Chris Infotainment

Resumption of Operations at Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Plant Kathmandu, Dec. 7 — The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Plant in Rasuwa, developed by Chilime Hydropower Company, has resumed partial operations following a significant flood event that damaged its infrastructure. On June 8, a glacial burst in Tibet's Lhende River triggered a severe flood that caused extensive damage to the plant’s structures, including the headworks. After completing repairs on the headworks, water was temporarily diverted from the river, and one of the three units in the powerhouse was restarted on Saturday. The plant has an installed capacity of 111 megawatts, with each unit producing 37 megawatts. The remaining two units are expected to be operational within a month, according to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Manoj Silwal. He also mentioned that other repair work in the headworks area will be completed before the next monsoon season. NEA holds the majority stakes in Chilime Hydropower Com...

Wildfire Engulfs Mount Hanang’ in Tanzania, Sparking Concern and Memories of Past Disasters A massive wildfire has swept through the slopes of Mount Hanang’, located in the Manyara Region of Tanzania, igniting fears among local residents. Initially, some people suspected that the fire might be a sign of volcanic activity at the mountain’s summit. However, authorities have since clarified that the blaze is a bushfire caused by human activities. Mount Hanang’ is one of Tanzania’s most prominent natural landmarks. It stands as the fifth-highest peak in the country, following Kilimanjaro, Meru, Loolmalasin, and Oldonyo L’engai. The mountain reaches an elevation of 3,420 meters above sea level and is the centerpiece of the 5,871-hectare Mount Hanang Forest Reserve, which borders the town of Katesh. The Manyara Regional Commissioner, Queen Sendiga, stated that the fire was likely the result of human actions, including illegal entry into the forest for logging and charcoal production. She ...

Major Earthquake Strikes Alaska, Felt in Canada A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck Alaska, sending tremors as far as Canada. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred in the region around Yakutat at a depth of 6.21 miles. Yakutat, which had a population of just 657 people in 2020, is located about 300 miles from Anchorage, where the earthquake was also felt. In the hours following the main quake, the USGS recorded three additional earthquakes in the same area, including a 5.3 and a 5.0 magnitude tremor. Fortunately, there were no reports of damage or injuries, and no tsunami warning was issued. In Whitehorse, Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Calista MacLeod confirmed that two 911 calls were received regarding the earthquake. "It definitely was felt," she said. "There are a lot of people on social media, people felt it." She added that there were no reports of damage or injury. According to NASA, the world ex...

At 10:00 p.m., as the lights came back on, Nguyen Thao Nguyen did not go to bed; instead, she tied her apron and rushed to the kitchen. Racing against the clock, she began cooking chè (sweet soup) and prepping sauces to sell the next morning. Once these were finished, she turned to washing laundry and cooking rice for her family. "I live by the power company's schedule now, not the sun's," the 33-year-old says. For the past five days, Nguyen’s family of four in Duong Dong Ward, Phu Quoc Island, have relied on one cooked meal a day. Their routine has been inverted by the daytime blackouts: They sleep during the day and wake up at midnight when the grid reconnects. The schedule is exhausting, particularly for her two young children, who struggle to sleep in the tropical heat. Thao Nguyen worked through the night on Dec. 2, 2025, to prepare orders for her customers. Photo courtesy Nguyen Nguyen is one of thousands of residents on Phu Quoc, voted Asia’s most beautif...

When Nha Trang was plunged into darkness and its streets were under nearly a meter of water on the night of Nov. 19, South African tourist Arshaad Yousuph joined rescuers to save trapped people. More than two weeks later he says he is still haunted by images of submerged houses and the desperate cries for help he heard in the middle of that day. He says he saw a steady stream of Facebook posts about people in peril including a family trapped in a collapsing home. "Her voice was panicked." He went to the local military headquarters to ask how he could join the rescue efforts. He was told to call the emergency number, 122, but with the power out and phone lines unstable, his calls could not get through. Yousuph returned to the hotel and felt restless and unsettled. His mind was filled with the cries of marooned elderly people and frightened children. Arshaad Yousuph joins locals to help evacuate people trapped in floodwaters in Nha Trang on the night of Nov. 19, 2025. Phot...

