Thousands Displaced by Deadly Floods in Malawi

Deadly floods force thousands out of their homes

At least 6 people are dead and thousands more displaced after severe flooding triggered by extreme rain events submerged large regions across  the southeast African country, nicknamed “The Warm Heart of Africa.”

The disasters have been described as national crisis, but the authorities have yet to declare a state of emergency, said reports.

The extreme weather events have destroyed more than a thousand homes and thousands of hectares of crops.

“The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has warned of high rainfall amounts which will eventually trigger flash floods in the country for the next two to three weeks,” said a report.

Powerful Storm EGON Wreaks Havoc in Northern Europe

EGON causes record sea-level rises in Denmark

Storm EGON, the second of two powerful storms to hit northern Europe over the weekend, cut power to hundreds of  thousands of people in Norway, caused record sea-level rises in Denmark, and battered Sweden.

EGON pounded Denmark with hurricane strength winds for about  15 hours and became “the worst storm to hit the country since December 2013,” said a report.

Strong winds from EGON and the preceding storm DAGMAR raised sea levels to new record highs in parts of the country, the report said.

Denmark has its hottest year on record

Denmark reported its warmest ever annual average temperature.  The Danish Meteorology Institute (DMI) said the 2014 average temperature was 10.0°C.

“For the first time ever, the annual average temperature in Denmark is at double digits, a feat that meteorologists say is ‘unthinkable without climate change,'” said a report quoting DMI.