Helicopter Crash on Mount Kilimanjaro Kills Five on Rescue Mission 

Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro is still ablaze. It has mobilised soldiers to combat the wildfire. Priyanka Sharma brings you the details.

WION Fineprint | Wildfire continues to rage on Mount Kilimanjaro

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most.

This report by the World Meteorological Organisation and other agencies, released just ahead of the UN climate conference starting Oct. 31, provides a grim reminder.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-queen-finds-world-leaders-irritating-because-they-only-talk-and-dont-act-420982" hreflang="en">COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act'</a>

Despite the 54 African&nbsp;countries being responsible for less than 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa's 1.3 billion people are extremely vulnerable, as the continent continues to warm at a faster rate than the world average.

According to the new report, the shrinking glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are symbolic of the rapid and widespread changes to come.

The report goes on to say that&nbsp;Africa's current retreat rates are higher than the global average, and if this pattern continues, the continent will suffer total deglaciation by the mid-2040s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-could-sink-small-states-says-commonwealth-chief-420623" hreflang="en">Climate change could sink small states, says Commonwealth chief</a>

WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas spoke at the report launch on Tuesday and said that Massive displacement, hunger and increasing climate shocks such as droughts and flooding are in the future, yet the lack of climate data in parts of Africa "is having a major impact" on disaster warnings for millions of people.

Leonel Correia Sacko with the African Union Commission writes in the report,&nbsp;“Not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.”

Sacko adds that up to 118 million extremely poor people; those living on less than $1.90 a day, will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat by 2030 if proper measures are not taken.

Watch |&nbsp;Climate crisis hits South Africa's Cape Town

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/climate-crisis-hits-south-africas-cape-town-412585/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Even though the African continent faces significant threats, African voices are underrepresented at global climate meetings and among those who write the most important scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The amount of African contributions to IPCC reports is extremely low, according to a multi-country research project called Future Climate for Africa.

UN reports that famine-like conditions have already been created by climate change on Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/madagascar-prays-for-rain-as-un-warns-of-climate-change-famine-420184" hreflang="en">Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine'</a>

The costs ahead are enormous. The report estimates that the cost of climate adaptation for sub-Saharan Africa will be between $30 and $50 billion each year over the next decade or about two to three per cent of GDP.

“The cost of adapting to climate change in Africa will rise to $50 billion per year by 2050, even assuming the international efforts to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.”

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most.

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most. This report by the World Meteorological Organisation and other agencies, released just ahead of the UN climate conference starting Oct. 31, provides a grim reminder. Also read | COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act' Despite the 54 African countries being responsible for less than 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa's 1.3 billion people are extremely vulnerable, as the continent continues to warm at a faster rate than the world average. According to the new report, the shrinking glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are symbolic of the rapid and widespread changes to come. The report goes on to say that Africa's current retreat rates are higher than the global average, and if this pattern continues, the continent will suffer total deglaciation by the mid-2040s. Also read | Climate change could sink small states, says Commonwealth chief WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas spoke at the report launch on Tuesday and said that Massive displacement, hunger and increasing climate shocks such as droughts and flooding are in the future, yet the lack of climate data in parts of Africa "is having a major impact" on disaster warnings for millions of people. Leonel Correia Sacko with the African Union Commission writes in the report, “Not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.” Sacko adds that up to 118 million extremely poor people; those living on less than $1.90 a day, will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat by 2030 if proper measures are not taken. Watch | Climate crisis hits South Africa's Cape Town Even though the African continent faces significant threats, African voices are underrepresented at global climate meetings and among those who write the most important scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The amount of African contributions to IPCC reports is extremely low, according to a multi-country research project called Future Climate for Africa. UN reports that famine-like conditions have already been created by climate change on Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Also read | Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine' The costs ahead are enormous. The report estimates that the cost of climate adaptation for sub-Saharan Africa will be between $30 and $50 billion each year over the next decade or about two to three per cent of GDP. “The cost of adapting to climate change in Africa will rise to $50 billion per year by 2050, even assuming the international efforts to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.”

Africa: The continent with low emissions and high suffering, risks losing rare glaciers to global warming

A South African business executive reached the top of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-tons-of-garbage-collected-from-mount-everest-217208&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjtpLH6maDiAhWSinAKHS0ADREQFjADegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2JYdeQ6ZfVZ1-4-i6OEAvR">Mount Everest</a> on Thursday in what is believed to be the first summit of the world's highest mountain by a black African woman.

