NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 14 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN ATTACKED IN SOMALIA

 

(Swedish text-TV / SVT)

 

SOS Children's Village and its hospital in Somalia's hospital, Mogadishu, have been occupied by soldiers. One staff member has been killed according to the organization. The staff members and the patients have been transported into safety outside Mogadishu. The attackers are said to be government soldiers.

 

The secretary-general of SOS Children's Villages, Anna Ryott, calls this incident "a terrible violation of human rights".

 

 

Médécins sans Frontières has withdrawn all foreign staff members from the DADAAB refugee camp in Kenya after 2 Spanish aid workers from the organization were kidnapped yesterday by armed men - this according to news agency AFP.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT

 

 

UNs refugee organization has suspended its activities other than those related to health, clean water and food distribution. The reason is the kidnapping of 2 Spanish aid workers from Médécins sans Frontières.

 

Source: Danish TV2 News

 

 

FLOODING IN THAILAND HAS REACHED BANGKOK

 

The water from river CHAO PRAYA that flows through Bangkok rises again. Parts of Bangkok are flooded, but the centre of the city remained spared as a consequence of flood gates / dams stopping the flooding. According to Thailand's minister of justice the situation is under control.

 

More than 280 people have died since the end of July due to the water masses and landslides.

 

Thailand is hit by the worst flooding for decades.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDFtext

 

 

CNN live Friday evening central European time: Bangkok's suburbs are flooded. Nearby crocodile / alligator farms are flooded, and the crocodiles escaped. So more worries for the flood-affected Thai people.

 

Mentioned was also an elephant sanctuary with several elephants - mainly mothers and baby elephants, and they are all in desperate need of food.

 

POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

 

(Swedish text-TV / SVT)

 

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit Papua New Guinea today. The epicentre was 10 miles east of the country's capital city Lae and at a depth of 4½ miles according to US Geological Survey, USGS.

 

No tsunami alert was issued. There are no reports of casualties (deaths and killed).

 

Yesterday morning, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit the Indonesian tourist island of BALI. More than 40 are reported injured according to RED CROSS, but there are no reports of deaths.

 

 

NEW ZEALAND: THE GROUNDED CONTAINER VESSEL RENA BROKEN INTO 2 OFF NEW ZEALAND

 

Rescue teams have not yet been able to start pumping oil. Rena has been stuck on a reef for more than 1 week.

 

About 300 tons of oil has leaked from the vessel.

 

(Swedish text-TV / SVT)

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 15 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

NORTH KOREA IN DESPERATE NEED OF AID (Swedish text-TV / SVT)

 

The regime in North Korea is more open to foreign aid agencies. Swedish Red Cross has just visited North Korea. Press secretary Karin Tengby: "The need for aid is enormous in areas that were hit hard by i.a. bad weather this summer. Parts of the North Korean population are suffering from chronic malnourishment.

 

 

ICELAND EXPECTS NEW VOLCANIC ERUPTION FROM THE VOLCANO KATLA

 

Iceland prepares the 300 inhabitants of the town of VIK for a volcanic eruption from the enormous volcano KATLA. Several low-lying houses will also be evacuated.

 

The increased seismic activity in recent years AND the increase in the number of earthquakes lately make researchers believe that an eruption may be imminent.

 

Historically, KATLA erupts following an eruption of the considerably smaller neighbouring volcano Eyjafjallasjökull which erupted in 2010.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT

 

 

THE WORST FLOODING FOR 50 YEARS REACHES BANGKOK - WALLS PROTECT THE CENTRE OF THE CAPITAL

 

Floodgates / dams and protective walls of sandbags were able to keep the water masses away. Nor was a 4-km-long floodgate in the nearby province Pathum Thani overflown. The risk of flooding in the centre of Bangkok remains.

 

Most threatened are flooded regions in the north that swelled river CHAO PRAYA considerably. River Chao Praya flows through Bangkok.

 

Thailand's female PM, Yingluck Shinawatra has recommended Bangkok's inhabitants to leave the capital, but only a few people followed her advice. Instead, millions of people stayed in Bangkok after laying in fresh supplies of water and noodles.

 

Bangkok is Thailand's economic & financial heart.

 

Since the end of July, at least 289 people have died as a consequence of the heavy rains and floods.

 

The damage caused amounts to already almost $3 billion.

 

Almost 1/3 of Thailand is currently under water.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDFtext

[nancyk58]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15319921

 

15 October 2011 Last updated at 06:59 GMT

 

Bangkok floods: Thai capital fights to hold back waters

 

Thai military and civilian volunteers are continuing their efforts to try and stop Thailand's worst floods in decades from inundating the capital, Bangkok.

 

Canals have been drained to allow for excessive water flow and sandbags have been piled up around the city.

 

Officials say the next few days are critical as high tides and bad weather combine with the arrival of run-off water from northern Thailand.

 

North and central provinces have until now borne the brunt of the floods.

 

Entire villages have been completely submerged and more than 280 people have been killed since the flooding began in late July, triggered by heavy monsoon rains.

 

'Little comfort'

 

Teams of troops and volunteers have been racing to fill sandbags to fortify existing dykes and protect homes and businesses in the capital.

 

The main canals have been drained and troops are digging out other canals to help water flow out to sea.

 

Officials in charge of managing the floods say they plan to divert the water through canals to the east and west of Bangkok and then out to the sea.

 

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her government was focused on keeping flood waters away from key areas.

 

"We will protect strategic areas and the heart of the economy such as industrial zones, the central part of all provinces and the Thai capital as well as [the main international] airport, industrial estates and evacuation centres," she said.

 

Shops in some parts of the capital are running short of supplies because of a rash of panic buying as well as disruption to distribution networks, the BBC's Rachel Harvey reports.

 

Some people have parked their cars on the upper levels of multi-storey car parks.

 

Officials have predicted that water levels will be at their highest in the low-lying capital between 16 and 18 October.

 

Worapat Tianprasit, at the Royal Irrigation Department, said water levels in the city's main Chao Phraya River had risen to 2.27m above sea level on Saturday morning at high tide, which was lower than expected.

 

"If the tide does not exceed 2.5m, there won't be any flooding," he was quoted by the Agence France Press as saying.

 

Reassurances that central Bangkok will be spared the worst is of little comfort to those living in the outskirts of the city, or in surrounding provinces which have already been hit by the deluge, our correspondent says.

