Severe Flooding Swamps W. Uganda, Slovenia, BA, Argentina

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC DISASTERS
MAJOR DISASTERS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING
SCENARIOS 900, 477, 444, 111,  097, 071, 070, 066, 047, 027, 025, 023
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Deadly Floods Triggered by EREs Hit Buenos Aires Province

Extreme Rain Events (EREs) since late October have flooded the Luján River, inundating large areas across 23 districts in Buenos Aires Province, and forcing more than 5,300 evacuations, government sources were reported as saying.

The worst affected areas are Tigre, Quilmes, San Fernando, Ensenada and Lomas de Zamora, as well as Luján and La Matanza.

At least two deaths have been attributed to the flooding, said a report.

EREs Displace Thousands in Western Uganda

At least 16,000 people have been displaced in the western Uganda due to severe flooding after River Semliki burst its banks following extreme rain events (EREs)

Slovenia issues more flood alerts

Flood alerts have been issued for central and southern Slovenia as extreme rain events continued to pound the country.

Thousands of homes around Ljubljana, the capital and largest city of Slovenia, have been flooded as rivers continued rising, local media reported.

State of Emergency Declared in Lithuania due to Deadly Swine Fever

EMERGING & RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
DEADLY AFRICAN SWINE FEVER
SCENARIOS 444, 333, 078,  011
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Deadly African Swine Fever Spreads in Lithuania

Lithuanian government has declared a  state of emergency following an outbreak of the deadly African swine fever (ASF) in Ignalina region.

African swine fever was originally discovered in Lithuania in January 2014, and soon spread to neighboring Latvia resulting in high death rates among pigs in both countries.

Poland confirmed its first case of African swine fever (ASF) last week at a farm near Bialystok, close to Belarus border.

The admission by Polish authorities followed numerous reports of African Swine Fever cases among wild boar populations in northeast Poland.

Polish pork exports in the first quarter of 2014 dropped by at least 6 percent due to the ASF outbreak, with China and Russia imposing restrictions on imports.

Meanwhile, ASF has killed thousands of pigs in Adjumani District of Uganda since the outbreak of the viral disease in November 2013.

ASF Virus

• ASF spreads extremely rapidly because it’s highly contagious and has a complex epidemiology.
• The virus can survive in a protein environment, especially in meat and meat products, for long periods.
• The disease mortality rate is almost 100 percent.
• ASF has no vaccine as of now.

 

DR Congo Emergency

Entire Population Flee DRC Town Amid Fighting

More than 800,000 people have fled their homes since fighting began in March 2012

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the entire population of Bunagana town, bordering Uganda, has fled fighting between government and rebel forces, residents were quoted as saying.

Fresh fighting erupted between Congolese government troops and rebel fighters, forcing about 10,000 people flee their  homes in Bunagana, the main base of the rebels called the “M23 movement” on the DR Congo-Uganda border, according to UNHCR.

New arrivals in Uganda at the Bunagana crossing point. Since Friday, more than 10,000 people have crossed through Bunagana, according to UNHCR figures. News reports said the government had captured Bunagana today, but aid workers heard sound of gunfire and explosions before leaving the border area for security reasons and before an air attack left people injured inside Uganda. Source: UNHCR/OPM

More than 56,000 Congolese from eastern provinces of the DRC have arrived in Uganda, so far this year, said UNHCR. Congolese refugees make up 65 per cent of the entire refugee population of 234,000 in Uganda alone.

“Eastern DR Congo has been wracked by conflict since 1994, when Hutu militias fled across the border from Rwanda after carrying out a genocide against Tutsis and moderate Hutus,” said a report.

Located in central Africa, DRC is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa the 11th largest country in the world, with an area of 2,345,409 km², and has a population of about 75 million.

The Second Congo War has devastated the country since 1998. The war also known as the “African world war” has involved nine countries and more than twenty armed groups.

60,000 Congolese Refugees Flee to Uganda

Congolese Refugees fleeing rebel attacks to Uganda

Mass exodus of Congolese refugees from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo fleeing a rebel attack on the town of Kamango began on Thursday.

As of early Sunday, at least 60,000 refugees had crossed the border into western Uganda’s Bundibugyo district, an increase of 25,000 in 24 hours.

“We were woken in the darkness before dawn on Thursday by shooting, gunshots,” said a female refugee who crossed the border with her three children.

“I just grabbed my children and what I could carry, and we ran towards Uganda, we were frightened of being killed.”

“The town of Kamango in the northernmost part of North Kivu province was attacked and briefly occupied Thursday by a Ugandan-led rebel group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF),” AFP reported.

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Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

“Suicide is Painless!”