Saray Khumalo, 47, reached the top of the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) mountain after three previous bids were thwarted by bad weather, injury and tragedy.

Khumalo's Summits with a Purpose expedition organiser said she was the first black African woman to reach the top of Everest.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/3-killed-4-injured-in-nepal-plane-crash-near-mount-everest-210251&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjtpLH6maDiAhWSinAKHS0ADREQFjAEegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Q4058vr6qsvunz3G-hoNs">Nepal's </a>Tourism Department confirmed that Khumalo had made the summit but had no record on whether she was the first black African woman.

In 2017, strong winds and frostbite forced Khumalo to give up on Everest, just metres from the summit. In 2015, her expedition was cancelled after an earthquake hit Nepal.

All Everest climbs were halted during her first attempt in 2014 when an avalanche killed 16 guides on the mountain.

Khumalo is on a quest to conquer the highest peaks on each continent.

She has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus in Russia.

In 2003, South African park ranger Sibusiso Vilane became the first black person to summit Mount Everest.

Khumalo uses her expeditions to raise funds for libraries and support children's educational activities.

"My dream is to go higher and go further for as long as I breathe. To pave a way for my children and other ordinary people so we may realise and accept that ordinary people like us can achieve extraordinary heights," Khumalo says on her website.

Many Himalayan mountains -- including Everest, the worlds highest -- are at peak climbing season with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May.

The death toll is already mounting, however.

Two Indian climbers have died and a Chilean is missing on Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, expedition organisers said.

Biplab Baidya, 48, and Kuntal Karar, 46, were on the 8,586-metre (28,169-foot) mountain on the Nepal-India border with a five-member team from India's West Bengal state.

An operation was started to retrieve their bodies.

Last week, Peruvian climber Richard Hidalgo died on Mount Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain, while a Malaysian died in April after being rescued from Mount Annapurna, where he spent two nights in the open near the summit.

<a href="https://climbinggearlab.com/mount-everest-deaths/">Hundreds of climbers flock each year to Nepal</a> -- home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks -- creating a lucrative mountain industry for the impoverished country.

A South African business executive reached the top of Mount Everest on Thursday in what is believed to be the first summit of the world's highest mountain by a black African woman.

A South African business executive reached the top of Mount Everest on Thursday in what is believed to be the first summit of the world's highest mountain by a black African woman. Saray Khumalo, 47, reached the top of the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) mountain after three previous bids were thwarted by bad weather, injury and tragedy. Khumalo's Summits with a Purpose expedition organiser said she was the first black African woman to reach the top of Everest. Nepal's Tourism Department confirmed that Khumalo had made the summit but had no record on whether she was the first black African woman. In 2017, strong winds and frostbite forced Khumalo to give up on Everest, just metres from the summit. In 2015, her expedition was cancelled after an earthquake hit Nepal. All Everest climbs were halted during her first attempt in 2014 when an avalanche killed 16 guides on the mountain. Khumalo is on a quest to conquer the highest peaks on each continent. She has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus in Russia. In 2003, South African park ranger Sibusiso Vilane became the first black person to summit Mount Everest. Khumalo uses her expeditions to raise funds for libraries and support children's educational activities. "My dream is to go higher and go further for as long as I breathe. To pave a way for my children and other ordinary people so we may realise and accept that ordinary people like us can achieve extraordinary heights," Khumalo says on her website. Many Himalayan mountains -- including Everest, the worlds highest -- are at peak climbing season with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May. The death toll is already mounting, however. Two Indian climbers have died and a Chilean is missing on Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, expedition organisers said. Biplab Baidya, 48, and Kuntal Karar, 46, were on the 8,586-metre (28,169-foot) mountain on the Nepal-India border with a five-member team from India's West Bengal state. An operation was started to retrieve their bodies. Last week, Peruvian climber Richard Hidalgo died on Mount Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain, while a Malaysian died in April after being rescued from Mount Annapurna, where he spent two nights in the open near the summit. Hundreds of climbers flock each year to Nepal -- home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks -- creating a lucrative mountain industry for the impoverished country.

South African woman makes landmark Mount Everest summit

After scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, a 20-year-old man from Ibrahimpatnam village in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district has now reached the peak of Mount Everest.

While his financial condition was not good, Amogh Tukaram was interested in climbing mountains since he was 17 years old and hence took financial assistance from few Telangana officials and went ahead to climb Mount Everest.

