Hurricane Humberto knocked out power lines in Bermuda on Wednesday night, plunging nearly the whole Atlantic archipelago into darkness, as the storm whipped the British territory with powerful winds and heavy rain.

Even as Hurricane Humberto was moving away, Miami-based US&nbsp;National Hurricane Center forecast a prolonged period of dangerous winds through Thursday and warned that dangerous breaking waves could lead to coastal flooding overnight.

More than 28,000 homes and businesses had lost electricity by early evening, according to electricity company Belco.

Flights were cancelled and some residents in the capital, Hamilton, covered windows with wooden planks and metal sheeting.

Belco said it would begin restoring power on Thursday morning.

Bermudan officials warned residents to stay off roads and prepare for possible tornadoes as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-1-million-told-to-evacuate-homes-as-hurricane-florence-bears-down-on-us-east-coast-164990">hurricane</a> picked up forward speed and weather conditions worsened.

The officials also reported that people who had sought refuge in an emergency housing shelter at a public high school had to be relocated after windows were damaged.

James Dodgson, director of the Bermuda Weather Service, said conditions were already worsening.

"I can't even rule out some isolated tornadoes. We have a very serious situation as we have a very big hurricane moving by to our north," he told a news conference.

On Wednesday, the storm's eye was located to the west of the archipelago, which lies about 650 miles (1,050 km) east of the United States.

The storm packed 120 mile-per-hour (193 kph) winds and picked up speed during the afternoon, moving at 20 mph (31 kph). Humberto was a Category 3 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, the NHC said.

Bermuda National Disaster Coordinator Steve Cosham warned that the storm could topple trees and rip down power lines, while tornadoes could damage buildings.

Resident Saivo Goater placed boards across the sliding glass doors of his two-story dwelling, remembering back-to-back hurricanes in 2014 that ripped off parts of his roof.

"I don't want to go through that again," Goater said. "It's better to be safe than sorry."

Officials ended government ferry services and were closing a major road leading to the airport on Wednesday evening. They also opened a shelter at a high school with room for 100 people.

Schools were closed and ambulances on standby, a witness said.

The Atlantic storm season has picked up pace in recent weeks.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-storm-hits-hurricane-ravaged-bahamas-could-become-tropical-storm-249408">Bahamas</a> is still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, and the remnants of Tropical Depression Imelda have moved inland across the Gulf Coast of Texas and southeastern Louisiana as it weakened, bringing warnings of flash floods and heavy rains.

Hurricane Humberto knocked out power lines in Bermuda on Wednesday night, plunging nearly the whole Atlantic archipelago into darkness, as the storm whipped the British territory with powerful winds and heavy rain.

Hurricane Humberto knocked out power lines in Bermuda on Wednesday night, plunging nearly the whole Atlantic archipelago into darkness, as the storm whipped the British territory with powerful winds and heavy rain. Even as Hurricane Humberto was moving away, Miami-based US National Hurricane Center forecast a prolonged period of dangerous winds through Thursday and warned that dangerous breaking waves could lead to coastal flooding overnight. More than 28,000 homes and businesses had lost electricity by early evening, according to electricity company Belco. Flights were cancelled and some residents in the capital, Hamilton, covered windows with wooden planks and metal sheeting. Belco said it would begin restoring power on Thursday morning. Bermudan officials warned residents to stay off roads and prepare for possible tornadoes as the hurricane picked up forward speed and weather conditions worsened. The officials also reported that people who had sought refuge in an emergency housing shelter at a public high school had to be relocated after windows were damaged. James Dodgson, director of the Bermuda Weather Service, said conditions were already worsening. "I can't even rule out some isolated tornadoes. We have a very serious situation as we have a very big hurricane moving by to our north," he told a news conference. On Wednesday, the storm's eye was located to the west of the archipelago, which lies about 650 miles (1,050 km) east of the United States. The storm packed 120 mile-per-hour (193 kph) winds and picked up speed during the afternoon, moving at 20 mph (31 kph). Humberto was a Category 3 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, the NHC said. Bermuda National Disaster Coordinator Steve Cosham warned that the storm could topple trees and rip down power lines, while tornadoes could damage buildings. Resident Saivo Goater placed boards across the sliding glass doors of his two-story dwelling, remembering back-to-back hurricanes in 2014 that ripped off parts of his roof. "I don't want to go through that again," Goater said. "It's better to be safe than sorry." Officials ended government ferry services and were closing a major road leading to the airport on Wednesday evening. They also opened a shelter at a high school with room for 100 people. Schools were closed and ambulances on standby, a witness said. The Atlantic storm season has picked up pace in recent weeks. The Bahamas is still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, and the remnants of Tropical Depression Imelda have moved inland across the Gulf Coast of Texas and southeastern Louisiana as it weakened, bringing warnings of flash floods and heavy rains.

Large parts of Bermuda plunged into darkness as Hurricane Humberto whips island

A tropical storm warning was issued on Friday for the northern Bahamas, where thousands of residents are struggling to get back on track after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-storm-hits-hurricane-ravaged-bahamas-could-become-tropical-storm-249408">Hurricane Dorian left them homeless</a>.

Bahamian meteorologists said the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, which were the worst-hit by Dorian, were in the path of the approaching weather system.

Winds of up to 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour were expected and heavy rainfall could bring some flooding to the already saturated islands, said Trevor Basden, director of the Department of Meteorology.

Carl Smith, a spokesman for the Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency, said the storm could have an impact on relief and recovery efforts on Grand Bahama and Abaco.

"The weather system will slow down logistics," Smith told a press conference in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. "Fuel and water remain the biggest needs in Abaco."

Herve Verhoosel, a spokesman for the UN World Food Program, said flights to Marsh Harbour, the largest town on Abaco, were being suspended because of the storm.

Smith said residents of Abaco should seek shelter.

The NEMA spokesman also said 1,300 people remain unaccounted for following Hurricane Dorian -- the same number he gave on Thursday.

He said 71 people were staying in shelters on Grand Bahama island and 2,037 in shelters in New Providence, where Nassau is located.

"We're no longer receiving large numbers of evacuees from Abaco and Grand Bahama," Smith said.

He said the authorities were reopening Grand Bahama international airport in Freeport to limited commercial traffic.

The Bahamian authorities have put the death toll from Dorian, a devastating Category 5 storm, at 50 so far.

But they have said they expect that number to rise significantly and a former prime minister, Hubert Ingraham, said this week he feared the final toll could be in the hundreds.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was to visit the Bahamas on Friday to express his "deep solidarity" with the Atlantic archipelago.

Guterres said Thursday that he wanted to encourage the international community to "increase the support to the Bahamas people and to the Bahamas government."

He also said Hurricane Dorian was a warning of the dangers of climate change.

"All this is a demonstration of what we have all been saying in the recent past," he said. "Climate change is running faster than we are and we need to have a much more ambitious approach in what we do in order to defeat climate change."

A tropical storm warning was issued on Friday for the northern Bahamas, where thousands of residents are struggling to get back on track after Hurricane Dorian left them homeless.

A tropical storm warning was issued on Friday for the northern Bahamas, where thousands of residents are struggling to get back on track after Hurricane Dorian left them homeless. Bahamian meteorologists said the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, which were the worst-hit by Dorian, were in the path of the approaching weather system. Winds of up to 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour were expected and heavy rainfall could bring some flooding to the already saturated islands, said Trevor Basden, director of the Department of Meteorology. Carl Smith, a spokesman for the Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency, said the storm could have an impact on relief and recovery efforts on Grand Bahama and Abaco. "The weather system will slow down logistics," Smith told a press conference in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. "Fuel and water remain the biggest needs in Abaco." Herve Verhoosel, a spokesman for the UN World Food Program, said flights to Marsh Harbour, the largest town on Abaco, were being suspended because of the storm. Smith said residents of Abaco should seek shelter. The NEMA spokesman also said 1,300 people remain unaccounted for following Hurricane Dorian -- the same number he gave on Thursday. He said 71 people were staying in shelters on Grand Bahama island and 2,037 in shelters in New Providence, where Nassau is located. "We're no longer receiving large numbers of evacuees from Abaco and Grand Bahama," Smith said. He said the authorities were reopening Grand Bahama international airport in Freeport to limited commercial traffic. The Bahamian authorities have put the death toll from Dorian, a devastating Category 5 storm, at 50 so far. But they have said they expect that number to rise significantly and a former prime minister, Hubert Ingraham, said this week he feared the final toll could be in the hundreds. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was to visit the Bahamas on Friday to express his "deep solidarity" with the Atlantic archipelago. Guterres said Thursday that he wanted to encourage the international community to "increase the support to the Bahamas people and to the Bahamas government." He also said Hurricane Dorian was a warning of the dangers of climate change. "All this is a demonstration of what we have all been saying in the recent past," he said. "Climate change is running faster than we are and we need to have a much more ambitious approach in what we do in order to defeat climate change."

Tropical storm warning issued for hurricane-hit Bahamas

Hurricane Dorian spun west across the Atlantic ocean toward Florida on Saturday, August 31 after growing into an even stronger Category 4 storm as residents and visitors hunkered down in one of America's most popular tourist destinations. Watch this video to know more.

Bahamas braces for Hurricane Dorian, Florida on high alert

Storm changes the path but remains 'Extremely Dangerous'. To know more watch the video

Jack Sillin, Weather expert on Hurricane Dorian

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/florida-residents-told-to-stock-up-on-food-water-as-hurricane-nears-246731">Hurricane Dorian </a>strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" storm on Friday as it bore down on the Bahamas and the east coast of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-emergency-in-florida-as-hurricane-dorian-approaches-white-house-246736">US state of Florida</a>.

Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis urged residents of the Atlantic Ocean archipelago in the path of the "very powerful and potentially life-threatening hurricane" to seek safety.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Dorian, which is expected to make landfall in the Bahamas on Sunday and in Florida late Monday or Tuesday, "has strengthened to an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane" on a five-level scale.

Watch: Florida Braces for Hurricane Dorian

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The storm has winds near 140 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour), according to the NHC.

"A prolonged period of life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely in portions of the northwestern Bahamas, where a hurricane warning is in effect," the NHC said.

'Very great danger'

Minnis, the Bahamas prime minister, told a press conference that the storm was life-threatening.

"Those who refuse to evacuate place themselves in very great danger... Do not put your life and those of your loved ones at unnecessary risk.

"Do not be foolish and try to brave out this hurricane," Minnis said. "The price you may pay for not evacuating is your life."

With the path of the storm still uncertain, coastal Florida residents were not under evacuation orders yet but stocked up on food, water and other supplies and made preparations to flee their homes.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide declaration of emergency and urged its millions of residents to prepare for what he said could be a "major event."

"We're anticipating a massive amount of flooding," DeSantis said. "We urge all Floridians to have seven days' worth of food, medicine, and water."

"If you're in an evacuation zone and you're ordered to evacuate, please do so," DeSantis said.

The Florida National Guard said about 2,000 service members had been mobilized so far and another 2,000 would be on Saturday.

'Absolute monster'

President Donald Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago golf club is located in Palm Beach in Florida, said Dorian was "looking like it could be an absolute monster" and canceled a trip to Poland to stay behind and focus on preparations for the storm.

"All indications are it's going to hit very hard," Trump said in a video.

"Some people said bigger or at least as big as Andrew," a Category 5 storm that left 65 people dead in 1992, he said.

Trump declared a state of emergency in Florida authorizing federal assistance to supplement state and local efforts.

Georgia -- another southeastern state that could be in the storm's path -- has declared a state of emergency for 12 counties.

Governor Brian Kemp said the hurricane "has the potential to produce catastrophic impacts to citizens" throughout the southeast coastal region of the United States.

Trump warned that Georgia "is very much in (the hurricane's) path also. Georgia could be very much affected."

The US Coast Guard said ocean-going commercial vessels should make plans to leave south Florida ports.

A number of schools announced that classes would be canceled until at least Tuesday.

Orlando International Airport said it would halt commercial flights at 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on Monday "out of an abundance of caution." Orlando is the main airport for nearby Disney World.

NASA is also close by and the US space agency said it was moving an enormous mobile rocket launcher from a launch pad into a vehicle assembly building to protect it from the storm.

A Rolling Stones concert in Miami originally scheduled for Saturday night was moved up by a day due to the weather forecast, the band said on its Twitter account.

Hurricane Dorian strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" storm on Friday as it bore down on the Bahamas and the east coast of the US state of Florida. Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis urged residents of the Atlantic Ocean archipelago in the path of the "very powerful and potentially life-threatening hurricane" to seek safety.

