Month: September 2020

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

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In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 15w (Kujira), located approximately 756 nm east of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking north-northeastward at 24 knots.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 18e (Eighteen), located approximately 1295 nm south-southeast of San Diego, is tracking west-southwestward at 11 knots.

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NewsBytes:

Indonesia – Disaster authorities in Indonesia report that at least 11 people have died after heavy rainfall triggered landslides in North Kalimantan Province. Landslides occurred early on 28 September in the districts of North Tarakan and Central Tarakan. 7 people died and 3 were injured in North Tarakan District, while 4 people died in landslides in Central Tarakan. A total of 19 homes were damaged or destroyed.

India – More flooding has struck in the state Assam in north eastern India, affecting over 300,000 people in 13 districts. Disaster authorities in the state now report a third wave of flooding after days of heavy rainfall from around 22 September. Heavy rain also affected the neighbouring state of Meghalaya where 13 people have lost their lives in flooding and landslides. In Assam, the State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reports that 1 person has died and 317,977 people in 389 villages across 13 districts have been affected by the recent wave of floods.

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Global Warming

Warming Oceans More ‘Stable’ And That’s Bad, Scientists Warn

Global warming is making the oceans more stable, increasing surface temperatures and reducing the carbon they can absorb, according to research published Monday by climate scientists who warned that the findings have “profound and troubling” implications.

Man-made climate change has increased surface temperatures across the planet, leading to atmospheric instability and amplifying extreme weather events, such as storms.

But in the oceans, higher temperatures have a different effect, slowing the mixing between the warming surface and the cooler, oxygen-rich waters below, researchers said.

This ocean “stratification” means less deep water is rising towards the surface carrying oxygen and nutrients, while the water at the surface absorbs less atmospheric carbon dioxide to bury at depth.

Most of this stabilisation occurred towards the surface and was attributed largely to temperature rises.

They said this process is also exacerbated by the melting of sea ice, meaning that more freshwater – which is lighter than saltwater – also accumulates on the surface of the ocean.

This seemingly technical finding has profound and troubling implications. These include potentially driving more “intense, destructive hurricanes” as ocean surfaces warm. A reduction in the amount of CO2 absorbed, which could mean that carbon pollution builds up faster than expected in the atmosphere.

With warmer upper waters receiving less oxygen, there are also severe adverse implications for marine life.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – California, USA

Thousands of fire-sapped California residents were forced to flee a pair of new blazes on Monday that have killed at least three people, torched nearly 70,000 acres and prompted a state of emergency in three counties.

The breakneck Zogg Fire had burned through 31,200 acres near Redding in Northern California, while the Glass Fire had charred more than 36,200 acres in the Napa and Sonoma wine country north of San Francisco, according to Cal Fire. Both fires were at 0% containment as of Monday night.

The fires, driven by gusty winds, burned several structures on Sunday night into Monday morning, including homes in Santa Rosa, as well as the Chateau Boswell winery and the nearby Black Rock Inn in the Napa County town of St. Helena. The area contains more than five dozen wineries.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical depression 15w (Kujira), located approximately 232 nm north of Minami Tori Shima, is tracking north-northwestward at 16 knots.

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NewsBytes:

Vietnam – The Disaster Management Authority in Vietnam reports that 2 people have died and 7 others injured in northern provinces following heavy rains and landslides from 26 September 2020. Hanh Cu in Phu Tho recorded 338mm of rain in a 24 hour period to 27 September. Rain triggered a landslide causing a house to collapse in Ha Hoa District, Phu Tho, killing 2 people. Across the province, 7 people were reported injured and 3 bridges and roads at over 30 points were damaged or destroyed. As many as 61 houses were damaged in Phu Tho, while heavy rain in Lao Cai caused damage to 12 houses.

Pakistan – The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) says that ongoing monsoon flooding in Sindh Province in Pakistan has left 300,000 people in need of food assistance. As many as 136 people have died in rain- and flood-related incidents in the province so far this monsoon. A total of 77,343 houses have been destroyed and 137,178 homes damaged.

Myanmar – Disaster authorities in Myanmar report that almost 3,000 people have been displaced by recent flooding in parts of Kachin State. Flooding struck in areas around Hpakant Township, Mohnyin District in Kachin State from around 22 September 2020 after heavy rainfall and the overflow of a local creek. Flooding was over 3 metres deep in some places, blocking roads and damaging around 400 homes in the area. A total of 2,875 people from 410 households were temporarily displaced by the floods.

Nepal – Disaster authorities in Nepal report that heavy rain triggered flooding in southern central parts of the country from 24 September, leaving at least 4 people dead and 6 injured. The flooding comes just days after heavy rainfall caused deadly landslides in Syangja and Palpa districts.

South Sudan – he UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that an estimated 625,000 people have been affected by flooding in areas along the White Nile in South Sudan since July this year. According to OCHA, a total of 34 counties (out of 79) in the country have been affected. Among the worst affected are the states of Jonglei (230,000 people affected), Lakes (147,000) and Unity (83,000). The numbers and water levels are expected to rise in the coming months.

Ghana – Flash floods hit parts of Ashanti Region in southern Ghana following heavy rain from 24 September. Local media reported severe flooding in the region including the capital, Kumasi. Flooding caused damage to homes and infrastructure in several areas of the city including Kaase, Ahensan and Atonsu. One person, believed to be a young boy, died after being swept away by flood waters in the Asokwa neighbourhood of the city.

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Disease

COVID-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

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Bubonic Plague – China, Mongolia

Two cases of bubonic plague have been reported, one in Mongolia and one in China. The Mongolian case, from the Khovd province, is suspected to have been caused by the eating of Marmot meat.

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Wildlife

Whale Stranding – Australia

Australian wildlife officials began disposing hundreds of dead pilot whales on Saturday, Sep. 26 after concluding there was no longer any hope of rescuing any more.

In Australia’s biggest whale beach, 470 whales were first spotted on a wide sandbank during an aerial reconnaissance in Tasmania on Sep. 21.

After days of difficult and dangerous rescue attempts, wildlife officials said they rescued 108 whales, with the rest now believed to have died.

Whales are very social marine mammals, and they typically travel together. The whales are believed to have gotten stuck and stranded together in the area, and were not able to get out.

The bodies of the dead whales are being separated into groups and enclosed with water booms to try keep them in one place- and isolated from sharks and other predators.

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Disease

COVID-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

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Naegleria fowleri – Texas, USA

Authorities with the City of Lake Jackson, Texas, in the Greater Houston metropolitan area issued a disaster declaration Saturday after the parasite, Naegleria fowleri, the brain-eating amoeba, was found in water samples during an investigation of a child that contracted the amoeba.