logo
Heavy snow hits Turkey's northeast as wildfires rage

Heavy snow hits Turkey's northeast as wildfires rage

Yahoo3 days ago
A rare blanket of heavy snow fell on parts of northeastern Turkey on Friday as other parts of the country battled a growing number of wildfires.
Experts say human-driven climate change is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events, from droughts to heatwaves and hailstorms.
Temperatures plunged in mountainous areas inland from Rize, a town on Turkey's northeastern Black Sea coast about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the border with Georgia.
Gencaga Karafazlioglu, a journalist in Rize, said he had never before seen snow in July.
"In Rize, we're used to weather anomalies. We've had snow several times in March but never this much. The older generation say they saw snow in July 30 or 40 years ago but never this much."
In Ovit Yaylasi, a plateau some 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) above sea level, fields were blanketed in white after snowfall, social media footage showed.
The snowfall covered an area stretching at least 100 kilometres, from Anzer Yaylasi through the Kackar Mountains National Park and beyond.
"The town of Artvin was the worst hit," Karafazlioglu said. Artvin is about 50km inland.
Elsewhere, firefighters battled at least 10 "major" forest fires on Friday, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli told a press conference.
The minister said that wildfires in Izmir province, where two people died on Thursday and temperatures were forecast to hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in the coming days, were now mainly under control.
He added that flames fanned by strong winds that threatened Mugla in the southwest of the country and Hatay in the south were still a concern.
Yumakli said there was an "intense struggle" to control the blaze in Hatay, which is near the border with Syria.
There had been 624 wildfires in the past week and that many had been caused by faulty electric cables, he added.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that 44 suspects had been arrested and 10 placed in detention over fires. He said that most were workers or farmers using machinery that had caused sparks.
bur-hmw/ach/tw/phz
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Is water damage covered by your home insurance policy? Learn more about prevention tips and coverage to help protect your home
Is water damage covered by your home insurance policy? Learn more about prevention tips and coverage to help protect your home

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Is water damage covered by your home insurance policy? Learn more about prevention tips and coverage to help protect your home

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2024 was the costliest year for severe weather-related losses in Canadian history, with $8.5 billion in insured damages due to wildfires, hail and floods. Flooding, in particular, caused $990 million (in July 2024) and $110 million (in August 2024) in insured damages alone. Water damage is one of the most common causes of home insurance claims, and for good reason. Whether it's a leaky roof or a clogged drain, water can wreak havoc in your home leading to extensive damage and expensive repairs. Taking steps to help mitigate potential risks of water damage can go a long way in protecting your home and your wallet. Here are a few tips to help you understand the causes and early signs of water damage and how TD Insurance can help protect your home. What causes water damage and what are the early signs? Water damage can be caused during heavy rainstorms, during which water can seep into your home through your roof, windows, doors or walls. Originating from inside your home, water damage can also be caused by clogged drains, faulty plumbing or malfunctioning appliances. It's important to be aware of and identify the signs of water damage as soon as possible. Things like peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint, a damp or musty smell, buckled or warped flooring or puddles of water in odd places are some early warning signs that water might be causing problems in your home. Other signs can include mold or mildew growth, soft or damp spots on walls or floors, or brown or yellow stains on ceilings. Once you notice the early signs of water damage, it's important to act fast to address the problem and help prevent further damage. Tips for preventing water damage in your home Given the havoc water damage can wreak in your home, it's best to not wait until it happens. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help reduce your risk: Keep up with roof inspections: Damaged or missing shingles can lead to a leaky roof. Have a professional roofer check your shingles and fix or replace them as needed. Clean your eavestroughs and downspouts: Seasonally clean your eavestroughs and downspouts to remove clogs from leaves, branches and other debris. Another tip is to make sure that your downspouts drain far enough away from your home which will help reduce the chance of water entering your foundation, especially if your grading tilts toward your home. Regularly check your windows and doors: Look for any cracks or gaps in the caulking or sealant round the windows and doors. It's also a good idea to check the foundation for any visible cracks. If you find any gaps or cracks, you may need to replace the caulking or repair the foundation to help reduce the chance of water finding its way into your home. Check your plumbing: Inspect any visible pipes in your home for signs of wear, corrosion or leaks and upgrade old pipes and fittings as needed. Use best practices for landscaping: Ensure that trees aren't planted too close to your home to help limit the risk of roots damaging your foundation or drainage system, and be sure to keep the ground sloped away from your home's foundation. Consider installing a sump pump: A sump pump usually sits below your basement floor and moves water out of your basement if the water level in the sump pit gets too high, which helps to keep your basement dry. It's also recommended to have a backup power source for your sump pump to ensure it continues to work in the event of a power outage. Consider installing a backwater valve: A backwater valve is a preventive device that can be installed on your sewer line to ensure that any excess water or sewage flows out of your house. Consider installing smart home monitoring devices: Get notified if a water leak happens. The ability to monitor and react to the water leak can help you potentially save time, money, and energy to help you feel safe and secure whether you're indoors or away from home. Also, get rewarded with savings on your home insurance for having a connected alarm for water damage. When it comes to water damage, taking proactive, preventative measures can help to decrease the risk of water damage, and with TD Insurance, you can get the coverage you need to help protect what matters most. What's covered by home insurance? Home insurance policies typically include coverage against sudden and accidental water damage from your plumbing system. The standard TD Insurance home insurance policy typically covers water damage caused by: Sudden burst pipe in the bathroom Sprinkling system rupture Plumbing system rupture Heating system rupture Water leaks from a dishwasher, hot water tank¹ or other household appliances and Escape of water from a public water main that carries drinking water While these are examples of scenarios where standard insurance could cover you, additional coverage can provide protection for a wider range of potential issues. TD Insurance offers additional water damage coverage that helps to protect your home in situations that are not be covered by standard home insurance policy, such as: Extended Water Damage Coverage: This coverage provides protection against water damage caused by sewer backup, or ground or surface water from a freshwater source that enters or seeps into your home. It also covers water damage caused by overland water that enters your home due to the rising or overflow of a stream or body of freshwater. Above Ground Water Coverage: This coverage provides protection against water damage caused by water originating from eavestroughs, downspouts, rain leaders or roof drains, as well as rain, snow, melting snow or melting ice that enters or seeps through the roof or above ground walls of the building or an opening. This coverage provides protection against damage caused by water originating from eavestroughs, downspouts, rain leaders or roof drains, as well as rain, snow, melting snow or melting ice that enters or seeps through the roof or above ground walls of the building or an opening. Ice Damming and Roof Drain Back-up Coverage: This coverage protects against water damage caused by ice dams, including water that enters the dwelling through a roof due to the accumulation of ice or snow, as well as the backup, overflow or discharge of water from eavestroughs, downspouts, rainwater leaders or roof drains. Keep in mind, though, that exclusions may apply to these types of additional water damage coverages.¹Water heater tank(s) need to be replaced before the age reaches 15 years or older to avoid an exclusion of coverage. Loss or damage caused by water originating from your water heater tank(s) will not be covered if the manufacturing date is 15 years or older. TD Insurance residential and personal lines automobile insurance policies are underwritten by Security National Insurance Company, Primmum Insurance Company, TD General Insurance Company, and TD Home and Auto Insurance Company, and are distributed by TD Direct Insurance Agency Inc. and Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services. Due to provincial legislation, TD Insurance does not offer personal lines automobile insurance products in British Columbia, Manitoba, or Saskatchewan. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Farmers devastated as severe weather threatens key crops: 'This is a difficult year'
Farmers devastated as severe weather threatens key crops: 'This is a difficult year'

