‘Airmageddon’ in Indonesia

Military plane crashes in Medan, Indonesia, killing scores of people

All 113 people on board an Indonesian military transport plane that crashed Tuesday in a major city on the Indonesian island of Sumatra are believed to have been killed, according to the country’s air force chief.

The Hercules C-130 crashed into two houses and a hotel before bursting into flames in a residential area of Medan city [metro pop: ~ 5 million,] according to the chief.

The number of casualties on the ground has not yet been established.

Medan is the capital of the North Sumatra province, and is the fourth largest city in Indonesia.

Mandala Airlines Flight 091

On 5 September 2005, Mandala Airlines Flight 091 crashed into a populated area of Medan shortly after take-off from the city’s airport, killing 149, including 49 people on the ground. Additionally, some of the 17 people on board the plane who survived the crash, and 26 others on the ground who were injured, are believed to have since died as a result of their injuries.

Volcanic Vent at Owakudani Valley near Tokyo Erupts

Mt. Hakone erupts spewing ash and steam

A “minor volcanic eruption” has occurred at Mt Hakone near Tokyo starting Monday night through Tuesday, according to officials.

Fresh layers of volcanic ash were discovered Tuesday morning around a newly-formed vent in the Owakudani valley, which forms part of the Mount Hakone range (Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park) located in Kanagawa prefecture.

Volcanic tremors have been shaking the Hakone mountain since Monday morning, officials said, warning nearby residents that the volcano could eject sizable rocks to a radius of about one kilometer and smaller rocks even further.

The warning level on the Hakone was  raised to level 3 [“Do not approach the volcano,”] at 12:30 JST today [June 30,  2015.]

The volcano has been ejecting steam over the past few months.

Mt Hakone is located about 80 km SW of central Tokyo. More than 45 million people live within a 100-km radius of the volcano according to FIRE-EARTH Population Models.

Strong Quake Strikes New Britain, PNG

M6.0 quake strikes East New Britain, Papua New Guinea

Centered at 5.452°S, 151.601°E the quake occurred at a depth of about 35km, USGS/EHP reported.

Distances:

• 142km (88mi) SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
• 161km (100mi) E of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea
• 330km (205mi) SSE of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
• 443km (275mi) W of Arawa, Papua New Guinea
• 657km (408mi) NE of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Wildfire Destroys Dozens of Buildings, Forces Mass Evacuations in Washington

Red Flag Warnings in effect across much of Washington State, as wildfire forces 1,000 people to flee

A fast-moving wildfire fueled by high temperatures and strong winds has destroyed dozens of building, including homes, in Wenatchee in central Washington, about 200km east of Seattle.

The so-called Sleepy Hollow fire ignited in grass just outside Wenatchee on Sunday afternoon forcing residents of about 450 homes to flee.

The blaze had consumed more than 3,000 acres, as of posting.

State of Emergency

Gov. Inslee declared a statewide drought emergency for Washington in May due to the snowpack being at historic lows, dwindling rivers and irrigation districts being forced to cut off water to farmers.

Statement from Gov. Inslee about the Sleepy Hollow fire in Wenatchee

“Yet again, our state is experiencing a catastrophic wildfire that has displaced families and shut down businesses …”

Read statement here!

Heightened Seismicity near L’Esperance Rock, Kermadec Trench

10th Significant quake strikes near L’Esperance Rock, Kermadec Trench

At least 10 significant quakes, measuring between 4.7Mw and 6.0Mw, have struck the Kermadec Trench, near L’Esperance Rock, since May 24 (UTC).

EQ Details [USGS/EHP]

• 5.2 120km SE of L’Esperance Rock (32.216°S, 178.019°W) 2015-06-28 12:53:49 UTC 10.0 km
• 4.7 123km E of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-27 23:29:33 UTC 10.0 km
• 4.8 113km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-26 07:17:43 UTC 10.0 km
• 4.8 115km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-26 02:51:56 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.0 119km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-25 22:57:15 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.0 141km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-25 19:18:05 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.1 118km SE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-25 19:14:06 UTC 10.0 km
• 6.0 101km SE of L’Esperance Rock (32.081°S, 178.136°W) 2015-06-25 18:45:57 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.0 East of the North Island of New Zealand 2015-06-24 22:06:28 UTC 10.0 km
• 5.0 138km SSE of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand 2015-06-24 09:00:44 UTC 30.2 km

Major Disaster Declared for Arkansas

Arkansas Declared Federal Disaster Area

Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4226)

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Nebraska in the areas affected affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015.

