India, Feb. 14 -- The fear-inspiring 'city-killer' asteroid 2024 YR4, likely bigger than the Statue of Liberty, now has a higher risk (2.3%) of hitting Earth on December 22, 2031, per scientists' upgraded predictions.

According to the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN), the space rock's "risk corridor" spans the eastern Pacific Ocean, northern South America, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Arabian Sea, and South Asia, Forbes reported. A potential collision with our planet could result in "severe blast damage" up to 31 miles (50 km) from the impact site. The asteroid discovered late last year is believed to be about 40 and 90 metres (130 and 300 ft) in diameter.

Amid the rollout of preliminary predictions, independent scientis...