At least 20 people were killed and more than 500 injured after a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit northern Afghanistan early Monday. The quake struck near Mazar-e-Sharif at a depth of 28 km, causing buildings to collapse and power outages across several regions, including Kabul. Rescue teams are searching through debris as officials warn the death toll may rise. The Taliban government said most injuries occurred as people fled buildings in panic. The quake also damaged electricity lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Afghanistan often faces deadly earthquakes due to its location on active fault lines.

As Delhi’s air quality crossed 400 on the Air Quality Index, several fitness events, including marathons and cyclothons, were held across the city on Sunday. The Indian Air Force organised a marathon from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, joined by actors like Huma Qureshi and Shefali Shah. Social media users criticised the events, calling them risky and irresponsible amid severe pollution. Experts warned that running in such conditions could cause breathing problems and fever. Despite criticism, many still participated. Delhi recorded ‘severe’ air quality at several monitoring stations, with Wazirpur reporting the highest AQI of 439. Pollution levels may remain high till November 4. (PC: ANI)

Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm, devastated Black River, Jamaica, leaving residents desperate and isolated three days after impact. The death toll reached 19 in Jamaica and 30 in Haiti. With no electricity, running water, or cell service, residents scavenge debris for food and loot damaged supermarkets and pharmacies for survival supplies. No aid trucks have reached the coastal town, 150km west of Kingston. Local officials estimate 90% of houses destroyed, including the hospital, police station, and fire station. Mayor Richard Solomon acknowledged residents' desperation while describing a "delicate balance" in response. Aid from Kingston faces impassable roads flooded and blocked with debris. Military helicopters arrived Friday, bringing armed officials to restore order.

Torrential rains have unleashed devastating floods and landslides across central Vietnam, including Da Nang and Thua Thien Hue provinces, leaving at least 13 people dead and 11 missing. More than 26,000 residents have been evacuated as rescue teams struggle to reach isolated communities. Around 120,000 homes are submerged, and major transport routes, including the North–South railway, have been shut down. The region recorded a staggering 1,085 mm of rainfall within 24 hours — the highest ever in Vietnam — raising urgent concerns about the escalating impact of extreme weather and climate change in Southeast Asia. (PC: AP)

Hurricane Melissa's devastating Caribbean rampage killed at least 32 people across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba before weakening from Category 5 to Category 1. The strongest storm in Caribbean modern history sustained peak winds of 298 km/h exceeding Hurricane Katrina's force. Jamaica's St Elizabeth parish suffered worst, submerged in knee-deep mud with severed communications and washed-out bridges isolating Black River. Cuba's Santiago de Cuba faced considerable damage as residents machete-cleared debris-buried streets. Haiti reported 23 deaths, including 10 children, from flooding despite avoiding direct impact. Nearly 1,500 Bahamians evacuated as Melissa accelerated toward Bermuda Thursday. Power lines and mobile networks collapsed across southwestern Jamaica, leaving families days without contact. Amid devastation, a baby was safely delivered under emergency conditions.

Hurricane Melissa's death toll reached at least 32 across the Caribbean, with devastating impacts in Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Haiti reported 28 deaths, including 25 in Petit-Goâve after swollen rivers burst banks. Jamaica confirmed four deaths in St. Elizabeth Parish, with three additional fatalities during storm preparations. The Dominican Republic reported one death. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness described damage as "unprecedented," noting 80-90% of roofs between Treasure Beach and Black River were destroyed. Essential infrastructure including hospitals, courthouses, and historic buildings were wiped out. Cuba faced "significant damage" as Category 3 landfall cut off 140,000 people. The storm weakened to Category 1 but continues producing dangerous flooding and winds across the Bahamas.

Hurricane Melissa has become the strongest storm to hit the Caribbean in 90 years, killing 29 people across Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. The Category 5 storm made landfall in Cuba after devastating Jamaica, where it was declared a disaster zone. Cuba evacuated over 700,000 people as the storm moved northeast, causing severe damage and flooding. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness promised quick recovery efforts, saying the nation “will rebuild stronger.” The Bahamas has issued evacuation orders as Melissa continues its path toward Bermuda, remaining a powerful hurricane despite weakening slightly over land. (PC: HT)

At least 25 people have died in Haiti after a river overflowed due to heavy rains from Hurricane Melissa. The La Digue river flooded homes and destroyed parts of the southern town of Petit-Goave. Mayor Jean Bertrand Subreme said many people are still trapped and rescue work is ongoing. The hurricane earlier hit Jamaica and Cuba, forcing more than 735,000 people to evacuate. Cuba and Jamaica suffered major damage, power cuts, and severe flooding. Experts say rising ocean temperatures linked to climate change are making storms like Melissa stronger and more destructive across the Caribbean region.

The much-anticipated cloud-seeding trial planned for October 29 in Delhi was postponed after IIT Kanpur scientists reported insufficient atmospheric moisture for effective artificial rain. Humidity levels hovered around 15%, well below the minimum requirement for condensation and rainfall. The ₹3.2-crore pilot project aimed to tackle Delhi’s severe air pollution through induced precipitation. Officials confirmed that the experiment will be rescheduled once favorable meteorological conditions emerge. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Delhi government and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, is part of broader efforts to combat the capital’s worsening air quality. (PC: PTI)

Jamaica woke up to widespread destruction after Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm in its history, hit the island with winds of 298 km/h. About 75% of the country is without power, and several towns are flooded. Montego Bay was split in two by rising waters, while western areas like St Elizabeth were left under water. Homes, hospitals, and farms have been badly damaged. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a national disaster and warned of “devastating impacts.” Communication lines are down, and rescue teams are struggling to reach trapped families as fears of casualties grow.