Hurricane Dorian strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" storm on Friday as it bore down on the Bahamas and the east coast of the US state of Florida. Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis urged residents of the Atlantic Ocean archipelago in the path of the "very powerful and potentially life-threatening hurricane" to seek safety. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Dorian, which is expected to make landfall in the Bahamas on Sunday and in Florida late Monday or Tuesday, "has strengthened to an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane" on a five-level scale. Watch: Florida Braces for Hurricane Dorian × The storm has winds near 140 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour), according to the NHC. "A prolonged period of life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely in portions of the northwestern Bahamas, where a hurricane warning is in effect," the NHC said. 'Very great danger' Minnis, the Bahamas prime minister, told a press conference that the storm was life-threatening. "Those who refuse to evacuate place themselves in very great danger... Do not put your life and those of your loved ones at unnecessary risk. "Do not be foolish and try to brave out this hurricane," Minnis said. "The price you may pay for not evacuating is your life." With the path of the storm still uncertain, coastal Florida residents were not under evacuation orders yet but stocked up on food, water and other supplies and made preparations to flee their homes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide declaration of emergency and urged its millions of residents to prepare for what he said could be a "major event." "We're anticipating a massive amount of flooding," DeSantis said. "We urge all Floridians to have seven days' worth of food, medicine, and water." "If you're in an evacuation zone and you're ordered to evacuate, please do so," DeSantis said. The Florida National Guard said about 2,000 service members had been mobilized so far and another 2,000 would be on Saturday. 'Absolute monster' President Donald Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago golf club is located in Palm Beach in Florida, said Dorian was "looking like it could be an absolute monster" and canceled a trip to Poland to stay behind and focus on preparations for the storm. "All indications are it's going to hit very hard," Trump said in a video. "Some people said bigger or at least as big as Andrew," a Category 5 storm that left 65 people dead in 1992, he said. Trump declared a state of emergency in Florida authorizing federal assistance to supplement state and local efforts. Georgia -- another southeastern state that could be in the storm's path -- has declared a state of emergency for 12 counties. Governor Brian Kemp said the hurricane "has the potential to produce catastrophic impacts to citizens" throughout the southeast coastal region of the United States. Trump warned that Georgia "is very much in (the hurricane's) path also. Georgia could be very much affected." The US Coast Guard said ocean-going commercial vessels should make plans to leave south Florida ports. A number of schools announced that classes would be canceled until at least Tuesday. Orlando International Airport said it would halt commercial flights at 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on Monday "out of an abundance of caution." Orlando is the main airport for nearby Disney World. NASA is also close by and the US space agency said it was moving an enormous mobile rocket launcher from a launch pad into a vehicle assembly building to protect it from the storm. A Rolling Stones concert in Miami originally scheduled for Saturday night was moved up by a day due to the weather forecast, the band said on its Twitter account.

Bahamas, Florida in path of 'dangerous' Hurricane Dorian

Nervous New Orleans residents prepared to flee as Tropical Storm Barry closed in on Thursday, with forecasts of "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/life-threatening-rains-pound-us-capital-white-house-basement-offices-leak-234285">extreme rain</a>" and more flooding ahead of the storm's predicted landfall by early on Saturday as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019.

Barry coalesced in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday morning, packing maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour (64 kph), a day after heavy showers from the gathering storm drenched New Orleans with nearly a foot (30 cm) of rain, the National Weather Service said.

A tropical <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/six-tourists-killed-by-tornadoes-and-hailstorms-in-greece-234838">storm warning</a> 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 refrained from ordering evacuations, urging residents to secure their property, gather supplies and shelter in place instead.

But some residents, recalling the devastation wreaked in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina, which killed some 1,800 people along the Gulf, decided it was safer to leave. The threat of flooding along the Mississippi River, which winds through the heart of the city, was a major concern.

"It's really the river that has us worried," said Betsey Hazard, who lives with her husband, Jack, and their two young children a block from the Mississippi River. "They say that the river won't flood in New Orleans, but we have a 5-year-old and a 10-month-old, and we don't want to take any chances."

The Hazards said they were leaving town for the neighbouring state of Mississippi.

Others flocked to supermarkets for bottled water, ice, snack foods and beer, thronging grocery outlets in such numbers that some stores ran out of shopping carts.

Throughout the city, motorists left cars parked on the raised median strips of roadways in hopes of giving their vehicles just enough extra elevation to keep them from being damaged by street flooding.

Storm surge

Barry was forecast to bring a coastal storm surge into the mouth of the river, pushing its height to 19 feet (5.9 m) on Saturday, the highest on record since 1950 and dangerously close to the top of the levee system protecting the city.

The Mississippi has been above flood stage for six months. Torrential downpours from the storm would only add to the flow, raising the chance of overtopping levee walls, especially downstream where barriers are lower.

Meteorologists predicted between 10 and 20 inches (25-50 cm) of rain along much of the Gulf Coast on Friday and Saturday.

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.

"We cannot pump our way out of the water levels that are expected to hit the city of New Orleans," Cantrell said. "We need you to understand this."

Pumps already were working at capacity after heavy rains that flooded streets on Wednesday, she said.

"The more information we get, the more concerned we are that this is going to be an extreme rain event," Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told an afternoon news conference. "If Tropical Storm Barry becomes a hurricane, it would be the first time we've had the hurricane hit the state with rising rivers."

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for areas of Plaquemines Parish beyond the levees southeast of the city, and for low-lying communities in Jefferson Parish, to the southwest.

High winds were less of immediate concern.

Edwards said he expected the storm to measure a Category 1, the lowest rung on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane wind strength when it comes ashore.

Barry will be classified a hurricane once sustained winds hit 74 mph (119 km), which could occur late on Friday or early on Saturday when its centre will be near the Louisiana shoreline, the National Weather Service said. Weakening is expected after Barry moves inland.

The storm was quick to dampen tourism.

In the normally bustling French Quarter, only a couple of tables were occupied at the popular coffee-and-beignet restaurant Café du Monde.

Kate Clayson of Northampton, England, and her boyfriend, Maxx Lipman, of Nashville, Tennessee, said they arrived on Wednesday for a vacation but were planning to depart on Thursday.

"The woman at our Airbnb said the water came up to the first step of our house yesterday, so we've just decided we’d better get out," Clayson said.

Nervous New Orleans residents prepared to flee as Tropical Storm Barry closed in on Thursday, with forecasts of "extreme rain" and more flooding ahead of the storm's predicted landfall by early on Saturday as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019.

Nervous New Orleans residents prepared to flee as Tropical Storm Barry closed in on Thursday, with forecasts of "extreme rain" and more flooding ahead of the storm's predicted landfall by early on Saturday as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019. Barry coalesced in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday morning, packing maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour (64 kph), a day after heavy showers from the gathering storm drenched New Orleans with nearly a foot (30 cm) of rain, the National Weather Service said. 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 refrained from ordering evacuations, urging residents to secure their property, gather supplies and shelter in place instead. But some residents, recalling the devastation wreaked in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina, which killed some 1,800 people along the Gulf, decided it was safer to leave. The threat of flooding along the Mississippi River, which winds through the heart of the city, was a major concern. "It's really the river that has us worried," said Betsey Hazard, who lives with her husband, Jack, and their two young children a block from the Mississippi River. "They say that the river won't flood in New Orleans, but we have a 5-year-old and a 10-month-old, and we don't want to take any chances." The Hazards said they were leaving town for the neighbouring state of Mississippi. Others flocked to supermarkets for bottled water, ice, snack foods and beer, thronging grocery outlets in such numbers that some stores ran out of shopping carts. Throughout the city, motorists left cars parked on the raised median strips of roadways in hopes of giving their vehicles just enough extra elevation to keep them from being damaged by street flooding. Storm surge Barry was forecast to bring a coastal storm surge into the mouth of the river, pushing its height to 19 feet (5.9 m) on Saturday, the highest on record since 1950 and dangerously close to the top of the levee system protecting the city. The Mississippi has been above flood stage for six months. Torrential downpours from the storm would only add to the flow, raising the chance of overtopping levee walls, especially downstream where barriers are lower. Meteorologists predicted between 10 and 20 inches (25-50 cm) of rain along much of the Gulf Coast on Friday and Saturday. 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. "We cannot pump our way out of the water levels that are expected to hit the city of New Orleans," Cantrell said. "We need you to understand this." Pumps already were working at capacity after heavy rains that flooded streets on Wednesday, she said. "The more information we get, the more concerned we are that this is going to be an extreme rain event," Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told an afternoon news conference. "If Tropical Storm Barry becomes a hurricane, it would be the first time we've had the hurricane hit the state with rising rivers." Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for areas of Plaquemines Parish beyond the levees southeast of the city, and for low-lying communities in Jefferson Parish, to the southwest. High winds were less of immediate concern. Edwards said he expected the storm to measure a Category 1, the lowest rung on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane wind strength when it comes ashore. Barry will be classified a hurricane once sustained winds hit 74 mph (119 km), which could occur late on Friday or early on Saturday when its centre will be near the Louisiana shoreline, the National Weather Service said. Weakening is expected after Barry moves inland. The storm was quick to dampen tourism. In the normally bustling French Quarter, only a couple of tables were occupied at the popular coffee-and-beignet restaurant Café du Monde. Kate Clayson of Northampton, England, and her boyfriend, Maxx Lipman, of Nashville, Tennessee, said they arrived on Wednesday for a vacation but were planning to depart on Thursday. "The woman at our Airbnb said the water came up to the first step of our house yesterday, so we've just decided we’d better get out," Clayson said.

Tropical Storm Barry nears New Orleans, raising flood threat

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:

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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

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Friday said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-vayu-remains-practically-stationary-imd-227012">cyclonic storm Vayu no longer posed any threat </a>to the state as it had moved away westward.

Following a meeting with top officials in Gandhinagar, Rupani asked the authorities to let around 2.75 lakh people who had been shifted to safety to return to their homes.

"Gujarat is now completely safe. There exists no threat from cyclone Vayu now as the storm has veered towards the west in the Arabian Sea.

"Around 2.75 lakh people who were evacuated from the coastal areas are free to return to their homes," the chief minister told reporters.

The state government will pay an allowance totalling around Rs 5.5 crore to the evacuees for daily expenses over the next three days, he announced.

As per the latest weather report by the Meteorological Centre here, the cyclone is "moving slowly away from the coast" and currently located in the Arabian Sea, around 150 km from Porbandar.

"Schools and colleges will start as per their schedules tomorrow. We are also calling back senior officials and ministers who were deployed in ten coastal districts to supervise relief and rescue operations. Road transport buses have started plying in these areas today," Rupani said.

Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will remain stationed along the coastline for another 48 hours, he said.

It was predicted earlier that the cyclone would make landfall on Gujarat coast Thursday afternoon, leading the government to prepare for possible damage.

It also brought moderate-to-heavy rains to 114 tehsils of Gujarat, mostly along the coast. The highest rainfall of 6. 5 inches (160mm) was recorded in Talala tehsil of Gir-Somnath district since Thursday, said the Met department release.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Friday said cyclonic storm Vayu no longer posed any threat to the state as it had moved away westward. Following a meeting with top officials in Gandhinagar, Rupani asked the authorities to let around 2.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Friday said cyclonic storm Vayu no longer posed any threat to the state as it had moved away westward. Following a meeting with top officials in Gandhinagar, Rupani asked the authorities to let around 2.75 lakh people who had been shifted to safety to return to their homes. "Gujarat is now completely safe. There exists no threat from cyclone Vayu now as the storm has veered towards the west in the Arabian Sea. "Around 2.75 lakh people who were evacuated from the coastal areas are free to return to their homes," the chief minister told reporters. The state government will pay an allowance totalling around Rs 5.5 crore to the evacuees for daily expenses over the next three days, he announced. As per the latest weather report by the Meteorological Centre here, the cyclone is "moving slowly away from the coast" and currently located in the Arabian Sea, around 150 km from Porbandar. "Schools and colleges will start as per their schedules tomorrow. We are also calling back senior officials and ministers who were deployed in ten coastal districts to supervise relief and rescue operations. Road transport buses have started plying in these areas today," Rupani said. Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will remain stationed along the coastline for another 48 hours, he said. It was predicted earlier that the cyclone would make landfall on Gujarat coast Thursday afternoon, leading the government to prepare for possible damage. It also brought moderate-to-heavy rains to 114 tehsils of Gujarat, mostly along the coast. The highest rainfall of 6. 5 inches (160mm) was recorded in Talala tehsil of Gir-Somnath district since Thursday, said the Met department release.

Cyclone Vayu no more a threat, evacuees can return: Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani

Gujarat government on Wednesday evacuated over 2.7 lakh people from 10 coastal districts as "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/flight-operations-in-gujarat-suspended-as-cyclone-vayu-approaches-226676">very severe cyclonic storm</a>" Vayu inched closer to the state coast and is expected to make landfall between Dwarka and Veraval on Thursday afternoon.

Columns of Army, NDRF personnel, Air Force helicopters and 300 marine commandoes were deployed for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-vayu-turns-very-severe-10-districts-of-gujarat-on-alert-226555">rescue and relief operations</a>, while flight operations from five airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla were suspended.

Around 2.75 lakh people were shifted and more than 500 villages have been evacuated from the coastal regions in view of the Cyclone Vayu approaching the Gujarat Coast, the government said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani chaired a meeting with senior state officials, officers of the Army and NDRF and District Magistrates to take stock of the situation.

"47 teams of NDRF have reached Gujarat and over 5 more teams will reach by Thursday morning. Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard have taken their positions. State Disaster Management is at work. Police patrolling will be done throughout the night so that no one is left in the lower regions," Rupani said after the meeting in Gandhinagar.

