Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

At least 45 sinkholes have been reported in Armala in Kaski District of Nepal. Sinkholes in Armala VDC of Kaski district have displaced more than 50 families in a week. Sinkholes have swallowed several houses including household belongings like tables, chairs, kitchen utensils, and gas cylinders. Nearby Riverdel School has also been closed due to the threat of sinkholes, Ujyaalo Online reported. Geologists have concluded that Kaski, Nepal sinkholes have been caused as a result of haphazard construction of buildings. Related post: Nepal natural catastrophes 2013 This is the part of a report compiled by MyRepublica.Com A report prepared by the geology department in 1998 had concluded that the area is not safe for human settlement. The department had also urged the local authorities not to allow the local residents to construct more than one-story buildings in the area. Locals turned a deaf ear to the advice and went on to erect up to three-story buildings. Similar repor

A landslide at an open pit coal mine in north China's Shanxi Province has claimed lives of at least three people and buried four others, Xinhua reported. Landslide occurred at the mine belonging to Shengkai Coal Mining Co., Ltd. in Jiaokou County of Luliang City. China mine disasters are the deadliest in the world. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 27, 2013

Winter storm in the US southwest has claimed lives of at least 13 people in five states over the weekend, US media reported. According to the NBC news, fatalities are from Oklahoma, Texas, California, Arizona and New Mexico. Freezing rain and cold temperatures have even hampered travel. More than 300 flights have been canceled at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport ahead of Thanksgiving. Note that the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the most heavily traveled in the United States. Photo below shows storm damage in Oakland, California (AP Photo/The Tribune, Laura A. Oda). The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for parts of Texas and Oklahoma, New Mexico and northern Arkansas until Tuesday morning. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 25, 2013

Flooding in Trang province of Thailand has claimed lives of at least three people and displaced tens of thousands of people in the south. Disaster prevention and mitigation office has put eight districts of Songkhla under disaster list. Strong wind damaged more than 100 houses in Chumphon, Bangkok Post reported. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 24, 2013

An avalanche on Mt Masago in Japan has claimed lives of at least seven people. An estimated 30 metres wide and 600 metres long avalanche hit the western slope of Mt Masago. Rescuers are searching as it was not clear if other are missing. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 24, 2013

Heavy storm in Rhodes in southeastern Greece has claimed lives of at least two people and left another missing. A helicopter and team of 10 firefighters have been searching the missing people, Global News reported. Storm caused heavy flooding which trapped hundreds of people in cars. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 23, 2013

Cyclone Helen has claimed lives of at least seven people and left others 20 fisherman missing in coastal area of Andhra Pradesh, India. Cyclone Helen hit Andhra Pradesh state with winds of 50 to 55 mph, the India Meteorological Department said. Severe damage has been reported in Machilipatnam in Krishna district. Some 20 rescue teams have been send in the flood zone. According to the state disaster management control room, around 17,000 people have been evacuated to 73 relief camps. Cyclonic Storm Helen formed in the Bay of Bengal Region on November 18. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 22, 2013

Heavy flooding in Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq has claimed lives of at least 11 people. Six people died in Nasiriyah when a building collapsed, and two women and a child died in Diwaniyah, UPI reported. Other two children died in a collapsed building south of Baghdad. More than 50 families are currently taking shelter at a tourist resort. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 21, 2013

Update Death toll from Guinea goldmine collapse has risen to 25, Reuters reported. A landslide at a goldmine in northeastern Guinea has claimed lives of at least 12 people and left others 11 missing. The goldmine collapse happened Tuesday night near the city of Siguiri, AFP reported. Emergency workers are continuing to search for survivors and bodies on Thursday. Guinea, officially the Republic of Guinea, is a country in West Africa. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 21, 2013

M 3.5 light earthquake shakes Nelsonville and Athens region of Ohio today, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located just 4 km ESE of Nelsonville and 14 km (9mi) NNW of Athens. It was 4.9 miles deep. People of Albany, Amesville, Athens, Lancaster and Logan have felt light to weak shaking. No damage or injuries have been reported. 17:59 UTC (local time 2013-11-20 12:59 @ epicenter) Epicenter Location 4 km (2mi) ESE of Nelsonville, Ohio 14 km (9mi) NNW of Athens, Ohio 46 km (29mi) SE of Lancaster, Ohio 56 km (35mi) WNW of Vienna, West Virginia 90 km (56mi) SE of Columbus, Ohio Original post: Natural Disasters List November 20, 2013 In collaboration with earthquake-report.com

