Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

Update 05:50 UTC USGS has downgraded the magnitude to 4.6. According to GDACS, there are 360,485 people within 100 km. People of Chula Vista, El Cajon , Ensenada, Imperial Beach, La Jolla, San Diego, Spring Valley and Tijuana are reporting light to weak shaking. Earthquake in Baja California today was well felt in parts of Mexico and United States of America. Epicenter location of earthquake in Baja California today (Source: USGS). M 5.2 moderate earthquake shakes Baja California, Mexico today, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located 44 km N of Camalú. Tremor was felt as far as San Diego. News to follow..... Did you feel this earthquake? Kindly write your experiences in the comment section below. 05:27 UTC (local time 2013-12-19 21:27 @ epicenter) Epicenter Location 70 km (43mi) NNE of Camalu, Mexico 78 km (48mi) NNE of Colonia Vicente Guerrero, Mexico 81 km (50mi) ESE of Maneadero, Mexic

Storm in Ireland has claimed life of a woman and injured eight others after trees fall on their cars because of storm winds. Incident happened at around 4 pm at Grange South as the woman was driving into Mullingar from the Ballymahon direction, RTÉ reported. Around 7,000 homes in Northern Ireland have lost power. Met Éireann had issued ‘status red’ weather warning, a severe weather warning for high winds and rain across many parts of the country. Similarly, the Met Office issued 43 flood warnings in Britain. Flood warnings were issued across Wales and in parts of Scotland and western England. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 18, 2013

An avalanche in the Austrian Alps has claimed life of a British teenager and seriously injured his father. Austrian Alps avalanche hit the16-year-old boy, who was skiing with his father, twin brother and ski guide. The family of three were from Winchester, Austrian Times reported. Despite of wearing avalanche air bags, bodies were found buried. The avalanche occurred at the Austrian resort of Lech am Arlberg at 13.24 on Tuesday afternoon. The area was under a category 1 avalanche warning. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 18, 2013

Flooding in Indonesia has claimed lives of at least four people and displaced more than 4,000 people, the National Disaster Management and Mitigation agency said. The Solo and Lamong rivers burst their banks and claimed lives of four in Mojokerto and Gresik, Xinhua has written quoting Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the National Disaster Management and Mitigation agency as saying. Indonesia flooding has also submerged about 2,000 hectares of rice fields. Landslides and flash floods are common natural disasters in Indonesia. It is at peak during monsoon season. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 17, 2013

Storm in Bhutan has damaged more than 300 houses in eleven dzongkhags. Dogar and Shaba under Paro district are worst affected. Over 170 houses have been damaged in Haa district and 136 houses in Paro, Kuensel Online reported. Windstorm in Bhutan has also brought down all phone and mobile connections since yesterday morning.  Other affected districts include Chukha, Samtse, Trashigang, Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Gasa, Dagana, Bumthang and Lhuentse, the department of disaster management (DDM) said. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 17, 2013

Flash flood in Kenya has claimed lives of at least twelve people causing widespread destruction of property and infrastructure in Kajiado County. Flash flood swept away two women near Dawamu School on Saturday at Oltepes area near Kiserian. The 10 others lost their lives while traveling on Sunday night in the same region, Xinhua reported. Areas near major rivers are kept on high alert and local residents are advised to move to higher ground. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 16, 2013

M 5.1 moderate earthquake in central China has injured three people and damaged nearly 8,000 houses, Xinhua reported. According to the The earthquake hit the Badong County in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture at a depth of 9.1 miles, Tremors were also felt by the people of Yichang, Xiangyang and Shiyan. The world's largest hydropower project, the Three Gorges Dam, which is located more than 100 km from the epicenter operates normally. Experts have examined the Three Gorges MegaDam and have found no abnormalities. Chinese Province authorities have send hundreds of police, fireman and rescue workers to the epicenter area. Photo below shows earthquake damage in a house in Zhongyuanzi Village of Badong County (Liang Bin/ People's Daily Online). China earthquake damage is expected approximately 16 million yuan (2.6 million U.S. dollars), Xinhua reported quoting the publicity department of the prefecture. 05:04 UTC (local time 2013-12-16 13:04 @ epicenter)