The NDRF teams have been deployed at Kutch, Morbi, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Junagarh, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Valsad, Surat and Gandhi Nagar; four teams have been pre-positioned at Diu for a prompt response, the government said.

Chief Minister Rupani said that all sea-related activities have been stopped and all departments have been put on alert. "Senior Ministers and Senior Secretaries have been sent to control rooms of district administration and they are monitoring the situation," he said.

Vayu is expected to cross Gujarat coast between Dwarka and Veraval as a "very severe cyclonic storm" with a wind speed of 155-165 km per hour gusting to 180 km per hour Thursday afternoon.

Taking to ANI in New Delhi, MeT Department Director RK Jenamani said that Vayu is expected to reach the coastal area of Porbandar and Kutch with a speed of 135-165 on Thursday morning.&nbsp;

"This is similar to the cyclone Fani in Odisha and it is hard to predict its longevity."

He said that its effects will be seen on Thursday and Friday and heavy rain is expected in the affected areas of the state.

Meanwhile, Western Railway cancelled the operation of around 77 mainline trains, while 33 other mainline trains will be short terminated with partial cancellation as a precautionary measure in the cyclone-prone areas. 
A total of 110 trains of Western Railway are affected.

"Various safety and security precautions are also being taken by Western Railway for train passengers of these cyclone prone areas under the jurisdiction of Western Railways i.e. Veraval, Okha, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Bhuj and Gandhidham, etc," a press statement by the Western Railway said.

Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar said that schools, colleges and Anganwadis would remain shut on June 12 and 13 in the coastal districts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised people to closely follow real-time information being disseminated by the authorities.

"Praying for the safety and well-being of all those affected by Cyclone Vayu. The Government and local agencies are providing real-time information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow," he tweeted.

Vayu comes after an extremely severe cyclonic storm `Fani` wreaked havoc in Odisha last month.&nbsp;

Gujarat government on Wednesday evacuated over 2.7 lakh people from 10 coastal districts as "very severe cyclonic storm" Vayu inched closer to the state coast and is expected to make landfall between Dwarka and Veraval on Thursday afternoon.

Gujarat government on Wednesday evacuated over 2.7 lakh people from 10 coastal districts as "very severe cyclonic storm" Vayu inched closer to the state coast and is expected to make landfall between Dwarka and Veraval on Thursday afternoon. Columns of Army, NDRF personnel, Air Force helicopters and 300 marine commandoes were deployed for rescue and relief operations, while flight operations from five airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla were suspended. Around 2.75 lakh people were shifted and more than 500 villages have been evacuated from the coastal regions in view of the Cyclone Vayu approaching the Gujarat Coast, the government said. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani chaired a meeting with senior state officials, officers of the Army and NDRF and District Magistrates to take stock of the situation. "47 teams of NDRF have reached Gujarat and over 5 more teams will reach by Thursday morning. Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard have taken their positions. State Disaster Management is at work. Police patrolling will be done throughout the night so that no one is left in the lower regions," Rupani said after the meeting in Gandhinagar. The NDRF teams have been deployed at Kutch, Morbi, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Junagarh, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Valsad, Surat and Gandhi Nagar; four teams have been pre-positioned at Diu for a prompt response, the government said. Chief Minister Rupani said that all sea-related activities have been stopped and all departments have been put on alert. "Senior Ministers and Senior Secretaries have been sent to control rooms of district administration and they are monitoring the situation," he said. Vayu is expected to cross Gujarat coast between Dwarka and Veraval as a "very severe cyclonic storm" with a wind speed of 155-165 km per hour gusting to 180 km per hour Thursday afternoon. Taking to ANI in New Delhi, MeT Department Director RK Jenamani said that Vayu is expected to reach the coastal area of Porbandar and Kutch with a speed of 135-165 on Thursday morning. "This is similar to the cyclone Fani in Odisha and it is hard to predict its longevity." He said that its effects will be seen on Thursday and Friday and heavy rain is expected in the affected areas of the state. Meanwhile, Western Railway cancelled the operation of around 77 mainline trains, while 33 other mainline trains will be short terminated with partial cancellation as a precautionary measure in the cyclone-prone areas. A total of 110 trains of Western Railway are affected. "Various safety and security precautions are also being taken by Western Railway for train passengers of these cyclone prone areas under the jurisdiction of Western Railways i.e. Veraval, Okha, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Bhuj and Gandhidham, etc," a press statement by the Western Railway said. Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar said that schools, colleges and Anganwadis would remain shut on June 12 and 13 in the coastal districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised people to closely follow real-time information being disseminated by the authorities. "Praying for the safety and well-being of all those affected by Cyclone Vayu. The Government and local agencies are providing real-time information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow," he tweeted. Vayu comes after an extremely severe cyclonic storm `Fani` wreaked havoc in Odisha last month.

Gujarat braces for 'very severe cyclonic storm' Vayu; over 2.7 lakh evacuated

At least two people lost their lives and a hundred were injured after a storm hit Nepal`s Kailali and Kanchanpur districts in the Far-Western Development Region on Thursday evening.

While 77 people were wounded due to the storms in Kailali, 23 people have been injured in Kanchanpur, taking the total count up to a hundred.

"Two people are confirmed dead and over 77 are injured as the storm hit the district on Thursday evening," the Chief District Officer of Kailali district, Yagyaraj Bohara, confirmed to ANI over the phone.

The dead were identified as 47-year-old Lahanu Chaudhary and Birbahadur Chaudhary, whose age is yet to be determined."We have already started an assessment of the damage caused by the storm last evening.&nbsp;

The search and rescue operation is over now.&nbsp;

Out of the 77 injured, four are in a critical condition and currently undergoing treatment at hospitals like the Seti Zonal Hospital," CDO Bohara added.

Several electricity polls were damaged while trees were uprooted due to the strong winds, followed by heavy rainfall. This has led to highways being blocked, along with causing a disruption to the electricity supply.

"A total of 23 people are injured in Kanchanpur district. Out of the injured people, eight have been referred to Seti Zonal Hospital for further treatment. An 11-year-old girl, who was seriously injured, continues to be in a critical condition," Deputy Chief District Officer, Gokarna Prasad Upadhyaya, told ANI via telephone.

Educational institutions in both districts remained closed on Friday due to the devastation caused by the storms.&nbsp;

A large number of schools have borne damage, which has restricted their operations.

Nepal`s capital, Kathmandu, also witnessed strong winds followed by heavy rainfall on Friday morning. No casualties have been reported yet.

At least two people lost their lives and a hundred were injured after a storm hit Nepal`s Kailali and Kanchanpur districts in the Far-Western Development Region on Thursday evening.

At least two people lost their lives and a hundred were injured after a storm hit Nepal`s Kailali and Kanchanpur districts in the Far-Western Development Region on Thursday evening. While 77 people were wounded due to the storms in Kailali, 23 people have been injured in Kanchanpur, taking the total count up to a hundred. "Two people are confirmed dead and over 77 are injured as the storm hit the district on Thursday evening," the Chief District Officer of Kailali district, Yagyaraj Bohara, confirmed to ANI over the phone. The dead were identified as 47-year-old Lahanu Chaudhary and Birbahadur Chaudhary, whose age is yet to be determined."We have already started an assessment of the damage caused by the storm last evening. The search and rescue operation is over now. Out of the 77 injured, four are in a critical condition and currently undergoing treatment at hospitals like the Seti Zonal Hospital," CDO Bohara added. Several electricity polls were damaged while trees were uprooted due to the strong winds, followed by heavy rainfall. This has led to highways being blocked, along with causing a disruption to the electricity supply. "A total of 23 people are injured in Kanchanpur district. Out of the injured people, eight have been referred to Seti Zonal Hospital for further treatment. An 11-year-old girl, who was seriously injured, continues to be in a critical condition," Deputy Chief District Officer, Gokarna Prasad Upadhyaya, told ANI via telephone. Educational institutions in both districts remained closed on Friday due to the devastation caused by the storms. A large number of schools have borne damage, which has restricted their operations. Nepal`s capital, Kathmandu, also witnessed strong winds followed by heavy rainfall on Friday morning. No casualties have been reported yet.

Two dead, 100 injured as storm hits Nepal's western region

A massive dust storm covered an Australian town and plunged it into darkness as it rolled through on Tuesday evening. A time-lapse video shared which showed the storm quickly dimming the skies. Andrew Thomas, who filmed the footage, told that the storm lingered for about an hour, before moving on and the skies became clear again.

Dust storm plunges Australian city in brief darkness

Rescuers were working into the night on Saturday to airlift 1,300 passengers and crew off a cruise ship after it got into difficulty in rough seas off the Norwegian coast.

The Viking Sky lost power and started drifting mid-afternoon two kilometres off More og Romsdal, prompting the captain to send out a distress call.

The crew managed to restart one of the engines and drop anchor but authorities decided it was too risky for passengers to remain on board.

Five helicopters were scrambled along with coastguard and other rescue vessels.

"I have never seen anything so frightening," said one of the passengers who was rescued, Janet Jacob.

"I started to pray. I prayed for the safety of everyone on board," she told the NRK television channel.

"The helicopter trip was terrifying. The winds were like a tornado," she added.&nbsp;

Pictures broadcast in media reports showed passengers on board as the boat rocked up and down.

"We were sitting down for breakfast when things started to shake... It was just chaos," said another passenger, American John Curry, as quoted in Norwegian by media.

Tor Andre Franck, the head of the police operations, said: "The boat only has one working engine and the winds are rather strong. Therefore we would prefer to have the passengers on land rather than on board the ship."&nbsp;

Notorious seas&nbsp;

The Viking Sky sent out a distress signal due to "engine problems in bad weather", southern Norway's rescue centre said earlier on Twitter.

By 9:00 pm 136 people had been evacuated, with each helicopter able to take 15-20 people per airlift.

"The operation is going on all night long. The people are safe on board," said Per Fjeld, a rescue centre official.

The ship was travelling south en route from Tromso to Stavanger when it got into trouble in an area that has claimed many ships.

"It is dangerous to encounter engine problems in these waters, which hide numerous reefs," Franck said.

A reception centre has been set up in a gym on shore to accommodate the evacuees, many of whom are from the US and Britain.

Another vessel had been dispatched to try to tow the Viking Sky into port, potentially removing the need for the airlift.

"The boat is stable. It has dropped anchor and one of its engines is working," said a rescue centre spokesman, Borghild Eldoen.

"For the moment everything appears to be going well," added another spokesman, Einar Knutsen.

The centre said eight people had suffered minor injuries.

The area where the ship is stranded, known as Hustadvika, is notoriously difficult to navigate.

The shallow, ten nautical mile section of coastline is known for its many small islands and reefs.

"Hustadvika is one of the most notorious maritime areas that we have," Odd Roar Lange, a journalist specialising in tourism, told NRK.

In their time, the Vikings hesitated to venture into the Hustadvika, preferring instead to transport their boats by land from one fjord to another.

Operated by the Norwegian firm Viking Ocean Cruisers, the Viking Sky is a modern cruise ship launched in 2017 with a capacity of 930 passengers plus crew.&nbsp;

In addition to US and British nationals, there were also passengers from 14 other countries on board, Fjeld said.

Rescuers were working into the night on Saturday to airlift 1,300 passengers and crew off a cruise ship after it got into difficulty in rough seas off the Norwegian coast.

Rescuers were working into the night on Saturday to airlift 1,300 passengers and crew off a cruise ship after it got into difficulty in rough seas off the Norwegian coast. The Viking Sky lost power and started drifting mid-afternoon two kilometres off More og Romsdal, prompting the captain to send out a distress call. The crew managed to restart one of the engines and drop anchor but authorities decided it was too risky for passengers to remain on board. Five helicopters were scrambled along with coastguard and other rescue vessels. "I have never seen anything so frightening," said one of the passengers who was rescued, Janet Jacob. "I started to pray. I prayed for the safety of everyone on board," she told the NRK television channel. "The helicopter trip was terrifying. The winds were like a tornado," she added. Pictures broadcast in media reports showed passengers on board as the boat rocked up and down. "We were sitting down for breakfast when things started to shake... It was just chaos," said another passenger, American John Curry, as quoted in Norwegian by media. Tor Andre Franck, the head of the police operations, said: "The boat only has one working engine and the winds are rather strong. Therefore we would prefer to have the passengers on land rather than on board the ship." Notorious seas The Viking Sky sent out a distress signal due to "engine problems in bad weather", southern Norway's rescue centre said earlier on Twitter. By 9:00 pm 136 people had been evacuated, with each helicopter able to take 15-20 people per airlift. "The operation is going on all night long. The people are safe on board," said Per Fjeld, a rescue centre official. The ship was travelling south en route from Tromso to Stavanger when it got into trouble in an area that has claimed many ships. "It is dangerous to encounter engine problems in these waters, which hide numerous reefs," Franck said. A reception centre has been set up in a gym on shore to accommodate the evacuees, many of whom are from the US and Britain. Another vessel had been dispatched to try to tow the Viking Sky into port, potentially removing the need for the airlift. "The boat is stable. It has dropped anchor and one of its engines is working," said a rescue centre spokesman, Borghild Eldoen. "For the moment everything appears to be going well," added another spokesman, Einar Knutsen. The centre said eight people had suffered minor injuries. The area where the ship is stranded, known as Hustadvika, is notoriously difficult to navigate. The shallow, ten nautical mile section of coastline is known for its many small islands and reefs. "Hustadvika is one of the most notorious maritime areas that we have," Odd Roar Lange, a journalist specialising in tourism, told NRK. In their time, the Vikings hesitated to venture into the Hustadvika, preferring instead to transport their boats by land from one fjord to another. Operated by the Norwegian firm Viking Ocean Cruisers, the Viking Sky is a modern cruise ship launched in 2017 with a capacity of 930 passengers plus crew. In addition to US and British nationals, there were also passengers from 14 other countries on board, Fjeld said.