Areas worst affected by the extreme weather events—severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding—include Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian, and Sevier counties.

Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the territory and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

This is the 22nd Major Disaster Declaration proclaimed for a U.S. state/territory, so far this year. Additionally the federal government has issued three Fire Management Assistance Declarations.

Related Links

• Major Disaster Declared for Nebraska June 26, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared for West Virginia – (4th major disaster in 2 months) May 22, 2015
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Japanese Massacre of Indonesians in Mandor Commemorated

Up to 14 million people massacred by the Japanese between 1895 and 1945 —U.S. historian

Japanese occupiers massacred more than 21,000 people, including many women and children, near Pontianak between April 23, 1943 to June 28, 1944.

[Pontianak is the provincial capital of West Kalimantan, one of five Indonesian provinces in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. Editor]

Most of the victims were buried in giant wells in Mandor, located about 88 km from Pontianak. Remains of more victims were discovered in mass, unmarked graves in Mandor and the surrounding areas in 2005, more than 60 years after the massacre.

Indonesian victims of one of the Japanese massacres in WWII commemorated at the Juang Mandor Monument in Mandor town, near Pontianak, capital of West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia, June 28, 2015. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain). More images…

Japanese War Crimes in Asian and Pacific Countries

Japanese committed numerous war crimes in many Asian and Pacific countries throughout the period of Japanese imperialism, especially during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II, under Emperor Hirohito.

The scorched earth policy, sanctioned by Emperor Hirohito himself, ordered Japanese forces to “Kill All, Burn All, and Loot All.”

The total number of victims massacred by the “Japanese is more like 10-million to 14-million. Of these, I would suggest that between 6-million and 8-million were ethnic Chinese, regardless of where they were resident,” according to Sterling and Peggy Seagrave.

[The Tokyo Tribunal determined the death rate among POWs from Asian countries under Japanese occupation was 27.1%. However, the death rate of Chinese POWs was much higher because Emperor Hirohito ratified a directive on August 5, 1937 removing the constraints of international law on treatment of Chinese prisoners of war. Editor]

Significant Quake Strikes near Volcano, Hawaii

M5.2 quake strikes S of Volcano, Hawaii

Centered at 19.335°N, 155.209°W, about  the quake struck about 11km (7mi) SSE of Volcano, Hawaii at a depth of 8.6 km (5.3 mi), reported USGS/EHP.

At least one aftershock measuring 3.1Mw was reported, as of posting.

EQ Details

Magnitude: 5.2Mw
Location: 19.335°N, 155.209°W; depth = 8.6 km (5.3 mi)
Time: 2015-06-28 08:10:10 (UTC)
Nearby Cities

• 11km (7mi) SSE of Volcano, Hawaii
• 37km (23mi) SW of Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaii
• 45km (28mi) SSW of Hilo, Hawaii
• 89km (55mi) ESE of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
• 352km (219mi) SE of Honolulu, Hawaii

FIRE-EARTH Q&A DAY: Cobbled Void (II)

CJ Members

Cobbled Void – Part 2

FIRE-EARTH Q&A TODAY will start @ 18:02 UTC.

Wahhabist Terrorists Kill Dozens in Kuwait, Tunisia

Dozens murdered, scores injured by Wahhabist Terrorists in Kuwait, Tunisia

Wahhabist Terrorists, believed to be supported by the Saudi Royal family, and operating under the umbrella of the terrorist group Daesh (aka, ISIL) have killed at least 27 people and wounded up to 230 others in an attack on a Shia mosque in Kuwait during Friday prayers.

“Anti-Shia hate propaganda spread by Sunni religious figures sponsored by, or based in, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf monarchies, is creating the ingredients for a sectarian civil war engulfing the entire Muslim world,” said a 2013 report.

The terrorist used a walking bomb.

Mass Murder in Tunisia

At least 40 people, mostly foreign tourists, have been killed and dozens of others injured in an attack on a beach in the Tunisian resort town of Sousse, officials have said.

Belgians, Britons, Germans, French, Irish and Tunisian nationals are among the dead, said reports. Again, the Saudi-backed  Whabbist terrorist group Dash terrorist group has claimed responsibility.