The worst snowstorm in 50 years hit Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province for 60 hours claiming lives of at least four people, Xinhua reported. Average daily snowfall in the city have reached 11.4 mm starting on Saturday. This is the highest level when consecutive weather recording began in the city since 1961. All kindergartens, primary and high schools in the urban areas will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. The National Meteorological Center on Tuesday issued a blue alert for snowstorms. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Commission for Disaster Reduction, natural disasters across China claimed 20 lives in October, 2013. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 19, 2013

Cyclone Cleopatra has claimed lives of at least 18 people in Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and an autonomous region of Italy. Fatalities are from Olbia and Uras areas of the Island. Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450mm of rain in an hour and a half overnight prompting the government to declared a state of emergency, Itlaian newspapers reported. Around 2,700 people are staying in community shelters or with their families. Photo below shows rescuers working in a flooded street in the small town of Uras, Sardinia, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Chergia). Related Post: Italian natural calamities 2013 Several bridges have been swept away in Olbia and in the region near the central town of Nuoro. The government has allocated €20 million for emergency assistance to help the rescue and clean-up work.   Below are some you tubes videos of damage caused by Cyclone Cleopatra in Sardinia. Heavy rainfall also hit capital Rome and Ve

M 4.0 moderate earthquake shakes Johannesburg, South Africa today, the Council for Geo science reported. According to the Council for Geo science, the quake's epicenter was located near the University of Johannesburg. Tremor which lasted for 10-15 seconds was also felt in parts of northern & southern Joburg. People of Roodepoort, Gauteng  and Johannesburg are reporting moderate to weak shaking. Majority of the earthquakes in this region are mining related. No damage or injuries have been reported from earthquake in Johannesburg today, Emergency Management Services (EMS) said. 08:54 UTC (local time 10:54, 2013-11-18 @ epicenter) Original post: Natural Disasters List November 18, 2013 In collaboration with earthquake-report.com

Update 2013/11/21 Death toll from Saudi flood has further risen to seven. Five of the victims are from Riyadh and two from Arar. Update Three more bodies have been found. This bring the death toll from Saudi Arabia flooding 2013 at 4, the Gulf News has written quoting the civil defence authority. At least 10 people have been still reported missing. Two of the fatalities and seven of the missing are from capital Riyadh. Emergency teams have rescued 1,357 people trapped by the floodwaters in last two days. Note that Saudi Arabia is the same country which normally experiences such low rainfall that religious leaders often organise special prayers for rain. Related Post: Worldwide natural calamities list Extremely rare flooding in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh has claimed life of a 26-year-old Yemeni woman. Such floods are extremely rare for the kingdom, which is dominated by desert, TV-Novosti reported. Flooding in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has also left at least three p

At least five people have died from tornadoes that hit central and southern Illinois. Tornadoes killed an elderly couple in Nashville, another person in Washington and two more people in Massac County, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency said. At least 37 people have been injured by the Illinois tornado with majority of them having treatment at St. Francis Medical Center. Severe tornado damages have been observed in Washington. Photo below shows shredded homes in Washington, Illinois, about 10 miles east of Peoria (Anthony Koury via Los Angeles Times). Tornado damages as seen on Devonshire street, Washington, Illinois (AP Photo/The Pantagraph, Steve Smedley). Related Post: United States natural calamities 2013 Tornadoes warning even prompted officials at Chicago's Soldier Field to evacuate the stands and delay the Bears game. At least 230 flights have been cancelled from Chicago's O'Hare airport. The Illinois National Guard has send 10 firefigh

Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have claimed lives of at least five people and forced 69,000 from their homes in central Vietnam, disaster management officials said today. Recent floods and landslides have forced around 64,500 people in Quang Ngai province and 4,500 people from their homes in Quang Nam provinces of Vietnam. The military and police are rushing disaster relief materials in the affected areas, disaster management official added. Flooding in Vietnam in July 2013 killed at least five people and destroyed around 200 houses. The 2008 Vietnam floods had claimed lives of at least 100 people. Vietnam floods have claimed lives of around 500 in last five years (2008-present). Original post: Natural Disasters List November 16, 2013

Large sinkhole near Tampa Bay, Florida has swallowed two homes, a boat and a backyard pool Thursday morning. The sinkhole in Dunedin, Florida has grown to a size of about 70 feet wide by 53 feet deep by noon, NBC news reported. Seven houses in Dunedin have been evacuated. No injuries have been reported from this Tampa Bay sinkhole. Below is a you tube video of the Ariel view of sinkhole in Dunedin, Florida. Florida is prone to sinkholes and has frequent sinkholes in the United States. A sinkhole in Florida in March 2013 had swallowed a man. What after a sinkhole opens? Immediately contact homeowners insurance company if your home (property) is under threat. Get in contact with Office of Emergency Management for your area if damage is huge (Information: Sinkhole poster; Southwest Florida water management district). Original post: Natural Disasters List November 14, 2013

