News Clips for the Week(Newclb55)

VolcanoesActivity for the week of 16 August-22 August 2017

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday, notices of volcanic activity posted on these pages are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting during the week, but rather a summary of activity at volcanoes that meet criteria discussed in detail in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section. Carefully reviewed, detailed reports on various volcanoes are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.

Name Location ActivityKanlaon Philippines NewPacaya Guatemala NewSan Cristobal Nicaragua NewSangay Ecuador NewUlawun New Britain (Papua New Guinea) New

Aira Kyushu (Japan) OngoingBezymianny Central Kamchatka (Russia) OngoingBogoslof Fox Islands (USA) OngoingCleveland Chuginadak Island (USA) OngoingDukono Halmahera (Indonesia) OngoingFuego Guatemala OngoingKarymsky Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) OngoingKilauea Hawaiian Islands (USA) OngoingKlyuchevskoy Central Kamchatka (Russia) OngoingLangila New Britain (Papua New Guinea) OngoingManam Papua New Guinea OngoingPiton de la Fournaise Reunion Island (France) OngoingPoas Costa Rica OngoingSabancaya Peru OngoingSheveluch Central Kamchatka (Russia) OngoingSinabung Indonesia OngoingSuwanosejima Ryukyu Islands (Japan) OngoingTurrialba Costa Rica Ongoing

New Activity/Unrest

  Kanlaon  | Philippines  | 10.412°N, 123.132°E  | Elevation 2435 m

PHIVOLCS reported that between 24 June and 18 August the seismic network at Kanlaon detected 244 volcanic earthquakes. The report stated that the increased seismic activity could be followed by phreatic explosions at the summit crater, despite the absence of visible degassing or steaming from the active vent during 2017. The Alert Level was raised to 1 (on a scale of 0-5), and the public was warned to not enter the 4-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)

  Pacaya  | Guatemala  | 14.382°N, 90.601°W  | Elevation 2569 m

INSIVUMEH reported that during 20-22 August Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone ejected material as high as 75 m above the crater rim and onto the flanks, generating avalanches mainly on the W flank.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

  San Cristobal  | Nicaragua  | 12.702°N, 87.004°W  | Elevation 1745 m

According to a news report, at 0518 on 18 August SINAPRED received reports of ash fall in some communities near San Cristóbal, including La Grecia, and the municipalities of El Viejo (18 km WSW) and El Realejo (25 km SW). Based on analysis of satellite images and information from INETER, the Washington VAAC reported that a small ash puff from the volcano rose 300 m above the crater rim and drifted NW. Later that day a gas emission possibly containing ash rose 300 m and drifted W. An ash plume identified in satellite images extended as far as 265 km W. Seismicity was elevated. Steam-and-gas emissions continued through the rest of the day.

Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), El 19 Digital

  Sangay  | Ecuador  | 2.005°S, 78.341°W  | Elevation 5286 m

Based on information from IG, the Guayaquil MWO, and satellite data the Washington VAAC reported continuing ash emissions at Sangay. On 16 August an ash plume drifted W. On 17 August an ash plume rose to an altitude of 8.2 km (27,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, and was followed by several more ash puffs. During 19-20 August ash plumes rose to 5.8 km (19,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and W. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 20 August.

Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

  Ulawun  | New Britain (Papua New Guinea)  | 5.05°S, 151.33°E  | Elevation 2334 m

Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-18 August ash plumes from Ulawun rose to 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Ongoing Activity

  Aira  | Kyushu (Japan)  | 31.593°N, 130.657°E  | Elevation 1117 m

JMA reported 26 events at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 18-21 August, one of which was explosive. Material was ejected as high and as far as 500 m. Ash plumes rose as high as 1.7 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

  Bezymianny  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 55.972°N, 160.595°E  | Elevation 2882 m

KVERT reported that during 11-18 August a daily thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images. A lava flow continued to flow down the W flank of the dome; incandescence from the dome was visible at night. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

  Bogoslof  | Fox Islands (USA)  | 53.93°N, 168.03°W  | Elevation 150 m

AVO reported that photographs of Bogoslof taken during an overflight on 15 August showed that the vent area (which had dried out during the 7 August eruption) had refilled with water. Seismicity decreased on 16 August and remained low at least through 18 August. Weakly elevated surface temperatures consistent with a warm lake were identified in satellite data during 19-20 August. Satellite data acquired on 21 August showed an approximately 125-m-diameter lava dome within the intra-island lake, just W of the 1992 lava dome. A cold volcanic plume, likely from the lava dome, drifted about 55 km S of the island. Some minor explosions were detected in infrasound data at about 0410 on 22 August. The lava dome had grown to 160 m in diameter. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

  Cleveland  | Chuginadak Island (USA)  | 52.825°N, 169.944°W  | Elevation 1730 m

AVO reported that elevated surface temperatures at Cleveland were identified in satellite data during 17-21 August. Minor degassing from the summit was observed in satellite and webcam images during 20-21 August. A 1-minute-long moderate explosion was detected at 1043 on 22 August in infrasound and seismic data. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

  Dukono  | Halmahera (Indonesia)  | 1.693°N, 127.894°E  | Elevation 1229 m

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 16-22 August ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, NE, NW, and W. Ash plumes drifted as far as 150 km on 17 August.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

  Fuego  | Guatemala  | 14.473°N, 90.88°W  | Elevation 3763 m

INSIVUMEH reported that the eighth effusive episode at Fuego in 2017 began on 20 August. Constant explosions generated ash plumes that rose 2.3 km above the crater and drifted more than 50 km W and SW. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including Panimaché I (8 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), and Yepocapa (8 km WNW). Two lava fountains, each 300 m high, fed lava flows that traveled 1.4 km SSW down the Ceniza ravine and 1.2 km W down the Seca (Santa Teresa) ravine. Incandescent block avalanches occurred throughout the crater. Some explosions generated shock waves that rattled nearby structures. Seismicity decreased on 21 August. Weak explosions generated ash plumes that rose 1 km and drifted 20 km. Suspended ash from explosions and pyroclastic flows was visible. The lava flows had lengthened 200 m in the Ceniza ravine and 100 m in the Santa Teresa ravine. The report warned that pyroclastic flows were concentrated in the Santa Teresa ravine, possibly filling the drainage with deposits (similar to activity from 5 May) and increasing the chances for lahars. Ash fell in San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km N) and Chimaltenango (21 km NNE). On 22 August INSIVUMEH noted that after 48 hours the effusive episode was over. Explosions produced ash plumes that rose 1.2 km and drifted SW, and continued to vibrate nearby structures. Incandescent material was ejected as high as 200 m above the crater rim.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

  Karymsky  | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)  | 54.049°N, 159.443°E  | Elevation 1513 m

A thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 11 August, as well as ash plumes drifting about 400 km SE during 12-13 August. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

  Kilauea  | Hawaiian Islands (USA)  | 19.421°N, 155.287°W  | Elevation 1222 m

During 16-22 August HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. A breakout 120 m up-slope of the ocean entry began at 0410 on 19 August and lasted about 9.5 hours; it produced a lava fall over the sea cliff W of the ramp and a small ‘a’a flow on the W portion of the delta. At 2135 a large littoral explosion occurred near the front of the delta, producing spatter that was ejected higher than the sea cliff (about 28 m high). Another smaller explosion was observed five minutes later. HVO scientists documented ongoing littoral explosions on 21 August, as well as continued widening of the cracks running parallel to the coastline.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

  Klyuchevskoy  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 56.056°N, 160.642°E  | Elevation 4754 m

KVERT reported that ash plumes from Klyuchevskoy were identified in satellite images drifting 315 km E and NW during 11-12 and 15-17 August. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

  Langila  | New Britain (Papua New Guinea)  | 5.525°S, 148.42°E  | Elevation 1330 m

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 16 August an ash plume from Langila rose 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

  Manam  | Papua New Guinea  | 4.08°S, 145.037°E  | Elevation 1807 m

Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 21 August an ash plume from Manam rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NNW.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

  Piton de la Fournaise  | Reunion Island (France)  | 21.244°S, 55.708°E  | Elevation 2632 m

Mainly based on seismicity, OVPF reported that the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise that began on 14 July continued during 16-22 August; weather clouds prevented visual and satellite observations most of the week. Volcanic tremor rapidly increased in the early evening on 15 August, concurrent with the presence of ephemeral lava fountains, at the cone and another area, visible in webcam images. The signal fluctuated at high levels until the evening of 19 August, when it began to stabilize at low levels. Satellite data from 19 August indicated a decreased lava-flow rate.

