A man dubbed the ‘living Nostradamus’ has claimed his predictions are often misunderstood as he predicts the world will experience technology blackouts this year due to the use of electromagnetic pulse technology.
Athos Salomé, 36, a trained parapsychologist from Brazil, is often called psychic for the accuracy of his insights and predictions, having previously foreseen the coronavirus pandemic, Elon Musk buying Twitter and even the death of Queen Elizabeth.
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, he has now warned that advances in warfare such as electromagnetic pulse (EMP) technology could have devastating consequences for the world.
Salomé, who predicted “three days of darkness” in 2024, said his prediction was “misunderstood” when it was previously linked to a coronal mass ejection (large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona).
He explained that this blackout does not refer to an event, but rather to trials of EMP technology and escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, potentially paving the way for large-scale conflict akin to World War III.
Athos Salomé, 36, a trained parapsychologist from Brazil who has been dubbed the ‘living Nostradamus’, reveals his predictions are often misunderstood and warns against the use of electromagnetic pulse technology in conflict
A specialized tool designed to destroy information systems, EMP is a weapon that can render electronic devices useless without harming people or buildings.
Typically caused by high-altitude explosions, EMP interacts with the Earth’s magnetic fields to create pulses that can disrupt and damage electronic equipment and infrastructure.
During the Cold War, both the US and the Soviet Union viewed EMP as a tool to eliminate enemy infrastructure without causing direct damage.
In 1962, the US detonated a 1.4-megaton nuclear warhead, in an experiment known as Starfish Prime, high in the atmosphere, 400 kilometers (250 miles) above the Pacific Ocean.
The explosion – the world’s most powerful high-altitude nuclear test – created an EMP strong enough to disrupt global radio communications, leading to the failure of Britain’s first satellite, Ariel-1, and even Hawaii’s ground street lamps broke out.
In today’s world, devices exist that are capable of replicating EMP effects, increasing the threat in modern, technology-dependent scenarios.
Non-nuclear, localized EMP devices exist, which work by releasing a burst of energy in the radio frequency or microwave spectrum, which can overload and damage electronic components and systems. But these are only effective on a small scale and disrupt a small town.
However, the importance of EMP remains significant as it has the potential to destabilize defense and communications systems.
EMP, a specialized tool designed to destroy information systems, is a weapon that can render electronic devices unusable, without harming people or buildings (stock image)
Salomé shared his views on the role of artificial intelligence in conflicts, such as that between Israel and Iran, highlighting its potential to radically change strategies and war tactics.
The parapsychologist foresees a time in 2024 when both countries can start using AI technologies for defensive and offensive purposes.
He said: “AI is once again emerging as a factor that can potentially serve as a tool for peacekeeping and as an instigator of new confrontations.
“Advanced countries, including the United States, have quietly developed EMP technologies for security purposes.
‘The US has been investigating the capabilities of EMP since the testing of Operation Prime in the 1960s, with the aim of using this technology to neutralize threats with minimal physical damage. Similarly, Russia and China are investing in EMP technologies as tools to disrupt the infrastructure of potential enemies.
“Even North Korea, despite its limitations, is showing interest in EMP technology as part of their pre-emptive strike tactics.
‘This shift in adoption represents a growing trend where EMP is not just seen as a weapon. As an essential part of upcoming military efforts that have the potential to significantly and rapidly disrupt critical systems.”
With the help of military history and technology expert Dr William Forstchen, MailOnline previously delved into the chilling potential of such an attack, exploring the unprecedented devastation it could cause in Britain.
What are the immediate and long-term effects of an EMP strike?
The immediate effect would destroy the electrical infrastructure. Water and energy supplies would be immediately turned off, and any heating system that does not burn firewood would no longer be available.
Cars, computers, telephones, transportation, banking… anything that uses electrical components or relies on electronic systems to function ceases to function.
Unless you live completely unsupported in the wilderness, this essentially deprives you of access to water, warmth and food – three elements of the basic level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – and would essentially result in societal collapse.
The long-term effects of an EMP strike are therefore a dramatic population reduction.
Over the course of weeks and months, most people living in cities would die of thirst or starvation – or be killed by panic and violence, and anyone needing regular medical treatment would have no chance of survival.
Access to the few food and water supplies left would naturally be controlled by the government and military, or by the most effective and violent armed gangs.
In the US, Department of Energy studies estimate that it could take as many as five years to bring just 20 percent of the electricity grid back online, by which time modern society would have virtually collapsed.
Is there a way to defend against an EMP attack?
An EMP attack is a line-of-sight event, and because the weapon is detonated hundreds of miles above Earth, the target area is enormous.
There is no real way we can protect ourselves from an EMP explosion because of the way it is deployed. Unlike Britain, the United States has an ICBM nuclear missile defense system: it has dozens of missiles on standby, ready to intercept a nuclear missile and blow it up in space before it re-enters the atmosphere and hits Earth hits.
But an EMP attack relies on the author detonating the nuclear missile hundreds of miles above the atmosphere – the missile can activate within 15-20 minutes of launch, making it essentially impossible to intercept in time.
On site, we have very limited capacity to protect the power grid from an EMP attack, but that would require a major industrial upgrade. Many components underlying US and UK network systems are decades old.
Replacement parts are needed, but most of these are developed abroad and we do not have an emergency stock.
Authorities should embark on a massive upgrade programme, which would involve designing and building key parts of the electricity grid, such as transformers and substations, to withstand the effects of an EMP.
This can be achieved by shielding and surge protection, but this would still only have a limited effect.