Wildfires have burned through a record number of acres in California this year as firefighters continue to battle several large blazes across the state.
The state's department of forestry and fire protection, Cal Fire, said that more than two million acres have burned, more than the size of Delaware.
One fire, El Dorado, which has spread over 7,000 acres, was started by a gender reveal party.
California is currently experiencing a record heatwave.
Los Angeles County reported its highest ever temperature of 49.4C (121F). Although temperatures are expected to drop, which may bring strong winds which could fan the flames, the National Weather Service warns.
Sep 07, 2020
Researchers Discover Two New Species of Wasp Cockroach
Researchers at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kozhikode have discovered two new species of cockroach wasps in the Western Ghats.
These wasp species were discovered from Coonoor in Tamil Nadu and Peppara Wild Life Sanctuary in Kerala. They belonged to the family Ampulicidae and hunted cockroaches to feed their larvae, thereby helping to control the natural population of cockroaches.
The new finds have been named 'Dolichurus sahyadriensis' after Sahyadri or Western Ghat mountain ranges and 'Dolichurus chareshi' after C. Charesh, laboratory assistant attached to the ZSI, Kozhikode, who has contributed immensely for the collection of the species.
Another wasp of the same genus, 'Dolichurus aridulus' known only from Sri Lanka was also recorded for the first time from Tamil Nadu and Kerala during their present study. With this seven Dolichurus species are presently listed from India.
Sep 03, 2020
Maharashtra Govt. Designates Entire Aarey Land as a Reserve Forest
In a significant development, the Maharashtra government decided to apply section 4 of the India Forest Act (IFA) to the Aarey land in Goregaon. The move would mean that the entire Aarey land would be designated as a reserve forest.
After a meeting held by Honorable Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ji with Aarey, Forest and Environment departments has decided to apply section 4 of the IFA to approximately 600 acres in Aarey land near SGNP. This implies that it would be declared a reserve forest after a hearing for suggestions and objections.
Sep 01, 2020
Remains of Christian Chalice Found
Pieces of a 1,400-year-old Christian chalice have been found at a Roman fort - the oldest artefact of its kind ever found in Britain.
Fragments of the lead cup were found in the rubble of a 6th Century church at Vindolanda Roman Fort near Hexham.
Vindolanda's Director of Excavations Dr. Andrew Birtley said that it was the "wow factor" of rare finds.
The chalice pieces will be on display at the fort near Hadrian's Wall.
The pieces are inscribed with Christian symbols including angels and crosses, and extensive research would need to be carried out over the next few years to unlock their meaning.
Aug 29, 2020
Highest Rainfall Since 1976 in India in August 2020
As per IMD, India has received the highest rainfall in August this year since 1976 — 25 per cent more than the average, after recording 10 per cent less downpour than the average in July, thus setting a new record after 44 years.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) however, has forecast that the monsoon may slow down in September.
The latest IMD report said that from August 1 to 28, India has received 296.2 mm of rainfall while the average rainfall during the month is 237.2 mm. Thus, the country has received 25 per cent more rainfall in August than the average.
Previously in 1976, the month of August had received 28.4 per cent more rainfall than the average, while the highest rainfall in August was in 1926 — between 1901 and 2020. In 1926, 33 per cent more rainfall was recorded than the average.