Archive for May, 2014
Posted by feww on May 31, 2014
VOLCANIC HAZARD
SCENARIO 07
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Volcanic ash forces hundreds of flight cancellations over Australia, Indonesia, East Timore, Singapore…
Sangeang Api [“Mountain of Spirits”] began erupting on Friday, after 15 years sending massive plumes of ash into the air, and forcing airport authorities to cancel dozens of lights between Australia and Singapore, East Timore and Bali.
The 20-km high ash cloud is moving in a southeasterly direction, affecting several towns, however there are concerns that the cloud could drift west causing travel chaos in and out of Perth, said the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
“Depending on wind and other weather conditions, the ash has the potential to affect flights to and from other airports, including Brisbane, during coming days. This is currently being fully assessed,” said a senior official.
Sangeang Api [“Mountain of Spirits”] began erupting on Friday ejecting 20-km high columns of ash into the air and forcing hundreds of flight cancellations.
“The volcano is undergoing a sustained, rather significant eruption at the moment, so for the last 10 hours we’ve been observing large masses of volcanic ash being generated,” the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center told Reuters.
Approximate location of Sangeang Api is marked on the map by FEWW. Mount Sangeang Api is one of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes.
“Scores of farmers cultivating the land in the island, 7 km from the crater, have been told to leave the area since this morning. And they have been warned not to reenter the island during the eruption period,” Xinhua quoted an Indonesian official as saying.
Sangeang Api, located off the northeast coast of the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, continues to eject huge volumes of volcanic matter into the air.
Posted in environment, Global Disaster watch, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: indonesia volcano, Sangeang Api, Sangeang Api volcano, SCENARIO 07, volcanic eruption, volcanic hazard, volcano | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 30, 2014
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
MUDSLIDES
SCENARIO 023
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Extreme Rain Events and Mudslides Plague republic of Kabardino-Balkaria
Extreme Rain Events and Mudslides have forced the Ministry for Emergencies to declare a state of emergency throughout the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria in Russia’s North Caucasus, ITAR-TASS reported.
An earlier state of emergency was declared for the Chegemsky and the Chereksky districts of the republic on May 22, said the report.
Extreme Rain Events on May 13-14 and May 20-21 triggered mudslides across Kabardino-Balkaria, destroying or damaging roads and bridges and blocking access to multiple villages.
Severe shortages of water, gas and electricity have since affected the region with the cost of damage estimated at more than 1 billion rubles, said the report
Posted in Climate Change, environment, Global Disaster watch, significant events | Tagged: Kabardino-Balkaria, mudslide, Russia, state of emergency | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 30, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
RECORD TEMPERATURES
DEADLY HEATWAVE
SCENARIO 067
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Temperatures in Indians Subcontinent Top 47°C
Large swathes of the Indian Subcontinent are reeling under a major heatwave as the mercury continues to soar. Maximum temperatures in Dadu, Sindh Province, reached 47°C and Nawabshah in central Pakistan recorded 46°C.
Maximum temperatures in New Delhi, the Indian Capital, and Hyderabad, the capital and largest city of the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh [metro pop: 9 million] hit 45 degree Celsius on Friday.
Other cities and metropolitan areas also reported very high temperatures including Mohenjodaro (45°C), Chorr (45°C), Jaipur (44°C), Bhopal (43°C) and Chandigarh (43°C).
Maximum temperatures could rise by up to 4°C in east India over the next two days, local forecasters said.
Related Links
Posted in Climate Change, environment, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, significant events | Tagged: heat wave, heatwave, India, Indian Subcontinent, max temperatures, Pakistan | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 30, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
DESTRUCTIVE STORMS
TORNADOES
DEADLY FLOODING
SCENARIOS 088, 066, 023
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Severe thunderstorms, heavy rains, EF-1 tornado cause widespread damage in Louisiana
The tornado targeted Marathon Petroleum Corp. refinery, damaging a cooling tower and shutting down the unit.
Floodwaters have inundated hundreds of homes and businesses across the state, and Gov. Jindal could issue a State of Emergency soon.