In March terrorists killed 22 people, mainly foreign visitors, in an attack on a museum in the capital Tunis.

 

FIRE-EARTH Extra – June 26, 2015

CJ Members

FIRE-EARTH Special Broadcast – June 26, 2015

• Tune in at 11:32 and 13:32 UTC

Wildfires Threaten Thousands of California Homes

Up to 30,000 people evacuated from California towns threatened by Wildfires

Raging wildfires have prompted mandatory evacuations for residents of multiple towns and communities in California including Burns Canyon, Rimrock, Barton Flats, Seven Oaks, Ranbow Lane and Heart Bar, while a voluntary evacuation remained in place in Pioneertown, said fire officials.

Meanwhile, residents in several other communities including Lake Williams, Erwin Lake, and Baldwin Lake have been warned of possible evacuation orders.

About 400 campers were also ordered to leave the Lake Williams area on Wednesday, as authorities closed Roadways and campgrounds throughout the areas threatened by wildfires, or affected by the smoke.

More than 1,000 residents in Santa Clarita, LA County, were also ordered to flee their homes late on Wednesday, fire officials said.

Alaska Wildfires

More than 300 wildfires are burning across the state of Alaska. Two major fires, the Sockeye fire and The Card Street fire, have destroyed or damaged more than 100 structures.

Meanwhile, the community of Aniak in Southwest Alaska began evacuating some of its residents Thursday as smoke from a 2,500-acre North Aniak Fire wildfire burning nearby blanketed the village, said a report.

State Disaster

Gov. Walker declared a state disaster on June 19 in response to damages caused by multiple wild land fires on the Kenai Peninsula, including the Card Street Fire near Sterling.

Walker also declared a state disaster in response to widespread damages caused by the Sockeye Fire in Willow and the surrounding region on June 16.

State of Oregon

In Oregon, Gov. Brown has  declared drought emergencies for 20 out of Oregon’s 36 counties so far, said spokesman for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.

Large forest fire are burning in Siskiyou National Forest and Whitman National Forest.

State of Washington

Gov. Inslee declared a statewide drought emergency for Washington in May due to the snowpack being at historic lows, dwindling rivers and irrigation districts being forced to cut off water to farmers.

Wildfires burning in 10 states

Wildfires are burning in 10 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington.

Warnings, Advisories and Watches

Red Flag Warnings, Excessive Heat Warnings,Heat Advisories, Excessive Heat Watches, Fire Weather Watches Air Quality Alerts, and/or Dense Smoke Advisories are currently in effect across most of the West, and parts of multiple other states.

Major Disaster Declared for Nebraska

Nebraska Declared Federal Disaster Area

Nebraska Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4225)

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Nebraska in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 6 to June 17, 2015.

Areas worst affected by the extreme weather events, severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding, include the counties of Cass, Dundy, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Lincoln, Morrill, Nuckolls, Otoe, Saline, Saunders, and Thayer.

Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the territory and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.This is the 21st Major Disaster Declaration proclaimed for a U.S. state/territory, so far this year.

Related Links

• Major Disaster Declared in Guam June 8, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared for State of Texas May 30, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared for Oklahoma May 27, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared for West Virginia – (4th major disaster in 2 months) May 22, 2015
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

M6.0 Quake Strikes Kermadec Trench

Strong quake strikes SE of L’Esperance Rock

Centered at 32.081°S, 178.136°W,  about 101km SE of L’Esperance Rock, the quake occurred at a depth of about 10.0 km (6.2 mi), USGS/EHP reported.

The event was followed by at least 4 significant aftershocks, as of posting.

 

Lake Mead Falls to Record Low

Lake Mead falls to 36 percent of capacity

Lake Mead water level fell to a record low of 327.65m (1,074.98 feet) above sea level, or 36 percent of the available capacity,  just before midnight Tuesday, said the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

The level rose slightly to 327.68m (1,075.05 feet), barely above the critical level of 327.66m (1075 feet) by 7 am Wednesday, said the Bureau.

At 327.66m (1075 feet) elevation, Lake Mead has an available capacity of 11.84 km³ (9,601,000 acre feet), with the total available capacity being 32.56 km³ (26,399,000 acre feet), according to the USBR 2009 data.

In August 2010, Lake Mead level fell to 331 meters (1,087 feet) above sea level, compared with August 1985 level of 370m.