 

Thailand's economy has been disrupted by the weeks of flooding, with many factories - including Japanese carmakers Toyota and Honda - forced to suspend production because of damage to facilities or disruption to local supply chains.

 

The city of Ayutthaya, a World Heritage site which is home to temples and monuments, has also been badly affected.

 

Neighbouring Cambodia has also been hit hard, with the loss of almost 250 people and 17 out of 23 provinces affected.

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 16 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

CENTRAL AMERICA: AT LEAST 50 DEATHS FOLLOWING BAD WEATHER WITH LIGHTNING, MUDSLIDES AND FLOODING LAST WEEK

 

22 deaths are reported in GUATEMALA, 9 in Honduras, 7 in El Salvador and Nicaragua. Deaths due to bad weather have also been reported in Mexico.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT

 

 

THAILAND FLOODING

 

The current flooding is the worst for 50 years. According to Thailand's female Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra the flooding is "one of Thailand's largest and hardest crises ever". Many have lost everything.

 

Around 300 have died in north Thailand, and more than 100,000 have sought refuge in the emergency camps for people in flooded areas.

 

The water level is expected to rise further in the next couple of days.

 

Flooding in AYUTTHAYA north of Bangkok has caused new trouble for the inhabitants as about hundred CROCODILES escaped from fenced parks.

 

The authorities will pay a reward of 1,000 baht for each caught crocodile.

 

The crocodiles have managed to spread to many areas in Thailand's former capital - a popular tourist resort.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT

 

 

THE FLOODING IN BANGKOK HAS CULMINATED (source: Danish text-TV)

 

FLOODING RECEDING SLOWLY - BUT STILL AN ALERT SITUATION

 

Bangkok might have been spared the feared flood disaster. According to Thailand's minister of agriculture, Theera Wong Samut, the culmination has been reached in the flooded areas north of the capital. The floods are receding.

 

Thus the river Chao Praya that flows through Bangkok has also reached its highest water level.

 

Since the end of July, the worst flood for 50 years has cost 197 human lives in all of Thailand.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDF text

 

 

 

KENYAN TROOPS ARRIVED IN SOMALIA

 

The Kenyan troops will attack bases belonging to the militant islamistic al-Shabaab movement. Kenya's government holds the al-Shabaab movement responsible for the recent attacks and kidnappings of tourists and aid workers in Kenya.

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 17 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

CHILE + URUGUAY, SOUTH AMERICA:

 

The ash from the eruption of the Puyehue volcano in Chile has disrupted several planes and closed a few airports.

 

Even the international airport in Monte Video, Uruguay has been hard hit.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT

 

 

CLOUDBURSTS AND LANDSLIDES HAVE RESULTED IN AT LEAST 77 DEATHS IN CENTRAL AMERICA IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS

 

6 days of heavy rain and storm have caused at least 77 deaths in Central America.

 

El Salvador has been worst hit with 32 deaths according to the authorities. Most of them drowned or were buried in landslides. El Salvador's president said that the situation is getting worse. It is still raining a lot, and it is having bad consequences for large parts of the country.

 

In Honduras at least 13 died. More than 31,000 were evacuated. A state of emergency was declared in the south of the country.

 

8 died in Nicaragua.

 

In Colombia 3 children were washed away by the floods. And on Sunday (16 October) a mud avalanche caught 6 people.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDFtext and Danish text-TV (DR1)

 

 

FLOOD PASSES BANGKOK - THE WORST IS OVER ACCORDING TO THE THAI AUTHORITIES

 

The water masses from the flooded north have passed the capital, Bangkok that was more or less spared. So far 297 people have been reported dead due to the floods.

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 18 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

BULGARIA has experienced unexpected snowy weather and strong winds. Ports have been closed, and hundreds are without power. A 73-year-old man has frozen to death. 6 tourists and 2 rescue workers are missing in a mountainous region. Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT

 

 

Danish news from DR1 on 18.10.11 at 18:30: THAILAND's AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED FOR THEIR HANDLING OF THE FLOOD SITUATION. SO FAR 315 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

 

GOVERNOR: DAMS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF BANGKOK AT RISK OF BREACHING

 

In Bangkok, soldiers and inhabitants are working hard to protect Thailand's capital against floods. The dams will be secured with more than 1 million sandbags in the northern part of Bangkok. Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra warned that the flood wall threatened to breach and thus must be reinforced. "Every second counts".

 

Earlier, the government had declared that Bangkok would be spared of floods.

 

Source: German ZDF text

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 20 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

BANGKOK AT RISK OF MORE FLOODING / BANGKOK's EASTERN SUBURBS TO BE SACRIFICED

 

The authorities in Thailand's capital Bangkok are again on high alert because enormous water masses are again threatening central parts of Bangkok. Water levels are rising.

 

The risk of further flooding is rising after several dams breached last night.

 

Thailand's Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, says that it is impossible to keep the water away from all of Bangkok which is surrounded by big rivers.

 

"Parts of bangkok will be submerged. We are now facing a national crisis", says the PM.

 

Therefore the government has decided to use parts of east Bangkok to drain the water from the northern suburbs. The drainage will affect 7 districts.

 

The authorities have urged the population in 5 provinces to move their possessions / belongings to high-lying areas to make way for the water masses.

 

The authorities are very concerned about developments.

 

Sources: Danish text-TV on DR1 and TV2 plus Swedish text-TV on SVT

 

 

 

HOMELESS AFTER MEXICO FLOODING

 

Around 125,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. 50 miles of roads has been washed away in flooding in the south-eastern Mexico.

 

Worst hit is CARDENAS where 1/3 of the city is under water.

 

The region has been hard hit by intensive cloudbursts since JULY. In this period 400 have died, and 400,000 have been forced to leave their homes as a consequence of the flooding.

 

Source: Swedish text-tv on SVT

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 20 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

WATER MASSES THREANING THAILAND's CAPITAL BANGKOK

 

The authorities have had to allow controlled flooding of the eastern parts of Bangkok in order to deal with the water masses from the north which are approaching Bangkok.

 

1/3 of the provinces north of Bangkok is already partly 3 m under water after weeks of monsoon rain = torrential rain.

 

320 have so far died in the floods.

 

The pressure on the dams protecting Bangkok has increased for days.

