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The long road to resilience: Why disaster preparedness still falling short

January 20, 2025, 2:16 am

Despite years of significant investments in disaster preparedness, many vulnerabilities still persist, especially in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This ongoing challenge is driven by several factors that require closer examination.

First, it’s critical to recognize the successes that have been accomplished. One significant achievement is integrating the concept of disaster risk reduction (DRR) into national and international development processes. For instance, at the 2016 Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR), the Indian prime minister presented an extensive 10-point program. Putting disaster risk management into the nation’s development plan was the primary focus of this initiative. On the global stage, frameworks like the Sendai Framework for DRR, the Hyogo Framework for Action, and the Paris Agreement have pushed for a more inclusive, problem-solving approach to disaster risk management.

The shift from a response-driven approach to one focused on risk reduction and preparedness has been widely praised. But this raises an important question—can we afford to move away from response strategies? Or should there be a balance between investments in both disaster preparedness and response? Given the complexities of climate change and the evolving nature of hazards, it would be unwise to assume we can eliminate disaster risks completely. Thus, investments in response mechanisms including recovery that reduce future vulnerabilities remain crucial. Unfortunately, efforts to fund recovery from disasters have been minimal.

Governance and coordination issues remain a significant barrier. The lack of effectiveness of disaster preparedness programme is caused by both the working in silos culture of many government departments and the lack of institutional coherence. Departments in charge of critical supplies and infrastructure often work independently, which hampers their capacity to collaborate efficiently. Furthermore, disaster response is frequently considered as an add-on rather than a primary duty for important stakeholders focusing on critical infrastructure, and resource allocation often fails to have a connection to demands posed by disasters.

Fixing the ingrained problems with governance, resource distribution, education, vulnerability assessment, and technical limitations will be crucial for improving disaster preparedness. Building resilience in LMICs and improving protection for vulnerable populations in the wake of future disasters will be made possible by a strategic approach supported by research and policy improvements.

Overlooked Areas in Disaster Preparedness: Infrastructure and Technical Sectors

Traditionally, emergency response and community outreach have been among the primary objectives of disaster preparedness. However, especially when it comes to disaster planning and training, critically important sectors like energy, transportation, and telecommunications tend to be forgotten. This oversight hampers the effectiveness of both disaster response and recovery efforts.

Telecommunications

During disasters, telecommunications are critical as they let responders to plan their actions and interact with impacted populations. Still, a lot of telecom firms fail to include crisis scenarios and coordination with disaster nodal bodies into their operations plans. Because of this, these systems frequently do not have the durability required in catastrophe situations, which results in communication breakdowns at times of greatest need. Recent urban floods have highlighted this gap in preparedness. With the launch of Sachet, the national disaster alert portal, and the integration of early warning systems with telecommunications networks, there is hope that timely alerts will reach the last mile.

Electricity and Energy Supply

Reliable electricity is essential for powering emergency services, hospitals, and communication systems during disasters. In 2019, Cyclone Fani caused extensive damage to power infrastructure in the state of Odisha, India. In response to these challenges, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) has launched a three-phase study to improve the resilience of the power infrastructure sector in Odisha, ensuring that the region’s energy system can better withstand future disasters.
Despite these efforts, energy infrastructure continues to be unprepared for extreme weather events or seismic activities. Energy providers frequently lack disaster-specific training to maintain service during emergencies or restore power after outages. While smart grid technologies could enhance resilience, they are rarely prioritized in disaster preparedness plans.

Transportation Infrastructure

Roads, bridges, and public transit systems are instances of transportation networks that are essential to relief delivery and evacuation. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC), such as the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) running from Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal, are designed to withstand challenges like flooding, seismic activity, and other natural disasters. However, more such initiatives are needed to enhance the resilience of transportation networks across regions.

Despite their importance, these industries often do not engage in scenario planning or disaster preparedness training. There is a lack of preparedness for post-disaster damage assessment and recovery logistics given that many transportation infrastructures have not been evaluated for their vulnerability to certain hazards.

Technological Integration Gaps

Technologies like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drones, and the Internet of Things (IoT) can greatly enhance disaster preparedness. Unfortunately, they are underutilized by critical infrastructure sectors. GIS can help identify vulnerable areas and improve resource allocation during emergencies. Drones can assess damage rapidly, aiding in fast response. However, a lack of training in these technologies among infrastructure personnel limits their effectiveness in disaster situations.

Public-Private Partnerships

Engaging the private sector is crucial for bringing creative approaches to disaster readiness. Effective public-private partnerships do not, however, always exist. The absence of structured structures for collaboration between public organizations and private sector infrastructure providers keeps these partnerships from reaching their maximum efficiency.

Recommendations for Improvement
To address the gaps in disaster preparedness, it’s essential to create comprehensive training programs that include all critical infrastructure sectors. These programs should promote collaboration among stakeholders to ensure a unified response during crises.

Also, infrastructure vulnerabilities must be assessed regularly, with a focus on specific hazards that each sector may face. This will help inform planning and better resource allocation in disaster preparedness.

Furthermore, investing in advanced technologies like GIS, drones, and IoT should be a priority. These tools improve situational awareness and communication during disasters, which ultimately strengthens response coordination.