Heavy rains and the threat for flash flooding will continue along the central Gulf Coast, NWS forecast.
“Heavy rain will continue on Friday across parts of the southeastern U.S. The heaviest rain will be along the central Gulf Coast, where there is a risk of flash flooding. Strong thunderstorms are possible for the northern Plains Friday and Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms are also possible across the Carolinas and New England”
Posted in Climate Change, environment, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, significant events | Tagged: Deadly Flooding, flood, Gulf Coast, Louisiana, storm, Tornado | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 30, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
RECORD TEMPERATURES
DEADLY HEATWAVE
SCENARIO 067
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Beijing Temperatures Top 40°C
Beijing Municipal Warning Center upgraded its temperature warning to “red” early Thursday afternoon.
At least three people have died from heatstroke, as a heatwave continues to grip China.
Two people died in Yuanyang county in Yunnan province, where the temperatures have been hovering above 40°C for weeks.
A third fatality was reported in Hong Kong, said South China Morning post.
RED Temperature Warning
“The red warning calls for power suppliers and fire departments to be on the alert, outdoor work and activities to be ceased and classes to be suspended at all schools,” reported Xinhua.
Beijing Meteorological Bureau forecast that temperatures would exceed 42°C [108 degrees] in parts of the city, said the report.
The previous record for hottest day in May was set in 1951, when Beijing temperature reached 38.3°C.
Neighboring regions of Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong Henan and Anhui have also reported record high temperatures.
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Posted in Climate Change, environment, Global Disaster watch, significant events | Tagged: Beijing, China, Deadly heatwave, heatwave, record temperatures | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 30, 2014
SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SCENARIO 08
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Tremors felt in Yunnan’s provincial capital of Kunming
Centered at 24.976°N, 97.865°E, the M5.9 quake struck at a depth of about 10 km, some 500 km west of the Kunming, provincial capital of Yunnan province.
The quake occurred in Yingjiang County at 9:20 am, reported China Earthquake Networks Center.
“Tremors were strongly felt in the county seat, where local residents rushed to open areas,” reported Xinhua.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the same area last week, injuring at least 13 people and affecting more than 300,000 people in 15 towns, destroying or damaging about 10,000 homes.
In March 2011, a deadly 5.8Mw quake hit Yingjiang County killing dozens of people and leaving hundreds of others injured.
In May 2008, the Wenchuan earthquake killed about 90,000 people and caused billions of dollars in damages.
Earthquake Details [USGS/EHP]
Magnitude: 5.9Mw
Event Time: 2014-05-30 at 01:20:15 UTC
Location: 24.976°N, 97.865°E depth=10.0km (6.2mi)
Nearby Cities:
- 27km (17mi) N of Pingyuan, China
- 65km (40mi) SE of Myitkyina, Burma
- 101km (63mi) NE of Bhamo, Burma
Related Links
IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast
The next detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast will be released together with Bulletin NO. 102 on June 1, 2014.
Posted in Earthquake Hazard, Earthquake Information, Earthquake news, earthquake report, Global Disaster watch, significant events | Tagged: China, China Earthquake, earthquake, FIRE-EARTH earthquake FORECAST, SCENARIO 08, Yingjiang County, Yunnan | 1 Comment »
Posted by feww on May 29, 2014
Colorado Declares Emergency in Grand Mesa National Forest after Massive Mudslide
The mudslide in western Colorado is estimated to be about 6km long, up to 800m wide and 30m deep in some places.
Three people are reported missing after they went to check on damage from an initial slide near the edge of the Grand Mesa National Forest on Sunday.
The massive mudslide occurred May 25, 2014 near the Grand Mesa National Forest, close to the town of Colburn, in western Colorado.
Links to Recent Mudslide Disasters
Posted in Global Disaster watch, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: collapse, Colorado, Grand Mesa National Forest, Landslide, mudeslide | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 29, 2014
EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
WORSENING DROUGHT
MULTIPLE CROP DISASTERS
SCENARIO 03
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Drought Devastates Crops in 156 Counties across Ten States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 156 counties across ten states as crop disaster areas due to worsening drought. USDA issued six separate designations for crop disasters on May 28, 2014.
Drought Disaster Designations are for the following states:
Colorado (1 County), Idaho (17 counties), Kansas (21 counties), Missouri (4 counties), Montana (1 County), Nebraska (37 counties), Nevada (19 counties), Oklahoma (36 counties), Oregon (2 counties) and
Washington (18 counties).
Drought Disasters 2014
Beginning January 10, 2014 USDA has declared at least 1,913 separate crop disasters across 26 states. Most of those designations are due to the worsening drought.
- Those states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Washington. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings.]
Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.
ii. The total number of counties designated as agricultural disaster areas includes both primary and contiguous disaster areas.
iii. Counties may have been designated crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.
iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.
v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on My 28, 2014.
California Drought Disasters
Related Links
Posted in Climate Change, environment, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, significant events | Tagged: crop disaster, Drought, drought disaster, SCENARIO 03, US Drought, USDA | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 28, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
HEATWAVES
MAJOR SANDSTORMS
SCENARIOS 777, 067
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Record Temperatures Broil North China
Weather authorities in Hebei Province and cities of Beijing and Tianjin have issued a “Yellow Alert for High Temperatures,” the third highest alert level in the country, as record-shattering heat in parts of northern China soared to about 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees).
People have been advised to limit their outdoor activities to avoid heatstroke, while the National Center for Disease Control has warned the rising temperatures could help the spread of infections, said a report.
“The national weather forecaster predicts that the region’s heatwave will continue for another three days.”
The latest rounds of heatwave have been plaguing different parts of China (and India) since late April.
At least 11 provinces, cities and regions have reported temperatures exceeding 35°C this week, including Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province, said the report.
Other affected areas include southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and southern Sichuan Province.
Recurring Sandstorms
Meanwhile, recurring dust and sandstorms have hit multiple parts of China since early April.
The worst affected areas include Beijing, northwest China’s Shaanxi, neighboring SHANXI, and Qinghai provinces, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Gansu Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
The National Center for Performing Arts, one of Beijing’s landmarks, is shrouded in sand and dust, May 27, 2014. (Xinhua/Wang Huaigui)
The strongest sandstorm in decades hit parts of Gansu province last month, reducing visibility to less than 20 meters .
THIS IS IT FOLKS!
Posted in Climate Change, environment, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: air pollution, Beijing, China, dust, heat wave, heatwave, record temperature, Sandstorm | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 28, 2014
EMERGING and RE-Emerging INFECTIOUS DISEASES
2ND OUTBREAK OF DEADLY PEDV
SCENARIO 011
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Second Outbreak of Deadly PEDV Reported in U.S.
An Indiana farm has confirmed a second outbreak of the deadly Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), fueling concerns the deadly disease, which has wiped out 10 percent of the U.S. hog population since last year, will be harder to contain than previously thought.
The rest of this exclusive report is posted at: Deadly pig virus re-infects U.S. farm, fuels supply fears
The highly contagious disease has killed about 7 million U.S. hogs since it was first diagnosed last year and seriously threatens pork production across the country.
About 6,000 separate cases of the virus have been reported in 29 states across the nation, as of April 22, 2014. The U.S. has about 68,300 hog farms, according to USDA.
Virus Strain PC21A is a highly contagious coronavirus that causes porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). It was first reported in the United States in May 2013 in Iowa. The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has since spread rapidly throughout the U.S., according to reports filed with CDC.