Norway rescuers airlift 1,300 passengers off cruise ship in storm

A powerful late-winter blizzard dubbed a "bomb cyclone" by meteorologists moved east on Thursday, hurling hurricane-force winds, tornadoes after dumping heavy snow on Colorado and the plains states and killing a state trooper.

Though the storm was expected to carry less snowfall as it moves into the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, the National Weather Service and local officials warned of high winds and possible flash flooding from heavy rains.&nbsp;

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation in response to reports of flooding.&nbsp;

A day earlier, the blizzard prompted the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights at Denver International Airport, closed government offices, schools and businesses and was blamed for the death of a state trooper.

Meteorologists referred to the storm as a “bomb cyclone,” a winter hurricane that forms when the barometric pressure drops 24 millibars in 24 hours.&nbsp;

A state of emergency was still in effect in Colorado as cities and towns dug out from the storm, during which strong, 70-mile-per-hour (113-km-per-hour) wind gusts pushed tractor trailers sidewise and left up to 2 feet (0.61 m) of snow in some areas.&nbsp;

The Colorado State Patrol said one of its troopers, 52-year-old Corporal Daniel Groves, was killed northeast of Denver when a car veered out of control and struck him as he was helping the victims of another car accident.

Tornado watches were issued in parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee on Thursday. Tornado warnings were also issued in parts of Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.

An AccuWeather meteorologist said on Thursday on Twitter that at least one tornado had formed near Evansville, Indiana.&nbsp;

The storm also caused flash flooding across the Plains and Midwest states, the NWS reported. Residents in Norfolk, Nebraska, were issued evacuation orders on Wednesday after the Spencer Dam at the Niobrara River was reported to have failed, according to the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A powerful late-winter blizzard dubbed a "bomb cyclone" by meteorologists moved east on Thursday, hurling hurricane-force winds, tornadoes after dumping heavy snow on Colorado and the plains states and killing a state trooper.

A powerful late-winter blizzard dubbed a "bomb cyclone" by meteorologists moved east on Thursday, hurling hurricane-force winds, tornadoes after dumping heavy snow on Colorado and the plains states and killing a state trooper. Though the storm was expected to carry less snowfall as it moves into the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, the National Weather Service and local officials warned of high winds and possible flash flooding from heavy rains. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation in response to reports of flooding. A day earlier, the blizzard prompted the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights at Denver International Airport, closed government offices, schools and businesses and was blamed for the death of a state trooper. Meteorologists referred to the storm as a “bomb cyclone,” a winter hurricane that forms when the barometric pressure drops 24 millibars in 24 hours. A state of emergency was still in effect in Colorado as cities and towns dug out from the storm, during which strong, 70-mile-per-hour (113-km-per-hour) wind gusts pushed tractor trailers sidewise and left up to 2 feet (0.61 m) of snow in some areas. The Colorado State Patrol said one of its troopers, 52-year-old Corporal Daniel Groves, was killed northeast of Denver when a car veered out of control and struck him as he was helping the victims of another car accident. Tornado watches were issued in parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee on Thursday. Tornado warnings were also issued in parts of Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. An AccuWeather meteorologist said on Thursday on Twitter that at least one tornado had formed near Evansville, Indiana. The storm also caused flash flooding across the Plains and Midwest states, the NWS reported. Residents in Norfolk, Nebraska, were issued evacuation orders on Wednesday after the Spencer Dam at the Niobrara River was reported to have failed, according to the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper.

'Bomb cyclone' winter storm moves east after punishing Colorado in US

Thousands of Sydney homes were without power Saturday after severe storms hit Australia's largest city, causing transport hold-ups, inundating vehicles with floodwater and delaying a national football match.

Heavy rains and lightning storms lashed parts of Sydney late Friday, with close to 60 millimetres (nearly two and a half inches) of rain falling in some areas.

In Sydney's west, which experienced some flash flooding, one suburb saw nearly 42 millimetres fall in a short downpour lasting just 30 minutes.&nbsp;

"It was a slow-moving storm with that warm humid air moving along the coast... that allowed for that increase of moisture," Byron Doyle from the New South Wales Bureau of Meteorology told AFP.

Images of cars submerged in floodwaters on main roads, broken traffic lights, and fallen trees circulated on social media.

Energy companies reported that more than 40,000 customers were affected by power outages at the peak of the storm overnight, with more than 5,000 still without power early Saturday.

Emergency services fielded over 1,000 requests for assistance, including nine flood rescues in the Sydney area.

The rescues were "all for vehicles in flood water," a New South Wales state emergency services spokesperson told AFP.&nbsp;

Flights were delayed at Sydney's airport, while the storm caused havoc on some of the city's train lines.

The start of a national Australian rules football women's match was delayed twice, pushed back 45 minutes as heavy rain and lightning pummelled the oval.

Several light towers then went out mid-match during the live television broadcast, temporarily stopping the game during a reported blackout.

The Sydney storm comes as recovery efforts continue in Australia's flood-ravaged northeastern state of Queensland, which over the past week has seen record-breaking rainfall, forcing hundreds of evacuations and thousands of requests for help.

Extreme heatwaves during the southern hemisphere summer have also led to temperature records being broken in some towns.

Eastern inland areas have been experiencing a severe drought, while firefighters in the country's southern states have been recently battling bushfires.

High temperatures are not unusual in the Australian summer, but climate change has pushed up land and sea temperatures and led to more extremely hot days and severe fire seasons, scientists say.

Thousands of Sydney homes were without power Saturday after severe storms hit Australia's largest city, causing transport hold-ups, inundating vehicles with floodwater and delaying a national football match.

Thousands of Sydney homes were without power Saturday after severe storms hit Australia's largest city, causing transport hold-ups, inundating vehicles with floodwater and delaying a national football match. Heavy rains and lightning storms lashed parts of Sydney late Friday, with close to 60 millimetres (nearly two and a half inches) of rain falling in some areas. In Sydney's west, which experienced some flash flooding, one suburb saw nearly 42 millimetres fall in a short downpour lasting just 30 minutes. "It was a slow-moving storm with that warm humid air moving along the coast... that allowed for that increase of moisture," Byron Doyle from the New South Wales Bureau of Meteorology told AFP. Images of cars submerged in floodwaters on main roads, broken traffic lights, and fallen trees circulated on social media. Energy companies reported that more than 40,000 customers were affected by power outages at the peak of the storm overnight, with more than 5,000 still without power early Saturday. Emergency services fielded over 1,000 requests for assistance, including nine flood rescues in the Sydney area. The rescues were "all for vehicles in flood water," a New South Wales state emergency services spokesperson told AFP. Flights were delayed at Sydney's airport, while the storm caused havoc on some of the city's train lines. The start of a national Australian rules football women's match was delayed twice, pushed back 45 minutes as heavy rain and lightning pummelled the oval. Several light towers then went out mid-match during the live television broadcast, temporarily stopping the game during a reported blackout. The Sydney storm comes as recovery efforts continue in Australia's flood-ravaged northeastern state of Queensland, which over the past week has seen record-breaking rainfall, forcing hundreds of evacuations and thousands of requests for help. Extreme heatwaves during the southern hemisphere summer have also led to temperature records being broken in some towns. Eastern inland areas have been experiencing a severe drought, while firefighters in the country's southern states have been recently battling bushfires. High temperatures are not unusual in the Australian summer, but climate change has pushed up land and sea temperatures and led to more extremely hot days and severe fire seasons, scientists say.

Thousands without power as storm lashes Sydney

The Centre has sounded an "Orange" alert for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which is facing a cyclonic storm, officials said Sunday.

Cyclonic storm "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-pabuk-meteorological-department-warns-fishermen-against-going-to-sea-188427">Pabuk</a>" is approaching the archipelago and currently hovering over the Andaman sea and the neighbourhood, they added.

An "Orange" warning had been issued for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a home ministry official said, quoting from a weather bulletin.

An "orange" weather warning means people should "be prepared" and there is an increased likelihood of bad or extreme weather, which may disrupt road and air travel and threaten life and property.

"Pabuk" is now over the Andaman sea and its neighbourhood and it has moved north-northwestwards at a speed of 20 kmph in the last six hours.

It lays centred near latitude 11.0&nbsp;North and longitude 95.5&nbsp;East, about 310 km east-southeast of Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The cyclonic storm is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and cross the Andaman islands by Sunday night with a wind speed of 65-75 kmph, gusting to 85 kmph, the official said.

Thereafter, it is very likely to move north-northwestwards and then recurve north-eastwards, towards the Myanmar coast, and weaken gradually thereafter, he added, quoting from the bulletin.

The Centre has sounded an "Orange" alert for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which is facing a cyclonic storm, officials said Sunday. Cyclonic storm "Pabuk" is approaching the archipelago and currently hovering over the Andaman sea and the neighbourhood, they added.

The Centre has sounded an "Orange" alert for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which is facing a cyclonic storm, officials said Sunday. Cyclonic storm "Pabuk" is approaching the archipelago and currently hovering over the Andaman sea and the neighbourhood, they added. An "Orange" warning had been issued for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a home ministry official said, quoting from a weather bulletin. An "orange" weather warning means people should "be prepared" and there is an increased likelihood of bad or extreme weather, which may disrupt road and air travel and threaten life and property. "Pabuk" is now over the Andaman sea and its neighbourhood and it has moved north-northwestwards at a speed of 20 kmph in the last six hours. It lays centred near latitude 11.0 North and longitude 95.5 East, about 310 km east-southeast of Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The cyclonic storm is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and cross the Andaman islands by Sunday night with a wind speed of 65-75 kmph, gusting to 85 kmph, the official said. Thereafter, it is very likely to move north-northwestwards and then recurve north-eastwards, towards the Myanmar coast, and weaken gradually thereafter, he added, quoting from the bulletin.

'Orange' alert for Andaman due to cyclone 'Pabuk'

The death toll from a storm that devastated the Philippines shortly after Christmas rose to 126, authorities said Sunday, adding landslides caused by torrential rain were the top cause.

The storm hit central and eastern Philippine islands on December 29 and caused massive flooding and landslides.&nbsp;

More than 100 people died in the mountainous Bicol region southeast of Manila, regional disaster officials said.

While the Bicol region is often hit by deadly typhoons, many people failed to take necessary precautions because the storm was not strong enough to be rated as a typhoon under the government's storm alert system, according to civil defence officials.

Officials also said that many residents were reluctant to leave their homes during the Christmas holidays.

"In two days alone, Usman poured more than a month's worth of rainfall in the Bicol region," national disaster agency spokesman Edgar Posadas told AFP, using the local name for the storm which had weakened into a low-pressure area.

"Our search and retrieval operations are ongoing but the sticky mud and the unstable soil are a challenge."&nbsp;

The death toll was likely to climb further with 26 people still missing, Posadas added.

More than 152,000 people were displaced by the storm and 75 were injured, according to the national disaster agency.

President Rodrigo Duterte visited the storm-hit areas on Friday and urged officials to build evacuation centres instead of using schools as shelters for the displaced.

About 20 typhoons and storms batter the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people.

The deadliest in recent years was Super Typhoon Haiyan which left more than 7,360 people dead or missing across the central Philippines in 2013.

The death toll from a storm that devastated the Philippines shortly after Christmas rose to 126, authorities said Sunday, adding landslides caused by torrential rain were the top cause.

The death toll from a storm that devastated the Philippines shortly after Christmas rose to 126, authorities said Sunday, adding landslides caused by torrential rain were the top cause. The storm hit central and eastern Philippine islands on December 29 and caused massive flooding and landslides. More than 100 people died in the mountainous Bicol region southeast of Manila, regional disaster officials said. While the Bicol region is often hit by deadly typhoons, many people failed to take necessary precautions because the storm was not strong enough to be rated as a typhoon under the government's storm alert system, according to civil defence officials. Officials also said that many residents were reluctant to leave their homes during the Christmas holidays. "In two days alone, Usman poured more than a month's worth of rainfall in the Bicol region," national disaster agency spokesman Edgar Posadas told AFP, using the local name for the storm which had weakened into a low-pressure area. "Our search and retrieval operations are ongoing but the sticky mud and the unstable soil are a challenge." The death toll was likely to climb further with 26 people still missing, Posadas added. More than 152,000 people were displaced by the storm and 75 were injured, according to the national disaster agency. President Rodrigo Duterte visited the storm-hit areas on Friday and urged officials to build evacuation centres instead of using schools as shelters for the displaced. About 20 typhoons and storms batter the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people. The deadliest in recent years was Super Typhoon Haiyan which left more than 7,360 people dead or missing across the central Philippines in 2013.

