Drought and Deluge States of Emergency Declared in Brazil

Brazilian Amazon plagued by worst floods ever; NE Brazil declares drought emergency

Part of the Brazilian Amazon is under a state of emergency due to worst floods ever, while Brazil’s northeastern region has declared a separate state of emergency in 266 district due to severe drought.

The drought has destroyed large swathes of cropland, affecting hundreds of cities and towns across the region, and leaving ranchers struggling to feed and water cattle, reports said.

The drought is expected to continue until October, and possibly beyond.

The carcass of a cow, which died due to the drought, is seen on the ground near Maracas in Bahia state, northeast Brazil May 5, 2012. While a swath of the Brazilian Amazon is under a state of emergency as rivers overflow in one of the worst floods ever, the country’s northeastern region faces its worst drought in the last 30 years, affecting well over 500 towns and cities, according to data from different government monitoring agencies.  Reuters/Ricardo Moraes. Image may be subject to copyright.

Cattle walk in the waters of an area flooded by the rising Rio Solimoes, one of the two main branches of the Amazon River, in Anama, 160 km (100 miles) west of Manaus, May 5, 2012. While a swath of the Brazilian Amazon is under a state of emergency as rivers overflow in one of the worst floods on record, the country’s northeastern region faces its worst drought in the last 30 years, affecting well over 500 towns and cities, according to data from different government monitoring agencies. Reuters/Bruno Kelly. The carcass of a cow, which died due to the drought, is seen on the ground near Maracas in Bahia state, northeast Brazil May 5, 2012. While a swath of the Brazilian Amazon is under a state of emergency as rivers overflow in one of the worst floods ever, the country’s northeastern region faces its worst drought in the last 30 years, affecting well over 500 towns and cities, according to data from different government monitoring agencies.  Reuters/Ricardo Moraes. Image may be subject to copyright. More images…

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

• Hawaii. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Maui and Kalawao counties in Hawaii as agricultural disaster areas due to losses caused by ongoing drought that began January 1, 2012, and continues.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

Drought Drying Up Mongolia’s Main River

Mongolia’s Tuul River threatened by persistent drought

The 700-km Tuul River supplies water to Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital, where more than half of Mongolia’s population live, and is now drying up due to ongoing severe drought in the country.

Original caption: Photo taken on April 24, 2012, shows the dry river bed of Tuul River in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The Tuul River has partly dried up recently owing to drought, affecting the water supply of Ulan Bator, where near a half of the country’s population live. (Xinhua/Huang Longjie) 

The river, which is considered sacred by Mongols, originates in the Khentii Mountains and runs through the southern part of the capital.

Tuul has also been plagued by pollution including leaks from the capital’s sewage treatment facility and runoffs from gold mining.

• Peru. About 900 dead dolphins and porpoises have have washed ashore on the beaches of northern Peru between February and mid-April, reports said.
  • The animals may have died from an outbreak of Morbillivirus or Brucella bacteria, a type of distemper, Peru’s Deputy Environment Minister told AP.
  • The officials have denied any link between the cetaceans mass die-off and seismic oil exploration work that was carried out off northern Peru between February 8 and April 8 by BPZ Energy, a  Houston-based company.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

Food Insecurity Threatens Nepal

Droughts, deluges and poverty leave 4 million Nepalese facing food insecurity 

Acute food shortages in 63 percent of households in the Mid-West and Far-West regions of Nepal has created a severe problem in the country, UN said.

• Acute malnutrition is at a critical level affecting about 400,000 Nepalese children.
• More than 91,000 children under the age of 5  are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
  • “Severe acute malnutrition is defined by a very low weight for height (below -3z scores of the median WHO growth standards), by visible severe wasting, or by the presence of nutritional oedema. Decreasing child mortality and improving maternal health depend heavily on reducing malnutrition, which is responsible, directly or indirectly, for 35% of deaths among children under five.” WHO said.