Heavy snowstorms have hit Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Syria, causing chaos across the region.The Egyptian capital Cairo has seen record snowfall. Cairo snow 2013 is the first time in 112 years. As reported by The Weather Channel, precipitation of any kind is a rarity in Cairo. The city averages less than an inch of rain each year. Cairo snow is extremely rare. Gaza is also experiencing its first snow in a decade leading evacuation of around 500 people. Similarly, storm Alexa is the worst storm to hit Jerusalem for 60 years.   Heavy snow storm in Jerusalem , Israel has displaced around 1500 people. About 1,000 stranded travellers are having shelter at the Jerusalem International Conference Centre, AFP reported. Below are photos of Cairo snow 2013 (Twitter/Maha Salem). Original post: Natural Disasters List December 15, 2013

Landslide in Aurora, Philippines has claimed lives of four members of family, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said. A landslide in Casiguran town in Aurora province on Wednesday night hit a house claiming lives of the mother and her children aged 5 to 11. Several people have been evacuated from their homes due to rising floods caused by heavy rain. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils in Casiguran and Dalisag in Aurora have ordered the forced evacuation of residents in coastal villages. More flash floods and landslides in Aurora and Quezon are expected Friday. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 13, 2013

Heavy snow storm in Jerusalem, Israel has displaced around 1500 people making a record of strongest snow storm in last 60 years. About 1,000 stranded travellers are having shelter at the Jerusalem International Conference Centre, AFP reported. Several schools, roads, and businesses have been closed in Jerusalem. Current Jerusalem snow storm 2013 is believed to be strongest since 1953. December snowfalls in Israel are quite rare and occur only once every five to seven years, the Jerusalem Post reported quoting Israeli Meteorological Service. Photo below shows Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock covered with snow (Dusan Vranic, AP). Three emergency centres have been set up and around 350 people are having treatment for cold-related symptoms. Gaza is also experiencing its first snow in a decade leading evacuation of around 500 people, USA Today reported quoting Hamas spokesman Ihab Ghussein. Below is a you tube video of Jerusalem snow storm 2013. More snow storm is

Flooding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has claimed lives of at least three people and displaced more than 2,000 people this week. Baixada Fluminense located between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains of Rio de Janeiro is believed to be worst affected by recent floods. According to local medias, Baixada Fluminense flood has damaged more than 400 houses. Mayor Eduardo Paes has urged people to stay indoors and avoid the streets. Below is a YouTube video of flooding in Rio de Janeiro prepared by CNN. Flooding in Brazil's drought-stricken Bahia state killed at least eleven people three days ago. Flash floods and landslides are common in much of Brazil. Illegal construction, deforestation and unregulated housing has been blamed for devastating effects of the flooding in Brazil by IUCN. Flooding in Rio de Janeiro in 2011 had claimed lives of at least 903 people and caused damage of 2.0 billion Reais. It was the worst weather-related natural disaster in Brazilian history.

Update 14:15 UTC Swansea City’s preparations for their crucial Europa League clash in Switzerland has been disrupted due to the earthquake, Wales Online reported. M 4.0 light shallow earthquake shakes Liechtenstein today, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), reported. According to the EMSC, the quake's epicenter was located just 1 km SW of Balzers (Liechtenstein) and 4 km E of Sargans (Switzerland). It was 1 km deep. Tremor was felt across Liechtenstein and parts of Switzerland. No damage or injuries have been reported from earthquake in Liechtenstein. Earthquakes in Liechtenstein are rare. A study in Liechtenstein has shown that buildings constructed during the Middle Ages ride out earthquakes better than those built to modern standards. Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland and Austria with the highest gross domestic product per person in the world. Liechtenstein is the smallest yet the ri

Snowstorms hit northern Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New England leading snow alert in New York City. A snow alert was issued by the New York City Department of Sanitation that began at 6 a.m. A winter weather advisory was issued by the National Weather Service for New York City, Nassau County, most of north and central New Jersey. All classes in schools in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York have been cancelled. More than 1,600 flights have been cancelled, Xinhua reported. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 10, 2013

Flooding in Libya has claimed lives of at least six people and damaged 400 houses, Xinhua reported. Heavy rainfall triggered flooding in Libyan western city of Zawiya on Saturday. Libya has witnessed the heaviest rainfall in 40 years in the first week of December. Altogether 10 people have died in continuous flooding in Libya since early December. Photo below shows water pumping trucks in Janzour, Tripoli clearing roads of flood waters (Elle.Horreya/Twitter). Zawiya is a city in northwestern Libya located about 45 km west of Tripoli. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 7, 2013

