United News of Bangladesh

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday (November 29) and appealed for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132, with a further 176 people reported missing. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency laws, granting him wide powers to respond to the devastation following a week of torrential rain across the island. “We have 132 confirmed dead and another 176 missing,” DMC Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda said, adding that relief efforts had been strengthened with the deployment of the army, navy and air force. Nearly 78,000 people have been displaced and are in temporary shelters, the South Asian country's disaster management center said. Read more: Over 20 killed, 14 missing as intense rainfall sparks landslides and flooding in Sri Lanka The death toll is expected to rise. Social media posts on Saturday showed several areas affected by overnight mudslides that authorities have yet to reach. Sri Lanka has been battered by severe weather since last week. Conditions worsened Thursday, with heavy downpours that flooded homes, fields and roads and triggered landslides mainly in the tea-growing central hill country. The government closed schools and offices and postponed examinations. Most reservoirs and rivers have overflowed, blocking roads. Authorities stopped passenger trains and closed roads in many parts of the country after rocks, mud and trees fell on roads and railway tracks. By Friday, water flowing downstream from severely affected areas began to inundate areas around the capital, Colombo, which experienced comparatively less rainfall. Authorities say that Ditwah, which developed in the seas east of Sri Lanka, is likely to move toward India's southern coast by Sunday. Read more: Sri Lanka shuts schools, offices as floods and landslides kill 56 Neighboring India dispatched two search and rescue teams, comprising 80 rescuers, and sent aid to support ongoing operations, the country's embassy in Colombo said Saturday. With inputs from agencies.

Sri Lanka closed government offices and schools Friday (November 28) as the death toll from widespread floods and landslides climbed to 56, with over 600 homes reported damaged, officials said. The country has been facing severe weather since last week, which intensified Thursday (November 27) with heavy rainfall that submerged homes, farmland, and roads, and triggered landslides nationwide. At least 25 people were killed Thursday in landslides in the central mountainous tea-growing districts of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, roughly 300 kilometers east of the capital Colombo. In these areas, another 21 people are missing and 14 were injured, according to the government’s disaster management center. Additional fatalities occurred in landslides elsewhere in the country. As conditions worsened, the government ordered all schools and government offices to remain closed Friday. Read more: Over 20 killed, 14 missing as intense rainfall sparks landslides and flooding in Sri Lanka Overflowing rivers and reservoirs have blocked many roads, forcing authorities to suspend passenger train services and close roadways in several regions. Landslides and floodwaters, along with fallen rocks, mud, and trees, disrupted both roads and railway lines. Local television footage showed an air force helicopter rescuing three people stranded on a flooded rooftop Thursday, while the navy and police used boats to evacuate residents. Another video showed a car swept away by floodwaters near the eastern town of Ampara, killing three passengers.

More than 20 people have died and 14 others are missing after days of heavy rain triggered landslides and flooding across Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan authorities have suspended passenger train services and shut down several roads as severe rainfall continues to unleash deadly landslides and floods, officials reported Thursday (November 27). According to the government’s disaster management center, 18 of the confirmed deaths were in the central highland districts of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, well-known tea plantation areas located about 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Colombo. Read more: Over 220 dead as floods and landslides devastate Northwest Pakistan The center also stated that 14 people remained unaccounted for Thursday following landslides in the same region. Since last week—when the country first began experiencing the intense weather—the overall death toll has climbed to 31. Torrential rains over the weekend inundated roads, farmland, and homes, causing widespread disruption. Train services in some mountainous areas were halted after landslides sent rocks, mud, and fallen trees onto rail lines. Local television footage showed crews working to clear the debris. Several roads were also closed because of deep flooding. Roughly 4,000 families have been affected by the severe weather, officials said. Read more: Tidal waters inundate low-lying areas as embankment collapses in Khulna

Dhaka, one of the world’s most densely populated megacities, may face a catastrophic humanitarian disaster if struck by a major earthquake, leading geologists and engineers have warned. Multiple assessments indicate that more than eight lakh of the capital’s 21.45 lakh buildings could collapse if a quake of magnitude 7 or higher hits the region. Poor enforcement of the national building code, unauthorised construction, flawed designs and decades of lax oversight have placed the city among the most earthquake-vulnerable capitals in the world, according to the experts. A Warning Jolt On November 21, Dhaka and surrounding districts experienced severe shaking from a magnitude-5.7 earthquake. At least 10 people were confirmed dead and more than 100 injured. A magnitude-3.3 aftershock struck Narsingdi area the following morning and evening, heightening concerns that a larger and more destructive quake may be imminent. Bangladesh’s leading geologists say the quake was not an isolated event, but a precursor to something more dangerous. ‘Plate Lock Has Opened’ Dr Syed Humayun Akhter, former professor of geology at the University of Dhaka and former vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, told UNB that the earthquake originated along the boundary of the Burma Plate in the east and the Indian Plate in the west. “This plate boundary had been locked for many years. The magnitude-5.7 event has unlocked it,” he said. Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry According to him, Bangladesh narrowly avoided a far worse disaster. “We are fortunate the quake was not magnitude 7 or 7.5. But such a major earthquake may happen in the near future.” Research shows that the region has accumulated enough tectonic stress to trigger a quake as powerful as magnitude 8.2 to 9, Dr Akhter added. “Only a tiny amount of that energy was released this time.” He said Friday’s shaking was among the strongest felt in recent memory, with a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres—making it far more damaging. Bangladesh Sits on Three Active Plates Dr Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, professor at the University of Dhaka’s Department of Geology, explained that Bangladesh lies near the junction of three major tectonic plates—the Indian, Burmese and Eurasian plates—making earthquakes inevitable. The country’s subsurface is composed largely of soft sedimentary rocks that amplify shaking. When the natural frequency of the ground matches the vibration frequency of buildings, the effects are devastating, he warned. Dhaka’s Buildings Are Not Ready A 2022 Urban Resilience Project by Rajuk painted an alarming picture: Total buildings in Dhaka: 21,45,000At risk of collapse: Over 8,00,000 (40%)High-rise buildings: Over 75,000—most built without meeting minimum standardsBetween 2006 and 2016, around 95,000 buildings were constructed in the capital. Shockingly, only 4,147 had Rajuk approval, meaning 95.36% were unauthorised or built without approved designs. Construction by untrained masons, design alterations mid-construction and widespread unauthorised development have pushed the city to the brink of a structural disaster, experts say. Govt closely monitoring earthquake aftermath in Bangladesh: Chief Adviser Rajuk Responds: ‘Accountability Being Strengthened’ Rajuk Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam told UNB that the agency is trying to bring long-neglected accountability back into the system. So far, 3,382 illegal or non-compliant buildings have been identified. Following Friday’s quake, all Rajuk officials’ leave was cancelled and teams were sent to inspect cracked or damaged structures. New Plan: Colour-Code At-Risk Buildings Rajuk officials said international-grade technology will soon be introduced for mandatory building fitness assessments. Under the new plan, buildings will be marked in different colours based on structural safety—illegal, vulnerable or earthquake-resistant—to allow residents to immediately understand which structures are habitable. Oversight Failures Compound the Risk Md Abdul Latif Helali, former chief engineer of Rajuk, said building standards are routinely ignored. “A magnitude-5.7 earthquake already caused cracks in many buildings. A magnitude-7 quake would create unimaginable devastation.” He revealed that sophisticated equipment purchased under the World Bank-funded Urban Resilience Project—worth hundreds of crores—remained unused due to bureaucratic apathy. A proposed trust to assess disaster-resilient buildings in Mohakhali is also stalled in administrative hurdles. ‘Dhaka Will Be Unmanageable After a Major Quake’ BUET’s former professor M Shamimuzzaman Bosunia warned that despite some improvement in preparedness, the government simply does not have the capacity to manage the aftermath of a major earthquake. “Gas and electricity lines will ignite fires. Water and sewage systems will collapse. Survivors won’t even find a safe route to evacuate. Dhaka will become unliveable,” he said. What You Should Do During Earthquake Strongest Shaking in Recent Times Rubaiyat Kabir, acting head of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) Earthquake Monitoring Centre, said the 5.7-magnitude quake was the strongest in decades. While smaller quakes of magnitude 4 to 5 have been recorded elsewhere in the country in recent months, those originated outside Bangladesh. “This region has a history of large earthquakes. A major quake can occur at any time, but predicting the exact moment is impossible,” he added. BMD Director (in-charge) Md Mominul Islam said Dhaka’s weak soil prolongs shaking. He said the first 72 hours after any earthquake are the most critical. Two aftershocks following Friday’s quake were normal, he said, but the sequence serves as a stark reminder of the country’s high seismic risk. Incapable Fire Service Former Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General (retd) Ali Ahmed Khan told UNB that while the force has some preparedness, its capacity is far from adequate for a major disaster. “More trained volunteers are urgently needed. Hospitals must have adequate emergency facilities and blood bank reserves,” he said. Bangladesh earthquake death toll rises to 10; scores injured

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Dhaka and some other parts of Bangladesh on the morning of 21 November 2025, sending tremors through the capital and surrounding districts.  Strong shaking was felt across Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and nearby areas.  In Old Dhaka (Armanitola), a portion of a building partially collapsed.  At least 3 people were reported killed, according to police.   People in Dhaka described panic, rushing out of homes and offices, and helping children and elderly to safety.  Read more: 10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries around the World What to Do During an Earthquake Here are some critical safety steps to follow if another quake strikes:             1.         If You Are Indoors             •          Stay inside — do not run outside while the building is shaking.             •          Drop, Cover, and Hold On — get under a sturdy desk or table and hold on.             •          If no furniture is nearby, move against an interior wall or into a hallway.             •          Stay away from windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances, which could fall.             •          Avoid the kitchen, as items like dishes and pots can fall and injure you.             2.         If You Are Outside             •          Move to an open area, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything that might collapse.             3.         If You Are Driving             •          Carefully pull over, but do not stop under or on a bridge or overpass, or beneath trees, signposts, or power lines.             •          Stay inside your vehicle until the shaking stops.             •          When you resume driving, be alert for road damage, fallen rocks, and other hazards.                         5.         If You Are Near the Ocean             •          Follow tsunami safety guidelines — move to higher ground if necessary and listen to local authorities. Read more: Post-Earthquake Cautions: Do’s & Don’ts Why This Matters Now This quake is a serious wake-up call. Dhaka is densely populated, and although buildings swayed rather than fell en masse, even moderate earthquakes can trigger panic, structural damage, or worse. Expert geologists warn that preparedness and quick, informed responses are crucial to minimizing harm. Take-Home Message: Stay calm, stay safe, and follow earthquake safety rules — they can save lives. (With inputs from USGS)

A powerful, 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook northern Afghanistan before dawn Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 300 others, a health official said. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was located 22 kilometers (14 miles) west-southwest of the town of Khulm, and that it struck at 12:59 a.m. at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles). Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, said the quake killed at least 20 people and injured 320 others. Yousaf Hammad, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s disaster management agency, said most of the injured suffered minor wounds and were discharged after receiving initial treatment. In the Afghan capital of Kabul, the Ministry of Defense announced that rescue and emergency aid teams have reached the areas affected by last night’s earthquake in the provinces of Balkh and Samangan, which suffered the most damage, and have begun rescue operations, including transporting the injured and assisting affected families. Afghanistan earthquake kills over 2,200, Taliban reports The Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, in a post on X platform said the earthquake hit Afghanistan's Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan provinces, causing casualties and financial loss. He expressed his sorrow and grief over the losses and said relevant governmental organizations were busy trying to get needed help to the people affected by the quake. According to the Afghan officials, the earthquake was also felt in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province. In Mazar-e-Sharif, footage circulating on social media showed damage to the historic Blue Mosque. Several bricks had fallen from the walls but the mosque remained intact. The centuries-old site is one of Afghanistan’s most revered religious landmarks and a major gathering place during Islamic and cultural festivals. The quake was felt in Kabul and several other provinces in Afghanistan. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that a rockslide briefly blocked a main mountain highway linking Kabul with Mazar-e-Sharif, but the road was later reopened. It said some people who were injured and trapped along the highway were transported to the hospital. The United Nations in Afghanistan said on X that Monday's earthquake came just weeks after a deadly earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan. The U.N. said its teams are on the ground assessing needs and delivering urgent aid. “We stand with the affected communities and will provide the necessary support,” the post said. Afghanistan has been rattled by a series of earthquakes in recent years and the impoverished country often faces difficulty in responding to such natural disasters, especially in remote regions. Buildings tend to be low-rise constructions, mostly of concrete and brick, with homes in rural and outlying areas made from mud bricks and wood, many poorly built. A magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan on Aug. 31 near the border with Pakistan, killing more than 2,200 people. On Oct. 7, 2023, a magnitude 6.3 quake followed by strong aftershocks left at least 4,000 people dead, according to the Taliban government. Read more: Earthquake Safety: Do’s and Don’ts during an Earthquake Source: AP 

At least 21 people were killed and 30 others went missing after a massive landslide hit Kenya’s western Rift Valley region on Saturday, following days of heavy rainfall during the country’s short rains season. The disaster struck the hilly area of Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet County, destroying more than 1,000 homes and cutting off several roads. Authorities said 30 people with serious injuries were airlifted to a hospital in Eldoret City for treatment. Local resident Stephen Kittony told Citizen Television that he heard a loud rumble before fleeing his home with his children, each running in different directions to escape. Landslides, floods cut off 300 Mexican communities; dozens dead and missing Rescue operations continued through Saturday despite the ongoing rains, as emergency teams searched through the mud and debris for those still missing. Chesongoch, known for its steep terrain, has experienced similar tragedies before — deadly landslides in 2010 and 2012 claimed dozens of lives, and floods in 2020 swept away a local shopping center. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said the government is working to relocate affected families to safer ground. Source: AP  Read more: Thunderstorm Lightning in Bangladesh: Causes, Risks, and Safety Tips

Bangladesh experiences a diverse kind of natural disaster almost every year. Thunderstorm lightning is one of the most common and deadly hazards among them. Every year, many people and livestock lose their lives and get injured due to lightning strikes, especially during the rainy season. Between 1990 and 2016, lightning caused an average of 114 deaths each year in Bangladesh. In 2016, lightning was nationally declared a natural disaster in the country. However, thunderstorm lightning-related deaths and injuries can be prevented if people know what to do and take simple safety steps. Let’s learn more about what lightning is, why it happens so often in Bangladesh, and how to stay safe. What Is Thunderstorm Lightning and How Does It Happen? Lightning is a bright flash of electricity that appears in the sky during a storm. It’s part of a weather event called a thunderstorm, which involves water, air, and electricity. That's why it is called a hydrometeorological disaster. Inside thunderclouds, tiny pieces of ice and water bump into each other and move around quickly. This movement causes the cloud to build up electric charges; some parts become positive and others become negative. When the difference between these charges becomes too strong, the energy is released as a sudden spark called lightning. Read more: Rema–Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary in Habiganj: A Comprehensive Travel Guide This lightning can move between clouds, inside the same cloud, or between the cloud and the ground. The air around it gets extremely hot in a very short time, making the air expand quickly. This expansion creates the loud sound is known as thunder. Why is Bangladesh Prone to Thunderstorms and Lightning? Bangladesh experiences more lightning than most other countries in the world. The highest number of lightning strikes usually happens during the pre-monsoon (March–May) and monsoon (June–September) seasons. There are several reasons for this: Weather Patterns: Bangladesh has a tropical climate that is hot and humid. During the pre-monsoon season, warm air from the south meets cold air from the north. This mix creates strong thunderstorms. The hot temperatures and high humidity help form tall clouds that can produce lightning. Read more: How Green Industries Can Reduce River Water Pollution in Dhaka City Climate Change: Climate change is making lightning more frequent. As the Earth becomes warmer, more water evaporates into the air, creating bigger and more active storm clouds. Scientists say that lightning strikes have increased because of global warming and that they are becoming stronger and more violent. Geography and Terrain: Bangladesh’s location and land features also make it more vulnerable. It lies between the Bay of Bengal, the Indian subcontinent, and the Meghalaya Plateau, all of which affect its weather.The northeastern region, especially Sylhet, has hills and wetlands that receive a lot of rainfall and moisture, making lightning more likely. The southeast coastal areas and southwest regions also face frequent storms, especially when cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal. Why Are Lightning Deaths Increasing in Bangladesh? Lightning deaths are rising for several reasons. Most people who die from lightning are farmers or outdoor workers who work in open fields. During the pre-monsoon season, especially in Boishakh (April–May), lightning becomes more common because of hot temperatures, dusty air, and pollution. Read more: Can Green Buildings in Bangladesh Create Opportunities for Carbon Trading? Most lightning accidents happen in the afternoon, when people are outside working. Men are more affected because they spend more time in the fields. Even though lightning can strike anywhere, rural areas are the most affected. Bangladesh has a high population density, meaning many people live close together, which increases the risk. Another big reason for the high number of deaths is a lack of awareness. Many people don’t know how dangerous lightning can be or what to do when a thunderstorm starts. Some even follow false beliefs instead of real safety practices. Read more: What Can Dhaka Learn from the Smart City Singapore Preventive Measures Against Lightning Fatalities in Bangladesh Avoiding danger is the best way to stay safe. Here are some important steps to reduce lightning risks in Bangladesh: Strategic Lightning Safety Plan The government, local authorities, and organisations should work together to make a national lightning safety plan. This plan should include appropriate measures to: - Build safe shelters. - Spread awareness through campaigns and social media. - Train local leaders, teachers, and health workers to teach lightning safety. - Share weather warnings and updates quickly through apps and media. Besides these, the Bangladesh National Building Code also requires buildings to have lightning protection systems. Read more: What is Carbon Trading? How does it work? Build Lightning-Safe Structures Installing earthing systems (grounding wires that carry electricity safely into the ground) is one of the best ways to protect buildings and people. This can be done by burying copper or steel rods in the ground and connecting them to metal parts of a building or structure. Boats can also be made safer by adding lightning rods and grounding devices. Use the BMD Weather App The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has a smartphone app that gives weather forecasts and storm warnings. People can use this app to check if thunderstorms are likely and plan their outdoor work accordingly. To increase awareness, schools, NGOs, and community leaders can organise workshops, campaigns, and public announcements about using the BMD app. Read more: Top Strategies to Enhance Fire Resilience in Dhaka City Identify Vulnerable Communities Communities need to find out who is most at risk, such as farmers, construction workers, and fishermen, and ensure they have nearby safe shelters during storms. Local authorities can study which areas face more lightning and plan protective measures like building shelters and installing grounding systems. Read more: Green Roofs in Dhaka City: Pathway to Smart Urban Agriculture Teach the 30:30 Rule The 30:30 formula is an easy way to judge lightning distance and danger: If one sees lightning and hears thunder within 30 seconds, it means the storm is close, and one should find shelter immediately. Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder. Farmers, fishermen, and schoolchildren should be taught this rule. They should also wear rubber shoes or use wooden or plastic tools while working outdoors. Read more: Organizational strategies to minimize earthquake damages in Dhaka City Create Public Awareness People need to learn how to stay safe during lightning storms.Local organisations can arrange folk songs, dramas, and storytelling to spread messages in villages. Schools can host seminars, distribute leaflets, and teach students safety tips. Posters and billboards can show safety instructions in public places. Television, radio, and newspapers can share lightning safety information and stories of real incidents to help people understand the danger. Plant Palm Trees Palm trees naturally attract lightning, which helps protect nearby people and buildings. Unfortunately, many have been cut down because of urban development. The government started a programme in 2017 to plant more palm trees in rural areas. Communities can be encouraged to do this by engaging local agricultural officers, organising tree-planting campaigns and teaching students about their importance. Read more: Flood Control and How to Minimise Losses Personal Safety Tips During Thunderstorm Lightnings Here are some simple ways to stay safe from lightning strikes during a thunderstorm: - The safest place is inside a closed building. - A car with a metal roof is also safe. - Keep doors and windows closed and stay away from metal objects, water, and electrical items. - Avoid open areas, high places, tall trees, and small shelters like huts. - Never stand under a single tree, as it increases the chance of being struck. - Don’t use telephones or electrical appliances during a storm. - If one can’t find shelter, one needs to crouch low to the ground and avoid contact with the ground as much as possible. - In forests, stay in low areas with small trees close together. - If one stays on the water during a thunderstorm, then one should come to the nearby land immediately. It is recommended to avoid swimming or boating during lightning strikes. - If one floats on a boat during lightning strikes, then one should move the water vehicle under a bridge or cliff if possible. Read more: Can a Sponge City Tackle Flooding in Dhaka? Conclusion Lightning is a natural and powerful event, but it doesn’t have to be deadly. With awareness, planning, and simple precautions, people in Bangladesh can protect themselves, their families, communities and livestock from deaths and injuries caused by thunderstorm lightning incidents. By building safe shelters, teaching lightning safety in schools, planting palm trees, and using the BMD Weather App, the number of lightning-related casualties and fatalities can be reduced significantly, making Bangladesh safer for everyone. Read more: How to Build Dhaka as a Water Wise City