Philippines: Death toll from storm, landslides climbs to 126

The death toll from landslides and<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/video-2-killed-32-injured-in-bombing-in-troubled-south-philippines-187563"> devastating floods in the central Philippines </a>triggered by a tropical depression climbed to 85, officials said on Wednesday, and 20 people were missing as rescuers slowly reached cut-off communities.

The casualties, including young children, were mostly killed when their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/4-dead-as-storm-sweeps-through-central-philippines-over-12000-evacuated-187162">homes collapsed in landslides after days of heavy rain</a> in several provinces in the central Philippines, said Ricardo Jalad, executive director of the national disaster agency.

"If we don't recover the missing or we recover them dead, that is 105 deaths, which we hope not," Jalad said.

The tropical depression, which weakened into a low-pressure system before leaving the Philippines on Sunday, brought heavy rain that triggered landslides and flooding in the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions.

Officials put three provinces under a "state of calamity" to give them access to emergency funds.

Bicol, with a population of 5.8 million, was the hardest hit, with 68 killed in intense rains and landslides. Damage to agriculture in Bicol, which produces rice and corn, was estimated at 342 million pesos ($6.5 million).

Rescuers, including the police and military, used heavy-lifting equipment to clear roads leading to landslide sites and entered flooded communities using rubber boats.

"The sun is already out, with occasional light rains. We hope floods will subside," Ronna Monzon, a member of the operations personnel at the disaster agency in Bicol, told Reuters.

About 20 tropical cyclones hit the Philippines every year, with destroyed crops and infrastructure taking a toll on human lives and weighing down one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.

'If we don't recover the missing or we recover them dead, that is 105 deaths, which we hope not,' said Ricardo Jalad, executive director of the national disaster agency.

The death toll from landslides and devastating floods in the central Philippines triggered by a tropical depression climbed to 85, officials said on Wednesday, and 20 people were missing as rescuers slowly reached cut-off communities. The casualties, including young children, were mostly killed when their homes collapsed in landslides after days of heavy rain in several provinces in the central Philippines, said Ricardo Jalad, executive director of the national disaster agency. "If we don't recover the missing or we recover them dead, that is 105 deaths, which we hope not," Jalad said. The tropical depression, which weakened into a low-pressure system before leaving the Philippines on Sunday, brought heavy rain that triggered landslides and flooding in the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions. Officials put three provinces under a "state of calamity" to give them access to emergency funds. Bicol, with a population of 5.8 million, was the hardest hit, with 68 killed in intense rains and landslides. Damage to agriculture in Bicol, which produces rice and corn, was estimated at 342 million pesos ($6.5 million). Rescuers, including the police and military, used heavy-lifting equipment to clear roads leading to landslide sites and entered flooded communities using rubber boats. "The sun is already out, with occasional light rains. We hope floods will subside," Ronna Monzon, a member of the operations personnel at the disaster agency in Bicol, told Reuters. About 20 tropical cyclones hit the Philippines every year, with destroyed crops and infrastructure taking a toll on human lives and weighing down one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.

Storm death toll in Philippines rises to 85

The Andhra Pradesh government put its machinery on high alert and positioned NDRF and State Disaster Response Force in five districts Saturday as the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal was set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the coast between Ongole and Kakinada on Monday.

The Met office said that coastal Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu are likely to experience rainfall in the next two days with the system making landfall between Ongole and Kakinada in the neighbouring state on Monday.

A report from Amaravati, quoting State Disaster Management Authority Director Prasanna Venkatesh,said teams of National Disaster Response Force and SDRF have been positioned in the coastal districts of Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam and the government machinery put on high alert.

He said two teams of SDRF (80 members) and two of NDRF (60 members) have been deployed in these districts with all necessary equipment for evacuation and rescue operations.

Sixteen teams of Andhra Pradesh Disaster Response and Fire Services have been kept on reserve at Rajamahendravaram, while another nine (of five members each) have been positioned in West Godavari district for road clearance, he said.

"Additionally,four teams of NDRF personnel have been sent to East Godavari district and another kept on standby at the 10th Battalion headquarters for ready movement," Venkatesh said.

East Godavari District Collector Kartikeya Misra declared a two-day holiday for all schools in eight coastal mandals in view of the cyclone threat.

State Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha spoke to Collectors of all coastal districts and reviewed the preparedness to tackle the possible calamity.

Misra said that 50 relief camps have been opened in eight coastal mandals and four IAS officers stationed at Amalapuram to monitor the situation and take appropriate action.

A report from Puducherry, quoting revenue Minister M O H F Shah Jahan,said he asked the Regional Administrative Officer of Yanam (en enclave of the union territory near Kakinda in Andhra Pradesh) D Subramaniswara Rao, to take precautionary measures in view of the cyclone.

Shah Jahan said that Health and Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, elected from the lone Assembly segment in Yanam, was camping in the region, coordinating preventive steps and gearing up departments to ensure that people in vulnerable areas are evacuated to safer places.

A Met department bulletin said that squally winds, with a speed of 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph was likely off Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from Saturday.

The deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved further west-northwestwards and lay centred on Saturday morning over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal.

It lay about 690 km southeast of here, 890 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh and 440 km east-northeast of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.

"It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours (between Saturday and Sunday) and into a severe cyclonic storm in the subsequent 24 hours (between Sunday and Monday morning)," it said.

The system is very likely to move north-northwestwards further and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Kakinada during December 17 afternoon.

In view of the system, rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy showers at a few places is very likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh on December 16 and 17.

"Extremely heavy falls at isolated places is also likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh on 17 December," it said.

Rainfall at many places with isolated heavy rain over north Tamil Nadu was likely on December 16, the bulletin said.

The wind speed was very likely to increase gradually to gale force with speeds of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph along and off Andhra Pradesh coast from December 17 morning, it said.

The sea would be rough to very rough in south Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu from Saturday till December 17, it said, adding that fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal.&nbsp;

The Andhra Pradesh government put its machinery on high alert and positioned NDRF and State Disaster Response Force in five districts Saturday as the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal was set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the coast between Ongole and Kakinada on Monday.

The Andhra Pradesh government put its machinery on high alert and positioned NDRF and State Disaster Response Force in five districts Saturday as the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal was set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the coast between Ongole and Kakinada on Monday. The Met office said that coastal Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu are likely to experience rainfall in the next two days with the system making landfall between Ongole and Kakinada in the neighbouring state on Monday. A report from Amaravati, quoting State Disaster Management Authority Director Prasanna Venkatesh,said teams of National Disaster Response Force and SDRF have been positioned in the coastal districts of Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam and the government machinery put on high alert. He said two teams of SDRF (80 members) and two of NDRF (60 members) have been deployed in these districts with all necessary equipment for evacuation and rescue operations. Sixteen teams of Andhra Pradesh Disaster Response and Fire Services have been kept on reserve at Rajamahendravaram, while another nine (of five members each) have been positioned in West Godavari district for road clearance, he said. "Additionally,four teams of NDRF personnel have been sent to East Godavari district and another kept on standby at the 10th Battalion headquarters for ready movement," Venkatesh said. East Godavari District Collector Kartikeya Misra declared a two-day holiday for all schools in eight coastal mandals in view of the cyclone threat. State Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha spoke to Collectors of all coastal districts and reviewed the preparedness to tackle the possible calamity. Misra said that 50 relief camps have been opened in eight coastal mandals and four IAS officers stationed at Amalapuram to monitor the situation and take appropriate action. A report from Puducherry, quoting revenue Minister M O H F Shah Jahan,said he asked the Regional Administrative Officer of Yanam (en enclave of the union territory near Kakinda in Andhra Pradesh) D Subramaniswara Rao, to take precautionary measures in view of the cyclone. Shah Jahan said that Health and Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, elected from the lone Assembly segment in Yanam, was camping in the region, coordinating preventive steps and gearing up departments to ensure that people in vulnerable areas are evacuated to safer places. A Met department bulletin said that squally winds, with a speed of 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph was likely off Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from Saturday. The deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved further west-northwestwards and lay centred on Saturday morning over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It lay about 690 km southeast of here, 890 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh and 440 km east-northeast of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka. "It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours (between Saturday and Sunday) and into a severe cyclonic storm in the subsequent 24 hours (between Sunday and Monday morning)," it said. The system is very likely to move north-northwestwards further and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Kakinada during December 17 afternoon. In view of the system, rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy showers at a few places is very likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh on December 16 and 17. "Extremely heavy falls at isolated places is also likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh on 17 December," it said. Rainfall at many places with isolated heavy rain over north Tamil Nadu was likely on December 16, the bulletin said. The wind speed was very likely to increase gradually to gale force with speeds of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph along and off Andhra Pradesh coast from December 17 morning, it said. The sea would be rough to very rough in south Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu from Saturday till December 17, it said, adding that fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal.

Andhra Pradesh on high alert following cyclone threat, NDRF deployed

Floods killed 12 people on the island of Sicily, including nine members of a single family, pushing Italy's week-long storm toll beyond 30, rescuers said Sunday.

After a river burst its banks, the bodies of the family including children aged one, three and 15 were discovered in the coastal town of Casteldaccia east of the capital Palermo.

Rescue services said the house where they were spending the weekend was submerged in water and mud. The other victims' ages ranged from 32 to 65.

Three family members managed to escape, one by climbing a tree where he stayed for more than two hours, the Agi news agency reported.

"I lost everything, I have nothing left, just my daughter," one of the survivors, 35-year-old Giuseppe Giordano, told journalists.

His wife, two other children, his parents, brother, and sister, his nephew and the boy's grandmother all died, he said.

After flying over Casteldaccia on Sunday, Sicilian prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio described scenes of "total disaster".

Officials have opened an investigation to determine whether houses built near the river had complied with safety norms.

In a separate incident in Sicily, a 44-year-old man was found dead in his car near Vicari, also in the Palermo region.

He had been trying to reach a service station, where he was the manager, to help a colleague trapped there. A 20-year-old passenger in the car with him is still missing.

Rescue workers are also searching for a doctor, 40, forced by the storms to abandon his car on the road near the town of Corleone after trying to drive to work at the hospital there.

Two other people, a man and a woman, died after their rental car was swept away by a torrent in the region of Agrigente, rescuers said.

Violent winds and strong rain had killed at least 20 other people this week around Italy, especially in the north.

Two were reported killed on Friday, including a 62-year-old Germany tourist struck by lightning in Sardinia.

Six regions remain on high alert for storms.

The severe weather has caused massive damage and disruption. Trees in sprawling mountainside forests in the northeast of the country were flattened like matchsticks by violent winds.

"It's like after an earthquake," said the governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia. "Thousands of hectares of forest were razed to the ground, as if by a giant electric saw."

On Sunday, after flying over the area with Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, Zaia said the storms had destroyed 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) of pine forest in all.

Salvini posted photos of the devastation in a series of tweets Sunday after also flying over the Alpine town of Belluno.

"We need 40 billion euros ($45.5 billion) to secure the national territory," he said.

He pledged to collect and spend that sum but, in a barbed aside to the European Union, said he hoped his plans would not provoke overspending complaints from Brussels.

Europe has objected to Italy's proposed budget, which it says will worsen the country's already huge deficit.

The canal city of Venice, on Italy's northeast coast, has also experienced some of its worst flooding ever, and withstood winds of up to 180 kilometres an hour (110 miles an hour).

The picturesque fishing village of Portofino near Genoa, a holiday resort on the Italian riviera, was reachable only by sea after the main road collapsed.&nbsp;

Floods in Sicily have closed many roads this week, and mayors ordered schools, public parks and underpasses shut.

On Sunday, troops were deployed to check the condition of the main roads on the Mediterranean island.&nbsp;

Italy's civil protection agency has described the weather lashing the country this week as "one of the most complex meteorological situations of the past 50 to 60 years".

Floods killed 12 people on the island of Sicily, including nine members of a single family, pushing Italy's week-long storm toll beyond 30, rescuers said Sunday.

