Beijing Buried in Heavy Smog – Take 4

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,138 Days Left 

[January 29, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,138 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

Beijingers choking by ‘worst fog ever’

Round 4 of heavy smog in less than 4 weeks, described by Beijingers as the ‘worst fog ever,’ enveloped the Chinese capital on Monday, worsening on Tuesday, and severely affecting visibility in large portions of the city, Xinhua reported.

The pea soup fog reduced visibility in downtown Beijing to such extent that office workers could no longer see the building tops.

Putrid air has caused a surge in respiratory illnesses, especially among children and the elderly, the report said.

A pediatric hospital in downtown Beijing has treated a record 9,000 children this month, mostly flu, pneumonia, tracheitis, bronchitis and asthma patients.

Air quality in Beijing on Tuesday hit 517 on an index maintained by the U.S. Embassy in the Chinese capital, which described the pollution as “Beyond Index,” said Reuters.

• The choking smog enveloped several cities, covering a total area of 1.3 million square kilometers Tuesday, said the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP).
  

 

 

Related Links

• Heavy Smog Entombs Beijing Again   January 23, 2013
• Breathtaking Beijing January 14, 2013
• Hazardous Air Warnings in Beijing as Landslide Kills Dozens in SW China January 12, 2013

Egypt could collapse if political crisis continues

Egypt’s army chief warned today that the state could collapse should the current political turmoils continue.

• At least 60 people have been killed in the past 4 days as protesters across much of Egypt battle the police.
• “The continuation of the conflict between the different political forces and their differences over how the country should be run could lead to the collapse of the state and threaten future generations,” said the army chief, who is also the country’s defense minister.
• “The military is Egypt’s most powerful institution and was the de facto ruler since a 1952 coup by army officers seized power and later toppled the monarchy,” said a report.

• Hell would freeze over before Egyptians are allowed to have a functioning democracy!

Australian floods force evacuation of thousands in 2 states

• Burnett River burst its banks, flooding at least 2,000 homes in Bundaberg, Queensland.
  • The river was expected to peak above 9.6m, some 1.5m above the 2010 flood level.
  • “Those flood levels will be one of the highest levels recorded for the whole of the Bundaberg and Burnett region,” said Queensland Police Minister.
  • About 8,000 people have been displaced across the flooded city.

• The storm cell moved south triggering extreme rain in parts of New South Wales, prompting the forced evacuation of at least 2,500 residents in the city of Grafton, as rising water threatened the levees.

Related Links

• Final Eviction Notice to Australians? January 28, 2013

Washington Declared a Disaster Area

Disaster in Washington state caused by severe winter storm, flooding, landslides, and mudslides

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Washington in the areas affected by a severe winter storm, flooding, landslides and mudslides during the period of January 14-23, 2012.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 6

[March 6, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,471 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Washington, USA.   The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Washington in the areas affected by a severe winter storm, flooding, landslides, and mudslides during the period of January 14-23, 2012.
  • Areas worst affected by the disasters were Clallam, Grays Harbor, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties.

Other Global Disasters

• The Republic of Congo.The U.S. State Department has declared disaster in Congo after explosions in the capital Brazzaville.
  • The death toll from Sunday’s explosion that flattened buildings in Brazzaville has climbed to at least 236.
  • Many others are believed to be trapped under debris and the death toll may rise.
  • The explosions were reportedly started by a fire at a munition depot.

• Georgia, USA.  A state of emergency has been declared in Paulding County, Ga., after an EF3 tornado hit the area.
  • The tornado damaged or destroyed more than 160 buildings.
  • “The Paulding County Regional Airport is temporarily closed due to more than $6 million in damage. Twenty-three planes were damaged, and 18 are a total loss, but authorities hope to have the runway open by the end of the week,”  said a report.

• NSW, Australia.  NSW state government has declared a state of emergency for Wagga Wagga.
  • The deluge in the region has already been  described as the worst flooding in 40 years.
  • Wagga residents are working frantically to raise levee banks to hold back rising flood waters of the Murrumbidgee River.
  • The Burrinjuck dam, upstream from the city, has already reached about 110 per cent of its safe capacity, reports said.
  • Up to 10,000 people have already been evacuated from the Wagga Wagga CBD and those who stayed to protect their properties are now being urged to leave.
  • Wagga Wagga has received 188mm of rain since Feb. 27, its highest rainfall on record, causing the worst flooding in 160 years.
  • Since the NSW flooding began last week, about 14,000 people have been evacuated and at least 7,500 others have been isolated.
  • The cost of restoring roads, properties, fencing, livestock and infrastructure has already exceeded A$500 million, local government officials have said.
• Queensland and Victoria. Widespread flooding continues also in two other states of Queensland and Victoria, with some areas receiving more than 160mm of rain in less than 48 hours.