Electron micrograph of a US porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) particle detected in a field fecal sample collected during a 2013 outbreak of PED on a farm in Ohio, USA; the fecal sample from which PEDV strain PC21A in this study was detected was from a pig on the same farm during the same outbreak. The sample was negatively stained with 3% phosphotungstic acid. Scale bar = 50 nm. Source: CDC – “Pathology of US Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Strain PC21A in Gnotobiotic Pigs”
Related Links
Posted in environment, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global health catastrophe, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: coronavirus, emerging infectious diseases, NIGHTMARE SCENARIO 011, PC21A, PEDV, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, SCENARIO 011, Viral Hog Epidemic Outbreak | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 28, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
DROUGHT
MAJOR WILDFIRES
MASS EVACUATIONS
SCENARIO 101
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Mass evacuation ordered as wildfire consumes 1,300 acres
A fast-moving wildfire, burning west of Yosemite National Park in central California and threatening more than 100 homes, has prompted fire officials to issue mandatory mass evacuation orders.
The fire erupted on Monday and had consumed more than 1,300 acres near Lake McClure in Mariposa County, injuring at least 5 people, as of posting.
Alert Details (Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office)
- Severity: Extreme – Extraordinary threat to life or property
- Category: Law enforcement, military, homeland and local/private security
- Event: Police Activity
Hunters Fire Incident Information (Cal Fire)
- Last Updated: May 27, 2014 3:00 pm
- Date/Time Started: May 26, 2014 3:33 pm
- Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit
- County: Mariposa County
- Location: Hunters Valley area near the southeast shore of Lake McClure
Acres Burned – Containment: 1,300 acres – 20% contained
- Structures Threatened: 100 residences
- Structures Destroyed: 3
- Evacuations: Evacuations are in effect for the Hunters Valley Area including all of Hunters Valley Rd to Bear Valley Rd including Hunters Valley Access Rd and Detwiler. The evacuation center is located at 2820 Hwy 140, Cathey’s Valley, McKay Hall.
- Road Closures : Hunters Valley Rd at Bear Valley Rd and Cotton Creek Rd at Bear Valley Rd
- Injuries: 5
- Cooperating Agencies: CHP, CDCR, Mariposa County Sheriff, Mariposa County Fire, US Forest Service, BLM and dozens of local fire agencies
- Total Fire Personnel: 671
- Total Fire Engines: 83
- Total Fire crews: 22
Cal Fire has responded to more than 1,500 wildfires, or double its five-year average, so far this year. Extremely dangerous fire conditions are worsened by drought, bone dry brush and soaring temperatures.
Posted in Climate Change, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, significant events | Tagged: california, Drought, Hunters Fire, Mariposa County, Mass Evacuation, SCENARIO 101, wildfire | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 27, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT
NEAR ZERO SNOWPACK WATER CONTENT
CRITICALLY LOW GROUNDWATER LEVELS
WATER FAMINE
CROP DISASTERS
DESTRUCTIVE WILDFIRES
SCENARIOS 03, 04, 101
MULTIPLE STATES OF EMERGENCY
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ZERO Snow on Southern Sierra Mountains
California’s Southern Sierra has lost all of its snow cover, as of May 27, 2014. Snowpack provides about a third of the water used by California’s cities and farms.
The statewide average snow water equivalent in the Golden State dropped to less than 0.3 inch, or just 3% of the average for the date, and only 1% of the April 1 average.
The following is a summary of California Cooperative Snow Surveys as reported on May 27, 2014 .
Impact of Drought on Calif Agriculture
California’s drought could cost farmers at least $2billion this year, forcing them to leave fallow up to a million acres of land.
Tens of thousands of full time and seasonal jobs could be lost as a result of the drought, now in its third year, described by officials as catastrophic.
Crop Disasters in Calif
All of the 58 counties in the country’s most populous and 3rd largest state have now been declared crop disaster areas at least once this year.
Disaster Applications
The Golden State has made 362 Disaster Applications to USDA, as of May 1, 2014, compared with 157 for the entire 2012, and 331 throughout 2013.
Three Weeks Ago…
Vital groundwater provides up to 60% of California’s water supply during droughts
California groundwater resources are at historically low levels, and recent groundwater levels are more than 100 feet below previous historic lows in some parts of the state, according to a recent report released by the California Department of Water Resources.
About 30 million Californians, over three quarters of the state’s population, receives at least part of their drinking water from groundwater, said California Water Foundation.