Recent floods in Northeastern Brazil have claimed lives of at least 11 people and left six others missing, Bahia's Civil Defense emergency response agency said. Heavy rainfall caused flooding in Lajedinho which destroyed some 70 houses and displaced around 200 people. Displaced people are taking shelter in schools and a local gym. Emergency response personnel have been searching the flooded buildings for survivors. Note that Brazil's northeast is facing worst drought in a century. Photo below released by Bahia government shows flooded street in the Lajedinho municipality, Bahia state, Brazil (AP Photo/Bahia Government, Haroldo Abrantes). Flash floods and landslides are common in much of Brazil. Illegal construction, deforestation and unregulated housing has been blamed for devastating effects of the flooding in Brazil by IUCN. Flooding in Rio de Janeiro in 2011 had claimed lives of at least 903 people and caused damage of 2.0 billion Reais. It was the worst weath

M 4.5 moderate earthquake shakes Oklahoma today, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located 11 km ENE of Edmond. It was 3.1 miles deep. Following USGS Pager Map, light shaking of MMI IV will have felt by the people of Edmond, Jones, Luther, Spencer, Nicoma Park, The Village, Oklahoma City and Moore. Similarly people of Norman, Tulsa and Lawton will have felt weak shaking of MMI III. Karen Seikel, one of our reader from Edmond, said there was rumbling sound like a large truck was next to the house and the whole house started shaking but no significant damages were observed. According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, no injuries or damages have been reported. The strongest earthquake to hit Oklahoma was a magnitude-5.6 earthquake on Nov. 5, 2011 .  18:10 UTC (local time 2013-12-07 12:10 @ epicenter) Epicenter Location 11 km (7mi) ENE of Edmond, Oklahoma 21 km (13mi) NNW of

Hurricane Xaver with winds of around 100 km per hour and gusts of 130 km per hour claimed lives of at least five people in Poland, Xinhua reported. The victims include four on the roads when a car and a bus were crushed by falling trees in Lebork, Pomerania district in northern Poland. Around 23 people have been injured after a bus veered off the road and crashed into a tree, New Poland Express said. According to the Polskie Radio, other four people have been injured, including two in Silesia, one in Wielkopolska and one in Masovia. Poland Hurricane 'Xaver' has further left an estimated 400,000 people without electricity. Below is a photo of storm damage in Szczecin, north west Poland (via Polskie Radio, PAP/Marcin Bielecki). After causing huge damage in western Europe , hurricane Xaver hit Poland in the early hours of Friday morning. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) had warned that hurricane-level winds in Poland could cause loss of life

An extreme weather warning has been issued in Northern Germany following hurricane Xaver moving at a speed of around 140 km/h. German Weather Service (DWD) has issued an extreme weather warning for Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony and Bremen. The entire train networks in Schleswig-Holstein have been shut down, The Local reported. Even flights have been canceled at Cologne/Bonn, Duesseldorf and Hamburg airports. This is what Jens Skapski from Germany reports us Relatively calm here. Some of our small islands (called "Hallig") have been partially flooded, but without major damages. The houses of the people living there are built on "Warften", hills to save them for regular storm surges. Some roads in Hamburg, Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven have been flooded. Also heavy snow in some regions caused problems. Mainly for the car drivers. They had to spent hours on highways. The storm damages roofs and walls, roads, railways, etc. Christian was probably worse.

Heavy storm in Scotland has claimed life of a person and injured four others leaving tens of thousands of homes without electricity. Winds of to 142 miles per hour hit the Scottish Highlands, and left all train services suspended in Scotland. Storm left up to 100,000 homes without electricity in Scotland and another 7,000 homes in Northern Ireland, Time World reported. The Environment Agency has issued more than 250 flood alerts across England and Wales. Flood area map (around 17:00 UTC via Scottish Environment Protection Agency) Red: A Flood Warning or Severe Flood Warning is in force for this area Amber: A Flood Alert is in force for this area Green: No Flood Alerts or Flood Warnings are in force for this area Original post: Natural Disasters List December 5, 2013

Floods in Malaysia have claimed life of a teenager and forced evacuations of around 19,000 people, officials said on Wednesday. Swollen river swept away a 17-year-old boy who was fishing with his father in Terengganu. Evacuated people are living in several schools in Pahang, Terengganu and Johor states of Malaysia, the National Security Council’s disaster relief centre said. Malaysian Meteorological Department had issued an "orange" alert for Pahang and Terengganu on Monday. More floods are expected to hit Kelantan area. Below is a you tube video by Strait Times showing the people living in evacuation centre at Kampung Pogoh 2 in Segamat. Floods are regular natural disasters in Malaysia which happen every year during the monsoon season. The 1971 Kuala Lumpur floods killed 32 people. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 4, 2013