Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

Floods in Zimbabwe have claimed lives of three children aged 9, 10 and 14 years. Police retrieved bodies of the children today who drowned in a flooded Mushawiri Dam, in Gutu, Masvingo yesterday. Other seven people have been rescued from the island along the Tugwe river, Chivi, in Masvingo, Bulawayo24 NEWS reported. The Metrological Services Department has also warned people to avoid open space and not to shelter under trees to avoid being struck by lightning. Civil Protection Unit had already issued a high flood alert in Zimbabwe's low-lying areas in the coming weeks. The 2010–11 Southern Africa floods had claimed lives of at least 141 people affecting the people of Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 31, 2013

Indonesia's Mount Sinabung volcano eruption 2013 has spewed hot ash up to 7,000 meters high displacing thousands of people midnight Tuesday, Xinhua reported quoting national disaster management and mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. This is what disaster management and mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said (as reported by The Jakarta Globe) "Mount Sinabung remains on the highest alert level and we have warned there should be no human activity within a five-kilometer (three-mile) radius of the crater. On Monday night, 19,126 people had fled their homes, and we expect that number to rise." No casualties have been reported from today's Mount Sinabung volcano eruption. Indonesia's Mount Sinabung volcano eruption on October 24 had displaced more than 3,300 people. Mount Sinabung is among more than 120 active volcanoes located in North Sumatra province of Indonesia. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 31, 2013

Update 2013/12/31, 01:55 UTC -At 8:00 am WST Tropical Cyclone Christine was estimated to be 155 kilometres south of Karratha and 135 kilometres north northwest of Paraburdoo, Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology said. -To 8.30am local time, Roebourne had recorded 134 mm rainfall, Port Hedland 123 mm and Karratha 110 mm. -An Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Rapid Damage Assessment team is on location to help if required. -Red alert still continues for the people in or near coastal areas between De Grey and Mardie, including Port Hedland, South Hedland, Whim Creek, Roebourne, Point Samson, Wickham, Karratha and Dampier also extending inland to Tom Price and Paraburdoo. Cyclone Christine Damage: Photo below shows a tree uprooted in Karratha by high winds (Jean Jones, Perth Weather Live). Update 23:40 UTC Christine crossed the coast between Whim Creek and Roebourne around midnight as a Category 3 Cyclone. The system is slowly weakening and has currently downgraded to a

The Chaparrastique volcano in El Salvador erupted Sunday, spewing ash about 3 miles into the air. People from within three kilometers of the volcano have been evacuated and emergency shelters have been set up. Around 5,000 people lives around the volcano. This is what  Civil Defense Director Jorge Melendez said "We have implemented emergency measures to evacuate villages located within 3 kilometers of the volcano." Some local seismic activity accompanied the Chaparrastique volcano eruption in El Salvador, Xinhua reported quoting the department of vulcanology at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN).   Avianca Airlines has announced the cancellation of 33 flights into and out of the country. Below is a photo of Chaparrastique volcano spewing ashes and smoke in southern El Salvador on Decmeber 29, 2013. Chaparrastique volcano is one of the eight active volcanoes in El Salvador located about 30 miles from San Miguel and about 90 miles east

M 5.2 strong earthquake shakes Southern Italy today, sending many residents out on to the streets of Naples. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located 5 km NNE of San Gregorio and 26 km WSW of Campobasso. It was 6.2 miles deep. Tremor was widely felt in Naples, Avellino and Caserta. No immediate damage or injuries have been reported. The same area was hit by a major earthquake in 1980 (Terremoto dell'Irpinia/Irpinian earthquake) that claimed around 3,000 lives. 17:08 UTC (local time 2013-12-29 18:08 @ epicenter) Epicenter Location 5 km NNE of San Gregorio, Italy 8 km NNE of Piedimonte Matese, Italy 23 km SE of Isernia, Italy 26 km WSW of Campobasso, Italy 167 km ESE of Roma, Italy Original post: Natural Disasters List December 29, 2013 In collaboration with earthquake-report.com

M 4.1 moderate earthquake shakes Oklahoma today, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located 7 km SW of Langston. It was 3.1 miles deep. Following USGS Pager Map, light shaking of MMI IV will have felt by the people of Guthrie, Perkins, Crescent, Luther and Edmond. People Midwest City, Oklahoma City, Moore, Norman and Tulsa will have felt weak shaking of MMI III. Earthquake is ranked at No. 11 in Oklahoma on the list of disaster priorities. For the past several weeks, Oklahoma has felt an average of 12 quakes a day, many in the Oklahoma City area. A 5.6 magnitude intraplate earthquake, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Oklahoma occurred in November 5, 2011 . 08:14 UTC (local time 2013-12-29 02:14 @ epicenter) Epicenter Location 7 km SW of Langston, Oklahoma 10 km E of Guthrie, Oklahoma 31 km NNE of Edmond, Oklahoma 33 km SW of Stillwater, Oklahoma 51 km NNE of Oklahoma City, Oklaho

