Year: 2026

Today in disaster resilience (6 February 2026)

Please find below links to some aspects of disaster resilience that were in the news recently…

Recent emergencies/disasters

Landslide-triggered mine collapse kills more than 200 at Rubaya coltan site in North Kivu, DR Congo https://watchers.news/2026/01/31/landslide-triggered-mine-collapse-kills-more-than-200-at-rubaya-coltan-site-in-north-kivu-dr-congo/

Historic cold breaks multiple February records across Florida https://watchers.news/2026/02/02/historic-cold-breaks-multiple-february-records-across-florida/

Japan deploys Self-Defense Forces in Aomori for first time in 21 years as record snowfall kills 30 https://watchers.news/2026/02/03/japan-deploys-self-defense-forces-in-aomori-for-first-time-in-21-years-as-record-snowfall-kills-30/

Tropical Storm Penha (Basyang) expected to make multiple landfalls over Mindanao and Visayas, Philippines https://watchers.news/2026/02/05/tropical-storm-penha-basyang-expected-to-make-multiple-landfalls-over-mindanao-and-visayas-philippines/

At least 12 dead, 2 000 homes destroyed as Tropical Cyclone Fytia hits Madagascar https://watchers.news/2026/02/05/at-least-12-dead-2-000-homes-destroyed-as-tropical-cyclone-fytia-hits-madagascar/

Homes on verge of collapse as 4 km (2.5 miles) landslide destabilizes hillside above Gela plain, Italy https://watchers.news/2026/01/30/homes-on-verge-of-collapse-as-4-km-2-5-miles-landslide-destabilizes-hillside-above-gela-plain-italy/

Volcanic activity worldwide 4 Feb 2026: Santiaguito volcano, Fuego, Popocatépetl, Soputan, Tangkuba https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcano-activity/news/293898/Volcanic-activity-worldwide-4-Feb-2026-Santiaguito-volcano-Fuego-Popocatepetl-Soputan-Tangkuba.html

Extreme Weather and Climate Change

Anatomy of a heatwave: how a cyclone, humid air and atmospheric waves drove brutal heat in the southeast https://theconversation.com/anatomy-of-a-heatwave-how-a-cyclone-humid-air-and-atmospheric-waves-drove-brutal-heat-in-the-southeast-274511

Extreme heat resilience https://www.undrr.org/our-work/extreme-heat-resilience

Australia’s grid now relies on renewable energy as much as coal https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/31/australias-grid-now-relies-on-renewable-energy-as-much-as-coal-those-who-doubted-it-look-foolish

Climate change is accelerating, scientists find in ‘grim’ report https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/09/climate-change-is-accelerating-scientists-find-in-grim-report/

Heatwaves are changing the way Australians live and spend their money, study finds https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-02/heatwaves-changing-australians-spending-habits-study-finds/106287812

Climate change is not making extreme cold more common https://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-climate-change-is-not-making-extreme-cold-more-common/

Extreme heat, cold, precipitation and fires mark the start of 2026 https://wmo.int/media/news/extreme-heat-cold-precipitation-and-fires-mark-start-of-2026

Unexpected Climate Feedback Links Antarctic Ice Sheet With Reduced Carbon Uptake https://lamont.columbia.edu/news/unexpected-climate-feedback-links-antarctic-ice-sheet-reduced-carbon-uptake

China to See Solar Capacity Outstrip Coal Capacity This Year https://e360.yale.edu/digest/china-solar-coal-2026

Climate change and La Niña made ‘devastating’ southern African floods more intense https://www.carbonbrief.org/climate-change-and-la-nina-made-devastating-southern-african-floods-more-intense/

Global population living with extreme heat to double by 2050 – Oxford study https://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/news/global-population-living-extreme-heat-double-2050-oxford-study

Parts of the tropics may warm more than expected as CO2 rises, study finds https://www.brown.edu/news/2026-02-02/tropical-warming-co2

Extreme Heatwaves Across the Caribbean Are Becoming More Frequent and Severe https://www.albany.edu/news-center/news/2026-study-extreme-heatwaves-across-caribbean-are-becoming-more-frequent-and

Climate Change Responses in the Pacific: Just Transformation or Transforming Justice? https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/geo2.70058

Climate ‘fingerprints’ mark human activity from the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean https://theconversation.com/climate-fingerprints-mark-human-activity-from-the-top-of-the-atmosphere-to-the-bottom-of-the-ocean-274659

Disaster risk reduction

South Wales council to buy and demolish homes prone to flooding https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/02/south-wales-council-buy-demolish-homes-flooding-clydach-terrace-ynysybwl

More than 87m people impacted by climate-related disasters in 2025 https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/01/more-than-87m-people-impacted-by-climate-related-disasters-in-2025/

A review of the UK’s climate in 2025 https://www.carbonbrief.org/met-office-a-review-of-the-uks-climate-in-2025/

South Pacific carbon uptake controlled by West Antarctic Ice Sheet dynamics https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01911-0

New study identifies warning signs for extreme flash flooding https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2026/01/warningsignsforextremeflashflooding/

Aussie bushfire prevention tech goes global https://www.preventionweb.net/news/aussie-bushfire-prevention-tech-goes-global

Six years after COVID-19’s global alarm: Is the world better prepared for the next pandemic? https://www.who.int/news/item/02-02-2026-six-years-after-covid-19-s-global-alarm-is-the-world-better-prepared-for-the-next-pandemic

“Jerk”, a promising new method for early warning of volcanic eruptions https://www.gfz.de/en/press/news/details/jerk-eine-vielversprechende-neue-methode-zur-fruehwarnung-vor-vulkanausbruechen

Five smart ways to reduce wildfire risk before the blaze begins https://www.preventionweb.net/news/five-smart-ways-reduce-wildfire-risk-blaze-begins

National and Sub-national disaster risk and resilience assessment and roadmap for India’s telecommunications sector https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/national-and-sub-national-disaster-risk-and-resilience-assessment-and-roadmap-indias

Revolutionizing Wildfire Detection Through UAV-Driven Fire Monitoring with a Transformer-Based Approach https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/7/12/443

Flood risk is rising at Britain’s most famous landmarks https://www.unda.co.uk/news/flood-risk-is-rising-at-britains-most-famous-landmarks/

Forest Fire Prediction: A Spatial Machine Learning and Neural Network Approach https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/7/6/205

How Increasing Rainfall Is Changing Flood Risk in the UK https://www.unda.co.uk/news/how-increasing-rainfall-is-changing-flood-risk-in-the-uk/

Emergency Management

Integration of Industry 4.0 Technologies in Fire and Safety Management https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/7/10/335

Australian Climate and Homelessness Alliance to help rough sleepers through extreme weather https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-03/australian-climate-change-homelessness-alliance/106226294

Fast-moving floodwater poses hidden danger for cities https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2026/fast-moving-floodwater-poses-hidden-danger-for-cities-

In a warming Arctic, Norwegian Red Cross ’snow-how’ helps communities prepare for emergencies https://www.climatecentre.org/16606/in-a-changing-arctic-norwegian-red-cross-snow-how-helps-communities-prepare-for-emergencies/

Over 100 deaths linked to January storms – here’s how to stay safe when cold, snowy weather moves in https://theconversation.com/over-100-deaths-linked-to-january-storms-heres-how-to-stay-safe-when-cold-snowy-weather-moves-in-274605

Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) https://wmo.int/site/wmo-common-alerting-protocol

Disaster Education, Communications and Engagement

StormShare: A Crowdsourcing Web Application to Enhance Resiliency during Hurricanes https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/NHREFO.NHENG-2230
Disasters are not natural: review of Disasters By Choice: How our Actions turn Natural Hazards into Catastrophes https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/ajem-january-2026-disasters-are-not-natural-review-of-disasters-by-choice-how-our-actions-turn-natural-hazards-into-catastrophes

Be Flood Ready: The Importance of Having a Household Flood Plan https://rainnorthants.co.uk/be-flood-ready/

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) badge manual https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/educational-materials/disaster-risk-reduction-drr-badge-manual

Disaster psychology

Sense of Community and Adaptive Capacity: Insights from the 2019/2020 Australian ‘Black Summer’ Bushfires https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494426000319

Sociology and disasters

The role of social infrastructure in community-based disaster resilience: A case study of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420926000452

Panel response and attrition in a disaster-recovery survey: trajectories and determinants following the Great East Japan Earthquake https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44367-026-00028-4

Community Resilience and Social Support: A Qualitative Study of Coping Strategies Among Tsunami Survivors in Kerala, India https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-09621-0_23

Social connection and loneliness in the era of extreme weather and climate change https://www.nature.com/articles/s44360-025-00041-6

Storytelling Networks and Social Capital for Disaster Resilience: Empowering Narrative Agency in Diverse Communities https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/11508/4924

Today in disaster resilience (30 January 2026)

Please find below links to some aspects of disaster resilience that were in the news recently…

Recent emergencies/disasters

Major U.S. winter storm claims at least 24 lives in 14 states, leaves over 1 million customers without power https://watchers.news/2026/01/26/major-us-winter-storm-claims-at-least-24-lives-in-14-states-leaves-over-1-million-customers-without-power/

Landslide claims 9 lives and leaves over 80 missing in West Bandung, Indonesia https://watchers.news/2026/01/24/landslide-claims-9-lives-and-leaves-over-80-missing-in-west-bandung-indonesia/

Victorians urged to evacuate as massive fire burns through the Otways, Australia https://watchers.news/2026/01/26/victorians-urged-to-evacuate-as-massive-fire-burns-through-the-otways-australia/

Over 1 000 evacuated after large coastal landslide in Sicily as Storm Harry damage exceeds USD 1 billion https://watchers.news/2026/01/26/over-1-000-evacuated-after-large-coastal-landslide-in-sicily-as-storm-harry-damage-exceeds-usd-1-billion/

Another Arctic blast forecast for the weekend as life-threatening cold continues across the Eastern U.S. https://watchers.news/2026/01/27/another-arctic-blast-forecast-for-the-weekend-as-life-threatening-cold-continues-across-the-eastern-u-s/

Sheveluch eruption produces ash to 9 km (30 000 feet) a.s.l., possible light ashfall in nearby districts, Russia https://watchers.news/2026/01/28/sheveluch-eruption-produces-ash-to-9-km-30-000-feet-a-s-l-possible-light-ashfall-in-nearby-districts-russia/

Storm Kristin kills 2 in Portugal as rare sting jet intensifies winds across the Iberian Peninsula https://watchers.news/2026/01/28/storm-kristin-kills-2-in-portugal-as-rare-sting-jet-intensifies-winds-across-the-iberian-peninsula/

Huge landslide in Sicily after Storm Harry https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cql4p6w2gl5o

Volcanic activity worldwide 27 Jan 2026: Santiaguito volcano, Fuego, Popocatépetl, Merapi, Semeru https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcano-activity/news/293121/Volcanic-activity-worldwide-27-Jan-2026-Santiaguito-volcano-Fuego-Popocatepetl-Merapi-Semeru-.html

Extreme Weather and Climate Change

Energy demand and decarbonization in 2025 and beyond https://www.nature.com/articles/s44359-025-00139-w

The Arctic Has Entered a New Era of ‘Extreme Weather’, Scientists Warn https://www.sciencealert.com/the-arctic-has-entered-a-new-era-of-extreme-weather-scientists-warn

Climate change eclipses La Niña cooling in Australia to drive extreme heatwave and heightened fire risk https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-eclipses-la-nina-cooling-in-australia-to-drive-extreme-heatwave-and-heightened-fire-risk/

A new look at trends in human deaths due to climate extremes https://phys.org/news/2026-01-trends-human-deaths-due-climate.html

How the polar vortex and warm ocean intensified a major US winter storm https://theconversation.com/how-the-polar-vortex-and-warm-ocean-intensified-a-major-us-winter-storm-274243

Number of people living in extreme heat to double by 2050 if 2C rise occurs, study finds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/26/number-of-people-living-in-extreme-heat-to-double-by-2050-if-2c-rise-occurs-study-finds

Australia’s heatwave smashes temperature records with some places nearing 50C https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-28/australia-heatwave-smashes-temperature-records/106275472

Sea level rise could drown iconic Easter Island statues by 2080, warns study https://www.preventionweb.net/news/sea-level-rise-could-drown-iconic-easter-island-statues-2080-warns-study

As we breach 1.5 °C, we must replace temperature limits with clean-energy targets https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00246-z

“Extraordinary:” Renewables to the rescue as state smashes demand records in unprecedented heatwave https://reneweconomy.com.au/extraordinary-renewables-to-the-rescue-as-state-smashes-demand-records-in-unprecedented-heatwave/

Overshoot: The World Is Hitting Point of No Return on Climate https://e360.yale.edu/features/1.5-degrees-tipping-points

Australia hits power demand record as renewables pass 50pc milestone https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-29/australia-hits-power-demand-record-as-renewables-pass-50pc/106280246

Where did southern Australia’s record-breaking heatwave come from? https://theconversation.com/where-did-southern-australias-record-breaking-heatwave-come-from-274417

Disaster risk reduction

Understanding multi-hazard risk for U.S. coastal cities https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/understanding-multi-hazard-risk-us-coastal-cities

Canada’s wildfire paradox: fewer fires, greater destruction highlighted in new analysis https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-wildfires-fewer-fires-more-damage-study-9.7051171

Recurrent risk and the disaster loop: A forensic approach to urban flooding https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/recurrent-risk-and-disaster-loop-forensic-approach-urban

Assessing and optimizing urban dynamic resilience to extreme rainfall from shock to recovery https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/assessing-and-optimizing-urban-dynamic-resilience-extreme

The Mount Maunganui tragedy reminds us landslides are NZ’s deadliest natural hazard https://theconversation.com/the-mount-maunganui-tragedy-reminds-us-landslides-are-nzs-deadliest-natural-hazard-274201

Landfalling tropical cyclones accelerate due to land–sea thermal and roughness contrasts https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01891-1

Earthquake sensors buried in the quietest spot on Earth https://www.science.org/content/article/earthquake-sensors-buried-quietest-spot-earth

Words into Action guidelines: The Science–Policy–Society ecosystem for disaster risk reduction https://www.undrr.org/publication/words-action-guidelines-science-policy-society-ecosystem-disaster-risk-reduction