Summary of Lake Mead Stats

• Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S. in terms of water capacity.
• It’s formed by the Hoover Dam (construction finished in 1936), fed by the Colorado River, and located in the states of Nevada and Arizona.
• The lake is 177 km long when full, and has 1,220km of shoreline.
• Max. Width: 12.87km
• Max. Depth: 162m (532 feet)
• The high-water line: 375 m of (1,229 feet) above sea level. ( At this elevation, the water would be more than 7 1/2 feet over the top of the raised spillway gates, which are at elevation 372.28m, or 1,221.4 feet —USBR).
• Surface area: 642 km² (248 square miles) at 372.28m (1,221.4 feet)
• Capacity: 35.7 km³ (28,945,000 acre feet) – less the accumulated sediments.
  • Available capacity: 32.56 km³ (26,399,000 acre feet)
• Last time at full capacity: 1983 (the lake has since been plagued by drought and increased water demand.)
• Current capacity: 36 percent of the available capacity.
• Demand: About 42 million people including farmers in Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico depend on Leak mead for their water.
  • Lake Mead attracts more than 9 million visitors each year for swimming, boating, skiing, fishing and other outdoor pursuits.
• Annual Inflow: Lake Mead receives most of its water from snow melt in the Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah Rocky Mountains.
• Annual Outflow: About 9.7 million acre feet (12.0 km³)
  • Evaporation (included in the above): About 800,000 acre feet/ year (0.987 km³).
• Annual Deficit: 1.2 million acre feet (1.5 km³)
• Drought: Colorado River is currently experiencing its 15th consecutive year of drought.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Reclamation has issued the following warning.

Excessive Heat Warning: Visitors to Hoover Dam should expect temperatures at least 10 degrees higher than the Las Vegas area, ranging from [49 to 52 degrees Celsius] 120 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. There is limited shade at Hoover Dam. Visitors must be prepared for the heat with appropriate clothing and extra water, and are encouraged to visit Hoover Dam during morning hours.

Related Links

• Lake Mead at Lowest Level Ever September 23, 2010

Drought and Deluge, Hail and Severe Freezing Destroy Crops in 7 States

Crop disasters declared for 70 counties across seven states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of 70 counties in seven states:  Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming—as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by multiple disasters including drought, severe flooding and hail, as well as severe  freezing.

Disaster Designations due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought

• Washington. Adams, Benton, Columbia, Douglas Franklin, Garfield, Grant, King, Klickitat, Kittitas, Lewis, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pierce, Skamania,Walla Walla,Whitman and  Yakima counties.

• Oregon Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Wallowa and Wasco counties.

Disaster Designations due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought

• Oregon. Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Morrow Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler counties.
• Idaho. Adams, Idaho and Nez Perce counties.
• Washington. Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat and Walla Walla counties.

Disaster Designations due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought

• Idaho. Bingham, Butte, Bonneville, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhiand, and Madison  counties.
• Montana. Beaverhead County.

Disaster Designations due to losses caused by severe flooding and hail that occurred on June 3, 2015, and continues

• Wyoming. Converse, Goshen, Niobrara, Platte and Weston counties.
• Nebraska. Sioux County.
• South Dakota. Cluster and Fall River counties.

Disaster Designations due to damages and losses caused by severe freezing that occurred from Nov. 13, 2014, through Jan. 2, 2015

• Oregon. Clackamas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Marion, Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler counties.
• Washington. Klickitat County.

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 1,329 counties across 22 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.

About 99 percent of the 2015 crop disaster designations so far are due to drought.

Crop Disasters 2014

In 2014, USDA declared crop disasters in at least 2,904 counties across 44 states. Most of the designations were due to drought.

Those states were:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan. Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated as 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 five disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on June 24, 2015 (posted on their website on June 25).

Related Links

• Crop Disasters Declared in Three States June 19, 2015
• Drought Disaster Declared for Counties in Two States June 12, 2015
• Drought Destroys More Crops in Idaho, Oregon, Utah June 4, 2015
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

M5.8 Quake Strikes near Hayes Volcano, Alaska

Earthquake strikes near Mt Gerdine, Alaska

[Editor’s Note: Hayes Volcano is an ice-covered volcano located northeast of Mount Gerdine. The volcano was discovered in 1975.

Centered at 61.662°N 151.976°W, about the quake occurred at a depth of 121km (75mi) WNW of Anchorage, at a depth of 15.3 km (71.6 mi), USGS/EHP reported.

