Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

Heavy rainfall has flooded at least 26 houses in Gua Musang district of Pahang, Malaysia, The Star Online reported. Several of the 100 residents have been forced to leave their homes in Kampung Batu Papan, Kampung Kundur and Kampung Pulai villages of Gua Musang. Original post: Natural Disasters List October 27, 2013

Mount Etna volcano eruption in Italy has briefly closed airspace nearby, Catania Airport said today. Plume of ashes was visible from much of eastern Sicily. Photo below shows Mount Etna volcano eruption as seen from the village of Viagrande, near the Sicilian town of Catania, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013 (AP Photo/Carmelo Imbesi). The nearby airport was shortly closed due to the Etna eruption in April 2013 . Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world on the east coast of Sicily, Italy. Mount Etna's largest eruption was in 1669. The deadliest Mount Etna eruption in 1669 claimed 15,000 lives in Sicily. Original post: Natural Disasters List October 26, 2013

Flooding in Kolkata, India has claimed life of a person and injured another person this Saturday. Heavy downpour has affected train and other transport services in Parganas district, Howrah, Purba Midnapore districts and the lower parts of the Damodar valley. Kolkata has received about 105 mm rainfall since Friday night, The Hindu reported quoting the Regional Meteorological Centre, Alipor. Some long distant trains have been cancelled by the South Eastern Railway. Kolkata flood 1978 had claimed lives of 1,370 people and affected 156.25 lakhs people. According to a study by researchers from the Netherlands and the UK in 2012, Kolkata is one of the world’s most flood-prone coastal city after Shanghai (China) and Dhaka (Bangladesh). Original post: Natural Disasters List October 26, 2013

Massive landslide has blocked Denali National Park road in Alaska at Mile 37 where the road leads up to Sable Pass. According to the USA Today, about 30,000 yards of rock and soil fell from a point 500 feet above the road piling the debris in depths of up to 35 feet. It could take as long as 10 days to make the road passable again, News Miner reported quoting deputy park superintendent Elwood Lynn. The road is currently closed to traffic. No causalities have been reported. Photo below released by the National Park Service on October 24, 2013 shows a large landslide in Denali National Park, Alaska (NATIONAL PARK SERVICE — AP). Denali is located 180 miles north of Anchorage.  Recent research has estimated that landslides claim more than 4,500 lives of people around the world every year. Original post: Natural Disasters List October 26, 2013

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