 

The tourist regions are not affected.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDFtext in the afternoon, central European time

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO THE FLOODS IN THAILAND

 

 

RESIDENTIAL AREA FLOODED IN BANGKOK

 

The flooding in Thailand has reached residential areas in the northern part of Bangkok.

 

About 2,000 households have been affected by the water when the PRAPA CANAL overflew its banks in connection with an attempt to transport away the water masses approaching the capital from the north. The authorities managed to warn the residents ahead.

 

Bangkok's inhabitants have been urged to move their belongings / possessions to high-lying and safer areas.

 

AT LEAST 340 have DIED in the floods hitting Thailand after 3 months of monsoon rain.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT

 

 

The flood has reached bangkok's suburbs. The Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, had asked the population to prepare for evacuations.

 

The government has decreed that the sleuces of the canals running through Bangkok should be opened to allow the water to flow through Bangkok andinto the sea.

 

There is a risk of canals overflowing their banks, but there is no need for panic according to the city administration.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDF text

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 22 OCTOBER 2011

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15414095

 

22 October 2011 Last updated at 14:13 GMT

 

British couple killed in Spanish flash flood

 

A British couple have died in Spain after being swept away in a flash flood, a government official has said.

 

The pair, believed to be in their 70s, were hit by a torrent of water at a street market in the town of Finestrat on the Costa Blanca, said Interior Ministry official Jose Perez Grau.

 

Heavy rain inland caused the torrent to rush downhill into a dip where the market was being held, he said.

 

A witness said people had tried to save the couple, "but couldn't".

 

The Foreign Office confirmed the deaths and said it was offering assistance.

 

BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford, in Madrid, said the couple were sitting outside a cafe-stall at the weekly market when they were hit by a wall of water up to a metre high.

 

One onlooker said the woman clung to a stall for safety, but was struck by another that was washed away by the water, our correspondent said.

 

Local media said bodies of the British couple, who have not yet been named, were found trapped under a trailer after the flood.

 

'Large wave'

 

Peter Desaunois, from Finestrat witnessed the elderly couple being swept away.

 

He said: "The water came down the hill in a big wave. It was so powerful it broke the stones away from the wall and then the whole wall fell and was carried by the water down the hill. So much water came down.

 

"At that very moment an elderly couple who were at the market, near the beach got swept away. There was a big panic, everyone tried to help them but couldn't.

 

"About five to eight minutes later four ambulances arrived and the fire brigade. Other people got hurt too. It all happened in just a second. It rained so hard."

 

One eyewitness told Reuters TV: "Everything filled up with water.

 

"There was a lot of plastic accumulated next to a car and when we went to remove it we realised there were two people underneath it."

 

Another said: "A large wave came along and swept them away down here among the iron debris, clothes and market debris."

 

Council fine

 

Government official Jose Perez Grau told the Associated Press news agency that it had been raining heavily inland for about 25 minutes before the incident, which happened at about midday on Friday.

 

Stallholders and visitors had been caught by surprise when the flooding hit because it had not been raining in the town itself, he added.

 

Local media said the water came gushing through a dried-up ravine and into the market place, wrecking cars and stalls.

 

Another two people were taken to hospital, according to local media, and a 90-year-old was missing for a time but was later found unharmed in a nearby street.

 

It later emerged that the town's council was fined 83,000 euros by the local hydrographic authority for asphalting the ravine bed without permission last July.

 

According to local reports, the council was also urged not to allow vendors to hold a weekly street market in the area where Spanish media say the incident happened.

 

There are signs on the walls warning of the danger of flooding when it rains, said the BBC's correspondent in Spain.

 

One local trader described the tragedy as "predictable", and James Parkes, the editor of Costa Blanca News, told Sky News: "The issue we have now is whether the market should have been held or not and what precautions should (have been taken) or were ignored at the time."

 

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of the death of two British nationals in Finestrat, Spain.

 

"We are providing consular assistance to the family."

 

The authorities in Finestrat have declared two days of official mourning for the couple, who regional newspaper Diario de Informacion said had been on holiday in the resort of Benidorm, about seven miles east of the town.

 

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15413818

 

22 October 2011 Last updated at 06:37 GMT

 

Thailand floods: Crisis 'to last four to six weeks'

 

Thailand's worst flooding in decades is set to last another four to six weeks, the country's prime minister has said.

 

Yingluck Shinawatra warned people in Bangkok to be prepared for flooding there, describing the situation as "extremely serious".

 

Three months of heavy monsoon rain have left swathes of the country flooded and led to the deaths of some 350 people.

 

Northern and central areas were worst hit initially but now the run-off is draining south, threatening Bangkok.

 

Prime Minister Yingluck has used a disaster law to take control of the emergency response, and in her weekly TV address to the nation told Bangkok residents to move their belongings at least one metre (3ft 3in) off the ground.

 

"Bangkok must open all floodgates to allow the water through," the PM said. "So during this long weekend residents should move belongings, cars and other valuable things to places at least one metre high."

 

"There is a huge volume of run-off water from the north and we can't effectively block it but can only slow the flow because our barriers are temporary."

 

The BBC's Rachel Harvey, in Bangkok, says water is continuing to breach barriers in the city's northern suburbs, and although central Bangkok is still dry, the situation around the capital is not getting any better.

 

The authorities want to drain the water to the east and west of the city, avoiding the possibility of a major torrent running through the heart of the capital.

 

However, our correspondent says the move is a change of tactic for the government - and no-one seems entirely sure whether the volume of water can be safely controlled.

 

Ms Yingluck also said the crisis had displaced more than 110,000 people from their homes. The government said the death toll had risen to 356.

 

Thailand's tourism industry has so far been largely unaffected, with southern islands escaping the flooding. The main international airport is operating as normal and its flood defences have been fortified.

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 23 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

WATER RISING IN THAILAND's CAPITAL BANGKOK

 

The water levels rose on Sunday in Bangkok's northern suburbs, and military was deployed to reinforce the walls protecting important industrial areas according to news agency REUTERS.

 

The canals transporting the river water from the north around Bangkok and into the Thailand Bay are full and close to overflowing their banks.

 

The intensive monsoon rain has caused the worst floods in Thailand for 50 years.

 

1/3 of Thailand is affected.