Sinkholes are sudden holes that open up in the ground when the surface layer drops into empty spaces below. They can be as small as a dip in a garden or so big that they swallow houses, cars, and even whole streets. To understand sinkholes let's find out how sinkholes are formed, why some are more dangerous and the some of the deadliest sinkholes around the world. How Sinkholes Form in a Natural Way Most sinkholes form in places where the rock under the ground can slowly dissolve in water, such as limestone, dolomite, or gypsum. Rainwater becomes slightly acidic after mixing with gases in the air and soil, and over many years it eats away at these rocks, creating gaps and hidden caves underground. As time passes, the roof of one of these caves may weaken until it can no longer hold up the weight above it. When that happens, the surface suddenly collapses, creating a sinkhole. This process can take hundreds of years, but once the ground gives way, the collapse can happen very quickly and with dramatic force. Can Human Actions Trigger Sinkhole Formation While sinkholes often form naturally, human actions can make them happen faster or more often. Pumping too much water from underground lowers the water level and removes the support that keeps the ground steady. Mining and drilling can leave empty spaces or weaken the layers of rock. Broken water or sewage pipes can slowly wash away the soil until the surface caves in. Building heavy structures on soft or weak ground can also cause the earth to collapse. Because of these activities, towns, cities, and farmland tend to have more sinkholes than areas left untouched. Read more: Rema–Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary in Habiganj: A Comprehensive Travel Guide Why Sinkholes Are Dangerous Sinkholes are dangerous because they often appear suddenly and can grow big enough to swallow cars, houses, or whole roads. In some areas, they are linked to complicated underground cave systems, which makes fixing the damage costly and difficult. When they happen in towns or cities, a single sinkhole can cut off power or water, pollute supplies, force people to leave their homes, and even cause deaths. Even very large sinkholes that do not directly threaten lives can still create long-term problems by changing how water flows and making the surrounding land unstable. The Most Dangerous Sinkholes in the World . Xiaozhai Tiankeng, China Xiaozhai Tiankeng in China is known as the world’s biggest and deepest sinkhole. It is an enormous hole with steep, vertical walls that drop hundreds of metres. Its dimensions are approximately 626 m long, 537 m wide, and between 511 and 662 m deep. The cliffs around it are very dangerous, as loose rocks can fall and the edges give way suddenly.  This natural sinkhole was formally “discovered” by geologists (outside the local population) in 1994 during exploration by the China Caves Project. Its huge size shows just how powerful natural processes underground can be. Read more: Finland ranked again the world’s happiest country in 2025: What’s the secret Great Blue Hole, Belize The Great Blue Hole in Belize is a giant natural sinkhole in the sea and is well known among divers. It is very deep with steep sides that drop suddenly, making it risky to explore. While it doesn’t threaten people on land, it can be dangerous for divers who are not experienced or ready for the challenges of deep water. Bayou Corne, Louisiana, USA The Bayou Corne sinkhole in Louisiana, USA, was caused when an underground salt dome collapsed. It became evident on August 3, 2012, when residents were evacuated after signs of collapse in an underground salt cavern.  The ground gave way so suddenly that an entire nearby community, about 350 people, had to be evacuated. Gas was released, and the area has remained unstable ever since, showing how industrial activity underground can lead to long-lasting and dangerous problems. Read more: How Green Industries Can Reduce River Water Pollution in Dhaka City

A volcano in the central Philippines became active briefly on Tuesday, releasing a plume of ash and debris 4 kilometres (2.4 miles) high into the sky. This prompted authorities to cancel classes in four nearby villages affected by ashfall, officials confirmed. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Mount Kanlaon’s early-morning eruption lasted for over an hour. Ash reached at least four agricultural villages to the southwest of the volcano on Negros island. No injuries or property damage were reported. Volcano erupts in southwestern Iceland after a nearby town and spa are evacuated The volcano had previously erupted in December, leading to the evacuation of thousands. Many of those displaced residents remained in temporary shelters on Tuesday, as Kanlaon continued to display signs of unrest, the Office of Civil Defense reported. Teresito Bacolcol, the Philippines’ chief volcanologist, told The Associated Press that there were no significant new indicators of heightened volcanic activity—such as an increase in volcanic earthquakes—that would necessitate raising the alert level from its current level 3, which indicates a “high level of volcanic unrest.” The highest alert, level 5, would signal that a “hazardous eruption is in progress.” “There’s always a chance of a larger eruption,” Bacolcol said, advising the public to remain alert and to avoid the 6-kilometre (3.7-mile) permanent danger zone around the volcano. Mount Kanlaon stands 2,435 metres (7,988 feet) tall and is among the Philippines’ 24 most active volcanoes. In 1996, three hikers died and several others were rescued after an unexpected eruption near the summit, officials recalled. Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts displaying stunning lava fountains The Philippines lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country also experiences around 20 typhoons and storms annually, making it one of the most disaster-prone regions globally.