guard did not allow as boats were required for rescue operations. /2 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 28, 2017 × Mr. Anupam Ray our CG Houston is organising the rescue operations. /3 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 28, 2017 × Indian students Shalini and Nikhil Bhatia are in ICU. We are ensuring that their relatives reach there at the earliest. /4 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 28, 2017 × In the coming days, more rain is expected as Harvey moves inland. Till now, 1,000 people had been rescued as per reports. This storm is the first major hurricane in the US since 2005 and is also the first major natural disaster under Trump's presidency.

200 Indian students stranded in Houston safe: Indian government

US President Donald Trump&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;declared an emergency in Louisiana as part of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-harvey-storm-emerges-in-texas-louisiana-19482">the southern state was being pelted with rain from tropical storm Harvey</a>. 
 
The declaration allows the federal government, specifically the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate relief efforts. It also provides federal funding for disaster relief. 
 
&quot;This action will help alleviate the hardship and suffering that the emergency has inflicted on the local population,&quot; the White House said in a statement. 
 
&quot;Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.&quot;

Louisiana was being pelted with rain from tropical storm Harvey

US President Donald Trump on Monday declared an emergency in Louisiana as part of the southern state was being pelted with rain from tropical storm Harvey. The declaration allows the federal government, specifically the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate relief efforts. It also provides federal funding for disaster relief. "This action will help alleviate the hardship and suffering that the emergency has inflicted on the local population," the White House said in a statement. "Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency."

Trump declares emergency in Louisiana for storm Harvey

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