Source: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF)

  Poas  | Costa Rica  | 10.2°N, 84.233°W  | Elevation 2708 m

OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Poás at 1517 on 22 August generated a plume that rose 300 m above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

  Sabancaya  | Peru  | 15.787°S, 71.857°W  | Elevation 5960 m

Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya was similar to the previous week; there was an average of 41 explosions recorded per day during 14-20 August. The earthquakes were dominated by long-period signals, with fewer numbers of hybrid events recorded. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 3.4 km above the crater rim and drifted no more than 30 km SE. The report warned the public not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sources: Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET), Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)

  Sheveluch  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 56.653°N, 161.36°E  | Elevation 3283 m

KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images over Sheveluch during 11-18 August. Ash plumes drifted about 180 km E, NW, and NE during 12 and 15-16 August. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

  Sinabung  | Indonesia  | 3.17°N, 98.392°E  | Elevation 2460 m

PVMBG reported that the lava dome in Sinabung’s crater that had been growing since April was destroyed during the 2-3 August events. The dome had grown to an estimated volume of 2.3 million cubic meters. Measurements on 6 August indicated that a new dome had a volume of 23,700 cubic meters.

Based on PVMBG ground observations, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 16 August an ash plume from Sinabung rose to 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ESE.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

  Suwanosejima  | Ryukyu Islands (Japan)  | 29.638°N, 129.714°E  | Elevation 796 m

Based on JMA notices, the Tokyo VAAC reported explosions at Suwanosejima during 19-20 August.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

  Turrialba  | Costa Rica  | 10.025°N, 83.767°W  | Elevation 3340 m

OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Turrialba at 1012 on 21 August generated a plume that rose 200 m above the crater rim and drifted NW.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

http://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm

Eruption at Popocatépetl volcano, Mexico

au.news.yahoo.comTue, 22 Aug 2017 12:05 UTC

Mexico's Popocatépetl Volcano spewed ash at low intensity 432 times on August 21, later followed by emissions of water and vapor, according to reports.Authorities warned the public not to approach the volcano or crater due to risk of falling "ballistic fragments."

https://www.sott.net/article/359897-Eruption-at-Popocatepetl-volcano-Mexico

EarthquakesWeekly Summary From USGS

Magnitudes and Quantities

2017 Week

# 8+ # 7 # 6 # 5

# 2.5 - 4

Total This

Week

Week Total this

Time 2016

Week Total this Time 2015

Week Total This Time 2014

Week Total This Time 2013

1 0 0 2 43 206 251 424 266 206 3212 0 1 2 35 144 182 294 243 554 2373 0 0 1 23 184 208 262 199 313 2494 0 1 0 25 226 252 368 374 291 2265 0 0 0 20 182 202 262 240 245 3806 0 0 2 32 166 200 259 245 243 2367 0 0 1 24 185 210 298 264 230 139

8 0 0 2 27 228 257 281 244 230 2119 0 0 0 28 210 238 298 237 242 184

10 0 0 1 24 209 234 215 229 373 21711 0 0 1 30 260 291 272 273 311 16212 0 0 1 17 198 216 230 270 297 22913 0 0 2 34 243 279 237 269 391 22014 0 0 2 31 279 312 288 260 321 24515 0 0 1 29 255 285 308 219 407 31116 0 0 1 22 261 284 285 277 305 20217 0 0 2 40 237 279 256 254 257 20218 0 0 2 28 398 428 241 338 308 25219 0 0 5 43 257 305 263 303 253 23120 0 0 1 23 222 246 261 286 230 39521 0 0 0 20 245 265 225 243 239 22322 0 0 3 25 192 220 246 253 262 24623 0 0 0 19 192 211 248 252 230 19424 0 0 4 23 226 253 209 217 270 23625 0 0 1 22 213 236 258 228 372 19226 0 0 4 15 202 221 271 212 253 20427 0 0 1 19 241 261 226 226 244 19028 0 0 2 21 250 273 239 358 274 25829 0 1 3 26 234 264 229 310 249 21730 0 0 0 22 211 233 236 566 204 21731 0 0 0 30 214 244 215 327 223 21032 0 0 3 33 220 256 245 225 240 26933 0 0 3 23 195 221 245 247 275 19434 0 250 284 175 29335 0 322 352 314 25436 0 267 303 254 23137 0 227 411 269 24738 0 312 346 43 24639 0 287 346 277 21840 0 189 215 254 23141 0 183 273 313 27242 0 251 260 296 23543 0 298 276 265 19744 0 216 274 355 26145 0 233 286 322 25046 0 357 308 354 35347 0 269 271 289 21148 0 219 242 256 24049 0 300 307 261 19250 0 292 225 277 21851 0 266 237 258 23152 0 259 252 275 222

0 3 53 876 7385 8317 13691 14955 15101 12301

Magnitude 6.6 earthquake strikes north of Ascension Island

Sputnik NewsFri, 18 Aug 2017 04:44 UTC

© PixabayA powerful magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Friday north of an isolated Ascension Island in the South Atlantic, the US Geological Survey said.

The shallow 6.2-mile-deep quake near the volcanic island was reported at 2:59 a.m. UTC.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said there was no tsunami danger for the US east coast, the Gulf of Mexico states or the eastern coast of Canada based on the quake's location.

https://www.sott.net/article/359522-Magnitude-6-6-earthquake-strikes-north-of-Ascension-Island

Deep and strong M6.4 earthquake hits off Fiji

The HinduSat, 19 Aug 2017 05:05 UTC

© USGSA strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Fiji on Saturday, U.S. seismologists said, but it was considerably deep and there were no reports of damage or injury.

The offshore quake hit at 3:00 p.m. (0200 GMT) and was centred around 287 kilometres (178 miles) east of Suva, at a depth of 538 kilometres, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not immediately issue any warnings. The quake occurred in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of frequent seismic activity due to collisions between continental plates.

https://www.sott.net/article/359610-Deep-and-strong-M6-4-earthquake-hits-off-Fiji

Magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes 880 kilometers off the coast of Liberia

Front Page AfricaSat, 19 Aug 2017 12:43 UTC

An earthquake of 6.8 magnitudes on the Richter scale occurred approximately 880 kilometers off Liberia's shore, the ministry of information, culture and tourism has confirmed Friday morning.

The ministry, however, assured the public that the quake poses no threat of a tsunami

The Ministry of Information assured the public in the release that relevant government agencies and security apparatus are continuing to monitor the situation and will readily inform the public and new and additional information becomes available.

The government has assured all citizens to remain calm but alert in the wake of the incident.

https://www.sott.net/article/359620-Magnitude-6-8-earthquake-strikes-880-kilometers-off-the-coast-of-Liberia

The Weather More snowfall in August for Canada Adapt 2030You TubeFri, 18 Aug 2017 18:05 UTC

Unusual Canada snowfall in August Banff's Sunshine Village, new greenhouse gas study shows that water vapor is causing changes not CO2, and the Sydney Morning Herald with a piece on global warming from humans causing so much ice melt that the water is now changing the axis tilt of the Earth.

https://www.sott.net/article/359580-More-snowfall-in-August-for-Canada

'Worst disaster in the history of Poland' - Storm fells record number of trees

Digital JournalWed, 16 Aug 2017 19:55 UTC

© Dominik Kulaszkiewicz, PAP/AFPSevere storms passed over Poland causing damage to buildings, trees and electricity infrastructure in

the Pomeranian province, where five people were killed and at least 30 people seriously injured.It will take two years to clear the tens of thousands of trees smashed by the weekend storms that devastated Poland's forests, the country's forest service said Wednesday.

"We're dealing with what is undoubtedly the worst disaster in the history of Polish -- and perhaps even European -- forestry," Poland's chief forester, Konrad Tomaszewski, told reporters.

The storms that hit Poland overnight Friday to Saturday killed six people, including two Girl Guides crushed by a falling tree while camping in a forest.

Aerial television footage in vast swathes of forest where trees had been snapped like matchsticks.

According to Tomaszewski, the storms brought down an estimated 8.2 million cubic metres of lumber.

It would take two years to clear the debris and begin replanting trees and decades to recover the lost natural habitats of birds and other wildlife, he added.

More storms are forecast for the coming weekend.

The storms also caused serious damage to thousands of households, ripping off roofs and downing power lines, mostly in northern and western regions of Poland.

Critics have accused the country's rightwing populist Law and Justice (PiS) government of being slow to

send in help to areas that suffered the most damage.