Global Drought

• 2012 Drought and Deluge Index Page

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

• Mexico. Popocatépetl Volcano Update

The following is the latest bulletin issued by CENAPRED

Apr 19 20:00 ( Apr 20 at 01:00 GMT)

Since the last report at 13:00 h. (local time), the monitoring system registered 9 low intensity exhalations. Additionally a volcanotectonic event of low magnitude was recorded at 18:50 h. (local time). After, since 18:42 h. and until the moment of this report several segments of spasmodic tremor of medium amplitude were registered including exhalation signals inside. Possibly, the first exhalations of this tremor were accompanied by moderate amounts of ash.

The volcano cannot be observed this afternoon, due to the cloudy conditions at the area. The steam and gas plume could be partially seen traveling to northeast.

[The alert level remains in Phase 3 "Yellow."]

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background 

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar: Collapse has already Begun

Massive Bridge Over No Water

Severe drought grips Shiyan City, central China’s Hubei Province

A severe drought caused by the failed rains has gripped Shiyan City in central China’s Hubei Province.

Recent photo shows dry bed of Hanjiang River crossed by a massive bridge near Shiyan City in central China’s Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Cheng Fuhua).   More photos…

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters: 2011 SIX TIMES MORE DISASTROUS THAN 2010
• 2011 Disaster Calendar

Global Drought

• 2012 Drought and Deluge Index Page

Recent Global Drought Links

• Extreme or Severe Drought Covers 3/4 of Portugal Posted on March 4, 2012
• Hundreds Evacuated Amid Spain Wildfires
• Hunger Plagues Indigenous Community in N Mexico Posted on January 21, 2012
• Mexico declares disaster in drought-stricken areas Posted on January 9, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012
• Drought Declared in Southeast UK Posted on February 21, 2012
• Food production drops 40 percent in Mexico due to drought Posted on March 11, 2012

Drought Spreads Across England

“A longer-term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond” forecast for England

East Anglia, the South East, the Midlands and the South West are now officially in drought, while dry weather continues to impact other areas of England, the UK Environment Agency reported.

Parts of England received less than 60% of the average winter rainfall, the Agency reported, warning that the drought could last beyond Christmas, and into a third dry winter.

Total rainfall across England and Wales for March 2012.  Source: UK Environment Agency.

Drought status for 17 new counties in South West England and the Midlands 

Seventeen new counties in South West England and the Midlands have been designated drought status, after two dry winters have left rivers and ground waters depleted, some of them at record lows, said the Agency. The dry weather is ” taking its toll on the environment and farmers – causing problems for wildlife, wetlands and crop production, ” the Agency reported

“In the Midlands the Environment Agency has rescued fish from the River Lathkill in Derbyshire after it dried up, and the Rivers Tern, Sow, Soar and Leadon reached their lowest ever recorded levels in March. In the South West rivers are also suffering and nationally important chalk streams, such as the Hampshire Avon and the Dorset Stour, which support rare trout and salmon species, are exceptionally low.”

New Regions Impacted by Drought

The South West region covers:

• Cornwall
• Devon
• Dorset
• Somerset
• Bristol
• South Gloucestershire
• Parts of Hampshire
• Most of Wiltshire.

The Midlands region covers:

• Nottinghamshire
• Leicestershire
• Derbyshire
• Staffordshire
• West Midlands
• Warwickshire
• Shropshire
• Worcestershire
• Herefordshire
• Gloucestershire

Drought Situation

The counties of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, and west Norfolk were declared drought areas in June 2011. “In February 2012 following a dry winter, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, London, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, the east of Gloucestershire and the remainder of East Anglia and in March 2012 parts of Yorkshire are now also in drought.”

Third Year of Drought?

“A longer term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond, now looks more likely,” head of Water Resources at the UK Environment Agency said.