Groundwater is the only supply available for some regions during drought, and it’s critical to the state’s agricultural economy.
Drought causes water famine leading to crop disasters. It degrades water quality, and leads to surface and groundwater level declines, land subsidence, soil erosion, intense wildfires, humongous dust storms, and spread of disease.
Related Links
Posted in Climate Change, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: california, crop disaster, Drought, Snow Water Equivalent, state of emergency, SWEQ | 1 Comment »
Posted by feww on May 27, 2014
UPDATED 07:30UTC
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
DEADLY FLOODING
MUDSLIDES
MEGA DISASTER
MASS EVACUATIONS
SCENARIOS 444, 070, 023, 09
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Destructive floods leave 500,000 people homeless in China
Severe flooding and mudslides have affected more than six million people in central and southern China leaving at least 500,000 people homeless.
Hanan province issued a red alert as Extreme Rain Events continued to pound the region unleashing more floods and mudslides.
Floods have claimed at least 12 lives with two people reported missing, officials said.
“More than 1.37 million people in eight cities and prefectures in [Hunan] province have been affected, and 3,431 houses have collapsed [and more than 50,000 people were relocated.] Landslides triggered by rainstorms have occurred on sections of the No.209 national highway in Xiangxi Tu and Miao Autonomous Prefecture,” said a report.
South China
Meanwhile, the death toll from extreme weather events in south China reached 40 on Tuesday, with several others reported missing.
Flooding and landslides in 8 southern provinces have affected at least 5.51 million people, destroying tens of thousands of homes and leaving 447,000 homeless.
About 264,800 hectares of crops have been destroyed in flood related disasters, causing direct economic losses of about $1.18 billion, said the report.
Related Links
Posted in Climate Change, environment, global deluge, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, significant events | Tagged: Central China, Extreme Rain Events, flood disaster, flooding, Hunan Province, Mega Disaster | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 26, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
MAJOR DISASTERS
MASS DISPLACEMENTS
SCENARIOS 444, 101, 070, 066, 023, 09, 04, 03
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Extreme climatic events, related conflicts displace 144 million in the Horn of Africa
Some 144 million people have been displaced in the Horn of Africa region between 2008 and 2012 due to the mega disasters caused by climate change, according to a joint report by the Institute for Environment and Human Security of United Nations University, and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
The new report by said thousands of people in the Horn of Africa are at risk of being displaced across borders as extreme weather increases in frequency.
“As extreme weather increases in intensity thousands are at risk of being displaced. Many of the displaced receive some assistance, but the support varies. There is a need for more predictive protection and assistance. We must start in the hardest affected regions,” according to NRC spokesperson.
Sudanese Famine 1993. A vulture patiently awaits a starving Sudanese child to die, dated March 1993. Pulitzer Prize winning photo by the deceased photojournalist Kevin Carter.
The majority of those displaced in the four-year period fled from floods, storms and wildfires and other impacts of climate change, said the report.
Most of the victims remained in their own countries as internally displaced people, but many fled across the borders to neighboring countries.
“Drought forces people to leave their homes in Somalia and Ethiopia and flee to Kenya, Egypt or Yemen. Most of those fleeing are pastoralists, small scale farmers and agro-pastoralists,” said the report.
The impact of climate-related disasters are intensified by ethnic and political discriminations, according to the report, which cites armed conflict and lack of humanitarian access in Somalia as major contributing factors to worsening conditions caused by the drought and famine.
People are forced to cross borders when Extreme Weather Events flood their habitat, or destroy their crops, said the report.
“Individuals leave for another country for a variety of reasons, but in many cases the driving factor is related to the loss and deterioration of livelihood,” said representative from UNU.
Posted in Climate Change, environment, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: Drought, extreme climatic events, famine, Horn of Africa, Mega Disaster, Norwegian Refugee Council, Sudan | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 26, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
DEADLY FLOODING
LANDSLIDES
MAJOR DISASTER
MASS EVACUATIONS
SCENARIOS 444, 070, 023, 09
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Tens of thousands left homeless amid deadly flooding in SE China’s Jiangxi province
Deadly floods and landslides in Jiangxi Province in the east, Guangdong and Hunan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the south, southwestern Guizhou Province, and Fujian Province in the southeast have left dozens of people dead or missing, affecting at least a million other, and leaving more than 100,000 homeless.