 

Around 650,000 workers are jobless since industries were forced to close.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT text

 

 

FLOODING IN CENTRAL BURMA / MYANMAR HAS COST MORE THAN 100 HUMAN LIVES

 

Sudden flooding in central Burma / Myanmar caused by torrential rain has caused more than 100 deaths. According to a local official talking to AFP, so far 35 dead bodies have been found, and 106 have been reported missing, and it is presumed that they are dead in the floods. The bad weather occurred last Thursday and Friday.

 

Source: Danish text-TV

 

 

MAGNITUDE 7.6 EARTHQUAKE IN EASTERN TURKEY NEAR THE CITY OF VAN

 

According to Turkey Red Crescent, 25 residential houses and a dormitory have collapsed. Earlier it has been reported that at least 50 persons were taken to the hospital in VAN.

 

The quake could also be felt in other provinces and even in IRAN.

 

A magnitude 5.6 aftershock occurred 2 miles north-east of VAN 15 minutes after the first quake.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT text

 

 

1,000 FEARED DEAD IN MAGNITUDE 7.2 EARTHQUAKE IN EASTERN TURKEY

 

Many houses have collapsed in the city of Van. 25-30 buildings have been destroyed in the neighbouring town of Ercis.

 

"There are many deaths - many buildings have collapsed. There is so much destruction", said Zulfikar Arapoglu, mayor in Ercis to the TV station NTV.

 

The epicentre of the quake was 35 km north-east of the town of VAN according to US Geological Survey, USGS.

 

Several aftershocks have been recorded.

 

Source: Danish text-TV / DR1 and TV2 News

 

 

MAGNITUDE 7.2 EARTHQUAKE SHAKES EASTERN TURKEY

 

According to the mayor of the town of Ercis Zulfikar Arapoglu talking to TV station NTV, urgent aid is needed after the earthquake.

 

The epicentre of the earthquake was in the village of Tabanli in the VAN province on the border to IRAN. Up to 1,000 are feared dead.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDF text

 

 

German station ZDF live at 19: The duration of the quake was 30 seconds. It occurred in a depth of 5-10 km which explains the many deaths. Many buildings collapsed and there are reports of many deaths - many up to 1,000. Cries for help are heard from the debris of the collapsed buildings.

 

 

TURKEY REGARDED AS EARTHQUAKE-THREATENED COUNTRY

 

In 1976 there was an earthquake in the province of VAN with almost 4,000 deaths.

 

Turkey lives in constant fear of new tremors due to the friction of tectonic plates in the surface of the earth.

 

In December 1939 the highest death toll was recorded in Erzincam with about 45,000 deaths.

 

In August 1999 there was an earthquake in the region around the industrial city of Izmit. That quake killed more than 17,100 people.

 

About 92% of the 780,000 squarekilometer large country is situated in an earthquake-threatened area.

[jeremyy]

MAGNITUDE 7.6 EARTHQUAKE IN EASTERN TURKEY NEAR THE CITY OF VAN

 

According to Turkey Red Crescent, 25 residential houses and a dormitory have collapsed. Earlier it has been reported that at least 50 persons were taken to the hospital in VAN.

 

The quake could also be felt in other provinces and even in IRAN.

 

A magnitude 5.6 aftershock occurred 2 miles north-east of VAN 15 minutes after the first quake.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT text

 

 

German station ZDF live at 19: The duration of the quake was 30 seconds. It occurred in a depth of 5-10 km. Many buildings collapsed and reports of many deaths - many up to 1,000. Cries for help from the debris of the collapsed buildings.

 

 

TURKEY REGARDED AS EARTHQUAKE-THREATENED COUNTRY

 

In 1976 there was an earthquake in the province of VAN with almost 4,000 deaths.

 

Turkey lives in constant fear of new tremors due to the friction of tectonic plates in the surface of the earth.

 

In December 1939 the highest death toll was recorded in Erzincam with about 45,000 deaths.

 

In August 1999 there was an earthquake in the region around the industrial city of Izmit. That quake killed more than 17,100 people.

 

About 92% of the 780,000 squarekilometer large country is situated in an earthquake-threatened area.

 

hundreds of dead people is under their homes... 5-10 degree outside at night. this was the biggest disease of this year in Turkey.

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 24 OCTOBER 2011

 

MORE THAN 217 KILLED / TENTS UNDERWAY TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY

 

News agency Reuters: More than 217 killed by the earthquake according to Turkey's Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin.

 

ERCIS is one of the worst hit cities with 117 deaths. 100 died in Van City.

 

The Kandilli Observatory said on Sunday at a press conference that more than 1,000 are feared dead due to the earthquake (which had a magnitude of 7.2).

 

The epicentre of the quake was 35 km north-east of Van City. Van City has 380,000 inhabitants.

 

Turkish Red Cross has so far distributed more than 25,000 blankets, tents for 8,256 people, 28,000 water bottles, 1,700 kitchen kits and food for more than 27,000 in the region.

 

Blankets and tents are important as the temperature is around the freezing point (0 degrees Celsius) during the night.

 

Source: Danish text-TV / DR1

 

 

Rescue teams are searching for survivors in the debris of the collapsed houses, and the death toll is expected to rise.

 

So far 264 dead bodies and 1,300 injured people have been found in the debris.

 

Yesterday it was announced that up to 1,000 are feared dead.

 

The situation in ERCIS near the Iranian border is very bad. 80 multi-storey buildings have collapsed. More than 200 are dead here. The situation in Van is better.

 

Turkey has sent 1,200 people to assist in the search and rescue operations - plus 150 ambulances and 7,500 tents.

 

Sources: Danish text-TV / TV2 and Swedish text-tv / SVT

 

 

5 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RESCUED OUT OF THEIR COLLAPSED HOUSES

 

The death toll has risen to 279. 1,100 are injured. Numerous people are still buried in the debris of their collapsed houses.

 

Source: German text-tv / ZDF text

 

 

 

 

FLOOD IN BANGKOK APPROACHES THE CITY CENTRE

 

The city administration warned the inhabitants in 6 areas against up to 80 cm high floods. Affected are the tourist-popular district of CHATUJAK and Don Mueang where Bangkok's second-largest airport is situated. It is currently used as emergency camp.

 

1/3 of Thailand's provinces is currently partly under water after devastating monsoon rain.

 

356 are reported dead according to the disaster management authority.

 

Source: German text-tv / ZDF text

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 25 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

FUKUSHIMA SHAKEN BY A MINOR EARTHQUAKE

 

A minor earthquake - magnitude 5.2 - has shaken the north-eastern Japanese prefecture, Fukushima where the far more powerful earthquake caused a devastating tsunami. So far there are no reports of casualties or material damage.

