Large Piranha Attack Swimmers in Argentina

Dozens of swimmers injured by large piranha in Parana River, Rosario, Argentina

“This is not normal. It’s normal for there to be an isolated bite or injury, but the magnitude in this case was great. This is an exceptional event,” said an official.

Officials have blamed the bloody attack on a large carnivorous fish called  palometa, described as “a type of piranha, big, voracious and with [razor] sharp teeth that can really bite.”

Several children lost entire digits, a paramedic told Associated Press, adding that more than 70 people had been injured by the fish.

The attack occurred in Parana River in Rosario, about 300km north of the capital, Buenos Aires, on Christmas Day.

Piranha. About 50 or so species of piranha exist globally.

A piranha or piraña is an omnivorous freshwater fish that inhabits rivers in South America. They have razor sharp teeth and a voracious appetite for flesh.

The attacks on humans have been rare until recently; however, at least two fatalities and hundreds of injuries have been reported throughout the Amazon basin since 2009, including attacks in Bolivian and Brazilian rivers.

States of Emergency Declared for 80 Cities in Brazil

Extreme Weather Events

Death Toll Rises to 50 in Brazil Floods; 60,000 Displaced

Dozens of people are confirmed dead, and more than 60,000 others displaced due to severe flooding and landslides in Brazil’s southeast states of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo,  authorities said.

At least 54 of the 79 municipalities in Espirito Santo (population: 4 million), have declared states of emergency. In Minas Gerais (population: 20 million), the authorities have declared states of emergency in at least 26 municipalities.

Extreme Rain Events in Espirito Santo have inundated roads, bridges and homes. The floods were the “worst ever” since record-taking began 90 years ago, said the Espirito Santo governor Renato Casagrande.

He called the week-long rainstorm “the worst natural disaster in the history of Espirito Santo.”

Most of the victims were buried in deadly torrents of mud and authorities say the death toll may rise. Landslides have also destroyed a large number of homes, roads and bridges, burying everything in their paths and  leaving dozens  of cities (Municipalities) are without electricity and drinking water.

Minas Gerais

In January 2012, Brazil’s southeastern state of Minas Gerais (pop: 20 million) declared a States of Emergency in 46 cities following sever flooding.

Flooding and mudslides triggered by extreme rain events in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais left at least 50 people dead, missing or injured and forced more than 10,000 people to flee their homes.

• About 3,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged.
• The disasters have affected at least 2 million people.

Rio de Janeiro

The state Civil defense authorities placed several municipalities in Rio de Janeiro under a state of maximum alert following widespread flooding.

• The worst-hit area is the municipality of Nova Friburgo, located about 135 km from the state capital Rio de Janeiro [city.]

Related Links

• “Worst Ever” Floods Kill Dozens in Brazil, Force 50,000 to Flee Their Homes December 25, 2013

Additional Links

Search blog content for a comprehensive list of major flood and landslides in Brazil since 2010.

More Severe Storms to Hit the UK, Tens of Thousands Without Power

EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

Tens of Thousands of UK homes remain without power, 1,200 flooded, as more hurricane-force winds and heavy rains threaten Europe

The UK authorities have warned of further significant disruption from floods in southern England, and issued more than 200 flood warnings and alerts throughout England and Wales.

Damage from the last round of storms has caused power cuts and travel delays, as more severe storms approach the country.

River Medway. Photo taken from the Redhill Police and Air Ambulance reveal the extent of the flooding on the Medway, Kent, England. Source: Kent Police Pictures.

Tens of thousands of passengers were stranded before Christmas, with scores of flight delays and cancellations    after flooding caused a major power failure in the airport, said a report.

The authorities at  Gatwick airport called the weather “unprecedented.”

Meantime, the UK Met Office is warning of another storm system from the Atlantic which is forecast to hit the country by early Friday.

Hurricane force winds with gusts of up to 150 km/h (80mph) are forecast for some coastal areas, said the report.

Group Forecast:  Climate change could directly affect about half the population in the UK  in the next 3 to 5 years  posted on November 20, 2009.

Related Links

• Thousands Lose Power as Storm Hits UK December 19, 2013
• Mega Storm Threatens Biggest Tidal Surge in History  December 6, 2013

What you should know by now

• RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Critical Overload Threatens Planetary Life Support Systems

Other Links

• Heavy Snow and Arctic Gales to Hit UK Thursday  December 4, 2013

• Britain Set for “Worst Winter in History” December 2, 2013
• ‘Catastrophic Losses’ of Animals Feared due to UK Spring Snow Posted on March 26, 2013
• How Homo Ignarus Killed Spring Posted on March 21, 2013
• Intensifying Winter Drought in England Worst Since 1888 Posted on March 12, 2012