He reached the peak of Mount Everest on May 22 at 9.15 am.

Speaking to ANI over the phone, Tukaram said, "My aim is to climb seven highest peaks in seven continents and as part of this, I have already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and now on May 22 I reached the peak of Mount Everest. I just want to make my nation proud. My financial condition was not good, so I have taken financial assistance from few officials like Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat, Telangana Tourism Commissioner Sunita Bhagwat IFS, Ramchandru Tejavat Advisor to Telangana government and others and I have finally made it."

He added, "I started my journey on April 6 and two of my team members died in front of me due to bad weather, but it didn`t stop me from climbing Mount Everest. I am very happy that I have reached the peak safely and made my nation proud."

Mahesh Bhagwat, Rachakonda Police Commissioner congratulated Tukaram for his achievement and said, "I have faith in him and that was the reason we have extended financial assistance to him."

After scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, a 20-year-old man from Ibrahimpatnam village in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district has now reached the peak of Mount Everest. While his financial condition was not good, Amogh Tukaram was interested in climbing mountains since he was 17 years old and hence took financial assistance from few Telangana officials and went ahead to climb Mount Everest.

After scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, a 20-year-old man from Ibrahimpatnam village in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district has now reached the peak of Mount Everest. While his financial condition was not good, Amogh Tukaram was interested in climbing mountains since he was 17 years old and hence took financial assistance from few Telangana officials and went ahead to climb Mount Everest. He reached the peak of Mount Everest on May 22 at 9.15 am. Speaking to ANI over the phone, Tukaram said, "My aim is to climb seven highest peaks in seven continents and as part of this, I have already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and now on May 22 I reached the peak of Mount Everest. I just want to make my nation proud. My financial condition was not good, so I have taken financial assistance from few officials like Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat, Telangana Tourism Commissioner Sunita Bhagwat IFS, Ramchandru Tejavat Advisor to Telangana government and others and I have finally made it." He added, "I started my journey on April 6 and two of my team members died in front of me due to bad weather, but it didn`t stop me from climbing Mount Everest. I am very happy that I have reached the peak safely and made my nation proud." Mahesh Bhagwat, Rachakonda Police Commissioner congratulated Tukaram for his achievement and said, "I have faith in him and that was the reason we have extended financial assistance to him."

20-year-old Telangana man scales Mount Everest

After scaling the highest peak in Africa, Hyderabad boy Samanyu Pothuraju has now added another record to his name by climbing the highest mountain in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko.

The eight-year-old boy&nbsp;along with a team of five, including his mother Lavanya and sister achieved the feat on December 12.

"So far, I have climbed four mountains," an excited Pothuraju told ANI and even revealed his future plans. "Now, I am gearing up for Mount Fuji in Japan. I want to become an Air Force officer when I grow up," he added.

To promote the handloom weavers in the state, the team donned Telangana handlooms while climbing the mountain.

Pothuraju`s mother said, "For every summit, our team members plan a cause. According to us, we should go to the mountains with a cause and not without it. This time, we planned to support the handloom weavers."

Earlier this year, Pothuraju, along with his coach and his mother, among others, had scaled Uhuru peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest peak in Africa. He had unfurled the Tricolour at a height of 5,895 meters above the sea level on April 2.

After scaling the highest peak in Africa, Hyderabad boy Samanyu Pothuraju has now added another record to his name by climbing the highest mountain in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko.

After scaling the highest peak in Africa, Hyderabad boy Samanyu Pothuraju has now added another record to his name by climbing the highest mountain in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko. The eight-year-old boy along with a team of five, including his mother Lavanya and sister achieved the feat on December 12. "So far, I have climbed four mountains," an excited Pothuraju told ANI and even revealed his future plans. "Now, I am gearing up for Mount Fuji in Japan. I want to become an Air Force officer when I grow up," he added. To promote the handloom weavers in the state, the team donned Telangana handlooms while climbing the mountain. Pothuraju`s mother said, "For every summit, our team members plan a cause. According to us, we should go to the mountains with a cause and not without it. This time, we planned to support the handloom weavers." Earlier this year, Pothuraju, along with his coach and his mother, among others, had scaled Uhuru peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest peak in Africa. He had unfurled the Tricolour at a height of 5,895 meters above the sea level on April 2.

Hyderabad: 8-year-old successfully climbs Australia's highest mountain