EQ Details

Magnitude: 5.8Mw
Date/ Time: 2015-06-24 at 22:32:20 (UTC)
Nearby Cities:

• 103km (64mi) W of Willow, Alaska
• 121km (75mi) WNW of Anchorage, Alaska
• 127km (79mi) W of Knik-Fairview, Alaska

Related Links

• FIRE-EARTH EARTHQUAKE FORECAST – Alaska May 29, 2015

Wildfires Force Hundreds to Flee Homes in Alaska

Residents evacuated from Yukon River community

A lightning-sparked fire grew to more than 700 acres burning close to the Yukon River village of Nulato, prompting evacuations from the Athabascan community of 250 late Monday, said a report.

State Disaster

Gov. Walker declared a state disaster on June 19 in response to damages caused by multiple wild land fires on the Kenai Peninsula, including the Card Street Fire near Sterling.

“As of Friday, the Kenai Peninsula Borough evacuated hundreds of homes and established emergency shelters for residents displaced by the Card Street Fire. While winds have now shifted away from populated areas, the Card Street Fire has claimed more than 7,500 acres and is now burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.”

Walker also declared a state disaster in response to widespread damages caused by the Sockeye Fire in Willow and the surrounding region on June 16.

Fire Ban

Extremely dry conditions in the Kenai Peninsula, Municipality of Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough have prompted Alaska Division of Forestry and the State Forester to prohibit the use of all open fires and activities, said Alaska DONR in a statement.

Alaska Fire Stats

• Total no. of fires so far this year: >500
• No. of fires in June: 310 [57 new fires ignited Monday]
• Currently burning: 239 fires, burning on 320,000 acres
• No. of Major fires currently active: 10
• Total no. of structures destroyed or damaged: >100
  • The Sockeye wildfire in Willow has destroyed at least 55 homes (45 other properties have sustained major damage to outbuildings.)
  • The fire has displaced more than 800 people.
• Largest fire: 34,000-acre Chisana River 2 fire in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve and the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge.

Wildfires burning in 10 states

Wildfires also continue to burn in the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, in addition to Alaska.

State of California

Some 1,922 fire crews are trying to control a 17,500-acre Lake Fire in n the Barton Flats area and in the northern portion of the San Gorgonio Wilderness (San Bernardino National Forest) east of Los Angeles.

Two other fires, near San Luis Obispo, and the other outside Fresno, have destroyed more than two dozen structures.

State of Oregon

In Oregon, Gov. Brown has  declared drought emergencies for 20 out of Oregon’s 36 counties so far, said spokesman for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.

Large forest fire are burning in Siskiyou National Forest and Whitman National Forest.

State of Washington

Gov. Inslee declared a statewide drought emergency for Washington in May due to the snowpack being at historic lows, dwindling rivers and irrigation districts being forced to cut off water to farmers.

 

M6.9 Quake Strikes North of Bonin Islands, Japan Region

Deep earthquake occurs WNW of Chichi-shima, Japan

Centered at 27.7N, 140.3E the quake occurred at a depth of about 480km at 21:19 JST (UTC + 9:00 hours) on Tuesday, according to Japan weather agency.

The epicenter was located about 900km south of Tokyo, Japan.

Death Toll Rises to about 800 in Karachi Heatwave

Heatwave death toll in Sindh province reaches about 800

More than 100 people died Tuesday from the intense heatwave that has plagued Pakistan’s Sindh province, bringing the three-day death toll to about 800.

More than 3,000 people suffering from heatstroke have been hospitalized since Saturday, including at least 200 who were in a critical condition, according to local reports.

Temperatures reached 43ºC (109 degrees F) in Karachi on Sunday and 49ºC (120 degrees F)  in the southwestern city of Turbat, Pakistan Met Office reported.

Related Links

• Deadly Heatwave Claims About 200 Lives in Pakistan June 22, 2015
• Heatwave Kills at least 485 in Pakistan June 23, 2015

 

Japan Remembers Another Day of Mass Murder

Sent by a reader

Okinawans were ordered to commit suicide (or murdered, if refused)

[Japan is marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa – one of the bloodiest episodes in the Pacific during World War Two. Editor]

The order issued by the “supreme command of the Army and the Navy,” Emperor Hirohito, who was legally supreme commander of the Imperial General Headquarters, where the military decisions were made, also stipulated that those who did not commit suicide should be executed.

