FIRE-EARTH Disaster Diary – June 18, 2013

73 killed, tens of thousands stranded in north India extreme monsoon

Death toll from flooding and landslides triggered by extreme monsoon rains in north India climbed to at least 73 on Tuesday, said a report.

Meantime, about 73,000 pilgrims bound for the Himalayan shrines weer reportedly stranded in monsoon-ravaged Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Severe flooding and landslips have also destroyed hundreds of homes and dozens of hotels and other commercial buildings, as well as roads and other infrastructure.

The authorities have evacuated thousands of people  living in low-lying areas along the River Yamuna, as  the water level rose above the “danger mark,” said the report.

Road collapses, as flooded river rages in Uttarakhand. Photo credit: AFP. Image may be subject to copyright.

“We are on a war footing, we are working day and night,” said an official in Uttarkashi, where two national highways were blocked by landslides.

Related Links

• Dozens Dead or Missing in India amid Extreme Monsoon Rains June 17, 2013

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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch for eight states

U.S. Weather Hazards Map. June 18, 2013. Source: NWS

Severe Weather Possible for Parts of northern Rockies, High Plains, Ohio Valley, and Carolinas: NWS

The NWS Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a risk of severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening for four distinct areas across the U.S.: from central Idaho into northwestern Montana; from northwest Texas to extreme southeastern Montana; across central Illinois, southern Indiana and into northern Kentucky; and across the central and eastern Carolinas.

High and Low Temperature for the Contiguous U.S.

High Temperature for Monday, June 17, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 18)

• 115 degrees (46.1ºC) recorded at Ocotillo Wells, CA

Low Temperature for Teusday, June 18, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 18)

• 29 degrees (-1.7ºC) recorded at Kenton, MI
• 29 degrees (-1.7ºC) recorded at Doe Lake, MI

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Popocatépetl Volcano Erupts [again]

Popocatépetl volcano erupted on Monday, sending a column of ash and volcanic gases and into the air and prompting the authorities  to raise the volcano alert level to Yellow (Phase 2.) Access to a 12-km zone around the volcano is  restricted.

Popocatépetl volcano Erupts.  Image Source: CENAPRED