FIRE-EARTH Disaster Diary – June 18, 2013

73 killed, tens of thousands stranded in north India extreme monsoon

Death toll from flooding and landslides triggered by extreme monsoon rains in north India climbed to at least 73 on Tuesday, said a report.

Meantime, about 73,000 pilgrims bound for the Himalayan shrines weer reportedly stranded in monsoon-ravaged Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Severe flooding and landslips have also destroyed hundreds of homes and dozens of hotels and other commercial buildings, as well as roads and other infrastructure.

The authorities have evacuated thousands of people  living in low-lying areas along the River Yamuna, as  the water level rose above the “danger mark,” said the report.

Road collapses, as flooded river rages in Uttarakhand. Photo credit: AFP. Image may be subject to copyright.

“We are on a war footing, we are working day and night,” said an official in Uttarkashi, where two national highways were blocked by landslides.

Related Links

• Dozens Dead or Missing in India amid Extreme Monsoon Rains June 17, 2013

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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch for eight states

U.S. Weather Hazards Map. June 18, 2013. Source: NWS

Severe Weather Possible for Parts of northern Rockies, High Plains, Ohio Valley, and Carolinas: NWS

The NWS Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a risk of severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening for four distinct areas across the U.S.: from central Idaho into northwestern Montana; from northwest Texas to extreme southeastern Montana; across central Illinois, southern Indiana and into northern Kentucky; and across the central and eastern Carolinas.

High and Low Temperature for the Contiguous U.S.

High Temperature for Monday, June 17, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 18)

• 115 degrees (46.1ºC) recorded at Ocotillo Wells, CA

Low Temperature for Teusday, June 18, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 18)

• 29 degrees (-1.7ºC) recorded at Kenton, MI
• 29 degrees (-1.7ºC) recorded at Doe Lake, MI

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Popocatépetl Volcano Erupts [again]

Popocatépetl volcano erupted on Monday, sending a column of ash and volcanic gases and into the air and prompting the authorities  to raise the volcano alert level to Yellow (Phase 2.) Access to a 12-km zone around the volcano is  restricted.

Popocatépetl volcano Erupts.  Image Source: CENAPRED

Dozens Dead or Missing in India amid Extreme Monsoon Rains

Deadly flooding and landslides triggered by extreme rains wreak havoc across northern India

Earliest ever monsoon rains has covered the entire India, according to the country’s Met Office, triggering sever flooding that have inundated hundreds of towns and villages,  sweeping away homes, businesses and public infrastructure.

At least 50 people are known to have died, as of posting,  and many more are missing.

Footage shows apartment blocks in Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand surrounded by flood waters, before one is swept away.

Mumbai has been crippled by torrential rains and high winds, with many low-lying areas in the city and suburbs flooded.

“The situation is very grim. The meteorological office has predicted that the rain will continue for another three days at least,” said a government spokesman.

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Singapore, Malaysia suffocate as Indonesia forest fires intensify

The air quality index in Malaysia and Singapore fell to unhealthy levels on Monday, as smoke from illegal forest clearing in Indonesia blanketed the region.

Singapore government has advised people to stay indoors,  as the pollutant standards index climbed to its highest level in seven years, said a report.

“Given the current hazy conditions, it is advised that children, the elderly and those with heart or lung diseases reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor activities… Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor activities,” said Singapore’s National Environment Agency.

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Black Forest Fire: Initial Home Assessment

Updated: June 16, 2013 at approximately 7:30 p.m. (DST) – El Paso County Sheriff’s office

The extent of damage caused by the Black Forest Fire to homes in the region is as follows:

• Total Loss: 483
• Partial Damage: 17

Note: This is a preliminary home assessment. Due to continuous and dynamic fire activity the information could change.

The blaze was reportedly 65 percent contained, as of posting.

• Initial Home Assessment
• Black Forest Fire Map

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Red Flag Warning Issued for Most of Alaska

NWS has issued for most of Alaska, as several fires rage across the states, including a lightning-caused fire near Lime Village in the central Kuskokwim River, which grew  rapidly Sunday evening. “It had more than doubled, to 12,260 acres, in 48 hours, according to a news release issued at 7:45 p.m. Sunday,” said a report.

Fire danger is expected to be extreme over the next 5 days, forecasters said.

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High and Low Temperature for the Contiguous U.S.

High Temperature for Sunday, June 16, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 17)

• 114 degrees (45.6ºC) recorded at Ocotillo Wells, CA

Low Temperature for Monday, June 17, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 17)

• 30 degrees (-1.1ºC) recorded at Stanley, ID

World’s High and Low Temperature

Max Temp.  June 17, 2013  at 15:00 UTC

• 126.5 degrees (52.5ºC) recorded at Socotra, Yemen

Min Temp.  June 17, 2013  at 15:00 UTC

• -101.4 degrees (-74.1ºC)  recorded at Concordia, Antarctica

[Source: National Weather Service/NCEP]

Related Links

World Record High Temperature Could Be Broken This Year

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