The disaster comes as Poland is under fire for ignoring a ban imposed by the EU's top court on logging in the Bialowieza forest, Europe's last primeval woodland.

The European Court of Justice on July 27 ordered Poland to suspend logging in the forest pending a final judgement.

The EU had taken Poland to court arguing that the operations were destroying a UNESCO-listed forest that boasts unique plant and animal life.

According to Poland's forest service, loggers harvested some 111,993 cubic metres of wood in Bialowieza between January and August.

https://www.sott.net/article/359595-Worst-disaster-in-the-history-of-Poland-Storm-fells-record-number-of-trees

Ten persons hit by lightning bolt at tourist attraction in Jamaica Shanice WatsonThe GleanerSat, 19 Aug 2017 13:05 UTC

Ten persons are now being treated at the St Ann's Bay Hospital after they were stuck by lightning at the Mystic Mountain tourist attraction in St Ann yesterday afternoon.

Managing Director of the attraction, Mike Drakulich, says the incident happened about 4:30 p.m.

Six of the injured were tour guides and four were tourists.

According to Drakulich, the affected persons were partaking in a zip line tour when the lightning stuck.

Showers, brought about by a weather system affecting Jamaica over the past few days, had been affecting Ocho Rios prior to the incident.

https://www.sott.net/article/359624-Ten-persons-hit-by-lightning-bolt-at-tourist-attraction-in-Jamaica

Woman at restaurant dies after being struck by lightning in Trabzon, Turkey

Al ArabiyaSun, 20 Aug 2017 11:14 UTC

© ShutterstockLighning witnessed over the city of Bodrum in Turkey

A Saudi woman died after she was struck by lightning while dining at a restaurant in Trabzon at Sultan Murat Parks in northern Turkey.

The lightning left three of her family members injured.

According to Abdulaziz al-Suwaid, the wife's husband, his family members were with their uncle in the heights of Sultan Murat in Trabzon last Thursday.

Whilst dining, lightning struck the site, which resulted in the death of his wife. His two daughters were also struck but it was not fatal, while their uncle suffered from burns.

Suwaid said that his wife was declared dead at the hospital after paramedics were late to attend to her due to language barriers hindering communication with paramedics.

The distance to the hospital also slowed the process.

According to the Saudi Okaz newspaper, Suwaid said that his daughters arrived Saturday evening to Saudi Arabia's Al-Qassim and the wife's body is set to arrive on Sunday accompanied by his son.

https://www.sott.net/article/359685-Woman-at-restaurant-dies-after-being-struck-by-lightning-in-Trabzon-Turkey

Lightning never strikes twice? 3 killed, 5 injured in double lightning strike in Jharkhand, India

DNASun, 20 Aug 2017 11:24 UTC

Three persons today were killed and six football lovers seriously injured after lightning struck them at Tetulia under the jurisdiction of Sonardih police station in Dhanbad district, police said.

Tetulia is around 30 km away from Dhanbad and victims were watching a semi-final match of a football tournament at Tetulia Khel Maidan when lightning struck them twice, a police officer said.

The deceased were identified as Gopi Bhuiya (16), Akash Kumar (19) and Ashim Ansari (32), the officer said.

The injured were identified as Sanjay Bhuiya, Pramod Kumar, Shankar kumar, Ritik Kumar and Saurabh Rajwar, he said.

They were admitted to Nichitpur nursing home, he added.

Eye witnesses said people on the ground panicked after the lightening strike.

Dhulu Mahto, MLA of Baghmara, Officer-in-charge of Sonardih police station RS Sharma and Officer-in-charge of Katras Police station Sushma Kumari went to the nursing home.

Mahto said he would talk to the chief minister for immediate payment of compensation to the families of the deceased persons.

https://www.sott.net/article/359686-Lightning-never-strikes-twice-3-killed-5-injured-in-double-lightning-strike-in-Jharkhand-India

California's Death Valley breaks record for hottest month ever in the US Mindy WeisbergerLive ScienceFri, 04 Aug 2017 18:30 UTC

© National Park ServiceDeath Valley Park Ranger Roberto Mendez stands by Furnace Creek’s unofficial thermometer.

July temperatures in Death Valley have incinerated previous records.

With an average daily high temperature of 107.4 degrees Fahrenheit (41.9 degrees Celsius), July was the valley's hottest month on record, blazing through the former record of 107.2 degrees F (41.8 degrees C) set in 1917, the National Weather Service's Las Vegas Forecast Office (NWS Las Vegas) wrote Aug. 2 in a tweet.

Temperatures in Death Valley in July blazed into the record books not only as the hottest month in the desert valley in eastern California but also as the hottest month ever recorded in the United States, according to NWS Las Vegas.

During July, temperatures were at their lowest at around 5 a.m. local time, averaging about 95 degrees F (35 degrees C), Death Valley National Park representatives wrote in a Facebook post on Aug. 3.

"This is an extreme place to live and visit in the summer, especially this past month," they said.

A photo shared in the post showed a National Park Service (NPS) official posing next to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center in the park, leaning against a sign displaying a local temperature of 124 degrees F (51.1 degrees C).

Death Valley's highest temperatures during July were 127 degrees F (52.8 degrees C) on July 7; 126

degrees F (52.2 degrees C) on July 8; and 125 degrees F (51.7 degrees C) on July 31, according to daily temperature reports compiled by the National Weather Service, The Washington Post reported.

A combination of geological factors - including its low elevation and the presence of surrounding mountains that block cooling moisture - trap and fuel the baking heat that develops during summer in Death Valley.

Death Valley holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth - 134 degrees F (56.7 degrees C) on July 10, 2013, which was part of a five-day heat wave during which temperatures hovered at 129 degrees F (53.9 degrees C) or more, the NPS reported.

Death Valley isn't the only place where things are heating up - global average temperatures have been on the rise for years. 2016 was the hottest year on record for the third consecutive year, and a forecast for August, September and October 2017 predicts more warmer-than-average temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, according to a report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Comment: Temperatures are becoming more extreme around the planet. There was a record high temperature in Ahvaz, Iran of 129F (53.7C) this year - the hottest in the country's history. Yet there have also been record cold temperatures in many other places, such as Australia, Slovakia, Russia, Arctic and the US.

See also: Record low temperatures across the planet outweigh record high's by 18:1 ratio

https://www.sott.net/article/359748-Californias-Death-Valley-breaks-record-for-hottest-month-ever-in-the-US

Major snowfall hits South Africa Tom HeadThe South AfricanThu, 17 Aug 2017 13:01 UTC

© Denise BiggsDenise Biggs was met with a blanket of snow as she woke up in the Eastern Cape this morning

As South Africa does it's best to survive the almost-nuclear winter we are having, today would be as good a day as any to bring your duvet to work.

The snow has found its way to our plains on the back of a country-wide cold front, and it isn't just the moutainous regions that are enjoying a flurry: Parts of KZN, Eastern Cape and Free State are being covered by a wonderful white dusting.

Snowfall in South Africa

The South African Weather Service have warned that snowfall in all three of the aforementioned areas will be disruptive, and advised motorists to take extra care on the roads: Eastern Cape - #SNOW ROADS CLOSED: N9 Lootsberg Pass, R61 Wapadsberg Pass, R57 Nico Malan Pass, R58 Barkly Pass

— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) August 17, 2017

Winter woke up with a point to prove this morning. Temperatures plummeted overnight, with Johannesburg recording a baltic one-degree reading earlier on. The forecast is great news for people who like wearing layers... There's snow heading to KZN. Get those winter jackets ready #Durban pic.twitter.com/bYheAcaDcv

— I Love Durban (@ILuvDBN) August 16, 2017

South Africa's budding photographers were on hand to capture the best of the scenes from this morning, as more snowfall is predicted the mid-to-east regions. Stay safe, stay warm, and stay as near to a heater as possible.

Snow in Eastern Cape:

@SAWeatherServic Mountain Shadows Hotel Eastern Cape (Barkly Pass) right now. pic.twitter.com/DBpR6Brbop

— Big J (@jherasmus) August 17, 2017

© Elizma den HeyerElizma den Heyer - Rhodes village Eastern Cape this morning pic.twitter.com/FHpGCOnw9E

— Storm Report SA (@StormReportSA1) August 17, 2017

© Denise BiggsSome lovely snow photos from Elliot E Cape this morning thanks to Denise Biggs #snow #southafrica pic.twitter.com/ezGvB1qeuo

https://www.sott.net/article/359758-Major-snowfall-hits-South-Africa

Irregular waterspout spotted on Black Sea near Sochi, Russia

RTTue, 22 Aug 2017 18:57 UTC

© typodar / InstagramAt least two tornadoes have been spotted at sea just off the southern Russian city of Sochi. One of the whirlwinds attracted huge attention from online users thanks to its highly irregular form. The tornadoes did not inflict any damage.

Several tornadoes were seen along the coast near Sochi on Tuesday, flooding social media with numerous photos and videos.

The peculiar weather occurrence was not completely unexpected, as the emergency services in the Krasnodar Region issued tornado warnings ahead of the whirlwinds.

Some social media users reported that they observed as many as five tornadoes.

One particular tornado attracted much attention due to its highly irregular form, with one of the segment of the whirlwind moving almost parallel to the ground.

"The waterspout did not reach the shore, dissolving in the open sea. The tornado did not inflict any damage, no complaints from the population were registered," emergency services in the Krasnodar Region told Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper. "Based on our experience, we can state that whirlwind formations at sea might continue until mid-September."

https://www.sott.net/article/359892-Irregular-waterspout-spotted-on-Black-Sea-near-Sochi-Russia

Lightning bolt kills 2 and injures 25 in Savar, Bangladesh

The Daily Star.Wed, 23 Aug 2017 09:52 UTC

Two people were killed and several others were injured by lightning in Katlapur area of Savar early yesterday.

The deceased are Rofiq Mia Shohag, 25, of Mymensingh and Abul Hossen, 27, of Bogra. Rofiq was a garment worker while Abul worked at a furniture factory.

Police said a thunder bolt struck them when the two with around 150 people were crossing the Bonshi river by a trawler.

Rofiq and Abul with around 25 other injured were taken to Savar Upazila Health Complex. The doctors there declared them dead.

The condition of one of the injured is critical and rest are out of danger, said doctors at the hospital.

Officer-in-Charge of Savar Model Police Station Mohshinul Kadir said the bodies were handed over to their family.

https://www.sott.net/article/359895-Lightning-bolt-kills-2-and-injures-25-in-Savar-Bangladesh

Atacama desert in Chile erupts in floral beauty after unexpected rain falls in driest place on Earth Jimmy NsubugaMetro (UK)Wed, 23 Aug 2017 13:31 UTC

© EPAView of flowers in the Atacama Desert, Chile, on 17 August 2017

Deserts are meant to be dry and lifeless places but this one in Chile has just had a dazzling bloom of flowers.

The plants grew in the Atacama Desert following unexpectedly heavy rainfall in the north of the country during the winter months.

Flowers usually grow there once every seven years (because it's the driest place on Earth) but the extra rain meant it occurred just two years after the last bloom.

Atacama is one of the most arid places in the world so visitors were shocked when they stumbled across the bloom of more than 200 floral species and endemic fauna.

It was so baffling the desert is now attracting thousands of tourists who are eager to see the flowers.

And we don't blame them for wanting to witness the rare spectacle.

Atacama Desert in bloomWhile there they may also catch a glimpse of the volcanoes, skyscrapers and dunes that make up the landscape of the area.

The desert also experiences thunderstorms that may make it seem like the end of the world is coming.

The series of images showing the plants were taken last Thursday.

https://www.sott.net/article/359909-Atacama-desert-in-Chile-erupts-in-floral-beauty-after-unexpected-rain-falls-in-driest-place-on-Earth

Solar Activities UNEXPECTED GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A G2-class geomagnetic storm occurred during the early hours of Aug. 22nd when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) near Earth unexpectedly tipped south. This opened a crack in our planet's magnetosphere. Solar wind poured in to fuel the strong but short-lived storm. Free: Aurora Alerts

Solar Eclipse Photo GalleryTHE GREAT AMERICAN SOLAR ECLIPSE: On Monday, Aug. 21st, the Moon passed directly in front of the sun, producing a total solar eclipse visible in the USA from coast to coast. "The sky darkened so rapidly it was almost impossible to believe," reports Mark Rosengarten, who photographed totality from Madras, Oregon:

"You could actually see darkness in the sky rushing in from the west before totality hit," he says. "As the Moon slid into place over the sun, the corona became visible. There was an inky black circle in the sky with a shimmery ring around it, from which emanated the silvery tendrils of the corona."

"After the eclipse, I fought five hours of absolutely horrifying traffic going home to Portland,"adds Rosengarten. "It was worth every minute."

Outside the path of totality, people witnessed a partial eclipse. The sun turned into a luminous crescent as the Moon passed by, off center. Charles Yeager of Birmingham, Alabama, photographed crescent-shaped sunbeams on an American flag:

"I shot an eclipse in 1984, so I knew to look for this kind of eclipse highlight," he says.

Near Earth Asteroids

Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are space rocks larger than approximately 100m that can come closer to Earth than 0.05 AU. None of the known PHAs is on a collision course with our planet, although astronomers are finding new ones all the time.

On August 23, 2017 there were 1803 potentially hazardous asteroids.

Recent & Upcoming Earth-asteroid encounters: Asteroid Date(UT) Miss Distance Velocity (km/s) Diameter (m)2017 QN2 2017-Aug-20 0.6 LD 15.3 92017 QO1 2017-Aug-21 10.6 LD 3.7 142017 PV25 2017-Aug-22 5.5 LD 6.5 422017 QT1 2017-Aug-22 2.6 LD 20.6 152017 QF3 2017-Aug-23 1.4 LD 12.7 92017 PE 2017-Aug-24 19.4 LD 7.1 462017 QJ2 2017-Aug-25 9.1 LD 20.2 222017 QX1 2017-Aug-26 12.9 LD 7 382017 QU1 2017-Aug-27 16.2 LD 10.1 372017 PL26 2017-Aug-28 14.2 LD 8.4 1282017 QN1 2017-Aug-30 5.5 LD 10.5 172017 QP2 2017-Aug-30 10.1 LD 7.5 332017 QQ1 2017-Aug-31 4.8 LD 10.1 393122 2017-Sep-01 18.5 LD 13.5 53762017 OP68 2017-Sep-10 20 LD 11.7 2962014 RC 2017-Sep-11 15.1 LD 8.9 162017 PR25 2017-Sep-23 17.9 LD 13.5 2241989 VB 2017-Sep-29 7.9 LD 6.3 4082012 TC4 2017-Oct-12 0.1 LD 7.6 162005 TE49 2017-Oct-13 8.5 LD 11.2 162013 UM9 2017-Oct-15 17 LD 7.8 39

2006 TU7 2017-Oct-18 18.7 LD 13.3

148

Notes: LD means "Lunar Distance." 1 LD = 384,401 km, the distance between Earth and the Moon. 1 LD also equals 0.00256 AU. MAG is the visual magnitude of the asteroid on the date of closest approach.

http://www.spaceweather.com/

Animal DeathsMASS ANIMAL DEATH LIST

326 Known MASS Death Events in 67 Countries (or Territory)

23rd August 2017 - Hundreds, maybe thousands of dead Snow Geese found washed up in Cambridge Bay, Canada. Link

22nd August 2017 - 200,000 birds killed due to avian flu in Pampanga, Philippines. Link

21st August 2017 - 4,000 birds killed due to disease in Kalmar County, Sweden. Link

18th August 2017 - Dozens of dead dolphins and turtles are washing up on the Gulf Coast, America. Link

17th August 2017 - Thousands of dead fish washing ashore along Tampa Bay coast, America. Link

http://www.end-times-prophecy.org/animal-deaths-birds-fish-end-times.html

The Earth Flood kills at least 57 in Bangladesh with over 3,326,000 affected Abu SiddiqueDhaka TribuneThu, 17 Aug 2017 14:39 UTC

© Focus BanglaDesperate for help, a group of women and children at Hotathpara village in Fulchhari upazila, Gaibandha

wade through chest-high water to get to relief workers on August 16, 2017.Around 3,326,864 people in 22 districts have been severely affected by the latest bout of flood that hit last week, their houses and croplands inundated

At least 57 people have died in 13 districts, as of 6pm on Wednesday, due to the monsoon flood that is currently plaguing the country's northern and northeastern regions, according to disaster management officials.

The highest number of deaths occurred in Dinajpur, where 23 people have died, while Kurigram has the second highest death toll - nine.

Some of the victims were swept away by floodwater, some died from snake bites and lightning and others were crushed when walls collapsed on them, said the officials.

Around 3,326,864 people in 22 districts have been severely affected by the latest bout of flood that hit last week, their houses and croplands inundated, according to the Flood Monitoring Cell of the Department of Disaster Management.

However, local sources say the real count of death toll and damage is bigger than the government numbers.