 

The quake occurred at 7pm central European time. The epicentre was off the coast near the town of IWAKI, 186 km north of Tokyo.

 

Fukushima was hard hit by the quake and ensuing tsunami in March when more than 21,000 people died.

 

Source: Danish text-Tv (DR1 and TV2)

 

 

POLICE MAN AND WOMAN DROWNED IN CLOUDBURSTS IN DUBLIN, IRELAND

 

A 25-year-old cop has been found drowned Tuesday. He was controlling the traffic at the bridge Ballysmutton when the river overflew its banks due to a massive cloudburst. According to witnesses, it was a FLASHFLOOD, and the cop was washed away by the water masses - on Monday.

 

The other victim was a woman who was found dead in a flooded cellar.

 

Since Monday Dublin has seen record rain. Streets and houses were under water, and the traffic was very negatively affected by this.

 

Source: Danish text-TV / TV2 News and German ZDF text

 

 

THAILAND: DIKES AROUND ONE AIRPORT IN BANGKOK DO NOT KEEP TIGHT (WATER IS PENETRATING)

 

According to Thailand's authorities, the flooding has hit one of Bangkok's airports which has forced at least one airline to cancel its departures.

 

The airport Don Mueang is used for domestic (national) flights. So the many tourist flights are not immediately affected.

 

The dikes around the airport were no longer able to resist the pressure from the water. The water started to enter the airport's area.

 

According to Thailand's government - so far 366 people have died in the floods.

 

Source: Danish text-TV / TV2

 

 

FLOODING THREATENING CENTRAL BANGKOK

 

(source: Swedish text-TV / SVT)

 

On 26 October (Wednesday) the water is expected to reach Bangkok, and on 28 October (Friday) the highest water level will be reached.

 

Thailand's government has decreed days off from 27 to 31 October so that the population can prepare for the flooding in Bangkok and other 20 provinces.

 

Several parts of northern and eastern Bangkok have already been hit by water masses.

 

 

EVACUATIONS NEEDED IN BANGKOK AND 20 OTHER PROVINCES IN THAILAND (source: German ZDF text)

 

The flood is expected to reach its culmination next week-end making it very difficult to lead the water masses around the capital.

 

7 industrial areas have had to be closed around Bangkok making 650,000 people jobless for now.

 

 

FLOOD THREATENING 30,000 PEOPLE (source: German text-TV / ZDF text)

 

After a dam breached 35 km north of Bangkok, the crisis center Froc has urged 30,000 inhabitants in the region to flee. An up to 1½ m high flood is threatening the area around the Don-Mieang airport!! The army is ready to assistant the people with trucks.

 

 

THE DEATH TOLL RISING IN TURKEY

 

2 days after the earthquake in the eastern Turkey, the official death toll is 432. Considerably more people are presumably dead many being trapped under ravaged / collapsed buildings. 1,300 are injured.

 

The majority of the population in the earthquake-hit area are kurds with bad relations to the central power in Ankara.

 

Sources: Swedish text-tv (SVT) and German text-TV (ZDF text)

 

 

BABY RESCUED OUT OF COLLAPSED BUILDING

 

Azra, a 2-week-old baby, has been rescued from a collapsed house 46 hours after the earthquake that cost hundreds of human lives and caused extensive devastation in the south-eastern Turkey.

 

The rescue took place in ERCIS - one of the worst hit towns in connection with the powerful earthquake last Sunday.

 

According to TV stations in Turkey, the baby's 24-year-old mother Semiha and her more than 70-year-old grandmother were also rescued. The baby's father is still missing.

 

It is very cold in the area, and snow has been forecast. So there is little hope / chance of finding more survivors.

 

More than 54 hours after the quake a 10-year-old was rescued in VAN.

 

Sources: Danish text-TV (DR1) and German text-TV (ZDF text)

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 26 OCTOBER 2011

 

9 DEAD DURING BAD WEATHER IN NORTHERN ITALY

 

The 2 north-Italian provinces TOSCANA and LIGURIA have had bad weather that cost at least 9 human lives. 5 are still missing.

 

The bad weather caused floods along the coast. There were MUDSLIDES.

 

Several bridges were washed away and at least one house was ravaged.

 

Up to 500 mm rain fell within a couple of hours in the night between Monday and Tuesday - and it continued Wednesday.

 

Spezia is the worst hit area with 7 people dead due to the bad weather. 2 dead bodies were found in northern Toscana.

 

Some inhabitants were rescued by monks and evacuated to a nearby monastery.

 

Sources: Danish Text-TV (TV2 News) and Swedish text-TV (SVT text).

 

 

 

THAILAND: RISK OF 1.5 M HIGH WATER IN BANGKOK'S STREETS / PROTECTIVE WALL BREACHED

 

New flooding is underway to Thailand's capital Bangkok. The authorities warn that the worst is far from over.

 

The government has granted the inhabitants a 5-day-long holiday from 27 to 31 October allowing them to leave Bangkok before the situation gets worse.

 

If the dikes are not able to hold the water masses back, then the authorities fear that the water level in Bangkok's streets will be 1.5 m.

 

The 2 largest airports in Bangkok are flooded.

 

600 prisoners have been moved from the Bang Kwang prison due to the flooding in Bangkok.

 

Sources: Danish text-TV (TV2 News), German text-TV (ZDF text) and Swedish text-TV (SVT text)

 

 

UNIVERSITY STUDENT AND TEACHER RESCUED FROM THE DEBRIS / RUBBLE

 

A teenager was buried in the rubble in Turkey for 61 hours, but has now been rescued. The 18-year-old university student Eyup Erdem is injured, but alive. He was rescued out of a collapsed residential house 2½ days after a massive earthquake in the eastern Turkey. According to his father, Eyup Erdem moved to Ercis 1 month ago to study at the university.

 

A 27-year-old teacher has also been rescued - after 67 hours.

 

More than 400 dead bodies have been found.

 

Turkey has asked for international assistance. Israel was the first country to offer help. Germany has also promised to help.

 

Some inhabitants were rescued by monks and evacuated to a nearby monastery.