Wild weather in Canary Islands of Spain has claimed lives of at least two people, the regional government said today. Two people including an 11-year-old girl were drowned in the Canary Islands when they were swept away by waves on La Graciosa Island. Two other memebers of the same family were rescued by boats. Valencia's opera house has also been damaged and remain closed indefinitely. Related post: Strong (volcanic?) earthquake at El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain Original post: Natural Disasters List December 27, 2013

M 5.4 strong earthquake shakes El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located 31 km NW of Frontera. It was 14.2 miles deep. Earthquake has occurred relatively far out in the ocean to the west of El Hierro. Several rockfalls have been reported. The Mayor of Frontera has ordered and confirmed the closure of the road from Los Llanillos to Sabinosa. Related Post: Wild weather in Canary Islands claim 2 lives Below is a YouTube video of the rockfall at the El Golfo side of the earthquake (Desprendimientos del risco después el terremoto de 5.1 en El Hierro). This is what Earthquake-Report.Com has written The epicenter area got already many aftershocks (not all of them listed yet). Still out in the sea. We do not see any tremor on the seismographs which means that there is normally NO eruption going on in the sea after this earthquake.  The island’s volcano monitoring agency

Avalanche in Bulgaria's Rila Mountain has claimed life of a man, FOCUS News Agency reported. Avalanche in Bulgaria's Rila Mountain hit the 54-year-old military pilot belonging from the Bulgarian capital city Sofia last night. The Mountain Rescue Service found the body of the man covered with snow. Avalanche in Bulgaria's Rila Mountain injured three people in January 2013. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 26, 2013

Flooding in St Vincent and the Grenadines has claimed lives of at least eight people, National Emergency Management Organization said. Landslide and flooding in St Vincent and the Grenadines have damaged around 24 houses, Emergency Management Organization added. Landslides and flooding have also killed five people in St Lucia Island. According to BBC News Service, heavy rain has also been causing destruction in Dominica, also in the eastern Caribbean Sea. This is what St Lucia's Prime Minister Kenny Anthony said I don't think I can recall when we have had such heavy rainfall on the eve of Christmas Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island country in the Lesser Antilles Island arc, in the southern portion of the Windward Islands. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 26, 2013

Update 03:35 UTC The Oklahoma Geological Survey has assigned 3.9 magnitude for today's Christmas eve earthquake in Edmond, Oklahoma. No damage or injuries have been reported till now. Related post: Oklahoma earthquake list 2013 M 3.7 light earthquake shakes Edmond, Oklahoma today, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located 10 km ENE of Edmond. It was 3.1 miles deep. People of Arcadia, Choctaw , Edmond, Guthrie and Oklahoma City have reported light to weak shaking. 03:08 UTC (local time 2013-12-24 21:08 @ epicenter) Epicenter Location 10 km (6mi) ENE of Edmond, Oklahoma 21 km (13mi) NNW of Choctaw, Oklahoma 23 km (14mi) SSE of Guthrie, Oklahoma 24 km (15mi) N of Midwest City, Oklahom 26 km (16mi) NNE of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Original post: Natural Disasters List December 25, 2013 In collaboration with earthquake-report.com MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Flooding in Brazil has claimed lives of at least 20 people and left around 40,000 people homeless, Xinhua reported. Six people died in Espirito Santo and 14 in Minas Gerais. A state of emergency has been declared in Espirito Santo in more than half of its states. More than 40,000 people have been left homeless in Espirito Santo alone due to severe flooding. Storm has damaged more than 6,000 homes. Several roads have been blocked due to mudslides and bridges have been washed away by flood waters. The federal government has already dispatched a helicopter and army troops with disaster relief materials and rescue efforts. Flooding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil claimed lives of at least three people and displaced more than 2,000 people last week. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 23, 2013

Strong storm has caused floods, power cuts and travel chaos to much of Britain claiming lives of at least three persons. Hurricane-force winds of up to 87 miles per hour hit the country bringing torrential downpours which caused rivers to swell and flood. A man drowned in the Rothay River near Ambleside, Cumbria. The body of a woman was found in a river in Bethesda, Gwynedd, in North Wales. Similarly, a motorist died at Bolventor in Cornwall after a hailstorm caused three cars to collide, The Telegraph reported. Around 30 flights from London's Heathrow airport have been cancelled. The Environment Agency has issued 193 flood alerts and 29 flood warnings. Northern Ireland is expected to face some of the stormiest weather in the UK on Christmas Eve. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 23, 2013

