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Every week the PreventionWeb team of editors selects the latest news and research, reports and publications on disaster risk reduction – here is their selection of the latest must-read content.

African women carrying water back to their villages.

Update

26 June 2022

Is eastern Africa’s drought the worst in recent history? And are worse yet to come?

Large areas of Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya are currently in the grip of a severe drought. An estimated 16.7 million people face acute food insecurity. That’s more than the combined populations of Austria and Switzerland.

Conversation Media Group, the

Riksha drivers walking through the flooded streets in Bangladesh in 2020.

Update

22 June 2022

What’s causing the devastating floods in China, India, and Bangladesh?

State of the Planet collected expert comments to learn more about what conditions may be behind these recent tragic disasters, how climate change is contributing to heavier downpours, and how societies can adapt in an increasingly inundated world.

Columbia Climate School

Soil drought can mitigate deadly heat stress

Documents and publications

24 June 2022

Soil drought can mitigate deadly heat stress thanks to a reduction of air humidity

This article questions heatwave mitigation measures involving surface moistening to increase evaporative cooling, suggesting that irrigated agriculture may intensify lethal heat stress.

This image shows the first page of the publication.

Documents and publications

24 June 2022

2021 floods: Will Europe heed the warnings?

In July 2021, weather system ‘Bernd’ caused catastrophic damage and inconceivable human suffering in several European countries. Severe flooding, particularly in Germany, claimed more than 230 lives and left many communities in ruins.

River flowing through green fields and hills.

Update

24 June 2022

Our flood predictions are getting worse as the climate changes. We have to understand how hills shape floods

Protecting people from floods requires many technical professionals to make good predictions and decisions. No step in this process is easy – and most are getting harder. Climate change is worsening floods, because a hotter atmosphere can hold more water.

Conversation Media Group, the

People cooling off in a fountain in Chicago

Update

22 June 2022

What is a heat dome? An atmospheric scientist explains the weather phenomenon baking large parts of the country

A heat dome occurs when a persistent region of high pressure traps heat over an area. The heat dome can stretch over several states and linger for days to weeks, leaving the people, crops and animals below to suffer through stagnant, hot air.

Conversation Media Group, the

Tsunami warning sign, Miyajima Island, Japan

Update

22 June 2022

Tsunami resilience: UNESCO will train 100% of at-risk coastal communities by 2030

At the UN Ocean Conference, UNESCO’s Director General will announce a new commitment: the global deployment of the "Tsunami ready" program, which will result in the training of all at-risk coastal communities in the event of a tsunami by 2030.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - Headquarters

Update

21 June 2022

Managing seeds and agricultural losses in the wake of extreme climate events: Lessons from Nepal

After floods in October 2021 caused massive crop damage in Nepal, a rapid loss assessment using digital technologies assisted with critical operational decisions to mitigate the impact.

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

Update

21 June 2022

KyotoU PEGS away at catching quakes at light speed

We all want to be warned about giant earthquakes as early as possible. Now, a team from Kyoto University and Géoazur has developed a new approach, based on a deep learning AI for detecting prompt elasto-gravity signals, or PEGS.

Kyoto University

Men repairing their homes after Cyclone Sidr, Bangladesh

Update

20 June 2022

Report states that most crisis funding remains unplanned and is less effective at saving lives and livelihoods

REAP has today published its report on tracking commitments, trends, challenges and opportunities in finance for early action – pre-arranged finance designed to reduce the impacts of climate hazards by enabling action ahead of the worst effects.

Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP)