A cloudburst in Chositi village, Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, has killed at least 17 people, with several missing, as heavy rains continue across the region. The disaster struck the last motorable point on the route to the 9,500-feet-high Machail Mata temple during the annual yatra. Rescue teams have saved 65 people so far, but difficult terrain and debris hamper operations. Authorities, including Union Minister Jitendra Singh, CM Omar Abdullah, and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, have ordered all possible assistance. Flash floods damaged a langar and blocked roads. Similar monsoon-triggered floods and landslides affect other northern states. (PC: X, HT)

The death toll in the Kishtwar cloudburst tragedy has risen to 12, officials confirmed on Thursday evening. The cloudburst struck Chositi village on the Machail Mata Yatra route, trapping several pilgrims. Rescue teams, including the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and police, are working in heavy rain to search for survivors. Many injured have been taken to nearby hospitals. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the situation remains serious and more casualties are feared. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep grief and directed all agencies to speed up rescue and relief work. Bad weather is making operations challenging in the hilly region. 

A Virginia Tech study warns of a potential 1,000-foot “mega-tsunami” along the US Pacific Coast if a magnitude 8.0+ earthquake strikes the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Stretching 600 miles from Northern California to Vancouver Island, the fault could trigger sudden coastal land subsidence of up to 6.5 feet, flooding cities like Seattle and Portland within minutes. Lead researcher Tina Dura cautions that such an event could cause over 30,000 deaths and $81 billion in damages. The last major quake there in 1700 sent waves to Japan. Scientists urge immediate investment in early-warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and evacuation planning to reduce disaster impact. (PC: X)

At least 10 people are feared dead after a massive cloudburst struck Chishoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday along the Machail Mata Yatra route. Union minister Jitendra Singh said rescue teams were dispatched immediately, with damage assessment and medical aid underway. Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha directed civil, police, army, NDRF, and SDRF teams to intensify rescue operations and provide all possible assistance. The incident follows severe monsoon rainfall that has triggered landslides, floods, and destruction across hilly states. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have also faced cloudbursts, with hundreds of roads blocked and significant property damage reported. (PC: NDTV)

Delhi-NCR woke up to heavy rain on Thursday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to upgrade its yellow alert to a red warning. Severe waterlogging was reported in areas including Basai Road in Gurugram, with visuals showing intense downpours in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram. The IMD forecast light to moderate rain at most places, with heavy showers at isolated locations over the next 2-3 hours. Delhi has recorded 706mm of rainfall this year, 91% of its annual average, with more expected this month. Similar warnings were issued for Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, North Madhya Pradesh, and West Uttar Pradesh. (PC: HT)

A wildfire in the UK’s south Dorset’s Newton Heath has been extinguished after burning for 10 days, destroying over 54 acres (22ha) of protected heath and forest habitat. Reported on 3 August, the blaze was among several suspected arson incidents in the Studland area. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue (DWFR) confirmed crews from three counties battled the flames, fuelled by dry conditions and strong winds. The site, home to all six native reptile species, suffered severe wildlife loss. The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust found very few reptiles survived. DWFR has handed over control to Forestry England for recovery efforts. (PC: BBC)

A deadly heatwave exceeding 40°C is fuelling massive wildfires across southern Europe, killing at least three and forcing thousands to evacuate. Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia are battling dozens of blazes. In Spain, 4,000 people fled Castile and Leon, while nearly 2,000 evacuated near Tarifa. Portugal deployed 1,300 firefighters with aid from Morocco. Greece faces over 150 fires, prompting mass evacuations on Zakynthos and Chios. Italy recorded a child’s death from heatstroke, while France issued widespread heat alerts. Scientists warn climate change is making Mediterranean summers hotter and drier, intensifying wildfire seasons and destruction. (PC: BBC)

Thousands of people have been evacuated as deadly wildfires spread across southern Europe during a record-breaking heatwave. In Spain, fires near Madrid killed one man and forced residents to flee. Blazes are also burning in Portugal, Turkey, and Greece, with strong winds making control difficult. Portugal’s Vila Real mayor said, “We are being cooked alive,” as a fire burned for 10 days. Greece evacuated villages and hotels on tourist islands. Italy and France issued heat alerts, with Bordeaux hitting 41.6°C. Scientists warn climate change is causing hotter, drier summers, and Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average. (PC: Reuters)

A fierce wildfire, dubbed the Canyon Fire, forced thousands to evacuate in California’s Ventura and Los Angeles counties after erupting Thursday and rapidly expanding from 30 to 5,400 acres. Fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions, the blaze injured Kern County firefighter James Agee in a rollover truck accident. Officials reported 62% containment by Sunday, aided by favourable weather and over 1,100 personnel. Residents in Santa Clarita, Hasley Canyon, and Val Verde were urged to stay vigilant as temperatures may hit 100°F. The Gifford Fire, California’s largest active blaze, has scorched nearly 100,000 acres in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. (PC: BBC)

A yellow heat health alert is in place from midday Monday to Wednesday evening for most of England as the UK braces for its fourth summer heatwave. Sky News meteorologist Christopher England warned of “very muggy nights” in the south, with temperatures holding above 20C, known as “tropical nights.” Daytime highs could exceed 35C in southern Britain, with a 10% chance Wales may surpass its August record of 35.2C set in 1990. The UK Health Security Agency warns of increased health risks for vulnerable people. Low pressure from the west will pull warmer air from the continent, intensifying conditions. (PC: Sky News)