See Also:

• Drought Spreads in England Posted on March 28, 2012
• Intensifying Winter Drought in England Worst Since 1888 Posted on March 12, 2012
• Drought Declared in Southeast UK Posted on February 21, 2012
• Drought 2012  Posted on January 8, 2012

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters: 2011 SIX TIMES MORE DISASTROUS THAN 2010
• 2011 Disaster Calendar

Global Drought

• 2012 Drought and Deluge Index Page

Recent Global Drought Links

• Extreme or Severe Drought Covers 3/4 of Portugal Posted on March 4, 2012
• Hundreds Evacuated Amid Spain Wildfires
• Hunger Plagues Indigenous Community in N Mexico Posted on January 21, 2012
• Mexico declares disaster in drought-stricken areas Posted on January 9, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012
• Drought Declared in Southeast UK Posted on February 21, 2012
• Food production drops 40 percent in Mexico due to drought Posted on March 11, 2012

‘No sign of survivors’ in Kashmir avalanche

Disaster Calendar 2012 – April 8

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,438 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

NO sign of 135 people buried under 24m of snow at Siachen Glacier entrance

More than a day after a massive avalanche buried 124 Pakistani soldiers and 11 civilians at the entrance to the Siachen Glacier, the military officials said they had found ‘no sign’ of survivors.

• Kashmir, Pakistan.  A massive avalanche buried a Pakistan Army camp with at least 135 people inside in the mountainous Gayari range, near the Siachen Glacier in the northern Pakistani region of Baltistan, in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
  • The area is called “the world’s highest battleground,” with the military HQ  in Gayari, one of the most inhospitable places on the planet, situated at at an elevation of about 4,570 meters (15,000 feet).
  • In February, about two dozen Indian soldiers were killed on in the mountains of Kashmir when two avalanches buried their army camps.

Significant Events

• Alaska, USA.  Anchorage has recorded its snowiest year,  breaking a 57-year-old record for snowfall in a single season, NWS reported.
  • The old record of 132.6 inches set in Alaska’s largest city in 1954-1955 season,  was broken when 3.4 inches of snow fell from midnight to 4 p.m. local time on Saturday pushing the season total to 133.6 inches (339.34cm).
  • Anchorage has received above-normal snowfall this season.  In November, the city saw its greatest snowfall with a record 32.4 inches, about three-times the average for the month.
  • Records are kept at or near the Ted Stevens International Airport since 1953.
• California, USA.  An outbreak of avian cholera has killed at least  10,000 birds at the the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, near Tulelake, Calif., dubbed the ‘Everglades of the West.’
  • Due to the scarcity of water caused by drought, “the refuge has been able to flood only half it’s marshes this year, creating prime conditions for the spread of avian cholera,” reports said.
  • The dead bird include coots, pintail ducks, Ross’ geese and snow geese.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar: Collapse has already Begun

Drought Disaster Declared in Arizona, Utah

Disaster Calendar 2012 – April 6

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,440 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

Arizona and Utah counties declared agricultural disaster areas due to drought

USDA has designated 13 counties in Arizona and two counties in Utah as agricultural disaster areas.

• Arizona, USA.  Disaster has been declared in 13 counties in Arizona and two counties in Utah due to losses caused by an ongoing drought that occurred Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2011.
  • Primary disaster areas:  Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Yavapai counties.
  • Contiguous disaster areas: Cochise, Graham, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties.

Arizona Drought Map – Released April 5, 2012.

• Utah, USA.The following counties in the bordering state of Utah have also been declared disaster areas because they are contiguous:
  • Kane and San Juan counties.

See also

• Disaster Declared in W. Virginia Counties Posted on March 24, 2012
• Texas Drought Toll Continues Climbing Posted on March 18, 2012
• Worsening Texas Drought May Stay Many Years   Posted on September 30, 2011
• Drought-Related Losses Cost Texas $10billion Posted on August 21, 2011

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar: Collapse has already Begun

Disaster Declared in Idaho Counties after Landslides and Flooding

Disaster Calendar 2012 – April 5

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,441 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

100-year rainfall records broken in Idaho and Bonner counties, Id

Extreme rain events have caused damaging landslides and closed roads throughout Shoshone, Idaho and Bonner counties, Id., prompting Governor Otter to declare a state of emergency.