Floods killed 12 people on the island of Sicily, including nine members of a single family, pushing Italy's week-long storm toll beyond 30, rescuers said Sunday. After a river burst its banks, the bodies of the family including children aged one, three and 15 were discovered in the coastal town of Casteldaccia east of the capital Palermo. Rescue services said the house where they were spending the weekend was submerged in water and mud. The other victims' ages ranged from 32 to 65. Three family members managed to escape, one by climbing a tree where he stayed for more than two hours, the Agi news agency reported. "I lost everything, I have nothing left, just my daughter," one of the survivors, 35-year-old Giuseppe Giordano, told journalists. His wife, two other children, his parents, brother, and sister, his nephew and the boy's grandmother all died, he said. After flying over Casteldaccia on Sunday, Sicilian prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio described scenes of "total disaster". Officials have opened an investigation to determine whether houses built near the river had complied with safety norms. In a separate incident in Sicily, a 44-year-old man was found dead in his car near Vicari, also in the Palermo region. He had been trying to reach a service station, where he was the manager, to help a colleague trapped there. A 20-year-old passenger in the car with him is still missing. Rescue workers are also searching for a doctor, 40, forced by the storms to abandon his car on the road near the town of Corleone after trying to drive to work at the hospital there. Two other people, a man and a woman, died after their rental car was swept away by a torrent in the region of Agrigente, rescuers said. Violent winds and strong rain had killed at least 20 other people this week around Italy, especially in the north. Two were reported killed on Friday, including a 62-year-old Germany tourist struck by lightning in Sardinia. Six regions remain on high alert for storms. The severe weather has caused massive damage and disruption. Trees in sprawling mountainside forests in the northeast of the country were flattened like matchsticks by violent winds. "It's like after an earthquake," said the governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia. "Thousands of hectares of forest were razed to the ground, as if by a giant electric saw." On Sunday, after flying over the area with Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, Zaia said the storms had destroyed 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) of pine forest in all. Salvini posted photos of the devastation in a series of tweets Sunday after also flying over the Alpine town of Belluno. "We need 40 billion euros ($45.5 billion) to secure the national territory," he said. He pledged to collect and spend that sum but, in a barbed aside to the European Union, said he hoped his plans would not provoke overspending complaints from Brussels. Europe has objected to Italy's proposed budget, which it says will worsen the country's already huge deficit. The canal city of Venice, on Italy's northeast coast, has also experienced some of its worst flooding ever, and withstood winds of up to 180 kilometres an hour (110 miles an hour). The picturesque fishing village of Portofino near Genoa, a holiday resort on the Italian riviera, was reachable only by sea after the main road collapsed. Floods in Sicily have closed many roads this week, and mayors ordered schools, public parks and underpasses shut. On Sunday, troops were deployed to check the condition of the main roads on the Mediterranean island. Italy's civil protection agency has described the weather lashing the country this week as "one of the most complex meteorological situations of the past 50 to 60 years".

'Total disaster' as Italy storms kill at least 30

Floods have killed 12 people on the southern Italian island of Sicily, nine of them from the same family, rescue services said Sunday, raising the week's toll across Italy past 30.

Six Italian regions remain on high alert for storms.

The bodies of nine people were found in their house in Casteldaccia in the Palermo region, next to a small river which had burst its banks, rescue services said. Among the victims was a one-year-old baby and children aged three and 15.&nbsp;

Three other members of the same family managed to escape, one of them by climbing a tree, the Agi news agency reported.

"It is an immense tragedy," the local mayor said Sunday.

In a separate incident, a 44-year-old man was found dead in his car near Vicari, also in the Palermo region.

He had been trying to reach a &nbsp;service station he managed to help a colleague trapped there. A passenger in the car is missing.

Rescue workers are also searching for a doctor forced by the storms to abandon his car near the town of Corleone after trying to drive to work at the hospital there.

Two other people, a man and a woman, died after their car was caught in the floods in the region of Agrigente, a little further south on the island.

Troops were deployed to check the conditions of the main roads on the Mediterranean island Sunday.

Earlier this week, floods in Sicily had closed many roads and mayors ordered schools, public parks and underpasses shut.

A week of deadly storms&nbsp;

Italy has been hit by a series of deadly storms over the past week, especially in the north and around Venice. They have claimed more than 30 lives in all, including the Sicily deaths, and caused massive damage and disruption.

Forests in the northeast of the country were flattened like matchsticks.

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini described the devastated territory and posted photos in a tweet Sunday after flying over the Alpine town of Belluno.

The picturesque fishing village of Portofino near Genoa, a famed holiday resort on the Italian riviera, was only reachable by sea after the main road collapsed. An emergency path opened to let residents out was deemed too dangerous.

Trees covering the mountains in the Dolomites range were reduced to matchsticks, flattened by winds that tore through the Veneto region on Thursday.

"It's like after an earthquake," said the governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia. "Thousands of hectares of forest were razed to the ground, as if by a giant electric saw."

The canal city of Venice, on Italy's northeast coast, has also experienced some of its worst flooding ever, as well as having to withstand winds of up to 180 kilometres an hour (110 miles an hour).

Italy's civil protection agency has described the weather lashing the country this week as "one of the most complex meteorological situations of the past 50 to 60 years".

Floods have killed 12 people on the southern Italian island of Sicily, nine of them from the same family, rescue services said Sunday, raising the week's toll across Italy past 30.

Floods have killed 12 people on the southern Italian island of Sicily, nine of them from the same family, rescue services said Sunday, raising the week's toll across Italy past 30. Six Italian regions remain on high alert for storms. The bodies of nine people were found in their house in Casteldaccia in the Palermo region, next to a small river which had burst its banks, rescue services said. Among the victims was a one-year-old baby and children aged three and 15. Three other members of the same family managed to escape, one of them by climbing a tree, the Agi news agency reported. "It is an immense tragedy," the local mayor said Sunday. In a separate incident, a 44-year-old man was found dead in his car near Vicari, also in the Palermo region. He had been trying to reach a service station he managed to help a colleague trapped there. A passenger in the car is missing. Rescue workers are also searching for a doctor forced by the storms to abandon his car near the town of Corleone after trying to drive to work at the hospital there. Two other people, a man and a woman, died after their car was caught in the floods in the region of Agrigente, a little further south on the island. Troops were deployed to check the conditions of the main roads on the Mediterranean island Sunday. Earlier this week, floods in Sicily had closed many roads and mayors ordered schools, public parks and underpasses shut. A week of deadly storms Italy has been hit by a series of deadly storms over the past week, especially in the north and around Venice. They have claimed more than 30 lives in all, including the Sicily deaths, and caused massive damage and disruption. Forests in the northeast of the country were flattened like matchsticks. Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini described the devastated territory and posted photos in a tweet Sunday after flying over the Alpine town of Belluno. The picturesque fishing village of Portofino near Genoa, a famed holiday resort on the Italian riviera, was only reachable by sea after the main road collapsed. An emergency path opened to let residents out was deemed too dangerous. Trees covering the mountains in the Dolomites range were reduced to matchsticks, flattened by winds that tore through the Veneto region on Thursday. "It's like after an earthquake," said the governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia. "Thousands of hectares of forest were razed to the ground, as if by a giant electric saw." The canal city of Venice, on Italy's northeast coast, has also experienced some of its worst flooding ever, as well as having to withstand winds of up to 180 kilometres an hour (110 miles an hour). Italy's civil protection agency has described the weather lashing the country this week as "one of the most complex meteorological situations of the past 50 to 60 years".

Italian island of Sicily storms claim 12 more lives

Fierce winds and rains have killed at least 20 people in Italy this week and razed thousands of hectares of forest in the country's devastated north, officials said.

An 87-year-old woman and a 62-year-old German tourist were killed Friday after being struck by lightning in Sardinia.

It brings to 20 the number of people killed by bad weather in Italy since the start of the week, according to the country's civil protection agency, with meteorologists predicting further wind and rain throughout the weekend.

Trees covering the mountainsides in the Dolomites range were reduced to matchsticks, flattened by winds that tore through the Veneto region on Thursday.

"It's like after an earthquake," Veneto governor Luca Zaia said. "Thousands of hectares of forest were razed to the ground, as if by a giant electric saw." In addition, 160,000 people in the region were left without electricity, Zaia said, adding that parts of the Dolomites were "reduced to looking like the surface of the moon".

"We've been brought to our knees," the politician said.

The storms in northern Italy on Thursday killed two pensioners aged 74 and 73 when a tree fell on their car in the Aosta Valley. Another person fell into a river in the Brescia region and was dragged under by the current.

In the Alto Adige region, an 81-year-old died after falling off the damaged roof of his Alpine cottage, while a 53-year-old whose car was hit by a falling tree during bad weather died on Monday.

Several towns in the province of Belluno were cut off after a landslide damaged a mountain road and repair efforts were hampered by the insistent heavy rains.

Floods in Sicily have closed many roads and mayors ordered schools, public parks, and underpasses shut.

The picturesque fishing village of Portofino near Genoa, a famed holiday resort on the Italian riviera, was only reachable by sea after the main road collapsed and an emergency path opened to let residents out was deemed too dangerous.

"It won't be easy or quick but we count on returning Portofino next summer to the millions of tourists who come to visit it," regional governor Giovanni Toti said.

The Genoa region alone had suffered tens of millions of euros' worth of damage -- a price tag that could rise to hundreds of millions in the long term, he added.

Italy's civil protection agency described the weather lashing Italy this week as "one of the most complex meteorological situations of the past 50 to 60 years".

Venice was inundated by near-record flooding on Monday, ferocious storms drove high winds reaching up to 180 kilometres (110 miles) an hour, and hundreds of trees were torn up by their roots in the Italian capital.

Fierce winds and rains have killed at least 20 people in Italy this week and razed thousands of hectares of forest in the country's devastated north, officials said.

Fierce winds and rains have killed at least 20 people in Italy this week and razed thousands of hectares of forest in the country's devastated north, officials said. An 87-year-old woman and a 62-year-old German tourist were killed Friday after being struck by lightning in Sardinia. It brings to 20 the number of people killed by bad weather in Italy since the start of the week, according to the country's civil protection agency, with meteorologists predicting further wind and rain throughout the weekend. Trees covering the mountainsides in the Dolomites range were reduced to matchsticks, flattened by winds that tore through the Veneto region on Thursday. "It's like after an earthquake," Veneto governor Luca Zaia said. "Thousands of hectares of forest were razed to the ground, as if by a giant electric saw." In addition, 160,000 people in the region were left without electricity, Zaia said, adding that parts of the Dolomites were "reduced to looking like the surface of the moon". "We've been brought to our knees," the politician said. The storms in northern Italy on Thursday killed two pensioners aged 74 and 73 when a tree fell on their car in the Aosta Valley. Another person fell into a river in the Brescia region and was dragged under by the current. In the Alto Adige region, an 81-year-old died after falling off the damaged roof of his Alpine cottage, while a 53-year-old whose car was hit by a falling tree during bad weather died on Monday. Several towns in the province of Belluno were cut off after a landslide damaged a mountain road and repair efforts were hampered by the insistent heavy rains. Floods in Sicily have closed many roads and mayors ordered schools, public parks, and underpasses shut. The picturesque fishing village of Portofino near Genoa, a famed holiday resort on the Italian riviera, was only reachable by sea after the main road collapsed and an emergency path opened to let residents out was deemed too dangerous. "It won't be easy or quick but we count on returning Portofino next summer to the millions of tourists who come to visit it," regional governor Giovanni Toti said. The Genoa region alone had suffered tens of millions of euros' worth of damage -- a price tag that could rise to hundreds of millions in the long term, he added. Italy's civil protection agency described the weather lashing Italy this week as "one of the most complex meteorological situations of the past 50 to 60 years". Venice was inundated by near-record flooding on Monday, ferocious storms drove high winds reaching up to 180 kilometres (110 miles) an hour, and hundreds of trees were torn up by their roots in the Italian capital.

Fierce winds raze forests in storm-hit Italy, kills 20 this week

The Philippines raised tropical cyclone warnings levels for nine provinces and put a mountainous region on high alert for possible landslides on Monday ahead of a typhoon that threatened storm surges and floods triggered by heavy winds and rain.

Typhoon Yutu, which caused havoc last week with a direct hit on the US&nbsp;Northern Mariana islands, was set to make landfall on Tuesday morning and move across the main island of Luzon before exiting the Philippines 24 hours later, the state weather agency PAGASA said.

Yutu was a category 3 storm on Monday, with sustained winds reaching 170 km per hour (106 mph) and gusts of up to 210 kph.

That was less intense than four days ago, when as a super typhoon it barrelled through the Marianas, a US&nbsp;Western Pacific archipelago of 52,000 people, tearing off roofs, overturning vehicles and cutting off power and water.

Nine provinces in north Luzon were elevated to warning signal 2 on the severity scale of 5, and 20 more were put on the earliest warning of 1, with strong winds and rains expected later on Monday. The mountainous Cordillera region was put on red alert for landslides.

Known locally as Rosita, the typhoon will be the 18th to hit the Philippines this year and comes six weeks after super typhoon Mangkhut tore across Luzon, triggering landslides that killed dozens of people and damaged about $180 million of crops.

Classes were suspended in at least five provinces and fishermen in Luzon and the eastern seaboard advised not to go to sea. All boat services in the port city of Batangas, about 83 km (52 miles) south of Manila, were suspended on Monday.

About half of the Philippines' 105 million population live in the Luzon region. The country is hit by an average 20 typhoons each year.

The Philippines raised tropical cyclone warnings levels for nine provinces and put a mountainous region on high alert for possible landslides on Monday ahead of a typhoon that threatened storm surges and floods triggered by heavy winds and rain.