• Afghanistan.  A massive avalanche has obliterated a village in Afghanistan’s north-eastern Badakhshan province near the Tajikistan border, killing art least 40 people, and injuring more than a dozen.
  • The death toll is expected to rise as many others are reported missing.
  • Avalanches in the Badakhshan province left dozens of people dead in January.

• UK.  “Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 121 farms [up from 92 farm on March 2, and 11 farms on January 31, 2012.] Eight of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 113 in sheep, and none to date in other species. Four new counties have reported disease: Devon, Dorset, Cambridgeshire and Somerset,” AHVLA reported. “So far, none of the affected farms have reported importing animals during 2011 from the affected areas in mainland Europe. SBV infection has only been identified in areas at risk of midge incursion from Northern Europe during summer / autumn 2011.”
• Germany.  In Germany, animals on at least 847 farms have been tested positive for Schmallenberg virus, as of March 5, 2012, FLI reported.
• Rest of Europe. Numbers of Schmallenberg infection in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg appear to be heavily under-reported.

Australian Disasters

• Australia: Weather systems to remember!
• New South Wales (NSW), Australia: Disaster Declaration Extended
• Australia: 5 disaster areas declared in NSW following severe flooding Posted  on January 30, 2012
• Flooded Australia: Thousands Evacuated in 3 States Posted  on January 25, 2012
• Wildfire Consumes 1 Million Acres in WA Posted on January 18, 2012
• Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia: FIRE-EARTH Forecast

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

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

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

Thousands More Flee Australia’s NSW Floods

UPDATE: An urgent evacuation order affecting more than 8,000 residents has been issued for central Wagga Wagga in southern NSW as floodwaters continue to rise to a 160-year high.

MAJOR FLOOD WARNING FOR THE MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER

Issued at 10:00 pm EDT on Monday 5 March 2012

Flood Warning Number: 30

The Murrumbidgee River at Wagga is expected to peak near 10.90 metres around 9:00am Tuesday morning with major flooding. This prediction is slightly higher than the 1974 flood event.

The Murrumbidgee River flood peak at 9:00pm Monday was upstream at Eringoarrah where the peak level exceeded the 1974 flood height.

Major flooding is expected downstream of Wagga Wagga.  (Source Australia BOM)

9 more areas declared disaster zones; at least 5,000 ordered to evacuate NSW flooded areas

Severe flooding across three Australian states has left at least two people dead and forced more than 5,000 to evacuate.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 5

[March 5, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,472 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

•  Australia.  Severe flooding across three Australian states has left at least two people dead and forced more than 5,000 to evacuate, with many others placed on high alert as flood levels continue to rise.

Australia rain map (week ending March 5, 2012)

• New South Wales (NSW).  The state government has declared 9 more areas disaster zones.
  • The new local government disaster zones are: Young, Upper Lachlan, Boorowa, Weddin, Coolamon, Corowa, Gundagai, Snowy River and Cooma-Monaro.
  • The government has now declared more than 35 local government areas as natural disasters due to extreme rainfall events.
  • Many areas remain isolated after the unprecedented rain including the towns of Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera.
  • Also evacuated are parts of Cowra, Ungarie and Yoogali.
  • Flood warnings have been issued for 15 river valleys across NSW.
  • The Murrumbidgee river has breached its banks in several areas, threatening to inundate the city of Wagga Wagga (pop: ~ 50,000).
  • Major Flooding Forecast for Wagga Wagga, Naranderra, Darlington Point, Carathool, Hay and Balranald.
• Queensland (QLD).  Parts of the state of Queensland (QLD) have been hit by the floods following torrential rainfalls.
  • A  town north of Brisbane, capital of QLD, received 312 mm (12.3 inches) of rain in a 24-hour period.
  • Flood warnings posted here.
• Victoria. Flood and weather warnings for the state of Victoria posted here.