Hurricane and flood resilience should matter to every Floridian https://www.theinvadingsea.com/2026/01/27/hurricane-flood-resilience-florida-council-of-100-disaster-preparedness-protection-mitigation-jobs/

NOAA Launches Wildfire Data Portal, Expanding Public Access to Satellite Fire Information https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/noaa-launches-wildfire-data-portal-expanding-public-access-satellite-fire-information

Gallagher Re Natural Catastrophe and Climate Report 2025 https://www.ajg.com/gallagherre/news-and-insights/gallagherre-natural-catastrophe-and-climate-report-2025/

Emergency Management

Victoria on high alert amid extreme bushfire danger and soaring temperatures https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-27/victoria-bushfires-otways-heatwave-soaring-temperatures/106270362

Rising from the Ashes: How Saint Vincent is Rebuilding After a Volcanic Eruption https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2026/01/20/rising-from-the-ashes-how-saint-vincent-is-rebuilding-after-a-volcanic-eruption

Business recovery of female-owned enterprises after urban floods: A propensity score matching analysis in the Bangkok metropolitan region https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/business-recovery-female-owned-enterprises-after-urban

Disaster Education, Communications and Engagement

No Natural Disasters, featuring Professor Ilan Kelman https://uclpress.co.uk/podcast/no-natural-disasters-professor-ilan-kelman/

The Floodport app for interactive coastal flood risk training https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/floodport-app-interactive-coastal-flood-risk-training

Community engagement for disaster preparedness in rural areas of Mount Merapi, Indonesia https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/community-engagement-disaster-preparedness-rural-areas-mount

Did You Feel It? Expanding use of an earthquake crowdsourcing tool https://phys.org/news/2026-01-earthquake-crowdsourcing-tool.html

Social media for managing disasters triggered by natural hazards: a critical review of data collection strategies and actionable insights https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/26/215/2026/

Disaster psychology

The emotional depth of flood experience: the role of positive emotions in shaping perceptions and action on climate change https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622725000085

Sociology and disasters

Uprooted by Disaster: A Phenomenological Study of 2023 Earthquake Survivors’ Relocation Experiences in Türkiye https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcop.70085

How leaders can deliver the social connection most of us crave https://bigthink.com/business/how-leaders-can-deliver-the-social-connection-most-of-us-crave/

Today in disaster resilience (23 January 2026)

Please find below links to some aspects of disaster resilience that were in the news recently…

Recent emergencies/disasters

Over 200 killed by heavy rains, flooding and storms across Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe https://watchers.news/2026/01/17/over-200-killed-by-heavy-rains-flooding-and-storms-across-mozambique-south-africa-and-zimbabwe/

State of Emergency declared for Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky after extreme snow kills 2, Russia https://watchers.news/2026/01/18/state-of-emergency-declared-for-petropavlovsk-kamchatsky-after-extreme-snow-kills-2-russia/

Rapidly spreading wildfires claim at least 16 lives in Ñuble and Biobío, Chile https://watchers.news/2026/01/18/rapidly-spreading-wildfires-claim-at-least-16-lives-in-nuble-and-biobio-chile/

Chile declares ‘state of catastrophe’ as deadly wildfires menace cities https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7ypw4rjrzo

Woman killed, homes damaged as heavy rainfall and landslides strike New South Wales, Australia https://watchers.news/2026/01/19/woman-killed-homes-damaged-as-heavy-rainfall-and-landslides-strike-new-south-wales-australia/

Shallow M5.6 earthquake kills one and damages dozens of homes in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan https://watchers.news/2026/01/20/shallow-m5-6-earthquake-kills-one-and-damages-dozens-of-homes-in-gilgit-baltistan-pakistan/

Volcanic activity worldwide 21 Jan 2026: Santiaguito volcano, Fuego, Popocatépetl, Tangkubanparahu https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcano-activity/news/292576/Volcanic-activity-worldwide-21-Jan-2026-Santiaguito-volcano-Fuego-Popocatepetl-Tangkubanparahu.html

Record-breaking rainfall leaves dead and missing in New Zealand https://watchers.news/2026/01/22/record-breaking-rainfall-leaves-dead-and-missing-in-new-zealand/

At least 5 dead in Tunisia after the heaviest rain in 70 years https://watchers.news/2026/01/22/5-dead-flood-tunisia-heaviest-rain-in-70-years-january-2026/

Extreme Weather and Climate Change

Scientists discover Greenland’s ‘Achilles heel’ that is driving its rapid ice melt https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-greenlands-achilles-heel-sediment-that-rapidly-driving-ice-loss/

By 2100, year-round navigation of the Arctic Ocean https://www.climatechangepost.com/news/by-2100-year-round-navigation-of-the-arctic-ocean/

Australia’s climate hit regions will need fit-for-future science and modelling https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-climate-hit-regions-will-need-fit-for-future-science-and-modelling/

Water cycle instability drove global water-related disasters in 2025 https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/water-cycle-instability-drove-global-water-related-disasters-in-2025

