Disaster World

🌧️ Torrential Rain And Flooding Hit Eastern Spain

Torrential rain has caused flooding and widespread disruption across parts of eastern Spain, with the latest impacts concentrated around the Mediterranean coast. Valencia experienced exceptionally intense rainfall, including more than 70 mm in 30 minutes in parts of the province, while emergency services handled hundreds of rain-related incidents.

The weather system remains active on September 18, with AEMET warnings for potentially very heavy rain and thunderstorms along parts of the Valencia–Murcia coast. Ibiza and Formentera remain under an orange alert, with rainfall rates potentially reaching 50 mm in one hour and 80 mm over two to three hours. Emergency authorities continue warning about flash flooding and dangerous runoff.

📍 Eastern Spain & Balearic Islands 🇪🇸

🔥 Update: Bushfire Being Controlled In Braitling, Northern Territory

A bushfire is burning along Stuart Highway between Dixon Road and Head Street in Braitling, Alice Springs, with the latest NT Fire and Rescue Service advice issued on September 18, 2026. The incident is currently classified as Advice, with authorities reporting that effective strategies are in place to control the entire fire perimeter.

Authorities warn that smoke may reduce visibility, active fire may occur close to the roadside, and firefighters may be operating near the road. The latest incident information was current as of 5:42 PM on September 17, so the September 18 notice is an update rather than confirmation that the fire started today. People in the area are advised to stay informed until the threat is reduced.

📍 Braitling, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia 🇦🇺

🌪️ Two Eastern Pacific Systems Could Become Tropical Depressions

Two tropical waves are being closely monitored in the Eastern Pacific, with both given an 80% chance of developing into tropical depressions within seven days by NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. The first system is well south-southwest of Baja California and is showing signs of organization, with a tropical depression likely to form this weekend or early next week as it moves westward at 10–15 mph.

A second disturbance several hundred miles south of southwestern Mexico is also expected to gradually organize, with development likely late this weekend or early next week as it moves northwestward and then northward off the Mexican coast. Neither system is currently a tropical cyclone, and there are no coastal watches or warnings associated with either disturbance.

📍 Eastern Pacific Ocean — South Of Baja California & Southwestern Mexico 🇲🇽

🌪️ Tropical System South Of Mexico Could Strengthen Into A Depression

A tropical wave several hundred miles south of southwestern Mexico is showing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, with environmental conditions becoming increasingly favorable for gradual development. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center gives the system a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression within seven days, with formation considered likely late this weekend or early next week as it moves north-northwestward or northward at about 5–10 mph.

The system is not yet a tropical cyclone, and the chance of formation during the next 48 hours is near 0%. However, its projected northward movement toward waters off southwestern Mexico means the situation will require close monitoring as conditions evolve. There are currently no coastal watches or warnings associated with this disturbance.

📍 Eastern Pacific, South Of Southwestern Mexico 🇲🇽

🌊🔥 El Niño 2026 Shows Striking Similarities To 1997

A comparison of Pacific Ocean conditions shows why the developing 2026 El Niño is being closely watched alongside the powerful 1997–98 El Niño. In September 1997, NOAA documented sea-surface temperatures 2–3°C above average across the central and east-central Pacific, with anomalies exceeding 4°C in parts of the eastern Pacific. The unusually warm water covered more than 24 million km².

The current 2026 event is also intensifying rapidly. NOAA reported August Niño-3.4 at +1.8°C, Niño-3 at +2.5°C, and Niño-1+2 at +3.4°C, with eastern equatorial Pacific anomalies exceeding +3°C. NOAA currently gives a 75% chance that October–December 2026 reaches a historic-strength threshold, while the chance of a very strong El Niño is above 90%. This is a forecast, not confirmation that 2026 has already surpassed 1997.

📍 Tropical Pacific Ocean 🌎

🌪️ Update: Typhoon Dujuan Strengthens As Japan Braces For Heavy Rain

Typhoon Dujuan, Japan’s Typhoon No. 25, is now moving northwest after developing from the tropical system near the Mariana Islands. As of September 17, the storm had maximum sustained winds of about 90 km/h with gusts reaching 126 km/h, and forecasts indicate further strengthening as it approaches the Ogasawara Islands.

JMA forecasts indicate that the Ogasawara Islands could experience high waves from September 18 into September 19, with strong winds possible from September 18 through around September 20. The latest forecast places the system farther north than earlier projections, with a potential approach toward the Kanto region around September 21. The exact track and intensity remain subject to change.

📍 Ogasawara Islands & Japan 🇯🇵

🔥 Northern Territory Bushfire Threat Continues Near Berry Springs

A bushfire at Stockwell Road in Blackmore, west of Berry Springs and south of Darwin, remains active after authorities downgraded the emergency warning to an Advice level on September 16. Bushfires NT reported that structures were impacted as the fire moved toward Mieland Road and Tuey Close, while crews remained on site for containment, mop-up and patrol operations.

Authorities say the immediate threat has decreased, but residual smoke is expected and active fire may still occur close to roads. A 24-hour fire ban for the Top End has also been extended, with residents urged to continue monitoring official warnings as conditions can change quickly.

📍 Blackmore, Northern Territory, Australia 🇦🇺

🌋 Kanlaon Volcano Remains At Alert Level 2 Amid Continued Unrest

Kanlaon Volcano in the Philippines remains at Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest) as of September 17, 2026. PHIVOLCS recorded six volcanic earthquakes during the latest 24-hour observation period, while a moderate plume rose about 700 metres above the summit and drifted toward the east, south and southeast.

Sulfur-dioxide emissions were measured at 636 tonnes per day on September 16, while ground deformation indicated inflation of the volcanic edifice with short-term deflation. PHIVOLCS continues to prohibit entry within the 4-kilometre Permanent Danger Zone and advises against aircraft flying close to the volcano because sudden steam-driven eruptions and precursory magmatic activity remain possible.

📍 Kanlaon Volcano, Negros Island, Philippines 🇵🇭

🌧️ Major Flood Threat Continues Across Vietnam

Vietnam is facing continued heavy rain and flooding, with authorities warning of high risks of flash floods, landslides and inundation across parts of northern and north-central Vietnam. Rivers in Phú Thọ, Ninh Bình and Thanh Hóa have reached or exceeded Alert Level 3, while rainfall from September 10–16 reached 1,321 mm at Bạch Mã in Huế.

Heavy rain continued into September 17, with some areas recording more than 130 mm in just a few hours. Flooding has affected hundreds of homes, while saturated ground and continued rainfall are increasing the risk of further flash flooding and landslides.

📍 Northern & North-Central Vietnam 🇻🇳