Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

An avalanche in Indian-controlled Kashmir region has claimed life of a Swiss skier and injured two others. Avalanche occurred in Gulmarg region located 52 kilometers northwest of Srinagar. An avalanche warning was issued after heavy snowfall on Wednesday. Avalanches are common in Kashmir region. Avalanche in Kashmir killed an army jawan some days ago. Original post: Natural Disasters List January 24, 2014

Forest fires in China have claimed lives of at least five people and injured seven others, Xinhua reported. Around 46 forest fires incidents have been recorded in Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangdong Provinces of China. The State Headquarters for Forest Fire Control has issued a fourth-level emergency response plan. Photo below shows rescuers putting out a forest fire near a village in Fuquan City of China (Xinhua/Zhang Yong). A RED ALERT was issued by Beijing authorities for the forest fire in March 2013 . Forest fires in China in 1987 (Black Dragon fire) had claimed lives of 211 people. Original post: Natural Disasters List January 24, 2014

M 4.4 light earthquake shakes Saudi Arabia today, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located 23 km NE of Sabya. It was 7.4 miles deep. Tremor has been reported by the people of Sabya, Jizan, Samitah, Abha and surrounding areas. The Gulf of Aqaba and Jizan comparatively fall under high earthquake risk area. Epicenter of current earthquake in Saudi Arabia lies 52 km NNE of Jizan. But overall the risk of damage from earthquakes in Saudi Arabia is quite low in most of the areas, Saudi Geological Survey said in its website. No immediate damage or injuries have been reported from earthquake in Saudi Arabia today. 15:00 UTC (local time 2014-01-23 18:00 @ epicenter) Epicenter Location 23 km NE of Sabya, Saudi Arabia 40 km NNW of Abu `Arish, Saudi Arabia 52 km NNE of Jizan, Saudi Arabia 83 km NNW of Samitah, Saudi Arabia 267 km NW of Sanaa, Yemen Original post: Natural Disasters List January 23,

A state of emergency has been declared following a major snow storm in the New York City metropolitan area. At least one person is reported to be killed in Maryland. According to the international news agencies, around 25 cm snow has been recorded in New York. The State Emergency Operations Center has also been activated. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in the New York City. Original post: Natural Disasters List January 22, 2014

Indonesian Environment Ministry has declared an ecology disaster after flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia claimed lives of at least 11 people. According to the Indonesian Environment Ministry, natural calamities have occurred  by massive ecology destruction in upstream area of Ciliwung river that runs through the city. Flooding in Jakarta in 2014 has affected 97 sub-districts displacing more than 63,000 people, The Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported. Landslides and flooding in Sulwesi, Indonesia claimed lives of at least 16 people and displaced around 4,000 people, local disaster management agency reported some days ago. Flooding in Jakarta in January 2013 had claimed lives of 47 people. The combination of the increased loss of vegetation in the upper catchments of rivers and the lack of adequate flood prevention causes frequent flooding disaster in Jakarta. Original post: Natural Disasters List January 21, 2014

Landslide in Zhejiang Province of Eastern China has claimed lives of at least four people Monday afternoon, Xinhua reported. Landslide disaster occurred near a road construction site in Kaihua county in Quzhou city of China. One person is currently having treatment at the hospital. Original post: Natural Disasters List January 21, 2014