Relief efforts

The government has already opened flood and relief centres as part of its relief and rehabilitation works, where 471,553 people have already taken shelter, said the Department of Disaster Management sources.

However, shortage of food grains in its stock is causing problems in the relief distribution process.

The sources said the government had already allotted 321,259 tons of rice for the flood-affected people, 3,387 tons of which has already been distributed.

As of Tuesday (August 15), the government's rice reserve for Gratuitous Relief (GR) is only 1,517 tons against the demand of 5,335 tons, according to the department's flood situation report.

Sources at the Ministry of Food say as of Wednesday, the government reserve of food grains stands at 434,000 tons - 287,000 tons of rice and 147,000 tons of wheat.

The government reserve is mainly for covering its different social safety net programmes including Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF), Vulnerable Group Development (VGD), Open Market Sale (OMS) and Gratuitous Relief (GR).

Due to the food grain shortage, the government has already suspended its VGF programme for the Haor basin in Sylhet division which was badly affected by flash floods in April.

On Wednesday, the government decided to import 1.5 million tons of rice and 500,000 tons of wheat to tackle the crisis.

In addition, it decided to reduce the rice import duty to 2% to encourage rice import in private sector.

At an event in Dhaka on Wednesday, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said there was no food crisis in the country due to the persisting flood and there would be no crisis in the future either, reports UNB.

However, he admitted that the flood had caused temporary losses which would be overcome soon. "For that, we have to spend more money and we have this capacity," he said.

Nine more flood-related deaths were reported in northern Bangladesh on Monday.The current situation

The floodwater has started to recede in some flood-affected districts, including Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

The FFWC flood bulletin, issued on Wednesday, said the water flow in the Ganges-Padma River is in the rising trend, while the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Surma-Kushiyara rivers are in the falling trend.

The Brahmaputra-Jamuna River is likely to become steady in the next 24 hours.

The Ganges-Padma River is likely to continue rising in the next 72 hours, while the Surma-Kushiyara River is likely to continue falling in the next 24 hours.

Tough days ahead for the central region

On Sunday (August 13), the FFWC projected that the water level in the Brahmaputra was supposed to cross the danger level - 19.5m - at Bahadurabad point by yesterday (August 16). The water level at that point was recorded at 20.84m on Wednesday, exceeding last year's 20.71m - the highest ever recorded.

The FFWC further predicted that the water level of the Ganges - which takes the name Padma in Bangladesh - will also cross the danger level by Friday or Saturday (August 18-19).

The FFWC data also says the water in the Padma River at Goalando and Bhagyakul points was

flowing 77cm and 15cm, respectively, above the danger level on Wednesday.

Water level in the Meghna river basin is also likely to rise as many of the rivers, including the Surma and the Kushiyara, have already seen the water level rise above the danger level.

Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, hydrologist Prof Ainun Nishat said the latest data suggested that the water level in the three major rivers systems - Jamuna, Padma and Meghna - would reach their peak between Friday and Sunday (August 18 and August 20).

Added to that is the new moon phase that falls during the same period of time, which will result in high tide in the Bay of Bengal. Because of the high tide, the water in the swelled-up river systems will not be able to flow downwards to the sea, he added.

If that happens, large areas of central Bangladesh, including Munshiganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Tangail, Kushtia and some parts of East Dhaka city will be inundated for at least 10-12 days, he cautioned.

According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the country experienced severe rainfall in different parts of the country in the last 24 hours as of 6pm on Wednesday. The weather is likely to remain the same in the next 24 hours as well.

https://www.sott.net/article/359440-Flood-kills-at-least-57-in-Bangladesh-with-over-3326000-affected

Meteotsunami? Ocean dramatically recedes on South American Atlantic coast as huge waves batter the Pacific side

Sott.netThu, 17 Aug 2017 04:42 UTC

© El ObservadorOcean recedes at Montevideo, Uruguay on August 11

On August 11, 2017 the ocean suddenly receded in different coastal locations of Uruguay such as Montevideo and Punta del Este. Several hours later the same phenomenon occurred along beaches in Porto Alegre and Tramandaí in Brazil. Some local people feared a possible tsunami.

The Uruguayan Meteorological Institute (INUMET) had issued orange wind warnings earlier for Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, Rocha and Lavalleja. According to El Pais as reported in Elonce, the spokesman for the National Navy, Gastón Jaunsolo,said the phenomenon was caused by strong winds coming from the north.

On August 13, 2017, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean receded in Caraguatatuba, Brazil.

Waters returned to those coastal areas of Uruguay and Brazil some 36 hours later according to Noticias RCN. Such a phenomenon occurring in areas so far apart on the South American eastern coastline are likely caused by more than just 'northerly winds'. Also the effects of an underwater earthquake or volcano eruption would have been felt in a matter of hours, not days.

Juan Carlos Ramos García, director of CIEM, International Corps of Emergencies, suggests that a phenomenon called a meteotsunami is the cause.

Meteotsunamis are generated when rapid changes in barometric pressure cause the displacement of a body of water. In contrast to "ordinary" impulse-type tsunami sources, a traveling atmospheric disturbance normally interacts with the ocean over a limited period of time (from several minutes to several hours)

Ramos Garcia further explained that this meteorological disturbance was caused "by gravitational waves, not by winds".

Meanwhile huge Pacific waves battered the coastline on the other side of the continent in Chile yesterday.

The continent of South America may have been affected by an atmospheric anomaly as detected by MIMIC (Morphed Integrated Microwave Imagery at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies) recently. Could an approaching celestial body be responsible?

After the total solar eclipse of August 21, asteroid 1981 ET3 - also known as 3122 Florence - a huge space rock at least 2.7 miles (4.35 km) in diameter will pass by on September 1, the biggest near-Earth object to pass this close since this category of objects was discovered over a century ago according to Paul Chodas at the Center for Near Earth Object Studies.

Could the slowdown of the Earth's rotation also be a factor for this phenomenon?

https://www.sott.net/article/359523-Meteotsunami-Ocean-dramatically-recedes-on-South-American-Atlantic-coast-as-huge-waves-batter-the-Pacific-side

Landslide kills 40 people in DR Congo

Press TVThu, 17 Aug 2017 12:59 UTC

A landslide has swept over a fishing village on the banks of a lake in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing 40 people, a regional official says.

Part of a mountain engulfed "a fisherman's camp after heavy rains caused a landslide," the deputy governor of Ituri province, Pacifique Keta, told AFP on Thursday.

He said 40 people were killed in the disaster in the village of Tora on the banks of Lake Albert on Wednesday.

"Yesterday (Wednesday), we buried 28 bodies and today we will bury 12 more," said Keta.

A doctor at the nearby Tshomia hospital, Herve Isamba, said they were treating four people injured in the landslide.

The vast country has experienced a number of previous such disasters.

In May 2010, a mudslide that swept over the eastern village of Kibiriga killed 19 people. The bodies of 27 others were never recovered.

In February 2002, about 50 people were found dead after a wave of mud and rocks hit the eastern town of Uvira, submerging about 150 homes.

Fishing on Lake Albert is one of the main occupations in Ituri, which borders Uganda.

https://www.sott.net/article/359524-Landslide-kills-40-people-in-DR-Congo

2017 is British Columbia's worst wildfire season on record Scott BrownVancouver SunWed, 16 Aug 2017 12:12 UTC

© Darryl DyckThe 2017 wildfire season is officially the worst on record in British Columbia.

The B.C. Wildfire Service said Wednesday that a total of 1,026 wildfires have razed nearly 8,950 square kilometres, surpassing the old record of 8,560 square kilometres set in 1958.

The majority of the activity has occurred in the province's Cariboo region where fires have destroyed more than 6,700 square kilometres.

B.C. Wildfire Service spokesman Kevin Skrepnek says there are still 142 fires currently burning in the province.

"Most of those are the major fires that started on July 7, we have done a good job at getting on new fires quickly and keeping them small," he said.

A fire that destroyed dozens of homes near Ashcroft six weeks ago has now consumed structures in the Green Lake area almost 100 kilometres away.

Thompson-Nicola Regional District spokeswoman Debbie Sell says the fire is 1,680 square kilometre in size and still active in the region.

The wildfire service reports at least 10 wildfires have broken out in the last 24 hours, including six believed to have been caused by humans.

Battling fires has cost the province $309 million so far this season, five times the $63 million it had budgeted for.

Emergency Management B.C. says nearly 9,300 people remain out of their homes in central and southeastern B.C., as 40 evacuation orders are still in place.