• Idaho, USA.  Extreme rain events have supersaturated the soil triggering multiple landslides, causing  widespread damage to infrastructure, closing roads throughout Shoshone, Idaho and Bonner counties, Id., and prompting Governor Otter to declare a state of emergency. 
  • “The landslides and flooding have damaged multiple roads in all three counties, causing residents and first responders to detour extensively around the closed roads. The landslide on Leitch Creek Road in Idaho County deposited an estimated 80,000 cubic yards of debris across the road, making it impassable for some time,”  said a report.

Significant Events

• Mississippi, USA.  “March temperatures were above average across the entire NWS Jackson forecast area, with a new monthly average temperature record set at 3 of 6 area climate sites.”  NWS reported.
  • Warmest March on Record reported at
    • Greenwood (64.8ºF)
    • Hattiesburg (68.0)
    • Vicksburg/Tallulah (66.2)
  • 2nd Warmest at
    • Greenville (64.3)
  • 3rd Warmest
    • Jackson (66.3)
  • 4th Warmest
    • Meridian (65.0)

• Current U.S. Drought Monitor

Other Disasters

• Texas, USA.  The City of Forney (aka, the Antique Capital of Texas) in Kaufman County has been declare a disaster area after a tornado touchdown in downtown area mid afternoon Tuesday.
  • The twister damaged or destroyed about 100 structures,  and  a dozen people injured.

• China.   Exceptional, extreme and severe levels of drought have spread to 13 Chinese provinces, leaving about 8 million people and 5 million heads of livestock without sufficient drinking water.
  
  • The worst affected provinces include Yunnan, Sichuan [a major farming area,] Hebei, Shanxi and Gansu, the Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said. 
    
  • “The drought has also dried up reservoirs and threatened spring planting, affecting 60.1 million mu (4 million hectares) of crop land as of Thursday.“
• Buenos Aires, Argentina. Torrential rains and hail storms across Buenos Aires have left at least twelve people dead and many injured, reports said.

• England, UK.  Following two years of very low winter rainfall, large parts of England are officially in drought.
  • The drought has forced seven water companies throughout the UK to impose a temporary use bans (locally known as hosepipe bans).
  • “Dry winters can be particularly harmful because winter rain normally tops up groundwater and reservoirs. East Anglia, the South East and parts of Yorkshire are currently in drought, and other parts of the country  are affected. If the dry weather continues, more restrictions are likely to be necessary.” UK govt said.
• Current situation: “East Anglia, the south east of England and south and east Yorkshire are in drought. . In parts of the Midlands, the south west of England and Wales some river flows are very low for the time of year and there are some noticeable impacts on the environment, but public water supplies are not affected.
• “England and Wales had 38 per cent of the long term average rainfall in March. This ranged from 29 per cent in Wales to 68 per cent in our Anglian region. With dry weather affecting many regions this week, soil moisture deficits have continued to increase. River flows remain exceptionally low for the time of year in many areas. Groundwater levels continue to decrease and remain lower than at the same time in March 1976 in parts of Shropshire, the Chilterns, and the North Downs.”

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar
  

China Drought

• Terraforming China Posted  on April 2, 2012
• China’s War on Nature Intensifies Posted on March 23, 2012
• Drought and Deluge Index

Drought Spreads in England

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 28

[March 28, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,449 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

Persistent dry weather spreads drought to East Anglia, the South East and parts of  Yorkshire, England

Continued warm weather across the UK has led to numerous blazes in North Yorkshire, south Wales, Dumfries and Galloway (Scotland) and the Scottish Borders.

• England, UK.  Drought has persisted in the English counties of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, and west Norfolk since June 2011.  Following a dry winter, the counties of Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, London, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, the east of Gloucestershire and the remainder of East Anglia were officially declared as drought areas in February.  This month  parts of Yorkshire are also added to the official drought declaration.
  • Seven water companies (Anglian Water, South East Water, Southern Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water, Veolia Water Southeast and Veolia Water Central) have announced temporary restrictions to start by 5 April 2012, Environment Agency reported.
  • In the absence of above-average rainfall in coming weeks, the drought could spread and intensify even more widely, the Environment Agency has warned.

