Two volcanoes on alert as lava flows
Lava flowed this week from two Alaskan volcanoes, with authorities placing both on the second-highest alert levels as sudden explosions are possible with little or no warning.
The volcanoes are Pavlof and Cleveland, both in the Aleutian Island range southwest of mainland Alaska. The Alaska Volcano Observatory has issued a watch due to heightened activity, plus an orange code regarding how they might affect aircraft in the area.
Cyclone hits southern Bangladesh
Cyclone Mahasen has begun crossing Bangladesh's southern coast. The storm hit Patuakhali district on Thursday with winds of up to 100kph and was heading for the ports of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. People have been ordered to evacuate low-lying areas in Bangladesh and Burma and take shelter in cyclone centres. The Bangladeshi authorities have raised the danger level to seven (out of 10) for low-lying areas around Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. However, Shamsuddun Ahmed, deputy director of Bangladesh's Meteorological Department, told AFP news agency that the cyclone was not expected to cause serious damage as it was not severe and had not gained strength as it hit the coast.
Deadly tornado strikes Texas town
A tornado ripped through a town in the US state of Texas on Wednesday, resulting in six deaths.
Another tornado tore through part of the town of Cleburne, about 40km south-east of Granbury, the National Weather Service said. There have been no reports of any fatalities from Cleburne so far. However, dozens of homes have been destroyed or badly damaged, according to officials and residents. A third tornado in neighbouring Parker County has also caused damage to buildings, particularly in the town of Millsap, officials say.
Lava flowed this week from two Alaskan volcanoes, with authorities placing both on the second-highest alert levels as sudden explosions are possible with little or no warning.
The volcanoes are Pavlof and Cleveland, both in the Aleutian Island range southwest of mainland Alaska. The Alaska Volcano Observatory has issued a watch due to heightened activity, plus an orange code regarding how they might affect aircraft in the area.
Cyclone hits southern Bangladesh
Cyclone Mahasen has begun crossing Bangladesh's southern coast. The storm hit Patuakhali district on Thursday with winds of up to 100kph and was heading for the ports of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. People have been ordered to evacuate low-lying areas in Bangladesh and Burma and take shelter in cyclone centres. The Bangladeshi authorities have raised the danger level to seven (out of 10) for low-lying areas around Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. However, Shamsuddun Ahmed, deputy director of Bangladesh's Meteorological Department, told AFP news agency that the cyclone was not expected to cause serious damage as it was not severe and had not gained strength as it hit the coast.
Deadly tornado strikes Texas town
A tornado ripped through a town in the US state of Texas on Wednesday, resulting in six deaths.
Another tornado tore through part of the town of Cleburne, about 40km south-east of Granbury, the National Weather Service said. There have been no reports of any fatalities from Cleburne so far. However, dozens of homes have been destroyed or badly damaged, according to officials and residents. A third tornado in neighbouring Parker County has also caused damage to buildings, particularly in the town of Millsap, officials say.