UK soldier and veteran suicides exceeded Afghan deaths last years. More British soldiers and veterans committed suicide in 2012 than died fighting  in Afghanistan over the same period, said a report.

At least 21 serving soldiers and 29 veterans killed themselves last year.

The Afghanistan death toll in 2012 was 44, including 40 who died in action.

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Typhoon SOULIK  Forces Massive Evacuation in China

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Hundreds Killed, Millions Affected in China’s Epic Floods

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Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever Breaks Out in SW Uganda

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,239 Days Left 

[October 20, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. 

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,239 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...

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Outbreak of Deadly Marburg Disease in SW Uganda Kills 5, Leaves 6 Hospitalized

An outbreak of deadly Marburg disease has left at least 5 people dead and 6 others hospitalized in SW Uganda, reports said.

The latest death occurred in Bukora Kitumba in Kabale district, said a report.

The following information is provided by CDC:

Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever

Marburg hemorrhagic fever (Marburg HF) is a rare, severe type of hemorrhagic fever which affects both humans and non-human primates. Caused by a genetically unique zoonotic (that is, animal-borne) RNA virus of the filovirus family, its recognition led to the creation of this virus family. The five subtypes of Ebola virus are the only other known members of the filovirus family.

Marburg virus virion. A colorized negative stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM), captured by F.A. Murphy in 1968, depicts a Marburg virus virion, which had been grown in an environment of tissue culture cells. Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a rare, severe type of hemorrhagic fever which affects both humans and non-human primates. Caused by a genetically unique zoonotic (that is, animal-borne) RNA virus of the filovirus family, its recognition led to the creation of this virus family. The four species of Ebola virus are the only other known members of the filovirus family. See PHIL 7219 for a black and white version of this image.

After an incubation period of 5-10 days, the onset of the disease is sudden and is marked by fever, chills, headache, and myalgia. Around the fifth day after the onset of symptoms, a maculopapular rash, most prominent on the trunk (chest, back, stomach), may occur. Nausea, vomiting, chest pain, a sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea then may appear. Symptoms become increasingly severe and may include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas, severe weight loss, delirium, shock, liver failure, and multi-organ dysfunction. Because many of the signs and symptoms of Marburg hemorrhagic fever are similar to those of other infectious diseases, such as malaria or typhoid fever, diagnosis of the disease can be difficult, especially if only a single case is involved. [CDC/ Frederick Murphy.]

Marburg virus was first recognized in 1967, when outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever occurred simultaneously in laboratories in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia). A total of 31 people became ill; they included laboratory workers as well as several medical personnel and family members who had cared for them. There were 7 deaths among the reported cases. The first people infected had been exposed to African green monkeys or their tissues. In Marburg, the monkeys had been imported for research and to prepare polio vaccine. In addition to the 31 cases, an additional primary case was retrospectively serologically diagnosed.

Other Details of MHF

• The case-fatality rate for Marburg hemorrhagic fever is between 23-90%, CDC reported.
• An outbreak of Marburg in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2000 claimed at least 128 lives (83% fatality rate).
• Another outbreak in Angola killed at least 227 prople in 2005 (90% fatality rate).

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs)

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of diseases caused by ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses from four distinct families. These diseases include Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever, Lassa fever, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and Yellow Fever. Symptoms vary with the disease, but often include fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. There may be bleeding, although death from blood loss is rare. Severe cases can include shock and coma. Although some types of VHFs are relatively mild illnesses, many of them can cause severe, life-threatening disease with high fatality rates.

Along with smallpox, anthrax, plague, botulism, and tularemia, hemorrhagic fever viruses are among the six agents identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the most likely to be used as biological weapons. Many VHFs can cause severe, life-threatening disease with high fatality rates. Source: U.S. Gov.

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!

Disaster Calendar – 28 July 2012

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,327 Days Left

[July 28, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,327 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…

Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011...

Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• Ethiopia.  Renewed ethnic clashes in Moyale area, Ethiopia have left at least 2 dozen people dead and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. At least 20,000 people have crossed into Kenya to escape the slaughter, the Kenyan Red Cross said.

• N. Korea. Rainstorms and flooding in North Korea has left more than 200 people dead or injured, and more than 60,000 people homeless according to reports quoting state-run KCNA news agency.

• Uganda. Ebola virus has killed more than a dozen people and infected about a dozen others in Uganda, reports said.

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

Nodding syndrome claims its 66th victim

Fatal neurological syndrome threatens thousands of Ugandan children

Nodding syndrome (aka, nodding disease) is a little-known syndrome which first emerged in Africa in the 1960s.  The fatal disease affects young children under the age of 15, leaving them mentally and physically disabled.