There also needs to be frameworks to build collaboration between public agencies and private entities. These partnerships can drive innovation in disaster management practices, improving overall resilience.

Conclusion

To increase resilience, it is important that we plug the gaps in disaster preparedness, particularly across technical fields. The ability of a community to respond to disasters can be greatly improved by including transportation, energy supply, telecommunications, and water management into disaster preparedness plans. Communities will be less susceptible and more resistant to future disasters if these sectors become stronger alongside significant governance and technology issues are resolved.

The author is humanitarian and development professional.

Landslides: Establishing Scientific Surveys For Accurate Classification

August 8, 2024, 2:01 am

The catastrophic landslides that recently ravaged Wayanad in Kerala have brought to light the pressing necessity for a recalibrated approach to disaster risk management and environmental assessment protocols. In the aftermath of this tragic event, which resulted in the loss of more than 300 lives, left almost 300 individuals missing, and injured approximately 200, the extensive response and concerted efforts of both central and state authorities, along with national disaster response agencies, have been paramount. Yet, while the immediate relief efforts were the need of the hour, they reflect the urgent need for a more robust, scientifically driven approach to understanding and mitigating landslide risks.

The magnitude of the disaster has necessitated an intense, coordinated response from various agencies. The Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have played pivotal roles in the rescue operations. The Army’s medical teams have been at the forefront of providing emergency treatment to the injured, while specialised units from the Navy, Air Force and NDRF have been crucial in search and rescue operations, navigating the treacherous terrain to locate and assist those trapped. Concurrently, the Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the deceased’s families and ₹50,000 for the injured. Additionally, ₹145 crore has been allocated from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to the Kerala Government to facilitate ongoing relief operations. At the state level, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is managing disaster response efforts, overseeing coordination with central agencies and ensuring the provision of essential services to the affected regions.

The genesis of the Wayanad disaster was precipitated by a confluence of factors, including extreme meteorological conditions compounded by climate change. Scientists from the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) have pointed to the warming of the Arabian Sea, which has led to the formation of intense cloud systems and exceedingly heavy rainfall within brief intervals. This climatic shift, combined with the region’s fragile terrain and significant loss of forest cover, created a perfect storm for the disaster. Rain gauge data reveals that the region experienced about 1830 mm of rainfall over the preceding 30 days, with a subsequent surge of intense precipitation acting as the final trigger for the landslides.

While the immediate response has been robust, the tragedy has highlighted significant gaps in our approach to landslide risk management. In the aftermath of the disaster, there has been considerable advocacy from various quarters for the implementation of the Gadgil Committee Report, officially known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), which was commissioned by the UPA government in 2010, to address environmental concerns within the Western Ghats. However, while this report offers insights into environmental conservation, it does not adequately address the specific needs of Wayanad and analogous regions. The report, which primarily focused on the Western Ghats, used satellite imagery to analyse 8×8 kilometre large grids but did not conduct comprehensive ground-level research in Kerala. Though he is an expert on Maharashtra and Goa, it is worth mentioning that Madhav Gadgil has hardly done any groundwork in Kerala. The reliance on such broad analyses is not suited to address the specific geological and hydrological conditions that contribute to landslide susceptibility in different regions.
The limitations of the Gadgil Report are evident in the context of the recent disaster. Even if the recommendations of the Gadgil Report had been implemented, they would not have necessarily prevented the disaster. The landslides occurred in a forested area, far from quarries, other activities and land use changes primarily addressed by the report. The resultant devastation has impacted the downstream inhabitants. As such, its recommendations do not directly mitigate the risks posed by factors like intense rainfall and deforestation in specific areas like Wayanad.

A more refined approach is needed for effective landslide risk management. Current methodologies often rely on generalised assumptions, such as categorising any area with a slope greater than 20 degrees as high-risk. This broad categorization fails to consider the specific conditions that influence landslide susceptibility, such as soil stability, historical landslide occurrences, and localised rainfall patterns. The Landslide Atlas, released by ISRO, highlights Kerala as highly vulnerable, with Wayanad ranked 13th among the most landslide-prone districts, and requires a more detailed understanding of its landslide risks. What Kerala needs are better and more scientific surveys for setting up any classification to gain a detailed understanding of its landslide risks.

To address these challenges, a comprehensive strategy should be developed, incorporating detailed mapping of landslide-prone areas. This mapping should take into account localised data on soil conditions, slope angles, and rainfall thresholds and should be based on detailed geological and hydrological surveys rather than broad assumptions. Establishing precise rainfall thresholds for landslide-prone areas would allow for better forecasting and preparation. Implementing mini weather monitoring stations to track real-time rainfall and soil saturation levels would provide valuable data for predicting landslide risks and issuing timely warnings to communities at risk.

The establishment of effective landslide warning systems is also essential. These systems should be capable of detecting early signs of potential landslides and alerting local populations in a timely manner. Ensuring that these warnings reach those at risk and enabling them to take necessary precautions is crucial for mitigating the impacts of future landslides.