At least four earthquakes hit India's capital city Delhi in a span of three hours early on Tuesday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the first tremor measured magnitude 3.1 followed by 3.3, 2.5 and 2.8 (shown below, IMD). Tremors were well felt in capital Delhi and its suburbs of Noida and Ghaziabad. No damage or casualties have been reported from multiple earthquakes in Delhi. Delhi is prone to severe earthquake damage.   Original post: Natural Disasters List November 12, 2013 In collaboration with earthquake-report.com

Flooding caused by heavy rainfall during the past four days has forced the Iraqi government to declare an emergency public holiday on Monday. Flood waters have entered houses in Qasir al- Abiyadh, as well as Baladiyat and Sadr City of Baghdad. Latest rainfall is said to be the heaviest in nearly two decades. The rainfall is expected to continue on Monday too. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 11, 2013

At least 100 people have been died over the weekend by a tropical cyclone 3A in Puntland region of Somalia. A heavy storm hit Bandarbeyle and Eyl towns on Saturday and Sunday causing heavy flooding in the area. Government has declared a natural disaster emergency and has set up an emergency and rescue committee in response to the tragedy. Cape Guardufui in northeastern Puntland and the town of Eyl are believed to be worst hit areas. Cyclones are unusual in Somalia. Tropical Cyclone 3A is just the fifth storm to strike the country since records began in 1966, WunderBlog reported. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 11, 2013

The death toll from Tacloban Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) could reach 10,000, Philippines official said today. Latest report comes from Regional police chief Elmer Soria quoting Leyte provincial Gov. Dominic Petilla. There are varying estimates of the number of fatalities, including at least 1,200 according to the Philippines Red Cross. However, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is reporting 151 fatalities, 23 injured and five others missing. Click here for latest updates on Tacloban Typhoon Yolanda Tacloban Typhoon Yolanda is predicted to hit central Vietnam and the port city of Da Nang today. More than 2,00,000 people have evacuated to shelters. Similarly, a level three emergency response has been issued in China to prevent damage from the approaching Typhoon Yolanda, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said. Typhoon damage as seen in an airport in Tacloban, Philippines (Source: AP Photo/Aaron Favila). Tacloban Typhoon Yolanda

Heavy snowfall has obstructed election campaign in Humla district of Nepal. The temperature has dipped to zero degree Celsius forcing people to limit themselves within their homes. Snow as high as one foot has accumulated in Humla. Nepal Army´s helicopter has been used to carry the election officers and security officials to the polling stations, My Republica has reported quoting the Chief District Officer Shankar Hari Acharya. Nepalese Constituent Assembly election is planned to be held on 19 November 2013. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 8, 2013

A mother and her one-year old son died when a tornado struck a village in Pikit, North Cotabato on Thursday afternoon. Tornado also injured a six-year-old daughter, Inquirer News reported. According to the municipal disaster risk reduction management council official, tornado hit their hut at 5 p.m. Tornado also damaged other five houses. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 8, 2013

The world's most powerful typhoon this year is expected to cross the central Philippines as a very powerful typhoon. The JTWC has analyzed Haiyan to be the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide since reliable records began, with one-minute maximum sustained winds estimated at 315 km/h (195 mph) with gusts up to 362 km/h (235 mph). Updates below. Follow the latest Facebook updates ( click here ) and twitter feeds ( click here ) on  Super Typhoon  Haiyan, including up-to-date pictures and information. Update 02:55 UTC, 2013/11/15 -The city hall is reporting 4,000 fatalities now. However the NDRRMC has placed the death toll at 2,360, with 3,853 others reported injured and 77 missing. -The NDRRMC said Yolanda destroyed 136,247 houses and damaged 117,802 others. -Following Philippine Energy Official, it will take six weeks to restore power to typhoon zone. An aerial view of Tanauan,Leyta shows signs for help and food amid destruction left by typhoon Yolanda (Source AP/Wal

An emergency response period has been declared by the Karo regency administration in North Sumatra following the Mount Sinabung’s eruptions in the last few days. Mt. Sinabung volcano latest eruption took place on Tuesday at around 2:30 p.m. local time when the volcano sent a plume of smoke 3-kilometers into the air. Eruption lasted around 20 minutes and was even heard in Berastagi, located around 15 km far. At least 1,700 people have been evacuated from Simacem, Bekerah, Mardinding and Suka Meriah area. Evacuated people are currently living in three evacuation centers in Payung, Tiga Nderket and Naman Teran districts. Below is a photo of Mt. Sinabung volcano eruption this Tuesday (Via The Jakarta Post, Antara/Rony Muharrman). No casualties have been reported. Volcano emergency warning will be effective until the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation lifts the warning, the Jakarta Post reported. Mount Sinabung is among more than 120 active volcanoe