Latest available groundwater levels for indicator sites for the week ending 20 March, classed relative to an analysis of historic values for the same time of year (Source: Environment Agency). Geological map reproduced with kind permission from UK Groundwater Forum, BGS © NERC. Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2012

Latest daily mean river flow expressed as a percentile2 and classed relative to an analysis of historic daily mean flows for the same time of year (Source: Environment Agency)

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Incidents

• A major fire has razed a shanty town in Quezon City, Philippines, destroying at least 200 homes and injuring several people, reports said.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters: 2011 SIX TIMES MORE DISASTROUS THAN 2010
• 2011 Disaster Calendar

UK Drought

• Drought 2012  Posted on January 8, 201
• Intensifying Winter Drought in England Worst Since 1888 Posted on March 12, 2012
• Drought Declared in Southeast UK Posted on February 21, 2012

Global Drought

• 2012 Drought and Deluge Index Page

Disaster Declared in W. Virginia Counties

Three W. Va. counties declared federal disaster areas in response to March 15 storms

Lincoln, Logan and Mingo counties have been declared federal disaster areas following widespread damage caused by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on March 15.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 24

[March 24, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,453 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• W. Virginia, USA.Three West Virginia counties have been declared federal disaster areas following widespread damage caused by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on March 15.
  • Gov.  Tomblin  announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had declared  Lincoln, Logan and Mingo counties as federal disaster areas.

Other Global Disasters

• New Brunswick, Canada. A state of emergency has been declared in the New Brunswick community of  Perth-Andover following severe flooding.

 St. John River in Perth-Andover continued rising on Friday. Photo:  Government of New Brunswick via CBC

• The village has issued a mandatory evacuation order to at least 500 residents in low-lying areas near the St. John River, a report said.
• Several other communities along the river path are also threatened by flooding.
• Flooding, caused by warm weather breaking “numerous ice jams in waterways throughout western and northern New Brunswick,” has  washed out several roads and forced a hospital to close.
• The deluge is said to be the worst flooding in quarter of a century.
• “We had a chance to be on the ground to be with the people in the community, it is very devastating. I know that when you talk to local people, everyone measures the seriousness of flooding to 1987 and 1993. And everyone is indicating that it is significantly worse than those two years,” Premier Alward said, calling the flood damage “devastating.”

• Texas, USA. UPDATE: Agricultural losses due to the 2011 drought.
  
  • Total Agricultural losses:   $7.62 billion
    • Livestock: $3.23 billion (up from $2.06 billion)
    • Lost hay production value: $750 million (no change)
    • Cotton: $2.2 billion (up from $1.8 billion)
    • Corn: $736 million (up from $409 million)
    • Wheat: $314 million (up from $243 million)
    • Sorghum: $385 million (up from $63 million)
  • Additional Losses
    • Commercial timber losses: $669 million
    • The loss of economic and environmental benefits provided by urban trees:  $280 million per year (TFS estimate)
      • NOTE: Trees need about 30 years to mature.
    • Sub Total: ~ $4.2 billion[FIRE-EARTH estimate]
    • Losses incurred by related industries: $3.4 billion
    • Residential and commercial property losses:  $1 billion [FIRE-EARTH estimate]
  • Grand Total:  $16.9 billion
• In comparison, drought cost Texas agriculture $13.1 billion in the previous 13 years, an average of about $1 billion per year (peaking at a record annual loss of $4.1 billion in 2006 season.)

See also:

• Texas Drought Toll Continues Climbing Posted on March 18, 2012
• Worsening Texas Drought May Stay Many Years   Posted on September 30, 2011
• Drought-Related Losses Cost Texas $10billion Posted on August 21, 2011

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar: Collapse has already Begun

State of Emergency Declared in S. Louisiana Following Widespread Flooding

Dozens of homes in four Acadiana parishes inundated

States of emergency have been declared in four south Louisiana parishes— Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry and St. Martin—after floodwaters from severe thunderstorms caused widespread flooding.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 13

[March 13, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,464 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Louisiana, USA.  State officials declared states of emergency in four south Louisiana parishes—Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry and St. Martin—after floodwaters from severe thunderstorms caused widespread flooding.
  • “We had up to 7 feet of water on some streets,” said Capt. Kip Judice, the sheriff’s spokesman. “We had no deaths or injuries but a lot of near calls.”
  • SPC received reports of 4 tornadoes in Louisiana, one of which caused significant damage in Acadia.