More than 45,000 people were evacuated from the homes at one point this summer.

Evacuation orders were downgraded to alerts Tuesday for the community of Clinton and from Alexis Creek to Riske Creek but Sell says there are still some evacuees needing food and assistance as they shelter in Kamloops.

https://www.sott.net/article/359531-2017-is-British-Columbias-worst-wildfire-season-on-record

The floods in Nepal, Bangladesh and India have killed about 500 and affected over 16 million

BBCFri, 18 Aug 2017 13:09 UTC

Deadly floods hit South Asian statesMore than 16 million people have now been affected by seasonal flooding across a swathe of South Asia, say aid officials.

The floods in Nepal, Bangladesh and India are thought to have killed about 500 people and are expected to worsen.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) says it is becoming one of the worst regional humanitarian crises in years.

There are growing concerns about food shortages and disease.

Martin Faller, ICRC's deputy regional director, said more than a third of Bangladesh and Nepal were flooded, while about 11 million people across four northern Indian states were also affected.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced.

"This is fast becoming one of the most serious humanitarian crises this region has seen in many years, and urgent action is needed to meet the growing needs of millions of people affected by these devastating floods," Mr Faller said in a statement.

"Millions of people across Nepal, Bangladesh and India face severe food shortages and disease caused by polluted flood waters."

Bangladesh, where flood levels are already at a record high, is expected to be further hit as swollen Indian rivers flow down through it in the coming days.

Save the Children Director Mark Pierce said the situation there was "extremely desperate".

"The sheer volume of water is also making it really difficult to access some of the communities most in need."

Nepal's Red Cross Society said food crops there had been wiped out, as floods hit major farming and agricultural land in the south.

"We fear that this destruction will lead to severe food shortages," said Secretary General Dev Ratna Dhakhwa.

Further heavy rain has been forecast across the region in the coming days, worsening the flooding and making it harder to reach those affected.

Save The Children's India manager, Murali Kunduru, told Reuters that while the monsoon rains come annually, "this year is particularly severe".

https://www.sott.net/article/359532-The-floods-in-Nepal-Bangladesh-and-India-have-killed-about-500-and-affected-over-16-million

Update: Sierra Leone death toll increases to 450 after mudslides; 600 still missing, feared dead Lekan OyekanmiThe Durango HeraldFri, 18 Aug 2017 16:15 UTC

Graves being dug for the dead victims of the Sierra Leone mudslideRescue officials in Sierra Leone warned Friday that the chances of finding survivors in the debris of this week's mudslides "are getting smaller every day," as bereaved and homeless survivors faced the magnitude of all they have lost.

Burials and rescue efforts pressed on amid the threat of further disaster. Up to 450 bodies have been recovered in and around the capital, Freetown, after Monday's mudslides and flooding, according

to Dr. Simeon Owiss Koroma, the government's chief consultant forensic pathologist. Some 600 others are missing and feared dead.

At least 122 of the victims are children, and a similar number have been orphaned by the disaster, the aid group Save the Children said.

Sayo Jalloh, who lost a son, a brother and 15 other family members, has been too numb to mourn. At a camp for those made homeless in the hard-hit Regent neighborhood, she has been having trouble sleeping and pleads with her traumatized daughter to eat.

"I just keep wondering why I don't see them or even dream about them," she said of her lost relatives. "It just seems like when someone has travelled. I can't even locate the house where used to live anymore, other than to just point at the area."

Burials have begun in a cemetery that holds victims of the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak that killed thousands in the West African country.

Many people have been unable to find loved ones and victims often are too mangled and decomposed to be identified. But the government has vowed to hold burials for all.

"The death toll is climbing by the day," Elhadj As Sy, secretary-general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, told reporters in Geneva, adding that the disaster is "way beyond the capacity of the government alone."

The threat of further mudslides continues. The government has warned residents to evacuate a mountainside where a large crack has opened. Rainfall is in the forecast for the coming days, slowing recovery efforts.

Some critics accuse the government of not learning from past disasters in a city where many poor areas are near sea level and lack good drainage. The capital is also plagued by unregulated construction on its hillsides.

The government's main focus right now is getting people away from areas still under threat, Zuliatu Cooper, the deputy minister of health and sanitation, told The Associated Press.

"The rains are still pending and there is a possibility that we will have another incident," he said.

Some parts of the capital are without clean drinking water because of damage to pipelines. Malaria is also a concern, as many of the estimated 3,000 homeless are sleeping without mosquito nets.

Jalloh and her surviving family members are among them.

"I am just imagining where we live now - on empty ground? My body is paining me," she said.

https://www.sott.net/article/359657-Update-Sierra-Leone-death-toll-increases-to-450-after-mudslides-600-still-missing-feared-dead

Flood situation worsens in the Indian state of Bihar; death toll rises to 153 with 10 million affected

Oman TribuneSat, 19 Aug 2017 20:01 UTC

© IANSBihar floods claim 153 lives

The toll in Bihar floods rose to 153 on while the number of those marooned in 17 districts of the state crossed the 10 million mark.

Meanwhile, as many as 500 people have died and millions have been affected by monsoon floods in northeastern states and Uttar Pradesh, officials said Saturday.

Authorities sought military help in two districts of northern Uttar Pradesh state after heavy rain left hundreds of villages marooned.

As many as 33 out of 75 districts in the state are reeling from floods that have left 55 people dead. "We have sought army's help to reach out to the affected people," T P Gupta, a senior official from the state's disaster management authority, said.

Nearly 100,000 people have been moved to shelters, with authorities estimating another two million have been hit by the deluge.

In Bihar the death toll reached 153. Nearly 400,000 people have sought shelter in relief camps and an estimated 10 million have been affected by one of the state's worst floods since 2008.

Anirudh Kumar, the state's top disaster management agency official, said more than 5,000 emergency workers, including 2,000 soldiers were supporting relief and rescue operations.

Araria district accounted for 30 deaths, West Champaran 23, Sitamarhi 13, Madhubani 8 and Katihar 7. As many as 11 each have died in Kisanganj, East Champaran and Supual and 9 each in Purnea and Madhepura.

Around 10.08 million people have been hit by floods in 17 districts and 1,688 panchayats, he said. Saran was included in the list of affected areas on Friday, taking number of districts under water to 17, Kumar said.

Further east, at least 60 people have died in floods that hit Asom a second time in less than four months and nearly 425,000 remain in relief camps.

As many as 225 animals have died in the Kaziranga National Park in Asom, park officials said. As of Saturday, 30 per cent of the park was still inundated.

Meanwhile, rain in the national capital brought the mercury down by nine degrees Celsius with the maximum temperature recorded at 29.6 degrees Celsius, four notches below the season's average.

https://www.sott.net/article/359677-Flood-situation-worsens-in-the-Indian-state-of-Bihar-death-toll-rises-to-153-with-10-million-affected

5 million people now flood-affected across Bangladesh; 77 die in a week

bdnews24.comSat, 19 Aug 2017 21:14 UTC

With more areas in 27 northern and central districts or one-third of the country inundated by floodwaters, the authorities now say an estimated five million people are affected.

The second spell of the flooding, triggered by the onrush of upstream water and heavy rains, has claimed 77 lives in the affected areas in a week, the Department of Disaster Management officials said on Friday.

There is no definitive count of deaths, but the authorities on Wednesday said that 107 people died in floods since July.

The flood has damaged crops on over 618,000 hectares of land.

Naznin Shamima, an official at the DDM control room, said 133 Upazilas and 43 municipalities of 27 districts have so far been flooded.

The number of affected families is over 1.1 million, she added.

Swathes of Kurhigram, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrakona, Rangamati, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Bogra, Sirajganj, Khagrhachharhi, Dinajpur, Jamalpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Mymensingh, Brahmanbarhia, Rajbarhi, Naogaon, Joypurhat, Jessore, Moulvibazar, Faridpur, Tangail, Manikganj and Madaripur districts have gone under water.

The authorities have closed more than 3,000 educational institutions in Kurhigram, Lalmonirhat, Netrakona, Bogra, Sirajganj, Dinajpur, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Rajbari, Naogaon, Joypurhat, Jessore, and Tangail.

The deluge has destroyed around 15,000 houses completely and around 250,000 more partially.

Floodwaters in some areas in Kurigram have started receding, according to reports.

The disaster management department says cash of around Tk 60 million, about 16 tonnes of rice and 36,500 packets of dry food have been distributed among the flood-affected people.

After visiting Dinajpur and Thakurgaon on Friday, the department's Director General Md Reaz Ahmed said Tk 70 million cash and 19.5 tonnes of rice have been allotted for the flood-hit people so far.

