3.5 Million People Affected by Climatic Events in Philippines

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – April 25, 2016

An estimated 3.5 million people have been affected by climatic events, including El Niño, across the Philippines, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

As of  April 20, DSWD released US$14.8 million for food assistance and cash-for-work programs, officials said.

Japan

Following the two powerful earthquakes that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on April 14 and 16, an estimated 60,000 people remain in more than 600 evacuation shelters. “The Government has secured apartment units for 8,350 households as temporary accommodation,” said UNOCHA.

The official toll stands at 48 fatalities and more than 1,400 injuries.

Timor Leste

An estimated 120,000 people are in need of water, food sanitation, health, and education support across five municipalities of Lautém, Viqueque, Baucau, Covalima and Oecusse, which have been severely impacted by El Niño-induced drought, said UNOCHA.

Myanmar

High winds, hail and torrential rains have buffeted more than 40 townships across Mandalay and Sagaing regions and Shan, Kachin and Chin states in Myanmar. Destroying or damaging thousands of houses damaged. “As of 25 April, authorities confirmed 14 deaths and 18 people injured due to the severe weather conditions – these figures are expected to change as more information becomes available. In Kachin, strong winds destroyed internally displaced persons (IDP) shelter and camp structures.”  [UNOCHA]

“On 16 and 19 April, fighting reportedly broke out between the military and an armed group identified as part of the Arakan Army in Kyautaw and Rathedaung townships, Rakhine State. Village authorities confirmed that about 80 households (380 people) were displaced. Local authorities and the military provided rice and basic health care services to the displaced people.”

Samoa

Category 2 Tropical Cyclone AMOS brought heavy rains triggering landslides in Upolu Island and flooding low lying coastal areas [April 23 -24.] “Electricity and water supply was temporarily disrupted across the archipelago – power outages affected 70 per cent of the country. No fatalities have been reported.” [UNOCHA]

 

 

Deadly Heatwave Intensifies in India, Odisha Broils at Record 48.5ºC

Record-breaking heat claims more lives in eastern India

Mercury rose to a record 48.5ºC in Titlagarh (aka, Titilagarh) in the Indian state of Odisha on Sunday, breaking the town’s highest temperature record  for April set 17 years, said reports.

“Titlagarh had crossed 50 degree Celsius mark in 2003 on June 5 when it posted 50.1 degrees Celsius. Also, for the month of April, it is the highest since 1999 when on April 30 that year the place had registered 48.1 degrees Celsius,” said the director of meteorological center in the state capital Bhubaneswar.

The Odisha government has confirmed at least 88 deaths due to the heatwave across  the state, said a report.

Record or near-record temperatures have also been reported in dozens of towns and cities along the eastern seaboard.

Heatwaves have killed about 300 people in India, so far this year, local media reported.

Meanwhile, bout 45,000 people have been affected by flooding as the first wave of floods inundated more than 1,000 hectares of crops across four districts of Assam, said the state disaster management authority.

Related

• Significant Events – April 23, 2016
•  330 Million People Affected by Severe Drought: Indian Govt  April 20, 2016