“Since Wednesday, rainstorms in Guangdong have left 15 dead and five missing and affected 800,000 people, with accumulative precipitation of 628 mm in Shanwei City. Sixteen national or provincial highways were closed because of the downpours,” said a report.
“Once-in-a-hundred-year” floods in Guangdong destroyed 1,143 houses, forcing the evacuations of at least 21,000, and affecting 140,000 others.
Deadly floods plague west, south and east China provinces. Photo shows flooding in Zhuting Village of Yichun City, east China’s Jiangxi Province, May 25, 2014. (Xinhua/Wang Hefeng)
“Downpours also swept southwestern Guizhou Province, as well as Hunan and Jiangxi provinces in southern China,” said the report.
In Jiangxi province, 565,900 residents in Pingxiang City were affected by floods as of Sunday and 97,100 were evacuated.
In Hunan province, at least three people were killed in Shaodong County as of Sunday; more than 320,000 were affected by the floods and 24,000 were evacuated.
Shaodong floods also destroyed about 1,700 hectares of crops and 3.2 km of highways; 400,000 people in six cities were affected and 16,000 displaced; at least 520 houses collapsed, said the Hunan Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.
Related Links
Posted in Climate Change, global disasters, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: China, Extreme Rain Events, flood, Landslide, major disaster, Mass Evacuations, mass relocation | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 25, 2014
SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS 08
.
Earthquake destroys or damages about 10,000 homes in SW China
An earthquake in Kachang Township of Yingjiang County in southwest China’s Yunnan Province has affected more than 300,000 people in 15 towns, destroying or damaging about 10,000 homes.
Centered at 24.926°N, 97.809°E the quake struck at a depth of 10.0km (6.2mi) on May 24, 2014. The quake was later upgraded to magnitude 5.8Mw.
Earthquake Details [USGS/EHP]
- Event Time: 2014-05-23 20:49:22 UTC
- Location: 24.926°N 97.809°E depth=10.0km (6.2mi)
- Nearby Cities:
- 23km (14mi) NNW of Pingyuan, China
- 65km (40mi) SE of Myitkyina, Burma
- 93km (58mi) NE of Bhamo, Burma
- 220km (137mi) N of Lashio, Burma
- 599km (372mi) NNE of Nay Pyi Taw, Burma
Related Links
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, News Alert, significant events | Tagged: China, earthquake, earthquake 2014, Yunnan Province | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 24, 2014
Global Anti-GMO Action
Marches against Monsanto are taking place today in dozens of countries and across scores of US cities.
“MAM supports a sustainable food production system. We must act now to stop GMOs and harmful pesticides,” said Tami Monroe Canal, the founder of March Against Monsanto (MAM) in a press release earlier.
“Monsanto’s predatory business and corporate agriculture practices threatens their generation’s health, fertility and longevity,” Monroe said.
The movement was born after the 2012 California Proposition 37 on mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food initiative failed, prompting activists to call for a boycott of the GMO in food production.
Monsanto has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to obstruct all labeling attempts” while suppressing all “research containing results not in their favor,” say activists, who blame GMO for birth defects, infant mortality, and increased cancer risks among other side-effects.
In 2013 more than 2 million people in hundreds of cities across 52 countries marched against Monsanto, the largest producer of genetically engineered seeds.
May24th- Event list at https://t.co/fdoESKykJ7
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: genetically engineered seeds, GMO, March Against Monsanto, Monsanto | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 24, 2014
SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS 08, 07
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Strong quake occurs south of Samothrace island
Centered at 40.305°N, 25.453°E the strong quake struck at a depth of about 10.0km (6.2mi), USGS/EHP reported.
The quake was followed by at least one significant aftershock measuring 4.5Mw.
