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Strong eruption at Ibu volcano, North Maluku, Indonesia

A strong eruption took place at Ibu volcano, Indonesia at 07:46 UTC on May 16, 2022, ejecting thick gray ash up to 3.8 km (12 240 feet) above sea level. The Aviation Color Code remains at Orange and the Alert Level at 3.

This eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 30 mm and a duration of 154 seconds.

Ibu Volcano Observatory is advising communities living around Mt. Ibu and visitors/tourists not to move within a radius of 2 km (1.2 miles) from the crater.

People who are active outside of their homes during ashfall are advised to use a nose/mouth mask and eye protection.1

Damaging tornado rips through Levin, New Zealand

A damaging tornado hit the town of Levin, New Zealand’s North Island on May 20, 2022, causing widespread damage and injuring several people. New Zealand’s Met Service recorded a wind gust of 140 km/h (86 mph) in the town. However, at the time of press, it was still not able to determine whether it was indeed a tornado that caused the damage, or a thunderstorm collapsing on itself.

According to the Horowhenua District Council, the tornado hit at approximately 06:30 LT, damaging between 30 and 50 homes, downing power lines and trees, and blocking roads.

“Drone footage shows approximately 30 – 50 houses have suffered damage, with further damage to many more fences and other property,” the Council said.

In an update posted at 14:30 LT, it noted that 6 properties have been severely damaged, 8 were moderately damaged, and 11 had minimal damage.

Eruption at Karymsky volcano ejects ash up to 8 km (26 250 feet) a.s.l., Russia

Explosive eruption at Russia’s Karymsky volcano continued on May 19, 2022, with ash columns reaching a height of 8 km (26 250 feet) and 6.7 km (21 980 feet) above sea level. The Aviation Color Code remains Orange.1

The ash plume moved to the east of the volcano, as visible in the high-quality imagery captured by Sentinel-2 satellite.

New Floods in Eastern South Africa Displace More Than 300

More than 300 people have been evacuated from their homes as a result of renewed heavy rains, flooding and mudslides in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, weeks after severe flooding killed more than 400 people and displaced more than 40,000 others.

The new rains have damaged roads, homes and electricity infrastructure largely in the northern parts of the province since last Friday, according to provincial authorities and emergency personnel.

KwaZulu-Natal province, which includes the port city of Durban, remains on high alert with warnings of further downpours in some areas.

The new emergency has overstretched local officials who have appealed for assistance from South Africa's national government, Kwazulu-Natal provincial minister for local government Sipho Hlomuka said in a press briefing.