Nocere – Earth Disasters

Bursting riverbanks, crops damaged, buildings and roads underneath waters, these are common sights that could be seen across Northern Philippine. The rain that has lasted for a week has already taken away six lives, wiping out as many as 200 villages. With homes either being destroyed or covered by floods, at least 10,000 were forced to abandon their homes, while evacuating to safer grounds. Though evacuating to higher grounds was a safer means, officials are now facing difficulties in delivering relief aids. Roads that lead to these higher grounds were either blocked or made impassable.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) have been brought in to provide advises for central and northern Luzon. Provinces of Isabela and Carayan are closely monitored after a state of emergency was declared.  While Philippines are deemed as a flood-prone region, locals are directing the blames to illegal logging practices. Widespread deforestation can lead to increase run-off and silting in major rivers, leading to floods in low-lying areas.

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Costa Rica, southern of Central America, has been hit by persistent storm and heavy rains over past few days. Provinces along Caribbean east, namely Limon, Cartago, Heredia and San Jose were not spared from the torrential storm either. Floods caused several mudslides, in terms blocking roads from San Jose to Limon. Moreover, precious agricultural lands have been eradicated. It was reported that at least 46,000 people were made homeless, with damages reaching tens of millions of US dollars.

According to the authorities, the source of floods could be traced from an active cold front associated with a deep area of low pressure over the Caribbean Sea. At present, rainfalls are receding in northern parts of the country; however, southern and eastern areas are expected to experience more rain over the next few days.

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Authorities have confirmed that death toll of recent Brazil flood has reached 97, with another 19 yet to be found. Situation for the surviving is rather dire. Approximately 80,000 people have been forced to shift from their current home to safer areas, while relief aids are hard to reach them with blocked roads.

Living in despair, many were driven to steal necessity such as food and water. Stores and homes in flood-affected areas are now being threatened with possible looting, especially when insufficient aids are provided. To protect businesses and homes, authorities have imposed movement restrictions in hours of darkness. Hundreds of military police have been activated to assist local officials in dealing with possible local security threat. Government has issued a $1 billon relief fund to Santa Catarina and other Brazilian states to help alleviate current condition. Helicopters carrying aids and trucks loaded with natural gas have been deployed to affected areas. Health ministry are prepared to receive casualties by stocking up medications and other materials, however, doctors were concerned over the demand for blood supplies.

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Cyclone, otherwise named Cyclone Nisha by the Indian Met Department (IMD), has brought about heavy storms and rains to the Eastern region of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka was the first to receive this storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal. Torrential storm coupled with strong winds, enhanced the effect of northeastern monsoon rain that eventually resulted in floods. With floods swallowing up many areas, residents have difficulties in finding permanent place to reside. According to report, residents are forced to uproot their temporary shelters in search for unaffected areas.

Progressing across Eastern Tamil Nadu, Cyclone Nisha has already triggered flash floods across seven of the states coastal districts, leaving 20 people dead. In the next 24 hrs, IMD forecasted that as much as 250mm (10 inches) of rain may fall across parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

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Several regions, particlularly in the north, of Venezuela have encountered heavy downpour over the past few weeks. With persistent rainfall, several rivers could no longer contain the high amount of water level, causing much stress to river banks. It had been report on river bank bursting, one of which includes Guaire River in the city centre. Without river banks to channel excess water, many areas are now experiencing severe flooding and mudslide. Profuse rain water has since turned streets into water basin, causing inconvenience to residents and damage to their properties. Aside from crops and properties damages, safety threat was yet another issue. Many were trapped by floods triggered landslides, some even have their vehicle crushed in the event. Though authorities reported that heavy rain are common during this time of the year, however, such persistent rains are unusual. Authroities are expecting more rains to comeby, especially in Caracas, whereby heavy showers are forecasted.

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Heavy rains in Brazil have caused severe flood, killing 65 and leaving 43,000 people homeless. Authorities have actively been sending aids to affected areas, particularly, to Santa Catarina which has been deemed the worst. With the constant heavy downpour, regions are experiencing landslides, in terms destroying houses and roads. Emergency workers could only deliver helps via helicoptors or boats, due to blocked roads. To make matter worst, a total of 160,000 residents in 8 separate towns now lived without electricity.

State of emergency has since been declared across affected areas, with attention focusing on Santa Catarina. Towns within Santa Catarina,  Blumenau and Ilhota, 13 and 15 deaths reported respectively. Santa Catarina Governor Luiz Henrique da Silveira commented that landslides were almost the main cause of deaths, burying people in their own homes. Thus far, a million people has already been affected by the floods, while pipelines carrying natural gas to Santa Catarina were also affected.

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Atlantic hurricane season is a period that last from the month of June to November each year. In this season, 2008, there have been a total of 16 storms. Following is a review of the storm status thus far.

The season kicked start on 30th May with Tropical Storm Arthur, followed by 3 other active storms in July. In the month of August, Hurricane Bertha lasted for as long as 18 days, marking the season record. On the 20th of May, Hurricane Bertha was coupled with 2 other storms, Tropical Storm Cristobal and Hurricane Dolly. Tropical Storm Fay in August was ranked the most destructive storm in the season, causing several landfalls across state of Florida.  Reaching the month of November marked the start of Hurricane Paloma, which eventually became a major hurricane as it progressed to late November. Satellite is monitoring further upcoming storms till 30th November, whereby the season officially ends.

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Australia’s eastern coast battled its worst storm ever in 25 years, reported by Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Queensland was experiencing flash floods after being hit by violent storms, which brought about 50mm – 70mm of rainfall. In Brisbane, situation was made worst by winds fanning at a speed of 80mph (129kph), deracinating more 20 miles (32km) of power lines.

The current storm was thought to be as destructive as Cyclone Larry that struck Queensland in 2006 with a wind speed of 180mph (290kph). Thunderstorm warnings have since been lifted after signs of clearing have been observed on Monday morning. Forecasters are expecting showers and lighter rains over the next 24 hours,

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