Hurricane Nicholas Makes Landfall Along US Gulf Coast

^{PHOTO: Heavy downpours from Nicholas batter Texas, Louisiana}

INTERNATIONAL: Parts of southeast Louisiana were just starting to make progress cleaning up from Hurricane Ida when along came Hurricane Nicholas. Heavy rainfall forced utility crews and contractors in some areas to stop working and sent residents rushing to protect their homes in Galveston, Texas. Nicholas packed winds of up to 120kms per hour and brought rain that prompted flooding. It came ashore in Texas before moving across to Louisiana. Nicholas has since weakened to a tropical depression, but the threat of dangerous flooding remains, where the ground is already saturated. US President Joe Biden has declared an emergency for Louisiana and ordered federal assistance to help in local response efforts.

Widespread Flooding in Western India

^{PHOTO: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE BEING RESCUED FLOODWATERS SOUNDBITE FROM MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL}

Parts of Western India have been hit by mass flooding due to heavy monsoon rains. The video shows rescuers from the National Disaster Response Force using life jackets, ropes and makeshift bridges to bring 31 people, including 11 women and seven children, to safety. According to the Disaster Management Division of the Home Affairs Ministry, flooding over the past few days has affected more than 1.6 million people. Two people have died. 18 dams have overflowed. Dozens of roads have been closed and over 70 evacuation centres have been set up.

Explosive Fire Injures 14 in Bolivia

^{PHOTO: GAS EXPLOSION, SOUNDBITE FROM LOCAL, DAMAGE FROM EXPLOSION}

Two explosions at a fuel storage site in Bolivia’s Camargo City have left 14 people injured. The first explosion from a gas cylinder set off a subsequent blast at a diesel tank. The fire took five hours to be brought under control. It destroyed a dump truck, an excavator, a tractor, at least two vehicles and also affected several surrounding homes and shops. Two of the 14 people injured are in a serious condition.