Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

Update 2013/10/26; 01:35 UTC -Tsunamis of up to 40 centimetres were reported at four areas along the coast. -Workers at the Fukushima power station were told to leave waterfront areas for higher ground. -An evacuation order was also issued in some municipalities in Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefectures. But no damage or injuries have been reported.  Update 18:05 UTC The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has extended the reach of the Tsunami waves along almost the full North Eastern Honshu shoreline. The agency has issued a "yellow" advisory for Fukushima and the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, Ibaraki and parts of Chiba. M 7.3 massive earthquake hits Off the east coast of Honshu, Japan  today, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located 325 km ESE of Ishinomaki. It was 6.2 miles deep. Tsunami advisory has been issued for Fukushima prefecture by Japan Meteorological Agency. Tsunamis are pr

Indonesia's Mount Sinabung volcano eruption Thursday has prompted evacuation of more than 3,300 people, weather.com reported quoting National Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. Most of the evacuated people are from two villages within 3 kilometers of the mountain in Karo district. The powerful explosion at Mount Sinabung spewed black ash 3 kilometers into the air. No damage or injuries have been reported. Last month, Mount Sinabung volcano eruption forced thousands to flee . 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 October 24, 2013

Tornadoes in Bandung and Pandeglang region of Indonesia have injured seven people and damaged 350 houses, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said. A tornado first hit the Bandung sub districts of Ciparay and Cimenyan at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday seriously injuring one person. Another tornado hit Pandeglang sub district of Banjar, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) added. According to The Jakarta Globe, the tornado damage is being assessed. An official report has shown that numbers of tornadoes in Indonesia have increased by 28 times since 2002. Graph below shows incidence of tornadoes in Indonesia from 2002-2010 (Source: National disaster data). Original post: Natural Disasters List October 23, 2013

Water released from a dam caused Bertam River to flood the Cameron Highlands claiming lives of two foreigners with another missing. Rescuers have found dead bodies of an Indonesian woman and a Bangladeshi man. River also flooded 80 squatter homes nearby, AFP reported. Area is famous for tea plantations as well as vegetable and fruit farms where most of workers are from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal. Original post: Natural Disasters List October 23, 2013

Tornado in France today has claimed life of a person and injured two others, local medias reported. Tornado caused heavy damages in Steent'je, near the French northern city of Bailleul. Photo below shows an inhabitant looking after tornado damage in Steent'je (Source: PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images). Tornado in France in July 2012 (French tornado) had claimed lives of four people. Original post: Natural Disasters List October 21, 2013