The Philippines raised tropical cyclone warnings levels for nine provinces and put a mountainous region on high alert for possible landslides on Monday ahead of a typhoon that threatened storm surges and floods triggered by heavy winds and rain. Typhoon Yutu, which caused havoc last week with a direct hit on the US Northern Mariana islands, was set to make landfall on Tuesday morning and move across the main island of Luzon before exiting the Philippines 24 hours later, the state weather agency PAGASA said. Yutu was a category 3 storm on Monday, with sustained winds reaching 170 km per hour (106 mph) and gusts of up to 210 kph. That was less intense than four days ago, when as a super typhoon it barrelled through the Marianas, a US Western Pacific archipelago of 52,000 people, tearing off roofs, overturning vehicles and cutting off power and water. Nine provinces in north Luzon were elevated to warning signal 2 on the severity scale of 5, and 20 more were put on the earliest warning of 1, with strong winds and rains expected later on Monday. The mountainous Cordillera region was put on red alert for landslides. Known locally as Rosita, the typhoon will be the 18th to hit the Philippines this year and comes six weeks after super typhoon Mangkhut tore across Luzon, triggering landslides that killed dozens of people and damaged about $180 million of crops. Classes were suspended in at least five provinces and fishermen in Luzon and the eastern seaboard advised not to go to sea. All boat services in the port city of Batangas, about 83 km (52 miles) south of Manila, were suspended on Monday. About half of the Philippines' 105 million population live in the Luzon region. The country is hit by an average 20 typhoons each year.

Philippines issues storm warnings ahead of destructive typhoon Yutu

Storms packing nearly 180 kilometre-per-hour winds hit Portugal early Sunday leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power before carrying heavy rain on into Spain, authorities said.

Twenty-seven people suffered minor injuries, civil defence commander Luis Belo Costa told reporters.

The region around capital Lisbon and the centre of the country at Coimbra and Leiria were worst hit with trees uprooted, cars and houses damaged and local flooding reported.

Aveiro, Viseu and Porto in the north also suffered damage with rescue services reporting a total of 1,900 incidents.&nbsp;

The civil defence services said 324,000 people were left without electricity while more than 60 people had to leave their damaged homes and flee to safety.

Power was being restored across the north and centre of the country during the morning.

Leslie was dubbed a "zombie" hurricane as it first formed on September 23, only to meander through the Atlantic Ocean for weeks.

There were fears it could be the worst storm to hit the region in more than 150 years, but it weakened to a post-tropical storm before reaching the Portuguese coastline in the early hours of Sunday.

"The greatest danger has passed," Costa said. "The north and centre were the worst affected."

At Mealhada, in Aveiro district, the roof blew off an indoor sports stadium putting an end to the European final of the women's roller hockey competition.

Portuguese authorities had urged those living by the coast to batten down and stay indoors amid warnings of high winds which reached 176 kilometres per hour (110 miles per hour).

"I have never seen anything like it," one witness told SIC television in Figueira da Foz, 200 km (120 miles) north of Lisbon.

"The town seemed to be in a state of war with cars smashed by fallen trees," he said. "People were very worried."

Maritime authorities advised fishermen at sea to return to the nearest port and Portugal's TAP airline cancelled seven flights to and from Lisbon.

Only five hurricanes have ever arrived in this region of the Atlantic Ocean, and it had been feared Leslie could turn out to be the most powerful storm to hit Portugal since 1842.

One in 176 years

Over the past 176 years, only Hurricane Vince has made landfall on the Iberian peninsula, hitting southern Spain in 2005, according to weather records.

In October 2017, strong winds from Hurricane Ophelia, which travelled north off the coast of Portugal and western Spain, fed forest fires that killed around 40 people during a heatwave.

Ophelia then made landfall in Ireland as a violent storm, killing three people.

Spain's civil protection agency said the storms could still be "very strong locally" and that heavy rain was forecast for the north and east.

On Tuesday, intense rain sparked flash floods in the Spanish holiday island of Majorca, killing 12 people.&nbsp;

Storms packing nearly 180 kilometre-per-hour winds hit Portugal early Sunday leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power before carrying heavy rain on into Spain, authorities said.

Storms packing nearly 180 kilometre-per-hour winds hit Portugal early Sunday leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power before carrying heavy rain on into Spain, authorities said. Twenty-seven people suffered minor injuries, civil defence commander Luis Belo Costa told reporters. The region around capital Lisbon and the centre of the country at Coimbra and Leiria were worst hit with trees uprooted, cars and houses damaged and local flooding reported. Aveiro, Viseu and Porto in the north also suffered damage with rescue services reporting a total of 1,900 incidents. The civil defence services said 324,000 people were left without electricity while more than 60 people had to leave their damaged homes and flee to safety. Power was being restored across the north and centre of the country during the morning. Leslie was dubbed a "zombie" hurricane as it first formed on September 23, only to meander through the Atlantic Ocean for weeks. There were fears it could be the worst storm to hit the region in more than 150 years, but it weakened to a post-tropical storm before reaching the Portuguese coastline in the early hours of Sunday. "The greatest danger has passed," Costa said. "The north and centre were the worst affected." At Mealhada, in Aveiro district, the roof blew off an indoor sports stadium putting an end to the European final of the women's roller hockey competition. Portuguese authorities had urged those living by the coast to batten down and stay indoors amid warnings of high winds which reached 176 kilometres per hour (110 miles per hour). "I have never seen anything like it," one witness told SIC television in Figueira da Foz, 200 km (120 miles) north of Lisbon. "The town seemed to be in a state of war with cars smashed by fallen trees," he said. "People were very worried." Maritime authorities advised fishermen at sea to return to the nearest port and Portugal's TAP airline cancelled seven flights to and from Lisbon. Only five hurricanes have ever arrived in this region of the Atlantic Ocean, and it had been feared Leslie could turn out to be the most powerful storm to hit Portugal since 1842. One in 176 years Over the past 176 years, only Hurricane Vince has made landfall on the Iberian peninsula, hitting southern Spain in 2005, according to weather records. In October 2017, strong winds from Hurricane Ophelia, which travelled north off the coast of Portugal and western Spain, fed forest fires that killed around 40 people during a heatwave. Ophelia then made landfall in Ireland as a violent storm, killing three people. Spain's civil protection agency said the storms could still be "very strong locally" and that heavy rain was forecast for the north and east. On Tuesday, intense rain sparked flash floods in the Spanish holiday island of Majorca, killing 12 people.

'Zombie' storm Leslie smashes into Portugal, Spain

In pics: Odisha braves 'very severe' cyclone Titli

A major cyclonic storm termed as 'Mekunu' which hit Westcentral and adjoining Southwest Arabian Sea may now move northwards during the next 24 hours, reports said on Friday.&nbsp;

It is&nbsp;likely to move north-northwestwards and cross south Oman-southeast Yemen coasts close to Salalah, by May 26.

As per reports, a cyclone Mekunu in the Arabian Sea may&nbsp;make a landfall in the Arabian Peninsula later this week. A north to northwest track in the coming days will bring the risk for life-threatening impacts to Socotra, Oman and Yemen.

A state of emergency was declared in Socotra, an island located between the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula, after the storm flooded villages, capsized boats and left at least 17 missing on Thursday, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

As the system is away from Indian coast, no adverse weather is expected along and off the west coast of India and Lakshadweep.&nbsp;

The MET department had on Thursday said that the cyclone is likely to trigger heavy showers along the western coast of Maharashtra in the next few days. Some isolated places in Konkan will receive rain, but the rest of Maharashtra will have no impact, reports said.

Nineteen people were missing after seven boats capsized and three cars were washed away by floods, said one Yemeni government minister, adding that evacuations to shelters are still underway in the island’s capital. Another official said more than 200 families had been evacuated from their villages.

The storm is worsening and most parts of the island have lost communications, said the governor of the nearby province of Hadhramaut.

The same weather system hit the Horn of Africa on Wednesday, killing more than 50 people in Somaliland.

Yemeni government spokesman Badi called on international humanitarian organisations and the Riyadh-led military coalition participating in the war to provide urgent aid to the island, where Saudi and UAE forces have a presence.

In November 2015, Socotra and south Yemen were hit by cyclone Chapala which injured more than 200 people.

(With inputs from agencies)

As the system is away from Indian coast, no adverse weather is expected along and off the west coast of India and Lakshadweep

A major cyclonic storm termed as 'Mekunu' which hit Westcentral and adjoining Southwest Arabian Sea may now move northwards during the next 24 hours, reports said on Friday. It is likely to move north-northwestwards and cross south Oman-southeast Yemen coasts close to Salalah, by May 26. As per reports, a cyclone Mekunu in the Arabian Sea may make a landfall in the Arabian Peninsula later this week. A north to northwest track in the coming days will bring the risk for life-threatening impacts to Socotra, Oman and Yemen. A state of emergency was declared in Socotra, an island located between the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula, after the storm flooded villages, capsized boats and left at least 17 missing on Thursday, Reuters reported. As the system is away from Indian coast, no adverse weather is expected along and off the west coast of India and Lakshadweep. The MET department had on Thursday said that the cyclone is likely to trigger heavy showers along the western coast of Maharashtra in the next few days. Some isolated places in Konkan will receive rain, but the rest of Maharashtra will have no impact, reports said. Nineteen people were missing after seven boats capsized and three cars were washed away by floods, said one Yemeni government minister, adding that evacuations to shelters are still underway in the island’s capital. Another official said more than 200 families had been evacuated from their villages. The storm is worsening and most parts of the island have lost communications, said the governor of the nearby province of Hadhramaut. The same weather system hit the Horn of Africa on Wednesday, killing more than 50 people in Somaliland. Yemeni government spokesman Badi called on international humanitarian organisations and the Riyadh-led military coalition participating in the war to provide urgent aid to the island, where Saudi and UAE forces have a presence. In November 2015, Socotra and south Yemen were hit by cyclone Chapala which injured more than 200 people. (With inputs from agencies)

Cyclone storm 'Mekunu' to move northwards from Southwest Arabian Sea in 24 hours

Heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least nine people as the monsoon season kicked off in the emerald country.&nbsp;

Reports said at least 38,000 people have been affected by the rains and storms which have lashed central and south Sri Lanka.

The government has put relief&nbsp;agencies on the ground as the size of the disaster has overwhelmed the country.

A spokesman for the disaster management said flooding has forced the evacuation of people in low-lying areas where four main rivers have reached flood levels, while four districts are on "red alert" for possible landslides.

Spill gates of many reservoirs had to be opened across the Indian Ocean island, Reuters reported.

Sri Lanka had lost over 600,000 due to floods last year. 
&nbsp;

Reports said at least 38,000 people have been affected by the rains and storms which have lashed central and south Sri Lanka.

Heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least nine people as the monsoon season kicked off in the emerald country. Reports said at least 38,000 people have been affected by the rains and storms which have lashed central and south Sri Lanka. The government has put relief agencies on the ground as the size of the disaster has overwhelmed the country. A spokesman for the disaster management said flooding has forced the evacuation of people in low-lying areas where four main rivers have reached flood levels, while four districts are on "red alert" for possible landslides. Spill gates of many reservoirs had to be opened across the Indian Ocean island, Reuters reported. Sri Lanka had lost over 600,000 due to floods last year.

Heavy floods, landslides in Sri Lanka; at least 9 killed

Powerful storms carrying high winds, torrential rain and hail slammed heavily populated parts of the U.S. Northeast on Tuesday, knocking over trees that killed two people, snarling transport and causing widespread power outages.

A state of emergency has been declared in&nbsp;New York following&nbsp;severe thunderstorm. Members of the New York National Guard will help with recovery operations, reports said.&nbsp;

An 11-year-old girl was killed on Tuesday afternoon when strong winds caused a tree to fall on a parked car in Newburgh, New York, the Daily Freeman newspaper in Kingston.

A man who had been mowing his lawn and sought refuge in his truck was killed when a tree fell on the vehicle in Danbury, Connecticut, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said, according to the Hartford Courant newspaper.

Frequent lightning strikes, blinding downpours and isolated flash flooding are also likely. Expect sporadic power outages and downed trees with these storms, reports said on Wednesday.

The area at greatest risk for an isolated tornado extends from northeastern Pennsylvania to western Massachusetts and central Connecticut.

Major cities that are projected to be impacted include Philadelphia New York City Washington, DC. Baltimore Boston Wilmington, Delaware Atlantic City, New Jersey and Hartford, Connecticut.

There were nearly 50 reports of hail in states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Hail the size of tennis balls smashed car and house windows in Hartford, Pereira said.

Nearly 500,000 customers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia were without power by late Thursday night, fewer power outages than earlier Tuesday, tracking service PowerOutage.us said.

At Grand Central Station in New York, Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Line service was suspended due to the storms, the station's Twitter feed said.

More than 500 flights were canceled at the three major airports serving the New York on Tuesday, and more than 100 at Boston's Logan International, according to tracking service FlightAware.com.

Rain is expected to continue for the next couple of days over much of the areas that experienced strong winds and rain on Tuesday, but the threat of severe weather has diminished, Pereira said.