An electric vehicle drifted on a submerged road until a gasoline car showed up and nudged it out of the flood zone. The video opens with an electric vehicle floating in floodwater, rocking with each passing wave as it drifts along the submerged road. The scene captures a moment of unexpected cooperation between two vehicles, one electric and the other powered by gasoline. A gasoline car then approaches from behind and slowly pushes the stranded vehicle toward dry ground. The action is both surprising and heartwarming, as the driver of the gasoline car takes it upon themselves to help their fellow motorist. The scene resembles a land-based version of Titanic as the electric car is nudged out of danger. Viewers expressed both concern and amusement at the unusual cooperation. Some were worried about the safety of the electric vehicle, while others found the situation amusing due to its surreal nature. The gentle push proved effective and helped the electric car escape the flooded s...

Uncovering Hidden Seismic Patterns at Yellowstone A recent study has revealed a significant number of previously undetected earthquakes beneath the Yellowstone supervolcano, using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This breakthrough has provided scientists with a clearer understanding of the volcano's seismic activity and its potential implications for future natural disasters. The research team, composed of international experts, utilized AI to analyze 15 years of seismic data from Yellowstone. Their findings uncovered an astonishing 86,000 tiny earthquakes that had gone unnoticed by human experts. This number is approximately ten times higher than what was previously known, highlighting the immense power of machine learning in detecting subtle seismic patterns. The Role of AI in Seismic Analysis What sets this study apart from previous efforts is the ability of the AI program to identify every minor tremor and map them on a highly accurate 3D model. This visual...

Expert Calls for Comprehensive Survey to Prevent Future Landslides in Kadugannawa A recent landslide in Ganethenna, Kadugannawa, which resulted in six fatalities, has highlighted the urgent need for a thorough geological assessment of the surrounding area. Dr. Athula Senaratne, a former Senior Professor of Geology at Peradeniya University, emphasized the importance of a comprehensive survey of a 400-acre area around the railway line and main road to mitigate future landslide risks. During an inspection of the affected site, Dr. Senaratne explained the complex geological conditions that make the region vulnerable to landslides. He pointed out that while the main road and railway line are built on bedrock and not directly at risk of collapse, unstable sections of the wider area could still impact their structural integrity. "When the railway was constructed, large tunnels were drilled through rock," he said. "It is possible that large rocks dislodged during the construc...

As the floodwaters begin to recede, the needs of affected communities are shifting from immediate sustenance to essential items that support long-term recovery and dignity. While food remains a priority, there is a growing recognition that other supplies—such as gas stoves, dry clothing, medicines, and hygiene products—are equally vital in preventing disease and restoring normalcy. In Hanoi, Thanh Ly, a 40-year-old woman, took it upon herself to address this need. When she heard about a relief truck heading to Phu Yen, she gathered warm clothes with her friends and carefully sorted them by age and gender. Rather than purchasing common relief items like instant noodles or bottled water, she spent VND5 million (US$200) on sanitary pads and 100 pairs of underwear. Her decision was met with resistance from her husband, who questioned whether people in such dire circumstances would care about “private matters.” He also worried that sending such items could lead to criticism or even reluct...

Swimming lessons have played a crucial role in reducing child drowning deaths by an average of 5 to 7% annually over the past decade, according to a leading figure from an international non-profit organization. Doan Thu Huyen, country director of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, highlighted Vietnam's progress during a speech at the World Drowning Prevention conference held in Egypt on November 21. Previously, the Vietnam Ministry of Health reported more than 3,000 child drowning deaths each year before 2015. However, this number has gradually decreased to approximately 2,000 in recent years. Huyen emphasized that the consistent decline in drowning deaths is a result of effective intervention programs implemented over the last seven years. In 2018, Vietnam launched a child-drowning prevention program with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies. This initiative focused on providing swimming lessons and basic water safety training to children in several provinces, including Dong Thap...