• Kentucky, USA.  FEMA has added several more Kentucky counties to the disaster declaration for the state following he deadly tornadoes and violent storms that left at least 22 people dead and caused widespread damage.
  • Currently, there are 16 counties in the Kentucky disaster declaration:  BATH, CAMPBELL, CARROLL, GRANT, JOHNSON, KENTON, LAUREL, LAWRENCE, MAGOFFIN, MARTIN, MENIFEE, MONTGOMERY, MORGAN, PENDLETON, ROWAN and WOLFE.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar: Collapse has already Begun

Intensifying Winter Drought in England Worst Since 1888

Drought killing fish, destroying wildlife habitats and affecting cereal and potato crops

Fourteen UK counties in the South, the East and the Midlands are officially in drought. 

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 12

[March 12, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,465 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• England.  The worst winter drought in England since records began in 1888 is killing fish in low rivers, destroying wildlife habitats and devastating cereal and potato crops, reports said.
  • Number of fish kills caused by the drought this year already exceed the previous years.
  • Some 14 English counties in the South, the East and the Midlands are officially in drought, as of posting.
  • Senior officials responsible for environment warned last month that large parts of the country are facing an inevitable drought this summer even if the coming months bring heavy rainfall.
  • The country’s Meteorological Agency has warned that ‘prolonged periods of heavy rainfall in the near future are unlikely.’
  • Currently, the following counties are officially in drought:
    • Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire and west Norfolk have officially been in drought since summer 2011.
    • Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Oxfordshire, eastern Wiltshire, Surrey, as well as  East and West Sussex were added to the official drought list last month.
    • Counties of Shropshire and Somerset have received much less than average rainfall in recent months.
    • Parts of Yorkshire are likely to be declared as drought areas.
  • High risk of drought exists in Nottinghamshire, south Derbyshire and Leicestershire due to the dry winter, said UK Environment Agency.
  • The UK temperatures are currently above 60ºF (15.5ºC) and are expected to rise to 67ºF, about 12ºF higher than the norm for the season, warmer than some Greek islands.
  • Hosepipe bans and other water restrictions have been/are being enforced across the drought-stricken areas affecting at least 20 million people.

Total rainfall across England and Wales for February 2012. Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2012.

Groundwater Levels (latest available map) for indicator sites for the week ending 6 March (Source: Environment Agency). Geological map UK Groundwater Forum, BGS © NERC. Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2012

Water resource risks to irrigated and rainfed potato cropping in England and Wales (Source: EA (2011) and PCL (2011). About 56% of all irrigated potato fields are currently located within areas classified as being at ‘high’ risk, and 32% are at ‘moderate’ risk (Cranfield University).

Soil moisture deficits for end of January 2012 (left panel) and end of February 2012 (right panel). Top row shows actual soil moisture deficits (mm) and bottom row shows the difference (mm) of the actual from the 1961-90 long term average soil moisture deficits. MORECS data for real land use (Source: Met Office © Crown Copyright, 2012). Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2012.

Recent Global Drought Links

• Extreme or Severe Drought Covers 3/4 of Portugal Posted on March 4, 2012
• Hundreds Evacuated Amid Spain Wildfires
• Hunger Plagues Indigenous Community in N Mexico Posted on January 21, 2012
• Mexico declares disaster in drought-stricken areas Posted on January 9, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012
• Drought Declared in Southeast UK Posted on February 21, 2012
• Food production drops 40 percent in Mexico due to drought Posted on March 11, 2012

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar: Collapse has already Begun

Disaster Declared in Hawaii

Kauai and Oahu declared disaster areas after flooding, sewage spills triggered by extreme rain event 

Hawaii’s governor has declared Kauai and Oahu Islands disaster areas following 3 days of torrential rains which triggered flooding and mudslides, blocking roads and causing  sewage spill on the two island.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 7

[March 7, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,470 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Hawaii.  The governor of Hawaii has declared Kauai and Oahu Islands disaster areas following 3 days of torrential rains which triggered flooding and mudslides, blocking roads and causing  sewage spill on the two island.
  • “Storms moving over Oahu, Kauai and Maui County generated thunder, lightning, hail, floods and even waterspouts offshore. Forecasters say more heavy rain is possible tonight and all three counties are under a flash flood watch until 6 a.m. Wednesday,” a report said.
  • Warnings have been issued also for hail, lightning, landslides and flooded roads.