The earthquake, which was felt in Athens, Greece, and Istanbul, Turkey, had a category VIII shakemap, capable of causing moderate to heavy damage.
However, no damage or casualty reports were immediately available.
The quakes in the North Aegean Trough followed a magnitude 4.1 shock that occurred 35km ESE of Mizpe Ramon, Israel (0.545°N, 35.164°E, depth=10.0km) at 07:27:29 UTC.
Large earthquakes and destructive tsunami throughout the Mediterranean region have killed hundreds of thousands of people and razed scores of towns and villages since the M8.2 quake that struck Sicily in 1693.
Evros Quake Details
Magnitude: 6.9Mw
Event Time: 2014-05-24 at 09:25:03 UTC
Location: 40.305°N 25.453°E depth=10.0km (6.2mi)
Nearby Cities
- 19km (12mi) S of Kamariotissa, Greece
- 70km (43mi) SSW of Alexandroupolis, Greece
- 78km (48mi) ESE of Potos (Thassos), Greece
- 83km (52mi) WNW of Canakkale, Turkey
- 298km (185mi) NNE of Athens, Greece
Earthquake Location Map
EQ Location Map: Source: USGS/EHP
Other Significant Quakes Today
M 5.6 – 8km S of San Juan Cacahuatepec, Mexico
Time: 2014-05-24 08:24:47 UTC
Location: 16.541°N 98.154°W
Depth: 12.0km
M 5.6 – 35km E of Severomuysk, Russia
Time: 2014-05-23 19:42:28 UTC
Location: 56.142°N 113.993°E
Depth: 10.0km
M 5.6 – Myanmar-China border region
Time: 2014-05-23 20:49:24 UTC
Location: 24.979°N 97.872°E
Depth: 24.7km
Twin Atlantic Quakes
M 5.2 – Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Time: 2014-05-23 23:41:49 UTC
Location: 45.009°N 27.867°W
Depth: 10.0km
M 5.2 – Central Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Time: 2014-05-24 11:49:26 UTC
Location: 0.727°N 26.348°W
Depth: 10.0km
FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast
The next detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast will be released together with Bulletin NO. 100 tomorrow (May 25, 2014).
Posted in Earthquake Hazard, Earthquake Information, earthquake report, Global Disaster watch, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: Bulletin NO. 100, earthquake, FIRE-EARTH earthquake FORECAST, Greece, Hellenic subduction zone, Israel, Mt Fengari | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 24, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
DEADLY FLOODING
LANDSLIDES
MASS EVACUATIONS
SCENARIOS 070, 023, 09
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Deadly flooding and landslides plague east, southeast and south China
Extreme rain events in China have triggered deadly flooding and landslides in many areas inundating hundreds of thousands of homes in dozens of towns and hundreds of villages.
Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes as floodwaters destroy crops, homes, roads and other public infrastructure.
The worst affected areas include Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the south, Jiangxi Province in the east, and Fujian Province in the southeast.
Original caption: Residents go on the street after a flood subsided in Shitan Town of Qingyuan, south China’s Guangdong Province, May 24, 2014. Four people have died and one is still missing in a rain-triggered flood in Qingyuan, local authorities said Saturday. (Xinhua/Tian Jianchuan) More images …
Posted in Climate Change, environment, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, significant events | Tagged: China Flood, deadly flood, disaster, flooding, labdslide, Mass Evacuation | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 23, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
HISTORIC FLOODING
DEADLY LANDSLIDES
MEGA DISASTER
MASS DISPLACEMENT
THREAT OF DISEASE EPIDEMICS
SCENARIOS 444, 333, 023, 09, 070
STATES OF EMERGENCY
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Balkans faces risk of disease after flood disasters
Worst floods ever recorded in the Balkans, which triggered thousands of landslides, have devastated large swathes of Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia, destroying or damaging more than 100,000 homes, thousands of other buildings and much of the public infrastructure.
The disasters killed dozens of people across the Balkans; however, the death toll might rise because about 600 people are missing or unaccounted for in Serbia.