Major river deltas are sinking faster than sea-level rise https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/01/science-sinking-river-deltas.html

More than 120 giga-scale battery projects planned around world in 2026, as costs continue to fall https://reneweconomy.com.au/more-than-120-giga-scale-battery-projects-planned-around-world-in-2026-as-costs-continue-to-fall/

Urban Greenery Is Making Some Cities Hotter, Study Finds https://e360.yale.edu/digest/urban-greenery-heat

WMO and IWMI strengthen cooperation on Climate and Water Resilience https://wmo.int/media/update/wmo-and-iwmi-strengthen-cooperation-climate-and-water-resilience

How climate change is making extreme rainfall events like the Great Ocean Road flooding more frequent and intense https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-16/victoria-floods-climate-change-and-extreme-rainfall/106237516

Greening school playgrounds improves quality of life in cities and helps deal with climate change https://www.uoc.edu/en/news/2026/greening-school-playgrounds-health-climate-uoc

Heatwaves, extreme heat, and heat stress https://www.preventionweb.net/knowledge-base/hazards/heatwave

Half of world’s CO2 emissions come from just 32 fossil fuel firms, study shows https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/21/carbon-dioxide-co2-emissions-fossil-fuel-firms-study

NZ is again being soaked this summer – record ocean heat helps explain it https://theconversation.com/nz-is-again-being-soaked-this-summer-record-ocean-heat-helps-explain-it-274013

Humidity quietly turning U.S. heat waves into a far deadlier threat https://watchers.news/epicenter/humidity-quietly-turning-u-s-heat-waves-into-a-far-deadlier-threat/

In Europe, Wind and Solar Overtake Fossil Fuels https://e360.yale.edu/digest/europe-wind-solar-fossil-fuels

Shaping a cooler Bangkok: Tackling urban heat for a more livable city https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/shaping-cooler-bangkok-tackling-urban-heat-more-livable-city

Climate change increased the chance of intense Australian heatwave fivefold, study finds https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-23/climate-change-increased-australian-heatwave-january-study/106253192

Disaster risk reduction

Global Risks Report 2026: Geopolitical and economic risks rise in new age of competition https://www.preventionweb.net/news/global-risks-report-2026-geopolitical-and-economic-risks-rise-new-age-competition

WMO, GWP launch global flood forecasting community to strengthen early warnings https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/science-environment/3740567-wmo-gwp-launch-global-flood-forecasting-community-to-strengthen-early-warnings

Flood Forecasting and Warning (E2E-EWS-FF) Community https://waterclimatecommunities.info/group/73/about

Atmospheric rivers are associated with nine out of every 10 floods in major global river basins https://www.nature.com/articles/s44304-026-00167-x

Report on global losses in 2025 due to disasters related to natural hazards https://www.munichre.com/en/company/media-relations/media-information-and-corporate-news/media-information/2026/natural-disaster-figures-2025.html

A description of each of the 281 hazard information profiles (HIPs)developed by scientists and experts across the globe https://www.preventionweb.net/drr-glossary/hips

New study reveals earth system models overestimate river flow increases https://www.preventionweb.net/news/new-study-reveals-earth-system-models-overestimate-river-flow-increases

When lightning strikes: Models of multi-ignition wildfires could predict catastrophic events https://www.llnl.gov/article/53926/when-lightning-strikes-models-multi-ignition-wildfires-could-predict-catastrophic-events

Unequal evidence and impacts, limits to adaptation: Extreme weather in 2025 https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/unequal-evidence-and-impacts-limits-adaptation-extreme

Climate mode interactions amplify coastal flood risks and their seasonal predictability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01903-0

From Wildfire Risk to Resilience: The Investment Case for Action https://www.weforum.org/publications/from-wildfire-risk-to-resilience-the-investment-case-for-action-2026/

Value Yes, Chain No: Warnings Beyond Linearity https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/warning-research-centre/2026/01/21/value-yes-chain-no-warnings-beyond-linearity/

Lightning-triggered fire mergers are driving the world’s worst wildfire years https://watchers.news/epicenter/lightning-triggered-fire-mergers-are-driving-the-worlds-worst-wildfire-years/

A year of evidence showing the impact of disaster risk reduction https://www.preventionweb.net/news/year-evidence-showing-impact-disaster-risk-reduction

Plagued by Flooding, an African City Reengineers Its Wetlands https://e360.yale.edu/features/kigali-rwanda-wetland-restoration

Rockfall: An Increasing Hazard due to Climate Change https://riskfrontiers.com/insights/rockfall-hazard-climate-change/

Can pre-disaster community resilience enhance post-disaster recovery? A natural experiment from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6099442

Emergency Management

‘People saw dollar signs’: a year after devastating wildfires, an LA community is fighting displacement https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/18/altadena-wildfire-displacement