 

Sources: Danish text-TV (TV2 news), Swedish text-TV (SVT text) and German text-TV (ZDFtext)

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 27 OCTOBER 2011

 

DEATH TOLL AFTER EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY IS CURRENTLY 523 / 1,650 INJURED

 

The death toll after the earthquake near the large Turkey provincial town of VAN is 523 according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency. 1,650 are injured.

 

According to Turkey's authorities 185 have so far been rescued from the debris of collapsed houses including a 19-year-old man who was buried for 91 hours in the debris before being dug out - it was in ERCIS. This is reported by a Turkey TV station according to AFP. 19-year-old MOHAMMED was in a 5-storey building when the powerful tremors started and he was buried alive when the building collapsed.

 

Hundreds of other people are feared buried alive under collapsed buildings.

 

Sunday's powerful earthquake levelled several towns / villages. Cold weather with snowfall has set in.

 

Foreign aid is reaching the earthquake-hit population. Sweden sends 155 winter tents that can be heated.

 

Sources: Danish text-TV (DR1 and TV2) plus Swedish text-TV (SVT text)

 

 

 

PART OF ITALY BURIED IN MUD / 9 DEAD IN MUDSLIDES

 

9 persons found dead after MUDSLIDES in Italy in connection with a rainstorm that started late Tuesday.

 

Worst affected is the north-western part of ITALY that was hit by heavy rains.

 

"All the houses are flooded with mud", says an inhabitant named Enrico Prosperini.

 

Source: Danish TV2 news

 

CNN Live: FLASH FLOODS IN ITALY

 

9 people killed in sudden rush of water

 

 

 

THOUSANDS OF BANGKOK's INHABITANTS FLEEING THE MASSIVE WATER MASSES THREATENING TO FLOOD CENTRAL PARTS OF BANGKOK

 

Thousands of inhabitants are fleeing the massive water masses after Thailand's government had ordered evacuation of 2 areas of Bangkok.

 

Fear of flooding in all of Bangkok made many inhabitants in Bangkok's other 48 districts flee as well.

 

The water masses are a result of heavy rains in the northern part of Thailand for more than 2 months, and the flooding is the worst in Thailand for 50 years.

 

The water masses have breached the dikes that were established to protect Bangkok.

 

The castle area at the tourist attraction Grand Palace is now being flooded.

 

So far 373 people nationwide have lost their lives.

 

2.5 million are directly affected.

 

Rich Bangkok inhabitants have left Bangkok and have arrived in Phuket and Pattaya.

 

The government has declared a 5-day-long extra holiday to facilitate relief work.

 

The authorities expect the water level in river CHAO PRAYA to reach 2.60m, but Bangkok's flood protection dams are only 2.50m high!!!

 

Sources: Text-TV on Danish DR1, Swedish SVT and German ZDF.

 

 

CNN (live): Bangkok is near peak flooding. PM says that all areas of Bangkok will be flooded!!! 9 million people will be affected.

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 28 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

MAGNITUDE 6.9 EARTHQUAKE OFF PERU FRIDAY NEAR ICA REGION / TOWN

 

The powerful earthquake had its epicentre 15 km below the surface of the sea and about 299 km south-west of Peru's capital LIMA.

 

The earthquake could be felt in LIMA where the houses were swaying. No reports of casualties according to the news agency AP. No tsunami alert has been issued from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, but there has been warning of the risk of "devastating local tsunamies"

 

Sources: Text-TVs in Denmark (DR1 and TV2), Sweden (SVT) and Germany (ZDF text)

 

 

TEN THOUSANDS LEAVING THAILAND's FLOODED CAPITAL BANGKOK

 

Many of Bangkok's inhabitants flee Bangkok during the 5-day-long holiday declared by the government - as they fear a threatening flooding of several parts of Bangkok that has 12 million inhabitants.

 

The population is concerned that the dams on the river Chao Praya which flows through Bangkok could breach this week-end and result in a dramatically increased flooding of the capital.

 

The flood peak was expected to occur already Friday.

 

Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra had declared that Bangkok could be under water for up to a month.

 

The water masses come from flooded areas and more rain.

 

In Bangkok's northern parts the water level is of average height in some areas.

 

Bangkok's second airport Don Mueang has been closed, whereas the most important airport Suvarnabhumi is open. Tourists are not affected as they visit other places than the most threatened areas.

 

Sources: Text-TV - German ZDFtext, Danish DR1 + TV2 and Swedish SVT

 

The last time Bangkok experienced a big flood was in 1995 (TV2 News)

 

 

 

THAI WORKERS OFFERED JOBS IN JAPAN

 

Thousands of Thai workers at Japanese flood-affected factories will be offered jobs in Japan. A dozen Japanese factories in Thailand have had to stop the work. There is a growing concern that the reduced production will affect the already hard-hit Japanese economy which tries to recover from the earthquake and ensuing devastating tsunami on 11 March.

 

With 6-month-long work permits for Thai workers from the Japanese factories Japan hopes to increase production at home in Japan.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV (SVT)

 

 

12-YEAR-OLD BOY SURVIVES 108 HOURS IN DEBRIS IN ERCIS, TURKEY

 

The rescue teams got the boy out of the debris - the boy is injured.

 

So far 573 have died. 187 people have been rescued. Many are still missing after the earthquake on 23 October.

 

Today Denmark sent emergency aid by Hercules aircraft to the earthquake-hit area in Turkey. Yesterday Sweden sent winter tents that can be heated to the earthquake-affected region.

 

Sources: Text-TV in Denmark (TV2) and Sweden (SVT)

 

 

More than half of the oil in the container ship RENA which is stranded off New Zealand's North Island has been pumped out. 350 tons of oil has already leaked and the vessel might still break in two. Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT text

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 29 OCTOBER 2011

 

 

BANGKOK RUNNING OUT OF BOTTLED DRINKING WATER

 

The worst flooding for 50 years in Thailand's capital Bangkok has caused its inhabitants to buy bottled water in panic.

 

"The shortage of water is critical", says Patchara Rattakul who is manager in a major water distribution company.

 

The inhabitants have bought all the bottled water that was for sale in the supermarkets. With several closed main roads and a closed big water producing company, drinking water is an increasingly precious commodity / article.

 

Source: Danish text-TV / TV2

 

 

 

BANGKOK's DIKES TESTED

 

This week-end the peak flooding on river Chao Praya reaches Bangkok - Thailand's capital with 12 million inhabitants.