About 110,000 Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) soldiers, rapists and mass murderers were either killed or committed suicide, and the Allies lost just over 14,000 troops.

However, the real tragedy was the fate of an estimated 150,000 local civilians who were either killed, committed suicide, murdered for refusing to kill themselves, or starved to death.

“A significant aspect of the Battle of Okinawa was the great loss of civilian life. At more than 100,000 civilian losses far outnumbered the military death toll. Some were blown apart by shells, some finding themselves in a hopeless situation were driven to suicide, some died of starvation, some succumbed to malaria, while other fell victim to the retreating Japanese troops.” http://www.peace-museum.pref.okinawa.jp/english/index.html

[Editor’s Note: Japan lost the Battle of Okinawa, and subsequently the war, in the most dishonorable and humiliating way possible.]

The Japanese soldiers used civilians as human shields against the Americans, or simply murdered them.
http://web.archive.org/web/20060114010134/http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/06/20/news/oki.php

“There were two types of orders for ‘honorable deaths’—one for residents to kill each other and the other for the military to kill all residents.” —From the documentary Nuchigafu by the Korean-Japanese director, Pak Su-nam.

The Japanese Army used civilians as human shields against the Americans. They forced civilians out of their shelters, confiscated food from them and executed those who hid it, leading to a mass starvation among Okinawans.

Japanese soldiers also murdered more than 1,000 Okinawans for speaking their mother tongue to suppress spying.

“You have the Battle of Britain, in which your airmen protected the British people. We had the Battle of Okinawa, in which the exact opposite happened. The Japanese army not only starved the Okinawans but used them as human shields. That dark history is still present today…,” an official of the prefectural government in Okinawa told David Hearst of The Guardian.

In March 2013, Japanese textbook publisher Shimizu Shoin was permitted by MEXT to publish the statements that, “Orders from Japanese soldiers led to Okinawans committing group suicide,” and, “The [Japanese] army caused many tragedies in Okinawa, killing local civilians and forcing them to commit mass suicide.” [Link deleted by Japan’s Mainichi newspaper.]

Related Links

• Japan’s Wartime Shame Documented by … Japanese! April 27, 2014

Heatwave Kills at least 485 in Pakistan

Death toll mounts amid intense heatwave in Sindh province, Pakistan

Pakistan’s opposition parties have decided to observe black day across the country following deaths of at least 485  from the heatwave that has plagued Karachi area, said the state TV.

More than 3,000 affected people were brought to hospitals since Saturday, including at least 200 who were in a critical condition.

Most of  the deaths [at least 474 and a further 11 deaths were reported in southern parts of central Punjab province] occurred in Karachi [pop: ~ 25million,] where temperatures of up to 45ºC  (113ºF) have been recorded in recent days, according to reports.

The temperature difference between the city and its outskirts was as much as 7ºC on Saturday, according to a researcher.

Karachi is the second most populous city in the world after Shanghai.

Most of the victims died from heatstroke, said health officials.

The governor of Sindh province [pop: 45m; density=320/km²] has imposed a state of emergency,  cancelling leave for doctors and other medical staff at all hospitals, and increasing stocks of medical supplies, the report said.

Thousands died in a heatwave in neighboring India in May [official toll put at 2,000.]

Related Links

• Deadly Heatwave Claims About 200 Lives in Pakistan June 22, 2015

Massive destruction in China caused by rainstorms

Extreme rain events (EREs) destroy tens of thousands of homes in China

Mega disasters caused by rainstorms, flooding and landslides have affected millions of people across large swathes of southern, southwestern and central China, leaving scores of people dead, injured, or missing and about 500,000 others homeless, since early June.

“As of Wednesday [June 17, 2015,] the rainstorms that began pelting southern China on Sunday [June 13, 2015,] had left at least 42 dead and 36 missing,” causing direct economic loss of “2.04 billion yuan (298.68 million U.S. dollars).”

Extreme rain events (EREs) have affected more than 1.43 million people in the flooded provinces of Guangxi, Sichuan, Guangdong, Jiangxi and Fujian, said a report.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-06/17/c_13354477.htm

Southern China has received “14 rounds of heavy rainfall since June 13th,” which have triggered severe flooding and landslides, the Ministry of Water Resources have said.