One-third of the country submerged

Reaz Ahmed told bdnews24.com that around one-third of the country has been flooded.

He said the situation was improving as the water in northern districts is decreasing. He expected the situation in the central districts to also improve in four to five days.

He claimed the situation this year is not as devastating as it was in 1988 and 1998.

In the floods of 1988, around 64 percent of the country went under water while the 1998 flood submerged 68 percent, he said.

The floods in those years lasted more than two months each, causing more devastation than this year, he said.

"But the death toll this year is very high. Because dams collapsed in many areas suddenly. Snake bites and other reasons also caused the deaths. Districts like Dinajpur have experienced flooding for the first time this year," he said.

More floods feared

The disaster management department chief said though the current situation 'is improving', another bout of floods may hit the country by the end of this month.

"Rain may start in the upstream on Aug 24 or 25. The country may also experience rain," he said.

"That's why floods may hit the country again before the Eid-ul-Azha. The sufferings will increase in that case," he added.

At least 13 districts were struck by floods in the second half of July.

https://www.sott.net/article/359680-5-million-people-now-flood-affected-across-Bangladesh-77-die-in-a-week

'Domino effect': Dozens of vehicles pile up in row after mudflows in Crimea

RTSat, 19 Aug 2017 15:29 UTC

© Крымский Мир / YouTubeDozens of cars were swept away and piled up after massive mudflows caused by heavy rainfall rocked a resort town in Crimea, videos on social media show. The chain of wrecked vehicles triggered a 10-km traffic jam on the local highway.

The town of Sudak and surrounding area in eastern Crimea were pounded by heavy rain on Friday evening. The town has around 16,000 residents, but the total number of people is higher in the summer due to the influx of tourists.

The rain triggered flooding in areas near the Suuksu river, and a part of the highway from Sudak to Crimea's capital, Simferopol was heavily eroded.

At least 41 households were flooded, authorities say, adding that dozens, including children, have been evacuated.

Around 50 cars piled up in a 50-meter-long row on the Sudak-Simferopol highway. The vehicles were partially flooded due to the mudflows and rains. The pile-up caused a 10-km traffic jam on the highway, the town said.

On Saturday, authorities said that the town was in a state of emergency.

People, mostly tourists, shared photos of "the great flood" and its aftermath on social media. "This is a nightmare! Look at the aftermath of the Sudak flood," one person wrote on Instagram, adding an epic video.

Another wrote "We were there [in Sudak] last night. We witnessed this horror! It was something scary."

Another person said that lighting hit the sea shore "for half a day" on Friday.

One woman released a photo of a completely flooded apartment. "When you come home and see that it has been raining [in the apartment]," she wrote ironically.

"Some hours ago this place was a road, but now it is a mudflow," another person wrote.

https://www.sott.net/article/359728-Domino-effect-Dozens-of-vehicles-pile-up-in-row-after-mudflows-in-Crimea

Update: Bihar flooding death toll increases to 304 in India; situation grim in Uttar Pradesh

Times of IndiaMon, 21 Aug 2017 09:25 UTC

The death toll in Bihar floods has crossed the 300 mark with 51 people losing their lives since Sunday. The figure of flood fatalities stood at 253 till Sunday. 1.38 crore people are battling the deluge in 18 districts of the state. The figure of flood fatalities rose by three each in Assam and Uttar Pradesh. However, life in the deluge-ravaged areas of West Bengal slowly limped back to normalcy, with the water level of rivers receding.

Around *7.34 lakh people in Bihar have been shifted to safer areas. Close to 3.27 lakh people are putting up in 1,346 relief camps.

Araria district accounted for 71 deaths alone, Sitamarhi (34), West Champaran (29), Katihar (26), Madhubani (22), East Champaran (19), Darbhanga (19), Madhepura (15), Supual (13), Kisanganj (11), Gopalganj (9), Purnea (9) Muzaffarpur (7), Khagaria (6), Saran (6) and Saharsa (4), Sheohar (4).

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a high-level ministerial meeting to take stock of the flood situation.

Principal Secretary in the Disaster Management Department Pratyay Amrit said food packets were being airdropped in the inundated areas on war footing.

The CM ordered that damaged roads be restored at the earliest.

Meanwhile, train services continued to be affected as floodwaters have overtopped tracks.

An East Central Railways statement said train services have resumed on some sections under the Samastipur division with speed restriction.

Chief Public Relations Officer of the ECR Rajesh Kumar said 11 trains have been cancelled for Tuesday.

These include 15549 Jaynagar-Patna Intercity Express, 25909 Link Express, 15211 Darbhanga-Amritsar Express and 15212 Amritsar-Darbhanga Express, he said.

UP flood situation grim

The overall situation in Uttar Pradesh is grim. Three more deaths have pushed the flood toll to 72, the state relief commissioner's office said.

Over 20 lakh people have been hit by the current spell of floods in 24 districts of the state. 2,688 villages are under water.

A flood report said 43,602 people have take shelter in relief camps in the affected districts of eastern UP, whipped by the raging waters of the rivers emanating from Nepal.

Army choppers, NDRF and PAC (flood) jawans continued relief and rescue operations round-the-clock in the severely hit areas of the flood-affected districts of the state.

The release of water in the rivers emanating from Nepal and incessant rains impeded rescue work and evacuation of people to safer areas.

Twenty-one companies of the NDRF, 30 of the PAC (flood), two choppers of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and several columns of the Army were working day and night to save lives and properties in the affected areas.

A Central Water Commission report said the Sharda was flowing above the red mark at Palia Kalan and near the danger mark at Shardanagar while the Ghaghra was flowing above the red mark at Elgin Bridge, Ayodhya and Turtipar (Ballia).

https://www.sott.net/article/359815-Update-Bihar-flooding-death-toll-increases-to-304-in-India-situation-grim-in-Uttar-Pradesh

'Historic' flash floods in Kansas City leave many people stranded

RTTue, 22 Aug 2017 16:40 UTC

© FILE PHOTO Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Flash flooding caused by three rounds of heavy rain storms drenched Kansas City, Missouri overnight, leading to numerous water rescues and residents trapped on their roofs.

Parts of the Kansas City metro area picked up over 9in (22 cms) of rain, breaking a record, as three rounds of heavy rain pounded the area throughout Monday and into early Tuesday morning.

There were more than 130 weather-related calls to the police and fire departments of Kansas City overnight and into Tuesday morning due to the flash floods.

https://www.sott.net/article/359847-Historic-flash-floods-in-Kansas-City-leave-many-people-stranded

Forklift driver injured after sinkhole opens up under sidewalk in downtown St. Louis, Missouri Derrion Hendersonkplr11.comSat, 19 Aug 2017 17:53 UTC

Forklift driver injured when sidewalk collapses in downtown St. LouisSaturday as dozens of St. Louisans were enjoying the Rise Up Festival on Washington Avenue a sidewalk collapsed between 15th street and 18th street around 6:45 pm.

Witnesses at the scene say a man was driving a forklift on the sideway when the sidewalk collapsed. They've also told Fox 2 that they could see the man's hands and feet moving in the sinkhole.

First responders on the scene rescued the man and he was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries.

The festival in Washington Avenue is celebration to recognize the revitalization the area surround Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis.

The festival is being held between 16th street and 18th street featuring painters, musicians and food.

Organizers say all of the vendors are local and from the surrounding St. Louis area.

https://www.sott.net/article/359857-Forklift-driver-injured-after-sinkhole-opens-up-under-sidewalk-in-downtown-St-Louis-Missouri

Update: 24 million affected by floods in Nepal, Bangladesh and India; over 750 dead

Arab NewsTue, 22 Aug 2017 18:43 UTC

© STR/AFP/Getty ImagesFlood waters in Balurghat, in West Bengal, eastern India

More than 24 million people have been affected by some of the worst flooding to hit South Asia in decades, with large areas of land submerged in water, the Red Cross Tuesday.

Authorities in Bangladesh, India and Nepal have put the death toll at more than 750 since August 10, when a series of deluges began spreading with the annual monsoon season.

"The situation is going from bad to worse," Red Cross under secretary-general Jagan Chapagain said in a statement, confirming the death toll given by regional authorities.

"Almost one third of Nepal has been flooded. One third of Bangladesh is flooded," he told reporters.

"This is the worst flooding that parts of South Asia have seen in decades."

Flood waters in the three countries have left hundreds of people stranded and entire communities cut off from road access, according to the Red Cross.