Other Global Disasters

• KZN, South Africa.  “Hundreds of families have been left homeless and many roads and streets in Durban and other coastal areas north of the city right up to Kosi Bay were turned into raging rivers as tropical storm Irina wreaked havoc across the province,” a report said.

Australian Disasters

• Australia: Weather systems to remember!
• New South Wales (NSW), Australia: Disaster Declaration Extended
• Australia: 5 disaster areas declared in NSW following severe flooding Posted  on January 30, 2012
• Flooded Australia: Thousands Evacuated in 3 States Posted  on January 25, 2012
• Wildfire Consumes 1 Million Acres in WA Posted on January 18, 2012
• Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia: FIRE-EARTH Forecast

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

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

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

Europe’s Big Freeze Deepens: Hundreds Dead

Deepening freeze in eastern and central Europe claims at least 300 lives

As the death toll from the deepening big freeze climbs into the hundreds, with  thousands of others hit by hypothermia and frostbite, more countries enact states of emergency.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – February 4

[February 4, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,502 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Central and eastern Europe.    Death toll from the big freeze in central and eastern Europe has climbed to at least 300, with thousands of others afflicted with hypothermia and frostbite.
  • Serbia. The government has extended its emergency declaration to cover at least 23 municipalities across the country.
    • More emergency measures are being considered including the closure of schools, a report said.

Other Global Disasters

• South Sudan. About 40 people were killed in South Sudan during a peace meeting, which was held to end recent killing in the region, officials said.

• NSW, Australia.  The state government in Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) has declared Gunnedah in northern NSW a disaster area as heavy rain and severe flooding continue devastating the state .
  • Gunnedah is the 17th Local Government Area to be declared a disaster zone.
  • Other areas recently declared as disaster zones are Local Government Areas of Bellingen, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Inverell, Nambucca, Kempsey, Tweed Shire, Tenterfield, Greater Taree, Moree, Narrabri and Gwydir, a report said.

• Alabama, USA. The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Alabama. Severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of January 22-23, 2012 brought great devastation to Chilton and Jefferson Counties.
• Idaho, USA.  Selenium contamination from a phosphate mine in southeastern Idaho is responsible for fish deformities such as two-headed trout, and the disaster would worsen if discharge limits into the Snake River were to be relaxed, according to a new official report.
  • “The toxic effects of selenium pollution drew widespread attention and study in the mid-1980s, when the chemical was found to cause deformities like protruding brains in 65 percent of ducks, herons and other birds and a massive fish die-off at Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge in California.”

• Obama’s War on Afghanistan.   Civilian deaths in Afghanistan has risen for the fifth year in a row to a record high, a U.N. report said.
  • A record 3,021 noncombatants were killed in 2011, a rise of 8% over the previous year.
  • The number of internally displaced people, driven from their homes due to the war violence, also rose sharply by a whopping 45%, the report said.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

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

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

• Flooded Australia: Thousands Evacuated in 3 States
• Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia: FIRE-EARTH Forecast
• Wildfire Consumes 1 Million Acres in WA

• Australia: 5 disaster areas declared in NSW following severe flooding

Disaster declared in Qld, Australia as flooding worsens

Major emergency as rivers in Southern Qld continue to rise

Flooding across the two Australian states of Queensland (Qld) and New South Wales (NSW) is rapidly worsening, with southwest Qld declared a disaster area, while tens of thousands of residents are reportedly isolated by rising floodwaters in northern NSW and southern Qld.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – February 3

[February 3, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,503 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Qld and NWS, Australia. Southwest Qld has been declared a major disaster area, as flooding across the two Australian states of Queensland (Qld) and New South Wales (NSW) rapidly worsens, with tens of thousands of residents  reportedly isolated by rising floodwaters in northern NSW and southern Qld.
  • “Half of the houses in the town of Mitchell, 560 km west of Brisbane, have been affected by a major flood peak in the Maranoa River and it’s expected to reach 9.6 m later today.”
  • The town of Moree in northern NSW has been cut off by floodwaters, isolating about 10,000 residents, the State Emergency Service (SES) said.

Other Global Disasters

• Alaska, USA.  The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Alaska due to a severe storm during the period of November 15-17, 2011.
  • The severe storm caused widespread devastation in the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
• Eastern and Central Europe.The 10-day death toll from the big freeze in eastern and central Europe has claimed to at least 280.
  • The largest reported death tolls are in Ukraine (107), Russia (60), Poland (43) and Romania (28).
  • More weather related  deaths have been reported throughout the region including in Bosnia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine.
  • At least 1,500 people have sought medical help for hypothermia and frostbites.
  • In parts of Kazakhstan temperatures fell to as low -50º C (minus 58º F) setting a new record.
• Global.  An estimated 1.2 million people, about 90 percent of whom were  Africans, died from malaria in 2010, according to a new study.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

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

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

• Flooded Australia: Thousands Evacuated in 3 States
• Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia: FIRE-EARTH Forecast
• Wildfire Consumes 1 Million Acres in WA

• Australia: 5 disaster areas declared in NSW following severe flooding

Snow Kills 52, Injures Hundreds in Japan

More than 4 meters of snow buries parts of northern and eastern Japan

Snow-related incidents have left at least 52 people dead and about a thousand others injured, more than 350 of them seriously, in northern and eastern Honshu, Japan’s main island.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – February 2

[February 2, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,504 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Japan.  Snow-related incidents have left at least 52 people dead and about a thousand others injured, about 350 of them seriously, in northern and eastern Honshu, Japan’s main island.
  • More than 4 meters of snow has fallen in parts of Aomori Prefecture, northern Honshu.
  • Yamagata and Niigata prefectures have received more than 3 meters, while Tottori and Nagano prefectures each reported more than 2 meters of snow.
  • The Aomori prefectural government has set up more than a dozen disaster relief centers.
  • Niigata Prefecture has issued disaster declaration in at least 7 municipalities, a report said.
  • More snow is expected to fall along the Sea of Japan coast until at least Saturday, Japan Meteorological Agency reported.
  • UPDATE:   At least 4 more people were killed by avalanches in northern Akita prefecture, raising the death toll to 56, as of posting.
  • Temperatures in northern Aomori prefecture fell to 15ºF, with about 4.32 meters of snow reported on the ground.

Other Global Disasters

• Port Said, Egypt. About 80 people have been killed and more than a thousand others injured in clashes between rival fans following a soccer match in the Egyptian city of Port Said, reports said.
• Papua New Guinea (PNG).A ferry carrying at least 350 passengers has sunk off the north coast of PNG, officials said.
  • Between 30 to 50 people have been rescued, according to different groups, with more than 300 others missing, presumed drowned.
• Europe. The weather-related death toll in eastern and central Europe has climbed to at least 120, as the big freeze intensifies.
• Utah, USA.  The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Utah in the area affected by a severe storm during the period of November 30 to December 1, 2011.
  • The severe storm packing winds of  up to 110 mph tore through homes and businesses causing substantial damage in Davis County.

Flying debris caused by high winds in Farmington (Davis County Sheriff’s Office). via abc4

• Mitchell, QLD, Australia. Authorities have declared “a disaster situation” in Mitchell as floodwaters invade the town, a report said.
  • Under the declaration, they have the power to enforce mandatory evacuations.
  • At least 8 other towns in southwest Queensland are on flood alert, with more heavy rain forecast, ABOM said.
• NSW,  Australia.    The New South Wales town of Moree is bracing for its worst flooding in nearly 4 decades, a report said.
  • “About 2,300 people have been ordered to leave their homes or businesses and by tonight the town will be effectively cut in half.”
  • Meanwhile,  at Pallamallawa, helicopters are airlifting 600 trapped residents in major rescue operation.
  • An undisclosed number of tourists have been trapped by flooding at Takarakka Bush Resort, south-west of Rockhampton, central Queensland, since Australia Day, a report said.
  • The State Emergency Service has issued an evacuation ORDER for communities within North West NSW and is continuing to update them on their website.

• Moscow, Russia.   At least ten people have been killed and dozens more injured following a series of car accidents caused by snow and icy roads in Moscow, a report said.
  • “The snowstorm will continue in the Russian capital, and weather conditions may become even more extreme: meteorologists expect an ice storm in the city.”

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

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

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

• Freezing Weather Kills Scores in Eastern Europe
• Egyptian army kills at least a dozen demonstrators
• Deadly Winter Follows ‘Arab Spring’
• Australia: 5 disaster areas declared in NSW following severe flooding

• Flooded Australia: Thousands Evacuated in 3 States
• Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia: FIRE-EARTH Forecast