“Over 100,000 residents have been evacuated in hardest-hit Fujian, Sichuan, and Guangdong provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Resulting floods have damaged more than 7,000 houses… The situation remains serious as rainstorms are to continue battering most regions in southern China for the next three days.”
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/video/2010-06/17/c_13355065.htm

“The death toll from rain-triggered landslides and flooding in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has climbed to 51 with two people still missing, the local government said Saturday.”

“In Rongxian County of Yulin City alone, 30 people were confirmed dead after rain-triggered landslides buried several homes in two mountainside villages on Tuesday, the county’s emergency rescue headquarters said in a press release.

“A similar disaster killed at least a dozen people in Cenxian County, where rescue work was continuing Saturday. Heavy rain and subsequent floods and landslides had hit 42 counties in nine cities including Laibin, Yulin and Wuzhou this week,” the regional flood prevention and drought control office said, Xinhua reported.

At least 11,000 houses have been destroyed, “forcing 200,000 people to evacuate,” the report said.

“As of Saturday, rain-triggered disasters have destroyed 15 reservoirs and about 4,000 irrigation facilities,” the office said.

“Guangxi’s grain output would be down by about 150,850 tonnes.”
http://english.cntv.cn/20100605/101502.shtml

“Six people were killed and two more missing after rainstorms caused 1,500 houses to collapse in central China’s Hunan Province Tuesday, local authorities said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-06/08/c_13340296.htm

“Classes for 65,000 schoolchildren have been suspended and more than 165,000 people have been evacuated as strong rains pounded south China, local authorities said Saturday. Heavy rains since Friday have swept across 36 counties and cities in Hunan Province, destroying more than 2,000 buildings … and damaging more than 10,000 homes.”

“The new round of heavy rains starting Friday also caused havoc in east China’s Jiangxi Province. Apart from causing one death, 44,600 more people were forced to evacuate,” said the Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

“Also in Jiangxi, 1,531 homes were damaged, and the direct economic losses were estimated at 718 million yuan (about 105.59 million U.S.dollars), the provincial headquarters said.”

“The new round of heavy rains also pounded east China’s two other regions of Shanghai and Zhejiang Province, but there were no details of damages.”
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-05/22/c_13309748.htm

Environmental Emergency Declared in Santiago amid Hazardous Smog

Suffocating smog forces Chilean govt. to declare state of emergency in Santiago

Chilean officials have declared an environmental emergency in response to PM2.5-rich smog in the capital, Santiago.

The emergency measures requires about 3,000 factories and other polluting businesses to stay closed on Monday. Additionally, 40 percent of the capital’s 1.8 million cars will stay off the roads, said Santiago regional governor Orrego Larrain.

“We’re currently facing unusual conditions, with one of the driest Junes in over 40 years as well as really bad air circulation conditions over the Santiago valley in recent days, which boosts the concentration of contamination,” said  the Environment Ministry.

The restrictions would remain in place for 24 hours, while dangerously high pollution levels persists, but can be extended if no improvement in the conditions results.

Meanwhile, the health officials have urged Santiago residents to avoid outdoor exercise, while the emergency measures last.

Santiago [metro population: ~ 7.5 million] is located in Chile’s central valley, at an elevation of 520 m (1,706 ft) above the sea level.

Deadly Heatwave Claims About 200 Lives in Pakistan

Updated

Heatwave in Pakistan’s Sindh province kills about 200 people

Massive heatwave has killed about 200 people in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province [pop: 45m; density=320/km².]

Most of  the deaths occurred in Karachi [pop: ~ 25million,] where temperatures of up to 45ºC  (113ºF) have been recorded in recent days, according to local reports.

The temperature difference between the city and its outskirts was as much as 7ºC on Saturday, according to a researcher.

Karachi is the second most populous city in the world after Shanghai.

Thousands died in a heatwave in neighboring India in May [official toll put at 2,000.]

National High and Low Temperature

Meanwhile, the National High and Low Temperatures for the contiguous United States were as follows:

High Temperature for Sunday, June 21, 2015

• 50ºC  (122ºF) at Death Valley, CA

Low Temperature for Sunday, June 21, 2015

• -1ºC  (30ºF) at Charleston [a ghost town in Elko County, NV]

[Source: NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD Issued 2 am EDT Monday, June 22, 2015]

Excessive Heat Warnings or Heat Advisories are currently in effect in parts of at least 12 states, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).