Learnings to strengthen anticipatory action for cyclones in Madagascar https://www.preventionweb.net/news/learnings-strengthen-anticipatory-action-cyclones-madagascar

China inaugurates university specializing in emergency management https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202601/20/WS696ed774a310d6866eb34a43.html

Disaster Education, Communications and Engagement

Playing seriously: Stop Disasters! Adapt our cities to climate change https://www.preventionweb.net/drr-community-voices/playing-seriously-stop-disasters-adapt-our-cities-climate-change

No power, no phone, no radio: why comms dropped out during the central Victorian fires https://theconversation.com/no-power-no-phone-no-radio-why-comms-dropped-out-during-the-central-victorian-fires-273234

More floods are coming. Here’s what actually works to help people prepare https://theconversation.com/more-floods-are-coming-heres-what-actually-works-to-help-people-prepare-273694

Disaster psychology

What makes people more likely to give to charity after a disaster: new research https://theconversation.com/what-makes-people-more-likely-to-give-to-charity-after-a-disaster-new-research-273217

After the disaster, living for today https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2026/01/after-the-disaster-living-for-today/

The effect of evacuation decisions on flash flood preparedness in Fujairah, UAE: When the waters rise are we ready in desert country? https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/effect-evacuation-decisions-flash-flood-preparedness

Sociology and disasters

When survival is organized locally: Perspectives of community resilience by collective action to flooding in three informal settlements of Douala, Cameroon https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590061726000086

Severe weather is deadly for vulnerable older adults long after the storm ends, study finds https://news.umich.edu/severe-weather-is-deadly-for-vulnerable-older-adults-long-after-the-storm-ends-study-finds/

As we begin to assess the fire damage in Victoria, we must not overlook these hidden costs https://theconversation.com/as-we-begin-to-assess-the-fire-damage-in-victoria-we-must-not-overlook-these-hidden-costs-273218

Combined benefits of multi-hazard early warnings on human mobility resilience to tropical cyclones https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378025001487

Vertical vulnerability and exposure of people in the context of disaster risk at the building, city and regional level https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420926000324

Today in disaster resilience (16 January 2026)

Please find below links to some aspects of disaster resilience that were in the news recently…

Recent emergencies/disasters

Damaging tornado hits Purcell, Oklahoma, destroying multiple structures https://watchers.news/2026/01/08/tornado-purcell-oklahoma-multiple-structures-destroyed-january-8-2026/

Evacuations underway after Mayon volcano’s dome collapse and pyroclastic flows, Philippines https://watchers.news/2026/01/08/evacuations-underway-after-mayon-volcanos-dome-collapse-and-pyroclastic-flows-philippines/

Death toll reaches 16 in North Sulawesi as floods and landslides impact Indonesia https://watchers.news/2026/01/07/death-toll-reaches-16-in-north-sulawesi-as-floods-and-landslides-impact-indonesia/

Victorian fires: One killed in bushfire disaster in Victoria as hundreds of structures lost https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-11/bushfires-victoria-nsw-heatwave-live-coverage/106217152

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji crosses north Queensland coast south of Ayr bringing intense rainfall https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-11/cyclone-koji-north-queensland-coast-warnings-flood/106216534

Wildfires burn 15 000 ha (37 000 acres), forcing thousands to evacuate in Argentine Patagonia https://watchers.news/2026/01/12/wildfires-burn-15-000-ha-37-000-acres-forcing-thousands-to-evacuate-in-argentine-patagonia/

Binaliw: the massive garbage landslide in Cebu City, the Philippines https://eos.org/thelandslideblog/binaliw-1

Deadly avalanches strike the French Alps, leaving six dead in Savoie resorts https://watchers.news/2026/01/13/deadly-avalanches-strike-the-french-alps-leaving-six-dead-in-savoie-resorts/

Avalanche kills 2 near Long Pass, Washington https://watchers.news/2026/01/13/avalanche-kills-2-near-long-pass-washington/

Great Ocean Road flash flooding leaves beach towns to count the cost https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-16/flooding-great-ocean-road-victoria-wye-river-lorne/106232918

Persistent drought and La Niña conditions sustain widespread wildfires in Chile https://watchers.news/2026/01/15/persistent-drought-and-la-nina-conditions-sustain-widespread-wildfires-in-chile/

Volcanic activity worldwide 14 Jan 2026: Santiaguito volcano, Fuego, Popocatépetl, Semeru, Ibu https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcano-activity/news/291932/Volcanic-activity-worldwide-14-Jan-2026-Santiaguito-volcano-Fuego-Popocatepetl-Semeru-Ibu-Mar.html

Extreme Weather and Climate Change

Extreme heat is a global health emergency https://heathealth.info/

Successes in climate action https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02546-0

Solar to the fore as grid sails through heatwave and record demand https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-09/solar-powers-australia-through-heatwave-conditions/106211394

Solar power overtakes coal and gas in Germany, a country with little sun https://electrek.co/2026/01/07/solar-overtakes-coal-and-gas-in-germany-a-country-with-little-sun/

2025 was so hot it pushed Earth past critical climate change mark, scientists say https://www.cbsnews.com/news/climate-change-2025-critical-mark-eclipsed/

How smart home materials can shield us from extreme heat and cut energy bills all year https://theconversation.com/how-smart-home-materials-can-shield-us-from-extreme-heat-and-cut-energy-bills-all-year-254614

Roads can become more dangerous on hot days – especially for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists https://theconversation.com/roads-can-become-more-dangerous-on-hot-days-especially-for-pedestrians-cyclists-and-motorcyclists-272995

Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation in Small Island Developing States https://www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/nature-based-solutions-for-climate-adaptation-in-small-island-developing-states/

How to Make Communities More Resilient to Climate Change https://news.ncsu.edu/2026/01/compounded-resilience-communities/

Where will the next megafire break out? Climate change is making it tougher to predict https://theconversation.com/where-will-the-next-megafire-break-out-climate-change-is-making-it-tougher-to-predict-272807

La Niña breakdown underway as models point to ENSO-neutral conditions in early 2026 https://watchers.news/2026/01/11/la-nina-breakdown-underway-as-models-point-to-enso-neutral-conditions-in-early-2026/

Rain one minute, heatwave the next. How climate ‘whiplash’ drives unpredictable fire weather https://theconversation.com/rain-one-minute-heatwave-the-next-how-climate-whiplash-drives-unpredictable-fire-weather-273104

What is the global water cycle and how is it amplifying climate disasters? https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-global-water-cycle-and-how-is-it-amplifying-climate-disasters-272806

When heat drains growth: The human cost of rising temperatures in Bangladesh https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/endpovertyinsouthasia/when-heat-drains-growth–the-human-cost-of-rising-temperatures-i

Climate adaptation has a new global plan. What the Belem indicators are and why they matter to Africa https://theconversation.com/climate-adaptation-has-a-new-global-plan-what-the-belem-indicators-are-and-why-they-matter-to-africa-271174

Climate change’s hidden price tag: a drop in our income https://news.arizona.edu/news/climate-changes-hidden-price-tag-drop-our-income

Glacial Lake Outburst Flooding https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/terminology/hips/mh0607

Climate Variability Emerges as Both Risk and Opportunity for the Global Energy Transition https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/climate-variability-emerges-both-risk-and-opportunity-global-energy-transition

A Concern in the Summer: 5 Facts on Heat Stress https://unu.edu/ehs/article/concern-summer-5-facts-heat-stress

‘It’s embarrassing’: riders say time is up for fossil fuel sponsorship of heat-affected Tour Down Under https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/12/cycling-extreme-heat-tour-down-under-fossil-fuel-sponsorship

An Antarctic ‘polar thriller’ and a neurodivergent novel imagine a climate changed future https://theconversation.com/an-antarctic-polar-thriller-and-a-neurodivergent-novel-imagine-a-climate-changed-future-271105

Rising sea level in Black Sea poses risk to 160 mln: Study https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/rising-sea-level-in-black-sea-poses-risk-to-160-mln-study-217204

AI improves flood projections under climate change https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/01/ai-improves-flood-projections-under-climate-change

Climate Adaptation Means Building Social Infrastructure https://ssir.org/articles/entry/climate-adaptation-social-infrastructure

WMO confirms 2025 was one of warmest years on record https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/wmo-confirms-2025-was-one-of-warmest-years-record

Coal power generation falls in China and India for first time since 1970s https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/13/coal-power-generation-falls-china-india-since-1970s

El Nino events reduce life expectancy, cause trillions in economic losses: Study https://www.ntu.edu.sg/news/detail/el-nino-events-reduce-life-expectancy–cause-trillions-in-economic-losses–study

The economics of climate risk ignores the value of natural habitats https://theconversation.com/the-economics-of-climate-risk-ignores-the-value-of-natural-habitats-272769

Climate change has already made the United States poorer https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2504376122

Disaster risk reduction

Global Catastrophic Risks 2026 https://globalchallenges.org/gcr-2026/

Hybrid vegetation-seawall coastal systems for wave hazard reduction: analytics for cost-effective design from optimized features https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/hybrid-vegetation-seawall-coastal-systems-wave-hazard-reduction-analytics-cost

Natural hazard susceptibilities and inequities reduced by short-term groundwater use https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01884-0

The shifting pattern of landslide risk in cities – an interesting case study from Medellín https://eos.org/thelandslideblog/medellin-1

The rising risk of flooding and the role of Nature-Based Solutions https://www.uvm.edu/water/news/rising-risk-flooding-and-role-nature-based-solutions

New Paper Rocks Earthquake Science with a Clever Computational Trick https://www.stevens.edu/news/new-paper-rocks-earthquake-science-with-a-clever-computational-trick

