Beijing Issues ‘Crazy Smog’ Alert

Self-imposed “house arrest” for N. China; potentially deadly consequences if they break the “curfew”

Heavy smog covers a massive area measuring 530,000 km² around Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, as hazardous air pollution chokes 31 cities, said CCTVNews.

A thick blanket of smog, containing potentially deadly pollution, covered 31 cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi and Henan on Sunday and Monday, prompting authorities to issue a ‘crazy smog’ alert.

Resident in Beijing and other affected cities have been advised to stay indoors.

Smog will persist in most parts of north China through Wednesday, said the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Image source: http://aqicn.org/

Meanwhile,  the air quality in the Indian capital, New Delhi, also plunged into “hazardous” territory as thick smog choked the city, reducing visibility to about 100 meters.

Road-melting Heat Kills at least 800 across India

Death toll mounts in India’s near 50-degree heat

An intense heatwave has killed at least 806 people across India melting roads in the capital New Delhi as temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees).

Official death toll is as follows (the real toll may be much higher).
In the worst-hit state of Andhra Pradesh, in the south, 551 people have died over the past week with temperatures exceeding 47ºC on Monday.

In the bordering state of Telangana, at least 231 people have died, with temperatures reported in excess of 48ºC over the weekend.

The heatwave has also killed 11 people in the western state of Orissa, and 13 others in the eastern state of West Bengal.

Meantime, India’s Meteorological Department has issued a “Red Box” warning for several states on Tuesday and Wednesday, forecasting maximum temperatures above 45ºC.

Maximum temperature in the capital reached a high of 45.5ºC on Monday, some five degrees above the seasonal average.

National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous U.S.)
NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD
Issued 8 am EDT Tuesday, May 26, 2015

High Temperature for Monday, May 25, 2015

• 39ºC  (102 degrees) at Death Valley, CA

Low Temperature for Tuesday, May 26, 2015

• -1ºC (31 degrees) at Grants-Milan, NM

Air Pollution Levels Climb in China, India

Another off-the-chart day for air pollution in China and India

Beijing’s air quality turned “Hazardous” with the pollution index climbing to 385 on Sunday at 21:00 local time.

[Hazardous Air Pollution – Mandatory Health Alert: Everyone may experience more serious health effects]

Beijing’s air quality index (AQI) climbed to 385 on Sunday at 21:00. In several other populous municipalities the index climbed to between 660 and 700. Source: http://aqicn.org/

India: a “gang-rape” of different kind

In the Indian capital of New Delhi, it was a “gang-rape” of different kind as the pollution index reached 999.

New Delhi again reported the worst level of air pollution anywhere in the world today, with index climbing to 999.  Source: http://aqicn.org/

Related Links

• It won’t get any better, before it gets a lot worse! October 22, 2013
• Major City Shuts Down in China Smog Emergency  October 21, 2013

Australia on Fire: Tasmania Burning

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,162 Days Left 

[January 5, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,162 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...

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Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Thousands evacuated or stranded as Tasmania wildfires destroy at least 100 homes

A major heatwave striking much of Australia has sent temperatures soaring to 41.8ºC in the Tasmanian state capital Hobart (highest ever recorded temperature), sparking dozens of separate fires, many of which are currently burning out of control.

• The authorities have blamed the fires on a combination of a record-breaking heatwave, high winds and drought.
• “Clearly, it’s going to take a long time and a lot of work to properly contain these fires.” Said the Tasmanian Fire Service spokesman.
• “Hundreds are still sheltering in evacuation centers in fire-affected parts of the states,” a report said.
• Most of southern Australia remains under record-breaking heat.
• “The current heatwave is unusual due to its areal extent,” said BOM. “More than 70 per cent of the continent is currently experiencing heatwave conditions.”

Alaska Earthquake

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.5Mw struck southern Alaska (55.238°N, 134.777°W) some 102 km (63 miles) W of Craig, at a depth of about 9.9 km (6.2 miles) on Saturday, January 05, 2013 at 08:58 UTC, USGS/EHP reported.

• An initial tsunami Warning for the region, issued by The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, was later cancelled as no destructive waves were reported.

EQ Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP

Global Extremes of Temperature

• Australia. The temperatures in South Australian capital, Adelaide, topped 45 degrees Celsius.

• China. National average temperature in China has fallen to minus 3.8 degrees Celsius (-3.8ºC), the lowest in 28 years.
  • Temperatures in northeast China have plunged to minus 15.3 degrees Celsius (-15ºC), a 43-year low, China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said Saturday.
  • The average temperature in northern China dropped to -7.4ºC (18.7ºF), a 42-year low CMA said.

• New Delhi, India.  The Indian city recorded a maximum daily temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius (min. temp. dipped to 4.4ºC), some 11 degrees below normal for this time of the year.  Today was also the first time in 44 years for the temperature to fall below 10 degrees.

• Colorado, USA. The coldest place in the continental United States was Alamosa this week, as the temperatures in the San Luis Valley city plunged to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-35.5ºC) on Wednesday, minus 33 on Thursday, and at least -34 on Friday. [Our thoughts are intensely focused on OH and RI.]

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun