The UK is experiencing its hottest start to May on record, with temperatures expected to soar to 29°C in the South East, possibly touching 30°C—breaking the previous record of 27.4°C set in Lossiemouth in 1990. This makes Britain temporarily warmer than popular holiday destinations like Gran Canaria, Rome, and Athens. However, forecasters warn the heat won’t last, as temperatures are set to drop over the weekend. A large wildfire in the Peak District, fueled by dry conditions, is being tackled by firefighters. Despite the warmth, the Met Office states it likely won't meet the criteria for an official heatwave. (PC: PA)

The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, situated on Maui's Haleakalā volcano, has released its first high-resolution image of the Sun’s surface, showcasing sunspots with remarkable detail. The image, captured using the new Visible Tunable Filter (VTF), provides an unprecedented view of the Sun, where each pixel represents just 6.2 miles (10 km). Sunspots are regions of intense magnetic activity linked to solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). This breakthrough enables scientists to study solar magnetic fields and plasma dynamics in three dimensions, offering valuable insights into solar weather that can affect satellite communications and power grids. (PC: CNN)

At least three people, including two children, were killed after heavy rain triggered landslides and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district. A cloudburst hit Seri Bagna village, damaging over 40 homes and sweeping away markets and vehicles in Dharam Kund. “Lost everything overnight,” said Ravi Kumar, a shopkeeper who lost both his shops. More than 100 residents were rescued by police and Army personnel despite ongoing rainfall. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains closed. Authorities, including CM Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, have assured aid and financial assistance as relief efforts continue in the affected region. (PC: ANI)

A sudden landslide in Pernote village, Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir, has devastated over 50 homes, damaged four electricity towers, and severed the main road connecting Gool and Ramban. The disaster, which began Thursday evening, forced families to evacuate as their houses developed cracks. Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary assured affected residents of food, shelter, and medical aid, while geology experts investigate the cause. Local volunteers, alongside SDRF and NDRF teams, are assisting in relocating belongings. An alternate route via Sumber-Digdoal has been activated to restore connectivity. This incident echoes a similar event last year in Duksar Dalwa, where 16 houses were damaged due to land subsidence.

Heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district triggered flash floods, landslides, and mudslides, resulting in three fatalities, including two brothers in Seri Bagna village. Over 100 villagers were rescued by police amid continuous downpours. Approximately 40 houses in Dharam Kund village were damaged, with ten completely destroyed. Several vehicles were swept away, and the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed due to multiple landslides and a washed-away stretch near Panthiyal, leaving hundreds stranded. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a meeting to assess the situation, while Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the district administration for their prompt response and assured comprehensive relief efforts.

Heavy rainfall triggered devastating flash floods and landslides across Jammu & Kashmir, killing three and blocking the crucial Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. Ramban district bore the brunt, with around 40 houses damaged and more than 100 villagers rescued in Dharamkund. Uprooted trees, power cuts, and submerged vehicles have left several areas crippled. Former Sarpanch Parshottam Gupta reported severe damage in Udhampur after strong winds and rain hit the region for the first time in years. Authorities have suspended traffic along the highway from Nashri to Banihal, urging travelers to avoid the route until weather conditions improve.

Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy overnight rain wreaked havoc in Dharamkund village, Ramban district, J&K, killing three, including two children, and leaving one missing. Ten houses were destroyed and over 30 damaged, while rescue teams evacuated nearly 100 people. The calamity also blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in multiple spots. SSP Ramban Kulbir Singh confirmed the casualties and ongoing relief efforts. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh assured support and aid. Visuals showed widespread destruction, with mud-filled water submerging homes and roads. Rescue operations continue as authorities await improved weather for restoration work. (PC: India Today)

Scientists have discovered a rare geological process called lithospheric foundering occurring beneath California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. This phenomenon involves the dense lower layer of Earth’s lithosphere detaching and sinking into the mantle—described as the crust "peeling off" from beneath. According to the study, this event happened between 4 and 3 million years ago, triggering major changes such as crustal uplift and increased volcanic activity. The findings offer new insight into how deep Earth processes shape the planet’s surface and mark the Sierra Nevada as a key location for geoscientific research. (PC: Getty Images)

On April 19, 2025, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border at 12:17 PM IST, at a depth of 130 km. Tremors were felt across northern India, including Delhi-NCR, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab, as well as parts of Pakistan such as Islamabad, Lahore, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Residents in these regions reported brief panic, though no casualties or significant damage have been reported. This marks the second tremor in the region within a week, emphasizing its seismic sensitivity. (PC: The Times of India)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in parts of North India, including Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh, on April 18, 2025, due to an active Western Disturbance. An orange alert has been issued in Himachal districts like Chamba, Kullu, and Mandi. Delhi is expected to experience cloudy skies and strong surface winds up to 40 km/h, with no heatwave expected until April 23. Eastern and northeastern states may also see heavy rains and gusty winds. Residents are advised to stay alert and follow weather updates. (PC: Hindustan Times)