 

Today - Saturday 29 October 2011 - the river Chao Praya overflew some of its banks as the tide in the bay into which the river flows was unusually high. The high tide will continue until Monday.

 

In a radio address earlier today Thailand's prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra expressed some optimism when saying that the situation in the flooded regions north of Bangkok is now less tense / serious. If this continues, then the water level in Bangkok will have sunk considerably by the first week of November.

 

For more than 2 months Thailand has experienced the heaviest rains for decades.

 

More than 2 million people in the central and northern provinces are affected by the floods.

 

Saturday afternoon central European time: The dikes have held the water masses back.

 

Source: Text-TV on German ZDF and Swedish SVT

 

 

EARTHQUAKES SHAKING PERU AND ITALY

 

Earthquakes have shaken north-east ITALY and the coastal region of central PERU.

 

Yesterday - On Friday, 28 October 2011 - PERU experienced a magnitude 6.7 earthquake. Several people were injured in LIMA and other Peruvian towns. Buildings collapsed or are at risk of collapsing.

 

After a very powerful earthquake causing more than 500 deaths in 2007, Peru's population responds to earthquakes with great attention and caution - many left their houses.

 

Saturday morning saw a magnitude 4.2 earthquake in ITALY. There are no reports of damage.

 

Source: Text-TV on German ZDF

 

 

THE SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE IN EASTERN TURKEY ON 23 OCTOBER WILL STOP SATURDAY NIGHT

 

In an interview with CNN, Turkey, a doctor said that it is unlikely that more survivors after the recent earthquake will be found.

 

The death toll has risen to 582.

 

231 have been rescued from the debris and rubble.

 

Now the hard work in connection with clean-up and assistance to the survivors starts.

 

Source: Text-TV on Swedish SVT

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON SUNDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2011

 

SNOWSTORM IN THE NORTH-EASTERN USA

 

The densely populated north-eastern USA has been hit by an unexpected snowstorm. The snowstorm affected a large area from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. Virginia and Maryland were also hit by the snowstorm. Even the capital, Washington was affected by snow. Central Park in New York got 2.5cm of snow - which is record for October. The record from October 1925 was broken.

 

The authorities were taken by surprise and thus totally unprepared for the snowfall.

 

Certain areas were expected to get up to 30cm of snow.

 

According to the authorities at least 3 people have died as a consequence of the snowstorm.

 

A 20-year-old man from Springfield died when hit by a falling high-voltage line.

Another man died as a tree - heavy due to the snow - fell unto his house. The third victim died in the traffic.

 

At least 1.5 million people are without power according to the news channel MSNBC. At least 1,000 flight have been cancelled - others have been delayed.

 

Governor Chris Christie has declared a state of EMERGENCY in the US state of NEW JERSEY due to the weather.

 

Sources: Text-TV in Denmark (DR1 and TV2), Sweden (SVT) and Germany (ZDF)

 

 

UNCERTAINTY IN RELATION TO WATER IN BANGKOK

 

Roads are flooded, canals overflown, and people have been piling sandbags and constructing cement barrier for protection against the water. The situation in Bangkok is serious / grave.

 

It's uncertain what will happen according to Denmark's ambassador in Bangkok, Michael Hemniti Winther. This week-end many inhabitants including the embassy have prepared for the worst possible situation.

 

Source: Danish text-TV (TV2)

 

 

ALMOST 600 DEAD FOLLOWING THE EARTHQUAKE IN THE EASTERN TURKEY ON 23 OCTOBER 2011

 

The death toll is now 596.

 

The search for survivors has stopped.

 

4.150 were injured in last week's magnitude 7.2 earthquake.

 

The biggest problem for survivors is the shortage of tents and an urgent need for heating elements.

 

The night temperature is below the freezing point (0 degrees Celsius). Due to snow and rain the rescue camps are full of mud.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV (SVT)

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NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 31 OCTOBER, 2011

 

 

SNOWSTORM ON THE US EAST COAST CAUSING DEATHS AND POWER CUTS

 

2.8 million households - up to 4 million people - are without electricity / power.

 

At least 8 died in connection with traffic accidents due to icy roads or other events attributable to the unexpected snowfall. Maybe up to 11 have died due to the cold weather.

 

The authorities have issued weather warnings in the US states of NEW JERSEY, CONNECTICUT, MASSACHUSETSS and some parts of NEW YORK. States of emergencies have been declared in all of these US states.

 

The situation was worst in Jaffrey, New Hampshire with 80 cm snow.

 

In the affected areas, the municipalities have opened the gates / doors to rooms where frozen Americans can get warm again according to the news agency REUTERS.

 

Sources: Text-TV in Denmark (TV2) and Sweden (SVT)

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

 

 

THAILAND: BABY ELEPHANTS STRANDED / TRAPPED

 

The floods in Thailand that have so far cost almost 400 human lives are now affecting Thailand's national animal - the elephant.

 

A group of 17 elephants have been trapped in the ancient city of Ayuttaya as a consequence of the floods.

 

The city of Ayuttaya is a popular tourist resort and has been deserted since the arrival of the water masses that ravaged the sanctuary housing almost 100 elephants - among them the 17 stranded elephants.

 

Source: Danish text-TV / TV2

 

 

ANGER AMONG BANGKOK'S INHABITANTS

 

The authorities in Bangkok announced Tuesday that they cannot help all affected by the worst flood for 50 years.

 

The anger is growing among the inhabitants on the outskirts of Bangkok. They realize that their homes have been sacrificed so that Bangkok's central parts can be saved - so news agency AFP reports.

 

Bangkok's governor says that he sympathizes with the flood-affected population, but that he must keep Bangkok's financial and political centre dry.

 

Source: Swedish text-tv / SVT

 

 

MILLIONS WITHOUT POWER AFTER SNOWSTORM IN THE USA

 

Monday's Halloween celebration was different to other years' Halloween celebrations as the eastern USA recovered after the past week-end's snowstorm. Many schools were closed, the traffic was affected by toppled trees. 1.6 million households were still without power.

 

At least 13 deaths could be attributed to the snowstorm - most of them due to traffic accidents.

 

The snowstorm occurred from West Virginia to Maine. Several areas recorded a snow record for the month of October - for instance in the town of Peru in the US state of Massachusetts, 81 cm of snow had fallen.