Flooding in Ohio has forced evacuation of several homeowners with La Rue reported to be worst affected. Around six to eight people have been rescued by the authorities, local medias reported. Several state roads and streets in La Rue have been blocked due to floodwater A flood advisory is in effect for the Ohio River in Pittsburgh until Wednesday afternoon.    Ohio River flood of 1937 had claimed lives of 385 people with flood damage stretching from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 23, 2013

Heavy ice storms in Canada have left nearly 500,000 people without electricity including 300,000 in Toronto alone. Some 200 flights have been cancelled at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Sunday. It is expected to take up to three days to restore power to all customers in Toronto. This is what Anthony Haines, the president of Toronto Hydro said "Truly one of the worst ice storms we’ve seen here in Ontario" Below are some photos of Toronto ice storm 2013 (Peter Thompson/National Post). Various warming centres have been opened on an emergency basis for those who lost power in the Toronto ice storm. Red Cross list of warming centres in Toronto Dennis R. Timbrell Resource Centre Malvern Community Centre Agincourt Recreation Centre Driftwood Community Recreation Centre Joseph J. Piccininni Community Centre Mitchell Field Community Centre Franklin Horner Community Centre McGregor Park Recreation Centre Tornadoes and snowstorms in Unit

Tornadoes and snowstorms in the states of Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri have claimed lives of at least eight people on Sunday. A car with five people fell into a river in New Hope, Kentucky claiming lives of three people. Another person died near the city of Carrollton of Kentucky state. A fifth death was caused due to flood waters in Ballard County, CNN reported quoting the Kentucky Emergency Management. Snowstorm and slippery road claimed life of another person in Missouri. Tornadoes in Mississippi killed two people and ripped roofs from barns. Tornadoes in Arkansas injured at least five people and damaged around 23 houses. A tornado injured three people and damaged three houses near Hughes. Another tornado near Dermott, Arkansas injured two people and damaged 23 houses. Photo below shows a tornado damaged home in Halley, Arkansas (Andre P. Kissel/AP). Heavy ice storms in Canada have left nearly 500,000 people without electricity including 300,000 in Toronto a

Two tornadoes in Arkansas have injured at least five people and damaged around 23 houses. A tornado injured three people and damaged three houses near Hughes. Another tornado near Dermott, Arkansas injured two people and damaged 23 houses. Following  Arkansas tornadoes statistics, it lies among the top five states for injuries due to tornadoes. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 21, 2013

M 3.5 strongest earthquake this year shakes western Germany, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported. According to the EMSC, the quake's epicenter was located just 7 km S of Haltern and 44 km SW of Münster. It was 1.4 miles deep. Earthquake was felt in parts of Haltern am See and Dorsten. No damage or injuries have been reported. This quake was caused by the coal mining activity in Northern Ruhr area. Similar earthquake with magnitude 2.5 – 3.0 was felt in Germany in October 2013. Local seismological observatories of Ruhruniversity Bochum and University Cologne have however assigned magnitude 3.0 for this earthquake. Earthquakes in Germany are relatively weak but occur several times a year and rarely cause any damage. 06:03 UTC (local time 07:03 2013-12-20 @ epicenter) Epicenter Location 7 km S of Haltern, Germany 44 km SW of Münster, Germany 58 km NE of Düsseldorf, Germany 175 km SE of Amsterdam, Netherlands Original post: Natural

Landslide in Central Java, Indonesia has claimed lives of four people and injured four others. Torrential rains in Kebumen district of Central Java, Indonesia triggered landslide on Friday, Xinhua reported quoting national disaster management agency. Landslide came after flooding in Indonesia claimed lives of four people and displaced over 4,000 people three days ago, national disaster management said. Landslides and flash floods are common natural disasters in Indonesia . It is at peak during monsoon season. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 20, 2013

Eight houses in Palpa district are at risk due to sinkholes, Nepal based Ujyaalo Online reported. Sinkholes have been reported in Bhayarthan village of Bandipokhara VDC of Palpa district of Nepal. Sinkholes around 2 metres deep have been appeared in the area. The farmland owned by Sitaram Ghimire and Radheshyam Ghimire have been totally collapsed. More than 50 sinkholes have been reported in farmlands in Bandipokhara VDC of Palpa district. Sinkholes in Armala VDC of Kaski district displaced dozens of families in November 2013. Sinkholes had swallowed several houses including household belongings like tables, chairs, kitchen utensils, and gas cylinders. Geologists later concluded that Kaski, Nepal sinkholes were caused as a result of haphazard construction of buildings. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 20, 2013