M 5.5 moderate earthquake jolts Karbi Anglong region of Assam Wednesday morning, the Indian meteorological department said. According to the Indian meteorological department, the quake's epicenter was located 22 km WNW of Barpathar. It was 43.0 miles deep. Following the U.S. Geological Survey Pager Map, light shaking of MMI IV will have felt by the people of Barpathar, Bokakhat, Golaghat, Silapathar, Sarupathar and Numaligarh. People of Itanagar, Kohima, Imphal, Shillong and Sylhet will have felt weak shaking of MMI III. Tremor was felt in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Assam regions of India including some parts of Bangladesh. No damage or injuries have been reported. The 1950 Assam - Tibet earthquake, also known as the Assam earthquake or Medog earthquake killed 1,526 people. It was the 9th largest earthquake of the 20th century. 04:16 UTC (local time 2013-11-06 09:46 @ epicenter) Epicenter Location 22 km (14mi) WNW of Barpathar, India 25 km (16mi) NNW of Si

Massive landslide in Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea has claimed lives of at least nine people Saturday night. Massive slip of earth, trees and debris crashed down a mountain side in Kenagi village, Capital FM has written quoting the Post Courier newspaper. Landslide also buried nine houses. Others three people, seriously injured are having treatment in the hospital. The landslide covered about 30 metres of the road and about two metres high. The Highlands Highway has also been blocked by the landslide. Heavy rainfall caused landslide disaster in Kenagi village of PNG. Papua New Guinea is prone to landslides mainly caused by deforestation in major forests. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 4, 2013

Indonesia's Mount Sinabung volcano eruption has prompted evacuation of about 1,300 villagers. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, four villages situated within three kilometres of the volcano have been evacuated. No damage or injuries have been reported.  Last month, Mount Sinabung volcano eruption forced evacuation of more than 3,300 people. Mount Sinabung is among more than 120 active volcanoes located in North Sumatra province of Indonesia. Mount Sinabung volcano eruption in 2010 had claimed life of one person. Original post: Natural Disasters List November 3, 2013

Flash flood brought from Typhoon Krosa (PAGASA name: Vinta) has claimed life a person in northern part of Philippines. Typhoon Krosa made landfall over the northern Cagayan area in northern part of the Philippines. China Disaster Reduction Commission and the Ministry of Civil Affairs has issued a disaster relief alert and urged local civil authorities to prepare for emergencies. Heavy rainstorm has been forecast in the east of Hainan and central coastal Guangdong between Saturday and Monday, Xinhua reported. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarter has announced a fourth-level emergency in China. Krosa is the 29th typhoon to hit China this year. Below is a 5 days forecast map of Typhoon Krosa (Source: Weather Wunderground). Original post: Natural Disasters List November 1, 2013

Flooding caused by heavy rains across Central Texas has claimed lives of at least two people. Fatalities are from Onion Creek and  Dale, south of Austin. The Texas Department of Public Safety has warned to be prepared for continued rising water and flooding for those out for Halloween fun. The Red Cross has send two relief trucks from Fort Worth to Austin to aid flood victims, AFP reported. According to the National Weather Service, more than a foot of rain has fallen across Texas' midsection. Photo below shows a man on top of a home on Buttonbush Drive in Southeast Austin, Texas (AP Photo/The Austin American-Statesman, Deborah Cannon). Original post: Natural Disasters List October 31, 2013

M 6.6 strong earthquake shakes coastal areas of Chile today, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located to the south of Coquimbo and La Serena. It was 7.7 miles deep. The earthquake also made building sway in Chile's capital of Santiago. No damage or injuries have been reported. Earthquake assessment is going on. 23:03 UTC (local time 2013-10-31 20:03 @ epicenter) Shaking Intensity (MMI) V (Moderate): Coquimbo, La Serena, Ovalle and Monte Patria IV (Light): Vicuna, Illapel and Vallenar III (Weak): Quillota, San Felipe, Hacienda La Calera and Los Andes Epicenter Location 43 km SSW of Coquimbo, Chile 47 km NW of Ovalle, Chile 52 km SW of La Serena, Chile 73 km NW of Monte Patria, Chile 360 km NNW of Santiago, Chile Original post: Natural Disasters List October 31, 2013 In collaboration with earthquake-report.com