Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Adrien is located about 445 mi…715 km ssw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…100 mph…155 km/h. Present movement…wnw or 300 degrees at 7 mph…11 km/h.

Tropical Storm Beatriz is located about 100 mi…165 km wsw of Acapulco Mexico and about 270 mi…435 km se of Manzanillo Mexico with maximum sustained winds…60 mph…95 km/h. Present movement…nw or 305 degrees at 13 mph…20 km/h.

NewsBytes:

South Africa – The death toll from torrential storms that struck KwaZulu-Natal has risen to at least seven people. The trail of destruction destroyed 70 homes and left over 150 people homeless. Disaster management teams are still on the ground to check if there are more casualties. Meanwhile, communities are now trying to salvage what’s left and rebuild from the ruins. Meanwhile the main road connecting South Africa to Namibia has been washed away by a flooding Orange River at Vioolsdrift. The road is expected to remain closed for some time to effect repairs.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm Adrien is located about 335 mi…540 km sw of Manzanillo Mexico with maximum sustained winds…65 mph…100 km/h. Present movement…w or 270 degrees at 9 mph…15 km/h.

NewsBytes:

South Africa – One death has been reported in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal after a tornado and heavy downpours swept through parts of the city. A herdsman from Zwelisha was swept away by rapidly rising waters, and has not been found. Two people have been hospitalised for minor injuries after the extreme weather event hit the Durban north area, including the Inanda township.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current active tropical storm systems.

NewsBytes:

South Africa – The death toll has risen to 14, with at least 100 people still missing. The floods have caused widespread damage to homes and businesses, and many people have been left homeless. The floods began on Monday, June 13, and have continued to batter the Western Cape province. The heavy rains have caused rivers and streams to overflow, and roads and bridges have been washed away. The floods have also caused landslides, which have further damaged infrastructure and homes. The South African government has declared a state of disaster in the Western Cape. Citrusdal has been cut off from the rest of the world after heavy floods caused a sinkhole on the R303 close to the Olifants River. The damage to power lines has left various areas without electricity and water infrastructure is also said to be under severe pressure, leaving little to no water in some areas, while hundreds of people are said to be displaced.

Greece – Streets and houses were flooded, trees fell and cars were swept away in Thessaloniki as the city was afflicted by bad weather on Saturday, June 17. Stormy weather hit most of the country, in the latest wave of unseasonable weather witnessed in Greece this summer. A Romanian tourist lost his life in the sea on Lefkada island and a canyoning instructor was recovered dead from a gorge on Mount Olympus.

Brazil – A winter storm slammed the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul with torrential rain on Friday, killing 11 people, leaving 20 missing and prompting a helicopter search and rescue for victims wading in flooded neighborhoods, the authorities said. The storm system that struck the country was an extra-tropical cyclone. Such storms have cold air at their core and are typically associated with cold fronts, meteorologists with the National Weather Service said.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 02a (Biparjoy), located approximately 126 nm south of Karachi, Pakistan is tracking northeastward at 03 knots.

NewsBytes:

South Africa – Heavy rains and strong winds have left a trail of destruction in Cape Town, causing rivers to overflow, road closures, and severe flooding throughout the city. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive rain, leading to major disruption of traffic in the city and most parts of the Cape Winelands on Wednesday and Thursday.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.

5.3 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits near the coast of Papua, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits Gauteng, South Africa.

5.0 earthquake hits central Turkey.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 180 nm east of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 08 knots.

NewsBytes:

Ethiopia – The United Nations reports that continued flooding in Ethiopia has caused widespread destruction and displacement in the regions of Somali, Oromia, SNNP (Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples’), South West and Afar. Over 90 fatalities have lost their lives. Flooding has worsened since April, causing significant damage and displacements. According to the latest UN report, around 190,000 households have been affected by flooding across the country, with over 200,000 people forced to leave their homes. The flooding has deepened the vulnerability of populations whose resilience is already highly affected by the impact of a prolonged drought since 2020 as the areas most affected by flooding and drought overlap.

Myanmar, Bangladesh and India – Since 13 May, the affected areas, including Rakhine, Chin, Magway, and Mandalay in Myanmar, Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, and the states of Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur in India, have experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds. Additionally, coastal areas have been hit by storm surges. Before Mocha made landfall, storm surge with a height of 3 to 3.5 metres was predicted to inundate low-lying areas of north Myanmar and adjoining Southeast Bangladesh coasts, areas highly prone to flooding and home to thousands of refugees living in precarious conditions.

Croatia – Rescue teams and hundreds of soldiers were deployed Monday to help people in parts of Croatia hit by floods. Heavy rain in recent days caused some rivers to overflow their banks, flooding homes, roads and public buildings in some towns. Classes in the town of Obrovac were canceled after water got into in the schools there. Parts of the town were left without electricity, and water covered the center of Obrovac. In nearby Gracac, about a dozen people had to move to upper floors or evacuate their homes to avoid surging water.

South Africa – More than 1,000 residents of Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape Province were evacuated to places of safety across the metro yesterday due to heavy rains that resulted in flooding in certain areas. Disaster management officials have been dispatched to affected areas to rescue the situation. Affected areas include KwaZakhele, New Brighton and Walmer. Residents are blaming the municipality for a poor drainage system and not being fully prepared to handle such events.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storm systems.

Newsbytes:

South Africa – Three people have died this week after heavy flooding wreaked havoc in parts of the Eastern Cape. Meanwhile, on Thursday, floods also claimed a man’s life who slipped over an embarkment while fishing at Coffee Bay area in King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality. The heavy downpours have left a trail of destruction to infrastructure, households, and businesses. 10 bridges have been washed away, making it difficult for the community members to access schools and nearby facilities.

Somalia – At least 14 people have been killed in southern Somalia after torrential rains triggered flash floods that have caused havoc in several towns and villages. Bridges, roads and houses have been damaged or destroyed and many people have been forced to flee their homes in search of safer ground. In the town of Baardhere in Jubaland state, 14 people were killed including three members of the same family. Most of the casualties were caused after the victims were trapped across a bridge in the town Thursday evening which was swept up in the floods. The rains signal the early start of the April-June rainy season, and have brought some relief to areas of the country suffering from the worst drought in four decades.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 11s (Freddy), located approximately 136 nm west-northwest of St Denis, is tracking west-southwestward at 19 knots.

Newsbytes:

Philippines – Disaster authorities in the Philippines report over 30,000 people have been displaced and 2 people have died after heavy rain brought by a low-pressure area (LPA) caused flooding and landslides across 8 regions. In a 24-hour period to `14 February, 242 mm of rain fell in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. On 18 February, 241 mm of rain fell in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

South Africa – More flooding has affected parts of South Africa in recent days. At least 2 people have died and 5 are still missing. Authorities warn that dam levels are extremely high and floodgates have been opened in several locations. Severe flooding struck in the town of Coffee Bay and surrounding areas on 18 February 2023. Homes, schools and infrastructure were damaged. Six people were swept away by floodwater. Two bodies have since been recovered and four remain missing. Flooding struck in the town of Komani from 18 to 19 February, one person, who had been trapped in the floods with two others, was swept away on the evening of 18 February. Flooding was reported in the city of Ladysmith in the KwaZulu-Natal province after the Klipriver broke its banks on 17 February. Several roads were closed, and homes and commercial buildings were flooded.

Romania – Extensive flooding in northern Romania on Saturday night left roads damaged and disrupted rail services. The worst affected counties were Bistrita and Maramures. Rivers burst their banks, leaving homes and farmland flooded and triggering landslides. In Bistrita, an avalanche blocked the Rodna-Valea Vinului road, leaving motorists with a 30km detour.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 11s (Freddy), located approximately 1277 nm east-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking westward at 09 knots.

Tropical cyclone 13s (Dingani), located approximately 907 nm south of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 09 knots.

Newsbytes:

New Zealand – New Zealand declares national state of emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle causes major damage. The North Island takes the brunt of the cyclone and the military is on the ground helping evacuate people from cut-off communities. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says homes are without power and families have been displaced after “extensive damage” across the country. The country’s national forecaster said at one weather station in Hawke’s Bay three times more rain fell on Monday night than is normal for the whole of February.

South Africa – South Africa has declared a national state of disaster to enable an intensive response to widespread flooding that has affected seven of the country’s nine provinces.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 11s (Freddy), located approximately 775 nm northwest of Learmonth, Australia, is tracking westward at 09 knots.

Tropical cyclone 13s (Dingani), located approximately 643 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking2westward at 13 knots.

Newsbytes:

Venezuela – A landslide occurred in the state of Mérida, Venezuela, following heavy rain on 08 February 2023. Authorities report two people died and a bridge was destroyed. A large part of a hillside collapsed near the banks of the Onia river in the settlement of Onia in Alberto Adriani municipality following heavy rainfall. Landslide debris fell onto a bridge on the river, killing two people who were crossing the bridge on a motorcycle. The landslide also caused damage to homes and businesses in the area.

Mozambique – Storms and heavy rain affected the city of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, and surrounding areas of Maputo Province on 08 February 2023. Local media reported that heavy rain caused flooding in the city of Maputo, the suburb of Matola, and the nearby Boane District in Maputo Province. Roads have been cut and houses damaged. 2,400 families have been affected. Many are in a critical situation. One person died in a flooded house in the FPLM neighbourhood of Maputo city. It is thought the victim was electrocuted after power cables came into contact with flood water.