Outline Map of Hawaii Islands. Source: USGS - The National Atlas of the United States of America. Enhanced by FIRE-EARTH

Other Global Disasters

• Kentucky, USA.  The Disaster President has declared Kentucky a disaster area following the deadly tornadoes and violent storms that left at least 22 people dead..
  • The counties designated as disaster areas are Johnson, Kenton, Laurel, Lawrence, Menifee, Morgan and Pendleton.
  • More counties may be added to the disaster declaration as damage assessment continues.
• Congo.  Death toll in Sunday’s munitions depot explosions in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, has climbed to about 300 with more than 1,300 wounded and 5,000 left homeless.

• Nevada, USA.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 7 counties in Nevada as natural disaster areas due to losses caused by wildfires that occurred from Sept. 30, 2011, through Oct. 5, 2011.
  • The Primary Disaster Areas are Elko and Humboldt counties.
  • The contiguous disaster areas are Eureka, Lander, Pershing, Washoe and White Pine counties.

• NSW, Australia.  At least 600 families were ordered to abandon their homes in NSW town of Griffith, North-West of Wagga Wagga, as floodwaters threatened the low-lying areas.
  • “Heavy rains over the Mirrool Creek upstream of Griffith have resulted in flooding within the area. Rising flood water is currently threatening parts of the city,” said the NSW State Emergency Service.

Weather Systems to Remember

Australia MTSAT Infrared, Zehr enhanced satellite image, Wednesday 7 March 2012. 22:30 AEST . Source AusBOM.

How Spiders Escaped Flooded Areas in Wagga Wagga, Eastern Australia. Credit Reuters via CBBC. The spiders’ behavior is known as ballooning, and is typical after spiders are forced to flee from floods, according to the Australian Museum’s entomology collections manager, Reuters reported. More Images …

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

Worsening Drought Chokes China’s Yunnan Province

3 years of severe drought in Yunnan affecting 6.31 million people

More than 6.31 million people in 91 counties of Yunnan province in SW China have been affected by a persistent drought, with at least 3.1 million people and 1.55 million livestock short of drinking water, according to provincial civil affairs authorities.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – February 25

[February 25, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,481 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Yunnan Province, China.  More than 6.31 million people in 91 counties of Yunnan province in SW China have been affected by a persistent drought, which has lasted for three years, leaving at least 3.15 million people and 1.55 million livestock short of drinking water, according to provincial civil affairs authorities, a report said.

Original caption:  Photo taken on Feb. 24, 2012 shows cracked land in a pond at Fanglang Village in Malong County of southwest China’s Yunnan Province. A brutal drought has wracked the province since late last year, leaving at least 3.15 million people without sufficient supplies of drinking water as of Monday, according to government statistics. (Xinhua/Lin Yiguang). Image may be subject to copyright. More Photos …

Original caption:  Pupils queue up to get water at a primary school in Luogong Village, Luliang County of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 21, 2012. Every pupil at the school can get 1.5 liter distributed water, which is carried from five kilometers away everyday. A severe drought has lingered in Yunnan for three consecutive years, disrupting the lives of 6.3 million people in the province this year. (Xinhua/Lin Yiguang).  Image may be subject to copyright. More Photos … 

Other Global Drought Events

• Thailand.  The deepening drought in Thailand has spread to 15 of the country’s 77 provinces, officials said.
  • Ten of the drought stricken provinces are in the north:  Chiang Rai, Kampaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Nan,  Phayao, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai and Uttaradit.
  • The other 5 province are Chanthaburi and Chachoengsao (east), Loei ( northeast), Phetchaburi and Suphan Buri (central Thailand).
  • Some 6,768 villages in 109 districts within the 15 provinces are in drought.
    