Impact of Severe Flooding on Southeast Asia's Tourism Industry Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, three of Southeast Asia's most popular tourist destinations, are currently grappling with severe flooding that has caused widespread chaos and disrupted transportation in key tourist areas. The situation has raised concerns about the region's ability to meet its tourism targets for the year. Vietnam: A Region in Crisis In Vietnam, heavy rainfall has led to significant flooding across the south central region, which includes well-known tourist spots such as Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, and Phu Yen. These areas are home to some of the country’s most beloved beaches, but they have now become battlegrounds against nature’s fury. Water levels have started to recede in central Vietnam after a week of flooding and landslides that claimed 91 lives and caused extensive damage to infrastructure. This has left over 1.1 million households and businesses without power. Several sections of nation...

A Czech tourist has shared his harrowing experience of being stranded on a train for three days following the historic floods that disrupted travel in south-central Vietnam. On the morning of November 18, Nicola Burianova arrived at Saigon station with high hopes, although he had been informed that his train, SE2, would be delayed until 7:25 p.m. due to bad weather. After hours of waiting, he fell asleep as soon as he boarded the train. In the middle of the night, he was abruptly awakened by an eerie silence — the train had come to a stop. Through a rain-streaked window, Burianova could only see pitch blackness and hear the relentless downpour. The train had made an emergency stop at Tuy Hoa Station in Dak Lak, one of the most severely affected provinces after floodwaters rose, making the road ahead unsafe and posing a threat to the train's stability. Nicola Burianova on a flooded street in Tuy Hoa, Dak Lak Province, central Vietnam, November 2025. Photo by Burianova Burianov...

A man's journey to save his family during a natural disaster is a story of determination, resilience, and love. Nguyen Ngoc Tin, 31, embarked on a harrowing 500 km trip from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to Phu Yen province, driven by the urgency of rescuing his mother and grandmother from the devastating floods. The ordeal began on the night of November 19 when Tin received a desperate call from his mother. Her voice was trembling as she described the chaos around her. "The water has swallowed our one-story house. Your grandmother and I are sitting on the roof, hungry and thirsty, and no one has come to help," she said. Shortly after, he lost contact with her, which only intensified his resolve to act. Tin knew that the road ahead would be treacherous. He decided to leave HCMC at noon on November 20, loading his car with food and drinking water. His plan was to take National Highway 1, the main route connecting the southern city to the central region. However, as he approac...

Throughout my time with UNICEF, I have encountered countless children and families whose lives have been profoundly affected by natural disasters. In Vietnam, during my recent visits, I witnessed the aftermath of powerful typhoons that left entire communities in ruins. In many areas, all that remained were long trails of mud—soft silt hardened into pale streaks—marking where homes and livelihoods once stood. Everything had been swept away. Clean water disappeared, along with food, health, education, and protection services, which were disrupted for days or even weeks. On fences and bare branches left behind by the storms, parents carefully laid out their children’s schoolbooks to dry—pages soaked, torn, and caked with mud. In the eyes of the children, there was a blankness filled with confusion, a reflection of the bewilderment and fear that disasters leave behind. In recent months, northern and central Vietnam has experienced heavy flooding. Mountain passes have collapsed, and en...

Escalating Impact of Flooding and Landslides in Central Vietnam The ongoing flooding and landslides in central Vietnam have resulted in a tragic death toll of 55 people, with 13 others still unaccounted for, according to recent updates from authorities. The situation remains critical as relief efforts continue around the clock. Regional Toll and Ongoing Risks Dak Lak province has been the hardest hit, with 27 reported deaths, followed closely by Khanh Hoa, which recorded 14 fatalities. Gia Lai and Lam Dong each saw five deaths, while two more were reported in Hue and Da Nang. The number of missing individuals stands at 13, primarily in Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa. The casualty count has risen by 10 since the previous day, even as river levels on major waterways begin to recede. However, the threat is far from over, as experts warn that the risk of flash floods and landslides remains high due to expected continued rainfall. Water Levels and Warnings The Department of Dyke Management an...

