News Roundup: Oil Spill, Monsoon Floods, & a Splashdown

Mauritius Declares Emergency Over Oil Spill

The island nation of Mauritius has declared an environmental emergency over an oil spill caused by a ship that ran aground and cracked. Two weeks ago, a Japanese-owned ship called Wakashio ran aground near Mauritius, off the south-east coast of Africa.

The ship is carrying around 1,187,000 gallons (4,493,280 liters) of oil, as well as around 59,700 gallons (225,988 liters) of diesel fuel.

Though no leaks were noticed at first, since running aground, the ship has been pounded by waves and strong weather. On Thursday, cracks were reported and oil was seen flowing into the clear waters around the ship.

Mauritius has declared an emergency over an oil spill caused by a ship that ran aground and cracked. The Japanese-owned ship called Wakashio is carrying a huge amount of oil and has been leaking since Thursday.

Over 400 floating “booms” have been placed around the ship to try to limit the spread of the oil, but the ship continues to leak.

The country’s prime minister, Pravind Jugnauth, has asked for help, since the country doesn’t have the ability to move the ship or pump the oil out. French President Emmanuel Macron has offered support.

The oil spill is especially bad news for Mauritius, which depends heavily on the sea, both for fishing and to bring tourists to the area.

Monsoon Rains Leave Much of Mumbai Flooded

People in Mumbai, India are struggling with widespread flooding following extremely heavy rains brought by monsoons. Monsoons are winds that bring lots of rain in from the oceans. The winds, and the rain they bring can last for months.

In a normal year, Mumbai gets about 94 inches (2.4 meters) of rain. This year it’s gotten 82.5 inches (2.1 meters) of rain in just the last month.

People in Mumbai, India are struggling with widespread flooding following extremely heavy rains brought by monsoons. This year Mumbai has gotten 82.5 inches (2.1 meters) of rain in just the last month. Now, several areas of the city are underwater.

Now, several areas of the city are underwater. Trees have been knocked down by strong winds, and streets have been turned into rivers.

The damage has hit poorer people the hardest. Mumbai has already been strongly affected by the coronavirus. Around 60% of the people in Mumbai live in very poor neighborhoods. In these areas, more than half of the people have gotten the coronavirus.

The damage has hit poorer people the hardest. Mumbai has already been strongly affected by the coronavirus. Around 60% of the people in Mumbai live in very poor neighborhoods. In these areas, more than half of the people have gotten the coronavirus.

The monsoons are likely to continue until September, which is normally the end of the monsoon season.

NASA Astronauts Return in First Splashdown in 45 Years

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley returned to Earth safely last Sunday, splashing down into the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola, Florida.

Sunday’s return to Earth was the first time NASA astronauts have returned in a splashdown since 1975. In a splashdown, a falling space capsule is slowed by parachutes before dropping into the ocean.

The two were the first NASA astronauts to be taken into space by a private company – SpaceX. After spending two months on the International Space Station (ISS), the astronauts returned to Earth in the SpaceX capsule, known as Crew Dragon.

This was the first full flight with people in the capsule, and both NASA and SpaceX were pleased that everything seemed to go as planned. The Crew Dragon capsule is designed to be used several times. The next flight is planned for September.

The only unexpected part of the splashdown came when a group of people in private boats, excited about the event, surrounded the capsule after it landed.