The area at greatest risk for an isolated tornado extends from northeastern Pennsylvania to western Massachusetts and central Connecticut

Powerful storms carrying high winds, torrential rain and hail slammed heavily populated parts of the U.S. Northeast on Tuesday, knocking over trees that killed two people, snarling transport and causing widespread power outages. A state of emergency has been declared in New York following severe thunderstorm. Members of the New York National Guard will help with recovery operations, reports said. An 11-year-old girl was killed on Tuesday afternoon when strong winds caused a tree to fall on a parked car in Newburgh, New York, the Daily Freeman newspaper in Kingston. A man who had been mowing his lawn and sought refuge in his truck was killed when a tree fell on the vehicle in Danbury, Connecticut, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said, according to the Hartford Courant newspaper. Frequent lightning strikes, blinding downpours and isolated flash flooding are also likely. Expect sporadic power outages and downed trees with these storms, reports said on Wednesday. The area at greatest risk for an isolated tornado extends from northeastern Pennsylvania to western Massachusetts and central Connecticut. Major cities that are projected to be impacted include Philadelphia New York City Washington, DC. Baltimore Boston Wilmington, Delaware Atlantic City, New Jersey and Hartford, Connecticut. There were nearly 50 reports of hail in states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. Hail the size of tennis balls smashed car and house windows in Hartford, Pereira said. Nearly 500,000 customers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia were without power by late Thursday night, fewer power outages than earlier Tuesday, tracking service PowerOutage.us said. At Grand Central Station in New York, Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Line service was suspended due to the storms, the station's Twitter feed said. More than 500 flights were canceled at the three major airports serving the New York on Tuesday, and more than 100 at Boston's Logan International, according to tracking service FlightAware.com. Rain is expected to continue for the next couple of days over much of the areas that experienced strong winds and rain on Tuesday, but the threat of severe weather has diminished, Pereira said.

Northeast US storms kill two, state of emergency declared

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth is rushing back from Karnataka tonight, cutting short his election tour amid opposition flak for staying away from his own state even after a storm claimed 75 lives there.

The chief minister will arrive in worst-hit Agra tonight and visit the affected areas tomorrow morning, state's Principal Secretary Information Avanish Awasthi said.

Adityanath will review the relief efforts in the district and then leave for Kanpur and other areas.

He was earlier scheduled to campaign in Karnataka till Saturday noon

Parts of western UP were battered in Wednesday's storm which also struck the adjoining Rajasthan districts.

Over 40 people died in Agra district alone. Altogether, 124 people were killed and over 300 others injured in five states due thunderstorms and lightning in the last two days, the Union Home Ministry said today.

Adityanath was criticised in UP and in Karnataka, where he is campaigning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ahead of the assembly elections on May 12.

"I am sorry your CM is needed here in Karnataka," Siddaramaiah had tweeted. "I am sure he will return soon & attend to his work there."

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, while condoling the deaths, said in a tweet, "CM should immediately return to UP leaving aside campaigning in Karnataka. People have elected him to resolve the problems of their state and not for politics of Karnataka.

If he doesn't rush back even under such circumstances, he should form his own mutt there (in Karnataka) for all times, Yadav tweeted last night.

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati said despite the calamity, Modi and Adityanath were busy in the Karnataka campaign "only to serve their selfish electoral interests".

In a statement, she said not much should be expected from the government "which has such a narrow mindset".

This is the reason why both the Centre and the state governments of UP and Rajasthan "have remained totally lax and irresponsible" after the loss of life and property, she added.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Raj Babbar described Adityanath as "one of the most irresponsible" chief ministers in the country and a "part-time CM".

"The people elected him to resolve the problems of the state but the chief minister and his ministers are flouting the mandate and are functioning in the capacity of members of the election campaign committee," Babbar said in a statement.

He demanded a compensation of Rs 50 lakh each for the families of those killed in the storm.

"The main aim of the government is to serve the people but here the CM is busy campaigning in another state," Babbar said.&nbsp

The chief minister will arrive in worst-hit Agra tonight and visit the affected areas tomorrow morning, state's Principal Secretary Information Avanish Awasthi said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth is rushing back from Karnataka tonight, cutting short his election tour amid opposition flak for staying away from his own state even after a storm claimed 75 lives there. The chief minister will arrive in worst-hit Agra tonight and visit the affected areas tomorrow morning, state's Principal Secretary Information Avanish Awasthi said. Adityanath will review the relief efforts in the district and then leave for Kanpur and other areas. He was earlier scheduled to campaign in Karnataka till Saturday noon Parts of western UP were battered in Wednesday's storm which also struck the adjoining Rajasthan districts. Over 40 people died in Agra district alone. Altogether, 124 people were killed and over 300 others injured in five states due thunderstorms and lightning in the last two days, the Union Home Ministry said today. Adityanath was criticised in UP and in Karnataka, where he is campaigning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ahead of the assembly elections on May 12. "I am sorry your CM is needed here in Karnataka," Siddaramaiah had tweeted. "I am sure he will return soon & attend to his work there." Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, while condoling the deaths, said in a tweet, "CM should immediately return to UP leaving aside campaigning in Karnataka. People have elected him to resolve the problems of their state and not for politics of Karnataka. If he doesn't rush back even under such circumstances, he should form his own mutt there (in Karnataka) for all times, Yadav tweeted last night. Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati said despite the calamity, Modi and Adityanath were busy in the Karnataka campaign "only to serve their selfish electoral interests". In a statement, she said not much should be expected from the government "which has such a narrow mindset". This is the reason why both the Centre and the state governments of UP and Rajasthan "have remained totally lax and irresponsible" after the loss of life and property, she added. Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Raj Babbar described Adityanath as "one of the most irresponsible" chief ministers in the country and a "part-time CM". "The people elected him to resolve the problems of the state but the chief minister and his ministers are flouting the mandate and are functioning in the capacity of members of the election campaign committee," Babbar said in a statement. He demanded a compensation of Rs 50 lakh each for the families of those killed in the storm. "The main aim of the government is to serve the people but here the CM is busy campaigning in another state," Babbar said.

Yogi Adityanath cuts short Karnataka campaign to visit storm-ravaged Agra

People in the national capital and NCR observed a pleasant weather on Monday morning as rain and light breeze hit several areas in Delhi and NCR region.&nbsp;

Many parts of the city saw mild showers early Monday morning followed by a wind speed of 81 kms per hour after which it witnessed a dust storm for a couple of hours.&nbsp;

The temperature recorded on Monday dropped to 28.4 degrees Celcius from 33 degrees Celcius on Sunday.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Rain lashes parts of the national capital, bringing respite from the heat. Visuals from Moti Bagh. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/kGmzKlmgyN">pic.twitter.com/kGmzKlmgyN</a>
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Rain lashes parts of Delhi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/visuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#visuals</a> from Delhi Cantonment area <a href="https://t.co/JCeqnPzrCw">pic.twitter.com/JCeqnPzrCw</a>
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&nbsp;

On April 7, Delhi saw a massive dust storm in the evening amid the scorching heat, bringing the temperature considerably down. The strong winds reduced visibility and also caused minor non-structural damages and massive traffic jams in the Delhi, NCR region.&nbsp;

24 incoming flights were also diverted out of Delhi and caused up to one-hour delays in both arrivals and departures at the airport.

The temperature recorded on Monday dropped to 28.4 degrees Celcius from 33 degrees Celcius on Sunday

People in the national capital and NCR observed a pleasant weather on Monday morning as rain and light breeze hit several areas in Delhi and NCR region. Many parts of the city saw mild showers early Monday morning followed by a wind speed of 81 kms per hour after which it witnessed a dust storm for a couple of hours. The temperature recorded on Monday dropped to 28.4 degrees Celcius from 33 degrees Celcius on Sunday. #WATCH: Rain lashes parts of the national capital, bringing respite from the heat. Visuals from Moti Bagh. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/kGmzKlmgyN — ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2018 × Rain lashes parts of Delhi #visuals from Delhi Cantonment area pic.twitter.com/JCeqnPzrCw — ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2018 × On April 7, Delhi saw a massive dust storm in the evening amid the scorching heat, bringing the temperature considerably down. The strong winds reduced visibility and also caused minor non-structural damages and massive traffic jams in the Delhi, NCR region. 24 incoming flights were also diverted out of Delhi and caused up to one-hour delays in both arrivals and departures at the airport.

Watch: Delhi wakes up to mild rains, lower temperature

A boat carrying dozens of Rohingya refugees trying to reach Malaysia briefly stopped on a Thai island, an official said Sunday, as fears grow about overcrowded camps for the stateless minority fleeing violence in Myanmar.

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have sought shelter in southern Bangladesh since Myanmar launched a brutal crackdown on insurgents in August that the US and UN have called ethnic cleansing.

The boat, carrying 56 refugees, stopped on Lanta island in southern Krabi province after a heavy storm on Saturday evening. It was the first Rohingya vessel spotted off Thailand in more than a year, local police said.

"We treated them with humanitarian consideration and allowed them to return to sea because they told us they were heading to Malaysia," Lanta police chief, Police Colonel M.L. Pattanajak Chakrabandhu told Reuters. Locals gave the refugees food and water, he said.

An agreement to repatriate Rohingya from Bangladesh to Myanmar’s Rakhine state has yet to see a single refugee returned.

Rohingya migrants attempting the boat routes south have been a rare sighting since Thai authorities clamped down on regional trafficking networks in 2015, leaving thousands of migrants abandoned in open waters or jungle camps.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya fled by sea following an outbreak of sectarian violence in Rakhine State in 2012, some falling prey to human traffickers.

That exodus peaked in 2015, when an estimated 25,000 people fled across the Andaman Sea for Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The Rohingya boat arrived off Thailand’s western coast in Krabi province early Sunday due to bad weather.

Images showed the passengers being interviewed on shore and then getting back into the boat before departing.

Krabi governor Kitibodee Pravitra confirmed that the people travelling on the boat were Rohingya but did not know where they had come from.

“The initial report said they were docking near Koh Lanta this morning to avoid the storm,” he said, referring to an island popular with tourists. “They want to go to Malaysia.”

The Rohingya on board would continue toward their destination, he said.

He said there were about 56 women, men and children on board.

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have sought shelter in southern Bangladesh since Myanmar launched a brutal crackdown on insurgents in August that the US and UN have called ethnic cleansing

A boat carrying dozens of Rohingya refugees trying to reach Malaysia briefly stopped on a Thai island, an official said Sunday, as fears grow about overcrowded camps for the stateless minority fleeing violence in Myanmar. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have sought shelter in southern Bangladesh since Myanmar launched a brutal crackdown on insurgents in August that the US and UN have called ethnic cleansing. The boat, carrying 56 refugees, stopped on Lanta island in southern Krabi province after a heavy storm on Saturday evening. It was the first Rohingya vessel spotted off Thailand in more than a year, local police said. "We treated them with humanitarian consideration and allowed them to return to sea because they told us they were heading to Malaysia," Lanta police chief, Police Colonel M.L. Pattanajak Chakrabandhu told Reuters. Locals gave the refugees food and water, he said. An agreement to repatriate Rohingya from Bangladesh to Myanmar’s Rakhine state has yet to see a single refugee returned. Rohingya migrants attempting the boat routes south have been a rare sighting since Thai authorities clamped down on regional trafficking networks in 2015, leaving thousands of migrants abandoned in open waters or jungle camps. Tens of thousands of Rohingya fled by sea following an outbreak of sectarian violence in Rakhine State in 2012, some falling prey to human traffickers. That exodus peaked in 2015, when an estimated 25,000 people fled across the Andaman Sea for Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Rohingya boat arrived off Thailand’s western coast in Krabi province early Sunday due to bad weather. Images showed the passengers being interviewed on shore and then getting back into the boat before departing. Krabi governor Kitibodee Pravitra confirmed that the people travelling on the boat were Rohingya but did not know where they had come from. “The initial report said they were docking near Koh Lanta this morning to avoid the storm,” he said, referring to an island popular with tourists. “They want to go to Malaysia.” The Rohingya on board would continue toward their destination, he said. He said there were about 56 women, men and children on board.

Rohingya refugee boat restocks after storm in southern Thailand

A powerful tropical storm that lashed the island of Madagascar has left 20 people dead and affected 19,000 more, according to an official toll.

The storm also closed several national highways that were flooded by the heavy rain, the country&#39;s disaster management office said late Monday.

In a previous toll late Sunday it said 17 people had died and 15,000 had been affected.

Storm Eliakim slammed into the northeastern Masoala peninsula on Friday before barrelling south down the coast. By Monday it had moved away from the Indian Ocean island and &quot;presents no more danger&quot;.

Madagascar, one of the world&#39;s poorest countries, is frequently hit by cyclones and tropical storms.

In January, cyclone Ava claimed 51 lives and in March last year at least 78 people perished in cyclone Enawo.

The storm also closed several national highways that were flooded by the heavy rain

A powerful tropical storm that lashed the island of Madagascar has left 20 people dead and affected 19,000 more, according to an official toll. The storm also closed several national highways that were flooded by the heavy rain, the country's disaster management office said late Monday. In a previous toll late Sunday it said 17 people had died and 15,000 had been affected. Storm Eliakim slammed into the northeastern Masoala peninsula on Friday before barrelling south down the coast. By Monday it had moved away from the Indian Ocean island and "presents no more danger". Madagascar, one of the world's poorest countries, is frequently hit by cyclones and tropical storms. In January, cyclone Ava claimed 51 lives and in March last year at least 78 people perished in cyclone Enawo.

20 dead as powerful storm hits Madagascar

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