 

Source: Swedish text-TV /SVT

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 4 NOVEMBER 2011

 

 

MORE THAN 780,000 DEAD IN EARTHQUAKES DURING THE PAST TEN YEARS

 

Earthquakes have cost more than 780,000 human lives during the last decade.

 

Earthquakes represent almost 60% of all deaths related to natural disasters according to a new report.

 

The deadliest earthquake hit HAITI in January 2010 when 316,000 people died.

 

The second-deadliest earthquake occurred in the INDIAN OCEAN in late December 2004 when a magnitude 9.1 earthquake and the ensuing tsunami killed 227,000.

 

In the medical journal The LANCET, US researchers warn that the risk of earthquakes grows with the increase in the population and with the expansion (spreading) of towns and cities into threatened / risky areas.

 

Sources: Text-TV on Swedish SVT and Danish text-TV

 

 

6 DEAD AFTER CLOUDBURST IN ITALY

 

The Italian port city GENUA / GENOVA has been hit by a massive cloudburst causing 6 deaths. One woman was killed when trapped / caught between 2 cars that were pushed together by the water masses. This was "an unexpected tragedy" according to Genua's mayor

 

Large parts of GENUA are under water. Substantial material damage has been reported. Hundreds of shops are under water. Rescuers have urged the population to seek higher ground.

 

Source: Danish text-TV (DR1)

 

 

BANGKOK's UNDERGROUND (SUBWAY) THREATENED BY WATER

 

The flooding after the monsoon rain in Thailand approaches the vital parts of Bangkok - Thailand's capital that has a population of 12 million people.

 

The shopping centre Central Plaza had to close Friday. The water is now also threatening several underground stations.

 

"We have sent people to the threatened stations to evaluate the situation hour by hour", said a representative for the underground system METRO.

 

The water is also threatening SUVARNABHUMI - one of the largest airports in the entire world. So far the dams have been able to keep the water away.

 

Source: Text-TV on Swedish SVT

 

 

BILLIONS TO FUKUSHIMA VICTIMS

 

Japan's government has adopted a business plan prepared by the operator TEPCO.

 

The business plan opens up for a first payment from the foundation (fund) that is to help Tepco compensate the victims for the nuclear power plant disaster in Fukushima.

 

The company receives 900 billion yen. The foundation is established by the government and paid for by the tax payers plus via contributions from the nuclear industry.

 

Tepco is expected to pay back over a long period (long-term repayment) - according to the news agency Reuters.

 

Source: Text-TV on Swedish SVT

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 5.11.11

 

The bad weather in NORTHERN ITALY continues with heavy rains and landslides.

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 6 NOVEMBER 2011

 

 

NORTHERN CHILE HIT BY MAGNITUDE 5.8 EARTHQUAKE

 

SANTIAGO. A powerful magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit northern CHILE yesterday morning according to US Geological Survey (USGS). There were no reports of casualties.

 

The quake occurred 22 km north-east of the port city Antofagasta (350,000 inhabitants). According to the local authorities there was no damage to properties or the many copper mines in the area. In several places the powerful tremors made the mobile network collapse, and many miners experienced the quake more closely.

 

Last year CHILE was hit by a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake. The quake caused much damage, and more than 500 people were killed.

 

Source: Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende on Sunday 6 November 2011 citing Ritzau / Reuters

 

 

USA: MAGNITUDE 5.6 EARTHQUAKE SHAKES US STATE OF OKLAHOMA

 

It occurred late Saturday evening (local time). The epicentre was near the capital Oklahoma City in a depth of about 3 km according to US Geological Survey (USGS).

 

Buildings were swaying and some of them experienced cracks / crevices.

 

About 24 hours before the magnitude 5.6 earthquake, Oklahoma was shaken by a magnitude 4.7 earthquake.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDF text

 

 

PARTS OF SOUTHERN FRANCE HIT BY FLOODING AFTER HEAVY RAIN THIS WEEK-END

 

Low-lying areas near the Pyrenees and river valleys in the Alps area were hit. At least 3 died. 1.200 were rescued of which 30 people by helicopter. 600 were evacuated. The situation is better Sunday, but 12 regions in the south are still on orange alert which is the second-highest alert.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDF text

 

 

NORTH-WESTERN COLOMBIA: AT LEAST 13 KILLED BY LANDSLIDE

 

At least 13 were killed by a massive landslide in the north-western Colombia. 60 are missing according to the authorities in the state of CALDAS. A Red Cross employee said that the landslide buried several houses in the town of Manizales - about 150 km north-west of the capital BOGOTA.

 

The landslide was preceded by heavy rains. Rescue teams looked for trapped people during the night.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDF text

 

 

FLOODING AFTER THIS SEASON'S MONSOON RAIN HAS COST 506 HUMAN LIVES IN THAILAND

 

60 are registered dead since yesterday.

 

The water continues to rise and approaches the very tourist-popular central parts of Bangkok which are on top alert.

 

No one in Bangkok has died so far due to the rain.

 

The monsoon season's extreme high tide / water coincides with the big amount of water from the central highland.

 

At least 20% of Bangkok is flooded. The floodwaters are polluted with garbage/waste, dead animals and industrial waste.

 

Source: Danish text-TV (DR1)

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 7 AND 8 NOVEMBER 2011

 

THE BAD WEATHER CONTINUES IN SOUTHERN / WESTERN EUROPE

 

The Navarro province in Spain was affected. 3 rivers overflew their banks.

 

Italy and Portugal have also been affected by flooding.

 

News on 7 November from Danish TV2 News

 

 

HIGH WATER / TIDE FROM THE NORTH AND WEST APPROACHING THE CENTRE OF THAILAND's CAPITAL BANGKOK FROM 2 SIDES MONDAY

 

The subway and 2 important industrial areas in Bangkok are threatened.

 

So far the flood disaster has cost more than 500 human lives.

 

In 12 of Bangkok's 50 districts, the inhabitants were urged to leave their houses.

 

According to information given by the government, about 3 million people are affected by the high water / flood.

 

Source: German text-TV / ZDFtext on 7 November 2011

 

 

MAGNITUDE 6.8 EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN AT SEA OFF THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA

 

There has been no risk of an ensuing tsunami according to the authorities.

 

The earthquake occurred 22 miles west of Naha on Okinawa and at a depth of 22 miles according to US Geological Survey (USGS).

 

Source: Swedish text-TV / SVT text on 8 November 2011