  • Some 63 districts in 11 provinces were declared drought disaster zones on February 9, 2012.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

Global Drought 2012

• Worsening Texas Drought May Stay Many Years Posted on September 30, 2011
• Drought Declared in SE England‎ Posted on February 21, 2012
• HUNGER: States of Emergency Declared Across the Sahel Posted on February 20, 2012
• Ten Colorado Counties Declared Disaster Areas Posted on February 19, 2012
• Texas Drought Causes Urban Forest Die-off Posted on February 16, 2012
• Thailand Drought Deepens Posted on February 9, 2012

Drought Declared in Southeast UK

Larger areas of the UK face drought this year: DEFRA

England declares drought in more regions after months of low rainfall.  Drought is now affecting the country’s southeastern, eastern and parts of the Midlands. The river Kennet has stopped flowing near Lockeridge in Wiltshire, reports said.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – February 21

[February 21, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,485 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• England, UK.  As UK government declares drought in southeast England, the country’s top official responsible for  environment has warned that large parts of the country are facing an inevitable drought this summer even if the coming months bring heavy rainfall.
  • “Drought is already an issue this year with the south-east, Anglia and other parts of the UK now officially in drought, and more areas are likely to be affected as we continue to experience a prolonged period of very low rainfall,”  British Environment Minister has warned.
  • Meantime, the country’s Meteorological Agency has warned that ‘prolonged periods of heavy rainfall in the near future are unlikely.’
  • Groundwater levels in East Anglia are exceptionally low.
  • Rainfall in the Midlands, East Anglia and the south east in January was about 35 percent below normal.
  • East Anglia has experienced its driest-ever 5-month period from last September, the Center for Hydrology and Ecology reported.
  • The counties of Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and large parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, as well as  west Norfolk are experiencing drought, while Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Kent, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Shropshire are extremely dry.
  • “Since June 2011, drought has affected Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, and west Norfolk. In February 2012 following a dry winter, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, London, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and the east of Gloucestershire are now in drought,” Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reported.
  • In contrast, northern England and Scotland have experienced their wettest winter in 100 years, reports said.

UK Groundwater Levels as of mid February 2012. BGS © NERC. Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2012.

Other Global Disasters

• New South Wales (NSW), Australia.   The government in the Australian state of NSW has extended a natural disaster declarations to the northern areas of Bourke and Tamworth, a report said.
  • The disaster declarations follow widespread flooding which has substantially damaged homes, businesses and infrastructure.
  • The following local government areas have already been declared disaster areas: Walgett, Brewarrina, Liverpool Plains, Gloucester, Upper Hunter, Ballina, Gunnedah, Moree Shire, Greater Taree, Gwydir, Narrabri, Tenterfield, Bellingen, Byron, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Inverell, Nambucca, Kempsey and Tweed Shire Council.
  • Flood evacuation orders may be issued later today.
• Western NSW.  Meantime, major flooding is occurring across the western portion of NSW, reports said.
  • Fooodwaters from Queensland and eastern NSW are heading west towards Brewarrina and Bourke (combined pop: ~ 4,000), where three swollen river systems converge.
• Southern NSW.   “Authorities received more than 300 calls for help as flash flooding hit Sydney and the New South Wales south coast last night,” a report said.
  • “Extraordinary rain. Terrey Hills had 61 millimeters in a hour, and Peakhurst had 26 millimeters in just ten minutes,” State Emergency Service spokesman said.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

Back-to-Back Australian Disasters

• Inland sea moving across NSW, Australia  Posted on February 10, 2012
• The state government in NSW (Aus)  has declared Gunnedah a disaster area

• Flooded Australia: Thousands Evacuated in 3 States
• Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia: FIRE-EARTH Forecast
• Wildfire Consumes 1 Million Acres in WA

• Australia: 5 disaster areas declared in NSW following severe flooding