Fire in Oita Forces Evacuation of 170 Buildings, One Person Missing A significant fire has erupted in the southern Japanese city of Oita, leading to the evacuation of more than 170 buildings. Local authorities reported that one person in his 70s is currently missing, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The incident occurred during strong winds, which contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. As a result, around 175 residents were forced to move to emergency accommodation. The situation has raised concerns among local officials and residents alike. One resident from Oita shared his experience with the Japanese broadcaster NHK, describing how the fire turned the city's skies red. He expressed his shock at the speed at which the flames spread. "The wind was strong. I never thought it would spread so much," he said. Understanding the Fire The fire began under conditions of strong winds, which quickly led to the blaze spreading into a nearby fores...

Investigation into the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge A tragic incident occurred in 2024 when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, resulting in the loss of six construction workers. The event was triggered by a container ship that lost control and collided with the bridge. US investigators have now concluded their probe into the incident, revealing critical findings about the cause of the disaster. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a thorough investigation into the collapse. Their report identified the probable cause of the accident as an electrical failure on the container ship. This failure led to the ship losing power and subsequently veering off course, ultimately colliding with the bridge. The NTSB highlighted that the electrical issue was traced back to a loose signal wire connection, which played a significant role in the malfunction. Key Findings from the NTSB Report Electrical Failure: The primary cause of the incident was determined...

Tragic Incident in Patagonia's Nature Reserve A devastating blizzard has claimed the lives of five individuals in the Torres del Paine nature reserve, a popular tourist destination in Chile. Among the victims is a British national, along with two Mexicans and two Germans. The incident occurred as the group was exploring the area, known for its stunning granite peaks, glaciers, and diverse wildlife. The weather conditions were particularly severe, with heavy snow, wind, and rain affecting much of the country. Initially, reports indicated two deaths and seven people missing. However, regional government official Jose Antonio Ruiz later updated the toll to five fatalities. Four individuals were rescued, though their nationalities and health status remain unspecified. Ruiz mentioned that discussions have already begun with relevant consuls regarding the repatriation of the bodies. The Prosecutor's Office has also authorized the movement of the remains, marking the start of an ev...

Overview of the Oita Fire Incident A massive fire that broke out in a densely populated residential area of Oita, Japan, has resulted in significant damage. According to local authorities, more than 170 buildings were affected by the blaze. The incident occurred overnight, leading to the tragic death of one individual. The fire continued to burn for over 12 hours, with firefighters working tirelessly to bring it under control. Details of the Incident The fire was first reported to the police on Tuesday at around 5:45 p.m. It began in a residential area located northeast of Saganoseki fishing port. At its peak, up to 180 people were evacuated from the affected area. Local authorities confirmed the death of one person found at the scene, and they are currently trying to identify the body as that of a 76-year-old man who is still missing. A strong wind advisory was issued in the area on Tuesday afternoon, according to a regional branch of the Japan Meteorological Agency. This weather...

Impact of the Recent Floods in Central Vietnam Torrential rains and landslides that began on November 16 have caused significant damage in central Vietnam, with at least 14 people reported dead or missing. The Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, has confirmed the extent of the disaster. Heavy Losses in Khanh Hoa Province Khanh Hoa province, which includes the popular tourist destination Nha Trang, has suffered the most severe losses. Nine individuals are either dead or missing, with seven confirmed deaths and two still unaccounted for. A tragic incident occurred on Khanh Le Pass, which connects Nha Trang to Da Lat, when a mountain slide struck a sleeper bus carrying 32 passengers. This single event resulted in six fatalities. In Da Nang City, three people are missing, while one person is missing in Quang Tri Province and another in Hue City. The case in Quang Tri involves a truck driver who drove onto a flooded spillwa...