South Africa – Flooding has displaced hundreds of people in the town of Komani (also known as Queenstown) in the Eastern Province of South Africa. Further east, two people have died and one is missing after being swept away by overflowing rivers in Mpumalanga Province. Flooding has impacted parts of the Kruger National Park where some camps have been closed.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 06b (Mandous), located approximately 130 nm south-southeast of Chennai, India, is tracking northwestward at 05 knots.

Newsbytes:

DR Congo – Surface water detected by satellite shows that dozens of communities along the Congo River and tributaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been exposed to flood waters over recent weeks. As many as 245,000 were potentially exposed to flooding in the provinces of Equateur, Nord-Ubangi and Sud-Ubangi, in November 2022. UNOSAT also detected flooded areas in the province of Tshopo between 24 November 24 and 05 December 2022. In the analyzed area of ​​approximately 200 000 km², a total of about 1,600 km² of land in Tshopo appears to be flooded. Surface water extent appears to be at the same level as between the dates of 25 November to 05 December 2019. An estimated 70,000 people are affected across the province.

Brazil – Further heavy rain has fallen in Brazil, this time causing damages and 1 fatality in the state of Minas Gerais. As much as 70 mm of rain fell in just 1 hour causing a stream in the Palmital neighbourhood of the municipality to break its banks. The force of the water destroyed part of a house, killing one resident. Vehicles were seen floating along flooded streets of the city.

South Africa – Johannesburg – Heavy rains on Thursday night and Friday morning have led to severe flooding and havoc across parts of Johannesburg, particularly in the West Rand and Joburg South. The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has reported severe road infrastructural damage, including damaged roads and bridges. Large areas were left without power.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 14w (Muifa), located approximately 200 nm west of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking north-northwestward at 04 knots.

Tropical Storm 15w (Merbok), located approximately 378 north-northwest of Wake Island, is tracking north-northwestward at 08 knots.

Tropical Depression 16w (Sixteen), located approximately 199 nm southwest of Iwo To, is tracking northwestward at 05 knots.

Newsbytes:

South Africa – A mining dam in the Free State Province of South Africa collapsed on 11 September 2022 flooding areas of Jagersfontein and Charlesville. A wall of a mining dam, also known as a tailings dam, broke in the early hours causing floods, mud and debris to flow into nearby settlements. Homes were damaged or destroyed and residents force to flee. Authorities said the disaster has left hundreds of people destitute. At least 3 people have lost their lives and 4 are missing, while around 40 people were taken to hospital including 23 with hypothermia and 4 with broken limbs. More than 50 livestock and pets had to be destroyed due to excess mud in their lungs.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm 02e (Blas), located approximately 1316 nm southeast of San Diego, is tracking north-northwestward at 05 knots.

Newsbytes:

South Africa – Heavy rainfall over the last 2 days has caused flooding in areas of Cape Town and areas of Western Cape Province, South Africa. Cape Town deployed over 100 teams to attend to flooding related complaints and incidents. The teams assisted to unblock stormwater drains by pumping water away from low lying areas and by providing sand bags and flood protection. The city said very high rainfall – up to 128mm of rain fell at the Newlands rainfall station within a 24-hour period on 13 June 2022 – stretched the City’s stormwater infrastructure beyond capacity.

India – Heavy rain has once again taken its toll in the state of Assam in India, where at least 4 people have died in the last 24 hours. The state saw severe flooding during May this year which left 38 dead and over 90,000 displaced. Flooding had subsided in most areas by the first week of June. However, heavy rain on 14 June caused flooding in urban areas of Guwahati, the state capital.

Montana, USA – Billings, Montana, reported unprecedented flooding across parts southern parts of the state and borders of Wyoming after heavy rain fell over a significant late season snowpack in the mountains. “This led to flooding rarely or never seen before across many area rivers and streams,” NWS said. Numerous homes and other structures including bridges were damaged or destroyed in the region. A cabin along the Stillwater River was ripped from its foundations and dragged along the river near Nye, Stillwater County. Numerous rivers in the region were above flood levels.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

South Africa – More heavy rain has caused flooding and landslides in parts of KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. Areas of the province saw devastating flooding last month which left over 400 dead and 40,000 displaced. The heavy rainfall has resulted in flooding of roads, human settlements, and damage to properties. Some areas are inaccessible and have become islands. Around 240 mm of rain fell in Mount Edgecombe in 24 hours to 22 May 2022. The city of Durban saw 202 mm during this time and Sezela 151 mm.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

South Africa – The death toll from the floods and storms in KwaZulu-Natal Province continues to rise and now stands at 395, with more rain falling over the Eater weekend in affected areas.