Many villages are now only accessible by boat and "are running out of food" with clean water also in short supply, the organization added.

"The number of people affected is rising by the hour as waters rush south," Chapagain said.

He added the devastating flooding has been triggered in part by the monsoons but is "also a result of the lack of proper water management," in all three countries.

© Aftab Alam SiddiquiVillagers stand inside their house destroyed by floodwaters at Katihar district, in the eastern Indian state

of Bihar, on Saturday 19 August 2017.The organization has launched a 3.5 million Swiss francs ($3.6 million, 3.1 million euros) international appeal to help authorities in Nepal.

Chapagain said a similar global appeal to help Bangladesh deal with the disaster could be launched soon, while India is seen as having the resources needed to respond without foreign help.

The heavy rain has also taken a toll on wildlife, with rescue teams pulling stranded animals from raging waters in India's Kaziranga National Park, including rare one-horned rhinos and other endangered species.

https://www.sott.net/article/359869-Update-24-million-affected-by-floods-in-Nepal-Bangladesh-and-India-over-750-dead

Update: Death toll in the Democratic Republic of Congo landslide increases to 200

Al JazeeraSat, 19 Aug 2017 19:03 UTC

At least 200 people have been killed in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo after a landslide swept through a fishing village on the banks of Lake Albert in Ituri province, officials said.

Abdallah Pene Mbaka, governor of Ituri province, told AP news agency on Saturday that the estimate is based on missing people and homes affected in the Tora village.

He said 50 houses were destroyed from Wednesday's landslide.

The governor called on the international community for emergency assistance with rescue and recovery efforts.

Pacifique Keta, deputy governor of Ituri province, confirmed to Al Jazeera on Friday that at least 60 bodies had been buried so far.

Rescue efforts have been affected because of inclement weather at the catastrophe zone.

"There are many people submerged whom we were unable to save," Keta told Reuters news agency on Friday. "The rescue is very complicated because there are mountains everywhere, which makes it very difficult to have access."

A UN humanitarian team, aid agencies and provincial delegations are assessing the damage on the

ground.

The affected village is located between a mountainous area and Lake Albert.

Many parts of West and Central Africa are vulnerable to landslides because land is heavily deforested and communities crowd into steep hillsides.

Congo is in the middle of a humanitarian crisis, with about 7.7 million people on the verge of starvation, according to UN food agencies.

The disaster comes after more than 400 people were killed by a massive mudslide in Sierra Leone on Monday.

In May 2010, a mudslide swept over the eastern Congo village of Kibiriga and killed 19 people. Bodies of 27 others were never recovered.

In February 2002, about 50 people were found dead after a wave of mud and rocks hit the eastern town of Uvira, submerging about 150 homes.

https://www.sott.net/article/359872-Update-Death-toll-in-the-Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-landslide-increases-to-200

Large sinkhole closes road in Lynchburg, Virginia Kari BealWSETWed, 23 Aug 2017 20:06 UTC

© Brandon DunnLynchburg Department of Emergency Services says there is a water main break on Fort Avenue near Fenwick Drive, which is down from Crown Sterling and next to the pumpkin patch.

DES said the eastbound lane is closed as they try to maintain the sinkhole.

The water main break caused a pretty big sinkhole in the eastbound lanes of Fort Avenue and was growing while crews were on the scene.

The owner of Crown Sterling said the water main break was caused by a car accident and now the restaurant will have to close since there is no water.

As 12-inch valve ruptured underneath the road which caused the sinkhole; Dept. of Water Resources crews responded to turn the water off, but the sinkhole had already developed.

© Brandon DunnOfficials said businesses could be without water for the rest of the day, but residents in the area should have water and should maintain water throughout repair of the sinkhole.

You might see discolored water, if you do run cold water for several minutes, do not run the hot water until after your water is clear.

If dicoloration persists or you see a low flow or disruption to service, contact Water Resources at 434-455-4250.

Lynchburg Police, Lynchburg Fire, and the Lynchburg Department of Water Resources are on the scene.

https://www.sott.net/article/359971-Large-sinkhole-closes-road-in-Lynchburg-Virginia

Strange & PestilenceApocalyptic cloud stuns residents of Teixeira de Freitas, Brazil

RTFri, 18 Aug 2017 16:16 UTC

© João Paulo MagalhãesResidents of a Brazilian town were stunned by the appearance of a strange, menacing-looking cloud Thursday evening, leading some to wonder if it spelled the beginning of something far more sinister.

At first look the obscure cloud resembles a meteorite trail or tornado, frozen in time, seconds before the impending doom. At second glance,it looks more like a freaky cloud formation.

João Paulo Magalhães captured the cloud in all its glory at 5pm in the city of Teixeira de Freitas, in the extreme south of the Brazilian state of Bahia.

Magalhães said while the "very unusual" cloud remained only about four minutes, people were worried it would form a tornado.

"It really looked like the entrance to a meteorite or something," he said.

Other residents posted pictures of the freaky phenomenon, some calling it the "work of God".

https://www.sott.net/article/359561-Apocalyptic-cloud-stuns-residents-of-Teixeira-de-Freitas-Brazil

Huge sandstorm engulfs Algerian city, turning sky red Tom MichaelThe Sun (UK)Wed, 16 Aug 2017 19:15 UTC

The sky over Ain Ouasara turned blood red within seconds.Incredible footage has emerged showing a colossal sandstorm sweeping through an Algerian city.

The video begins with a group of young men playing football with a swirling red cloud in the background.

Despite being the middle of the day, the sky cannot be seen as it is completely covered by the cloud.

Alarmed shouts can be heard in Arabic as the match grinds to a halt.

Players and spectators begin to run for cover in the direction of nearby buildings as the storm draws closer.

The clip begins with a group of young men playing football in Ain Oussera, AlgeriaThe wind blows stronger and everything gets darker as the terrifying desert tempest covers the city, blocking out the sun.

Eventually, day is turned to night and all that can be seen are the lights in houses and on people's mobile phones.

A few muffled and distant cries can be heard as locals stumble around in the dark, trying to find their way to shelter.

The wind picks up and the sky darkens as the frightening storm gets closer

https://www.sott.net/article/359589-Huge-sandstorm-engulfs-Algerian-city-turning-sky-red

Polluted river in India turns dogs blue!

Press TVSun, 20 Aug 2017 14:02 UTC

Have you ever seen or heard about a blue dog? It might be funny and odd, but the reason behind it makes animal lovers furious.

© Press TVPhotos and videos of blue stray dogs in the Indian town of Navi Mumbai have gone viral this week.

Photos and videos of blue stray dogs in the Indian town of Navi Mumbai have gone viral this week. But what's causing it?

© Press TV

Animal rights groups say industrial pollutants in a nearby river are responsible. A company in western India has allegedly released untreated blue dye and powder into the surrounding area near the Kasadi River.

© Press TVAccording to local media, the pollution control board has threatened to close the company. Stray dogs are often seen wading through water in the heat and searching for food in the area.

© Press TVhttps://www.sott.net/article/359747-Polluted-river-in-India-turns-dogs-blue

Two family dogs maul 8-week-old infant to death in Houston, Texas Miya Shayabc13.comSun, 20 Aug 2017 11:36 UTC

© Angela Antunes / CC by 2.0A tragedy is unfolding on Houston's north side where an 8-week-old baby boy is dead after being mauled by the family pets.

Sources tell ABC13 the baby boy was in his bassinet when the parents stepped away. That's when the family's dogs, a giant schnauzer mix and a Labrador retriever mix, apparently attacked. The baby was mauled mainly in his torso area.

Parents called 911, but the little boy's life could not be saved.

"I just broke down when I heard about the baby, I didn't expect that," said neighbor Maria Medina, who saw the ambulance take the little baby away. "It was, I have no words for it, it was really bad."

The dogs, both named Jack, were quarantined by BARC, Houston's animal control agency. On Sunday, the father of the little boy officially turned over the dogs to animal control officers. The dogs were euthanized and will be tested for rabies.

Dr. Hallie Ray Moore, who owns the Oak Forest Veterinary Hospital, says even long time family pets can react badly when a new baby is brought into the home.

"You should never ever leave the baby alone in the presence of a dog," Dr. Ray Moore said. "However, it doesn't sound like that was even done in this case. This is just worst-case scenario."

Doctor Moore says to her, this appears to be a tragic accident. HPD's homicide division is investigating the case, as is standard for all deaths involving babies.

https://www.sott.net/article/359749-Two-family-dogs-maul-8-week-old-infant-to-death-in-Houston-Texas