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Farmers devastated as severe weather threatens key crops: 'This is a difficult year'

Inclement weather is threatening an important Mississippi crop, according to WCBI. Ongoing rainfall has interrupted cotton planting in Noxubee County, Mississippi. The crop needs dry conditions for planting, but a small three-day window and subsequent rainfall have been challenges. Only 65% of cotton had been planted as of June 11, as opposed to 95% at the same time last year. Production may be down as much as 50% come harvest time in the fall. "We're concerned for farmers. this is a difficult year for them to say the least. This is a difficult year," said Aaron Litwiller, general manager of a local gin, per WCBI. Litwiller went on to say the downturn will lead to economic hardship for related industries, like trucking. Mississippi is the third-largest cotton-growing state in America. Cotton is its second-biggest agricultural export, and it is the fourth-biggest overall. The state is far from alone in wrestling with poor planting conditions. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates planting has reached a ten-year low in 2025. Destructive weather patterns like the ones interfering with cotton crops are exacerbated by atmospheric pollution. In addition to excessive rainfall, polluting gases also promote drought in other areas, further complicating agriculture and raising prices for key edible crops. At the same time, these climate shifts speed up polar ice cap melt, which raises sea levels. Litwiller said that his organization has made some preparations for years like this. While that helps the gin stay operational, farmers may still be at risk. Researchers have been working on new cotton varieties resistant to drought, while others are trying to grow it in a lab environment. One company is trying to reclaim cotton from old clothing by teasing it out of synthetic waste materials. Do you think your city does a good job of managing trash and waste? Yes Usually Only sometimes Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

Texas Disaster Raises Alarms on Climate Readiness
Texas Disaster Raises Alarms on Climate Readiness

Bloomberg

time3 hours ago

  • Bloomberg

Texas Disaster Raises Alarms on Climate Readiness

By , Joe Lovinger, Mary Hui, and Danielle Bochove Save Today's newsletter brings the latest news from Texas, where a catastrophic flood caused by torrential rains has resulted in at least 82 deaths and many missing, including children. You can read more on this story with updates throughout the day on Over the next several days Bloomberg Green will also be focusing on extreme heat and its impacts around the world. The first in our Heat Week series looks at how wildfires are releasing a potent short-term warming agent into the atmosphere. For unlimited access to climate and energy news, please subscribe.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store