Storm patterns highlight need for better disaster preparedness, UP study finds https://up.edu.ph/storm-patterns-highlight-need-for-better-disaster-preparedness-up-study-finds/

Words into Action: Nature-based Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction https://www.undrr.org/words-action-nature-based-solutions-disaster-risk-reduction

The technology dividend: Empowering and protecting communities through early warnings https://www.undp.org/geneva/blog/technology-dividend-empowering-and-protecting-communities-through-early-warnings

Haiti earthquake 2010 https://www.preventionweb.net/collections/haiti-earthquake-2010

Disasters that never happened: Six preventive actions https://www.preventionweb.net/drr-community-voices/disasters-never-happened-six-preventive-actions

Global Water Monitor https://www.globalwater.online/

Global Water Monitor 2025 Summary Report https://www.globalwater.online/globalwater/report/index.html

China to step up earthquake preparedness efforts in 2026 https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202601/09/WS6960af5ea310d6866eb32ed4.html

Handbook for livable and resilient cities: Integrating hazard and risk information into urban planning https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/handbook-livable-and-resilient-cities-integrating-hazard-and

When bushfires make their own weather https://theconversation.com/when-bushfires-make-their-own-weather-273008

Sena Kizildemir Simulates Disasters to Prevent Building Collapses https://spectrum.ieee.org/sena-kizildemir-simulation-disasters

Words into Action guidelines: Implementation guide for addressing water-related disasters and transboundary cooperation https://www.undrr.org/publication/words-action-guidelines-implementation-guide-addressing-water-related-disasters-and

Mapped: how the world is losing its forests to wildfires https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2026/jan/13/mapped-how-the-world-is-losing-its-forests-to-wildfires

Why recovery speed shapes resilience? https://www.undrr.org/news/why-recovery-speed-shapes-resilience

Six Innovative Nature-Based Solution Projects for Social Infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean https://www.iadb.org/en/blog/nature-climate-and-disaster-risk/six-innovative-nature-based-solution-projects-social-infrastructure-latin-america-and-caribbean

Disaster losses are far higher than insurance industry estimates as invisible impacts go uncounted https://www.preventionweb.net/news/disaster-losses-are-far-higher-insurance-industry-estimates-invisible-impacts-go-uncounted

Cyclone Senyar: Why hazards continue to turn into disasters in Indonesia https://theconversation.com/cyclone-senyar-why-hazards-continue-to-turn-into-disasters-in-indonesia-272242

The Effects of Disasters on Construction Wages: Role Played by Spatial Proximity https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/AJCEB/article/view/9568/8729

Emergency Management

Palisades fire visualised https://ororatech.com/resources/the-palisades-fire-visualized

One year after the 2025 Los Angeles Fires: What has changed, what have we learned, and what actions must still happen? https://www.moodys.com/web/en/us/insights/insurance/one-year-after-the-2025-los-angeles-fires.html

Making early warning systems work for all: Evidence and lessons from last-mile communities https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/making-early-warning-systems-work-all-evidence-and-lessons

The South Sudan Roadmap on Anticipatory Action 2025-2030 https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/policies-and-plans/south-sudan-roadmap-anticipatory-action-2025-2030

Graziers call for action as government and Bureau of Meteorology point fingers over faulty rain gauges https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/faulty-queensland-rain-gauges-bom-cattle-livestock/106220168

As we begin to assess the fire damage in Victoria, we must not overlook these hidden costs https://theconversation.com/as-we-begin-to-assess-the-fire-damage-in-victoria-we-must-not-overlook-these-hidden-costs-273218

‘It’s a blanket of silence’: Fire victims’ attorneys accuse city of blocking Palisades fire transparency https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-01-13/l-a-attorneys-delay-disclosure-firefighter-testimony-palisades-fire

New way of monitoring wildfire could take flight https://news.clemson.edu/new-way-of-monitoring-wildfire-could-take-flight/

NSW SES moves to embrace ‘volunteers for a day’ to boost members after May 2025 floods https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-10/nsw-ses-embraces-spontaneous-volunteering-from-mud-armies/106148252

Disaster Education, Communications and Engagement

A toolkit for news media professionals reporting on disasters and resilience https://www.preventionweb.net/hubs/risk-media-hub

My home is in a district facing extreme or catastrophic fire danger. What should I do? https://theconversation.com/my-home-is-in-a-district-facing-extreme-or-catastrophic-fire-danger-what-should-i-do-273000

Critical zones, disaster risk science, and education for sustainable development in Africa https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/critical-zones-disaster-risk-science-and-education

Is nature angry with us? https://www.preventionweb.net/drr-community-voices/nature-angry-us

Disaster psychology

Psychologists develop tools and strategies to help people understand the risk of extreme weather and take action https://www.apa.org/monitor/2026/01-02/trends-weather-behavioral-interventions

Sociology and disasters

Guidebook for community resilience https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/guidebook-community-resilience