Tens of thousands of animals also perished in the disasters, creating a very serious health risk for populations in the devastated areas.
Rotting animal carcasses, food and waste in rising temperatures pose a serious risk of contaminating ground and surface waters.
Serbia’s government has made an appeal for disinfectants, quicklime, chlorine bleach and protection gear.
In Bosnia, there is the added danger posed by hundreds of thousands of landmines left over from the Bosnian War (1992-95) that may have been moved by the floodwaters and landslides from marked minefields.
Cost of Damage
Based on the latest damage data available, FIRE-EARTH Models estimate the total cost of damage caused by the historic flooding and landslides across the Balkans at more than $6 billion.
Related Links, Latest Historic Floods
- Balkan Storm Damage Tops $6 Billion: FIRE-EARTH May 21, 2014
- Mass Evacuations as Floods Submerge Towns in Croatia May 19, 2014
- ‘Terrifying’ Floods Affect 1,000,000 Bosnians May 19, 2014
- Balkan Historic Flood Disaster Update May 17, 2014
- Historic Flooding Turns Deadly in Serbia, Bosnia May 15, 2014
- ‘Historic’ Flooding Submerges Pensacola, FL April 30, 2014
Other Disasters, States of Emergency
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, has declared a State of Emergency following widespread damage caused by flooding storms on May 12.
At least 736 homes have reported flood damage in Summit County, with nine of the homes suffering significant structural damage, according to the Falls Mayor.
Siberian Irkutsk region has declared a state of emergency after forest fires spread to local villages, prompting mass evacuations.
Some 77 forest fires have consumed more than 40,000 hectares of land in the region.
Hundreds of people have been evacuated from the village of Dalny, where fires have destroyed two dozen homes, the the Emergency Situations Ministry said, Interfax reported.
Posted in environment, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, health, News Alert | Tagged: Balkans, Bosnia, Cuyahoga Falls, flooding, Landslide, major disaster, Mass Displacement, Mega Disaster, SCENARIO 023, SCENARIO 333, Serbia, Siberian Irkutsk, wildfire | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 23, 2014
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
DROUGHT
MAJOR WILDFIRES
MASS EVACUATIONS
SCENARIO 101
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Ferocious AZ wildfire forces evacuations, thousands more on pre-evacuation notice
The Slide Fire wildfire is burning in Oak Creek Canyon north of Slide Rock State Park, consuming about 6,000 acres.
“Closures include Highway 89A from Sedona to Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff and Forest Road 535 off Highway 89A. Power has been shut off by APS from Slide Rock, north through the canyon,” said fire officials.
Up to 3-mile stretch of area north of Slide Rock State Park has been evacuated, as well as the East Pocket Forest Service Lookout Tower. Evacuees are being relocated to Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff.
Fire behavior is said to be “extreme.”
Slide Fire (Oak Creek Canyon Overlook). Members of the Carson Hotshots and Mormon Lake Hotshots coordinate retardant drops on the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon. The helicopter can be seen in the background making its drop. Taken on 5/22/14 by Brady Smith. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Additional Evacuations: Coconino County has issued a pre-evacuation notices to residents of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands subdivisions, advising thousands of residents to be prepared to evacuate at short notice. “County Emergency Management encourages those in the affected neighborhoods to begin packing important items they may need for several days. These items include prescriptions, important papers, any special dietary needs and pets.”
Current Resources: Some 840 personnel including 15 hotshot crews, 33 engines, three air tankers, five helicopters, two air attack, and other resources have so far been deployed.
Other Large, Active Fires in Arizona
- Skunk Fire Wildfire, 38,259 acres, 27 miles east of San Carlos, burning since April 19, 2014.
- Barlow Fire Wildfire, 1,482 5 acres, 30 miles east of San Carlos, burning since May 17.
Posted in Climate Change, Global Disaster watch, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: Arizona, Coconino County, Flagstaff, Mass Evacuation, Oak Creek Canyon, SCENARIO 101, Slide Fire, wildfire | Leave a Comment »
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