Disaster Calendar 2011 – December 9

[December 9, 2011]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,559 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Padre, Uganda.  Nodding syndrome  has claimed its 66th victim in Padre, Uganda. It is a little-known syndrome which first emerged in Sudan 3 decades ago. The disease affects young children aged between 5 and 15 [other reports put the victims age bracket between 3 and 18,] leaving them mentally and physically disabled.
• “Nodding disease is a peculiar health problem that was first reported in the district in 2008 and is characterized by head nodding, mental retardation, stunted growth, blindness, body stiffness, endless running nose and saliva, occasional defecation and urination during attack of the infected person,” said a report.
• The disease is spreading rapidly in Uganda’s Padre district with up to 1,600 infections registered per day since August, according to Pader District Health Officer Janet Oola.
• Possible causes of the disease include exposure to chemical or  biological weapons.

Other Disasters

• Kolkata, India.  At least 73 people were killed when fire engulfed a hospital in the Indian city of Kolkata.
• The AMRI hospital staff said the victims included 70 patients and three staff members, Indo-Asian News Service reported.
• Missouri, USA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declare 24 counties in Missouri as agricultural disaster areas due to losses caused by severe storms with hail and high winds that occurred Aug. 18-22, 2011.
• Seven counties designated as the Primary Disaster Areas:  Andrews, Atchison, Gentry, Lafayette, Nodaway, Pettis and Platte.
• Seventeen counties designated as the Contiguous Disaster Areas: Benton, Clay, Daviess, Henry, Johnson, Saline, Buchanan, Clinton, De Kalb, Holt, Morgan, Worth, Carroll, Cooper, Harrison, Jackson and Ray.
• The following counties in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska were also designated as disaster areas because they’re  contiguous:
• Iowa: Fremont, Page and Taylor counties.
• Kansas: Atchison, Doniphan, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties.
• Nebraska: Nemaha, Otoe and Richardson counties.

Global Disaster Links

• 2011 Much More Disastrous
• 2010 Disasters [Includes Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters: 2011 SIX TIMES MORE DISASTROUS THAN 2010
• 2011 Disaster Calendar

WARNING: About 20 percent of the world population could perish by 2016

Another landslide looming in Bududa, Uganda

More than 300 people were buried under thousands of tons of earth and rocks in Bududa early March

Deadly landslides in the mountainous region of Bududa, about 275km east of the capital Kampala, killed more than 300 people  on March 1, 2010.

… there was a loud noise, like an explosion, that was accompanied by heavy stones rolling down Mt. Elgon … 10 minutes later, mud buried the residents who had taken shelter at the trading center and heath center. Others who were in their houses were also buried.

The worst rains and flooding in recent history to strike eastern Uganda, which triggered deadly landslide, killing 86 people, have left thousands of people homeless.  Massive mudslides from Mount Elgon near the Uganda-Kenya border have buried three villages in the Bududa district, 275km from the capital, Kampala, various news reports said.

Large Landslide in Bududa, Uganda

A natural-color image of the area struck by the deadly landslide acquired by the Advanced Land Imager on NASA’s EO-1 satellite on March 11, 2010.Tiny white dots scattered throughout the image and close to the western slopes of Mt. Elgon are probably corrugated metal roofs reflecting light. Source NASA. Large image (5 MB, JPEG)

Sounds of cracking rocks can be heard several meters away from the hill—officials

The official are now saying another landslide may be imminent in Bududa as cracks in one of the hills overlooking Nametsi village are widening, Daily Monitor reported.

The hill which is currently home to at least a thousand people has developed a larger fracture caused by continued torrential rains, Gen Julius Oketta, the coordinator of disaster response was reported as saying.

“What we have seen today is that the other crack we saw the other day has again widened so it means that if more rain falls, there is a possibility that this hill can crack. My humble appeal to all the elements in the Bugisu sub region especially Bududa and Manafwa and other areas, should watch out. Let the district leaders be more alert and warn the local authorities. We shouldn’t wait until it falls,” Gen Oketta warned.

More than 300,000 people have been displaced by floods in eastern Uganda, a cabinet minister has said. “The floods have affected over 300,000 people in three districts,” the deputy minister for disaster preparedness and refugees, Musa Eceru told reporters. “We trying to raise funds to help the affected people and we are calling for aid from both local and international sources.” A report said.

Ugandan government said about 500,000  living in mountainous areas of Uganda will have to be relocated because of the risk of mudslides.

Related Links:

• Earth Unhappiest Planet to Live on: Majority
• 2010 Disaster Calender [March]
• Global Weather Chaos
• Drought and Deluge: Two Major Mechanisms of Collapse
• 10 Facts on Climate Change