'Living Nostradamus' predicts 'three days of darkness' caused by a technology blackout in 2024 as the world teeters on the brink of electronic warfare amid WWIII fears

A man who was dubbed the 'living Nostradamus' has claimed his forecasts are frequently misunderstood as he predicts the world will see technology blackouts this year due to the use of Electromagnetic Pulse technology.

Athos Salomé, 36, who is a trained parapsychologist from Brazil, is often referred to as a psychic due to the accuracy of his insights and predictions, after previously foreseeing the coronavirus pandemic, Elon Musk buying Twitter and even Queen Elizabeth's death.

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL he has now warned that advancements in warfare, such as Electromagnetic Pulse technology (EMP) could have devastating effects on the world. 

Salomé, who predicted 'three days of darkness' in 2024, said his forecast was 'misunderstood' when it was previously linked to a coronal mass ejection (large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona).

He explained that this blackout alludes, not to an occurrence, but rather to trials involving EMP technology and escalating tensions between Israel and Iran potentially paving the way for large scale conflict akin, to a Third World War.   

Athos Salomé, 36, who is a trained parapsychologist from Brazil, who was dubbed the 'living Nostradamus' reveals his forecasts are frequently misunderstood and warned about the use of Electromagnetic Pulse technology in conflict

EMP, a specialised tool designed to destroy information systems, is a weapon that can render electronic devices useless, without harming people or buildings. 

Typically triggered by explosions at altitudes EMP interacts with the Earth's magnetic fields to create pulses that can disrupt and damage electronic equipment and infrastructures.

During the Cold War both the USA and the Soviet Union viewed EMP as a tool for disabling enemy infrastructure without causing harm directly.

In 1962, the US detonated a 1.4 megaton nuclear warhead, in an experiment known as Starfish Prime, high in the atmosphere 400 kilometres (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, which led to the failure of the UK’s first satellite, Ariel-1, and it even blow out streetlights on the ground in Hawaii.

In today's world, devices exist that are capable of replicating EMP effects, increasing the threat in modern technological dependent scenarios. 

Non-nuclear localised EMP devices do exist, and work by releasing a burst of energy in the radiofrequency or microwave spectrum, which can overload and damage electronic components and systems. But these are only effective on a small scale, disrupting a small city. 

However the significance of EMP remains substantial as it has the potential to destabilise defense and communication systems. 

EMP, a specialised tool designed to destroy information systems, is a weapon that can render electronic devices useless, without harming people or buildings (stock image) 

Salomé shared his perspective on the role of artificial intelligence in conflicts, such as the one between Israel and Iran, highlighting its potential to revolutionise strategies and warfare tactics. 

The parapsychologist foresees a moment in 2024 when both countries may adopt AI technologies for defense and offensive purposes.

He said: 'AI again emerges as a factor possibly serving as both a peacekeeping tool and an instigator of fresh confrontations.

'Advanced nations, including the United States have been quietly advancing EMP technologies for security purposes. 

'The US has been exploring EMP capabilities since Operation Prime tests in the 1960s aiming to use this technology to neutralize threats with minimal physical damage. Similarly Russia and China are investing in EMP technologies as tools to disrupt infrastructures of potential foes.

'Even North Korea despite its limitations is showing interest, in EMP technology as part of their preemptive strike tactics.

'This shift, in adoption signifies a growing trend where EMP is not merely viewed as a weapon. As an essential element of upcoming military endeavors having the potential to disrupt critical systems significantly and swiftly.'

With the help of military history and technology expert Dr William Forstchen, MailOnline previously delved into the chilling potential of such a strike, exploring the unprecedented havoc it could wreak in Britain. 

What are the immediate and long-term effects of an EMP strike?  

The immediate effect would devastate electrical infrastructure. Water and energy supplies would be knocked out immediately, and any heating system short of burning firewood is no longer available.

Cars, computers, phones, transport, banking... everything that uses electrical components or relies on electronic systems to operate ceases to function.

Unless you're living completely unsupported in the wilderness, this essentially takes away your access to water, heat and food - three elements of the base level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs - and would essentially trigger a societal collapse as a result.

The long-term effects of an EMP strike are therefore a dramatic reduction in population.

Over weeks and months, most of the people living in cities would die of thirst or starvation - or be killed in panic and violence, and anyone who requires regular medical treatment would have no chance of survival.

Access to what little food and water supplies remain would of course be controlled either by the government and the military, or the most effective and violent armed gangs.

In the US, Department of Energy studies estimate it could take up to 5 years to get just 20 per cent of the grid back online, by which point modern society would have all but collapsed.

Is there any way to defend against an EMP attack?

An EMP strike is a line-of-sight event, and because the weapon is detonated hundreds of miles above the Earth, the target area is massive.

There is no real way we can protect ourselves against an EMP blast because of the way in which it is deployed. Unlike the UK, the United States has an ICBM nuclear missile defence system - there are 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 the Earth.

But an EMP strike relies on the author detonating the nuclear missile hundreds of miles above the atmosphere - the missile can be triggered within 15-20 minutes of launch, making it essentially impossible to intercept in time.

On the ground we have very limited capacity to protect the grid against an EMP strike but it would require a major industrial upgrade. Many components that underpin US and UK grid systems are decades old.

Replacement parts would be required, but most of these are engineered abroad and we don't have an emergency stockpile.

Authorities would need to embark on a massive upgrade programme that would involve designing and constructing key electrical grid components, such as transformers and substations, to withstand the effects of an EMP.

This can be achieved through shielding and surge protection - but this would still only have a limited effect.