Moreover, community engagement and preparedness play a critical role in disaster management. Rather than suggesting impractical solutions like relocating the whole high-risk population away from their homes, efforts should focus on enhancing community awareness and resilience to landslide risks. Engaging with local communities to develop and implement preparedness plans can help reduce the impact of future landslides.
Developing an approach of integrated disaster management strategy that combines early warning systems, community preparedness, and sustainable land management practices will go a long way in combating such calamities in the future. This approach should be supported by regular updates to landslide susceptibility maps and the incorporation of local knowledge and experiences rather than broad classifications.
The role of the defence forces, volunteer organisations and NDRF in Wayanad reminds us of the importance of a well-coordinated disaster response. Their prompt and efficient actions in rescuing trapped individuals, administering medical care, and conducting relief operations serve as a clarion call for sustained investment in disaster preparedness and response capabilities. The central and state governments’ response, including financial support and coordination of rescue efforts, has been crucial in addressing the immediate needs of affected communities. The lessons from Wayanad must prompt a reevaluation of current practices and the adoption of targeted, evidence-based strategies to mitigate the impacts of such disasters in the future.

Yadul Krishna is an economist, policy commentator and the Parliamentary Secretary to a Member of Parliament from Kerala. X: @yadul_krishna

Why Are Inland Counties Like Floyd County More Disaster-Prone Than Coastal Areas?

July 23, 2024, 12:53 pm

July 23 – When you think of natural disasters, you might picture hurricanes in Florida or earthquakes in California. But recent data shows that the highest number of federally declared disasters actually happen in inland counties, not just on the coasts.

Floyd County’s Persistent Flooding

Floyd County, a rural area in eastern Kentucky, has faced major flooding disasters over the years. In July 2022, a severe flood led to the death of at least 40 people and damaged 300 homes. This was the 13th time in 12 years that the county had been declared a federal disaster area. Judge Robbie Williams, who manages the county’s affairs, says it’s overwhelming to see so many people lose their homes and knows it’s just a matter of time before another disaster strikes.

And indeed, Floyd County was hit by another disaster in 2023, marking the 14th federal disaster declaration since 2011. But Floyd County isn’t the only inland area struggling with frequent disasters. Johnson County, also in Kentucky, has had 15 federally declared disasters since 2011.

Surprising Disaster Hotspots

While people often think of the coasts as the most disaster-prone areas, an atlas from New York University’s Institute for Public Knowledge reveals that many inland counties experience frequent disasters. Eight of the nine counties with the most federal disaster declarations since 2011 are in Kentucky, with one in Vermont. These counties face disasters four to five times more often than the national average of three disasters per county in the past 13 years.

Amy Chester, who created the atlas, says that while hurricanes and big storms get a lot of media attention, there are many smaller, more frequent disasters happening across the country. Chester highlights Vermont, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Iowa, and Alaska as other disaster hotspots.

Climate Change and Its Effects

The data from 2011 to 2023 shows that climate change is making natural disasters more common and severe, not just in coastal areas but also in inland regions. Chester says that while she initially thought Vermont would be safe from climate change, it has become a frequent disaster zone. Just days after her comments, Vermont experienced flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Beryl.

FEMA’s Disaster Aid

Flooding is the most common type of disaster in the U.S. Since 2011, FEMA has provided more than $41 billion in aid for disasters, with hurricanes being the biggest expense. Despite this, many smaller but frequent disasters also require aid.

Susan Cutter, a professor at the University of South Carolina, notes that disaster frequency and severity are increasing nationwide. She says more efforts are needed to make communities more resilient to these disasters.

Mecklenburg County’s Good Fortune

On the other hand, Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, home to Charlotte, is the largest U.S. county that hasn’t had a federally declared disaster since 2011. Charlotte’s emergency management chief, Robert Graham, attributes this to good luck, strong local governance, and favorable geography.

Floyd County’s Ongoing Struggles

In contrast, Floyd County’s geographical and regulatory challenges contribute to its frequent flooding. The county’s narrow valley floors and the increasing intensity of rainfall are worsening the situation. Local regulations prevent officials from dredging the creeks, which have become shallower over time due to sediment from nearby mountains.

Despite receiving over $35 million in FEMA aid since 2011, Floyd County continues to face disaster challenges. The local government is working to buy and relocate homes from flood-prone areas, but it’s a difficult and ongoing task.

Political Implications

Interestingly, nearly 60 counties with at least 10 federal disaster declarations since 2011 are mostly represented by Republicans in Congress, while most of the 280 counties with no disasters are represented by Democrats. This shows that while extreme weather affects everyone, it is not a partisan issue.

Samantha Montano, a professor of emergency management, emphasizes that how state and local policies manage disaster risks is crucial.

Conclusion

The data reveals that disasters are not just a coastal problem but a widespread issue affecting many inland counties as well. While Floyd County’s struggles illustrate the severe impacts of climate change and inadequate local resources, they also highlight the need for better disaster planning and resilience measures.

Key Takeaways

Inland Disasters: Floyd County, KY, and other inland areas face frequent federal disaster declarations.
Floyd County’s Flooding: The county has been declared a federal disaster area 14 times since 2011, with ongoing flooding issues.
National Disaster Trends: An atlas shows that many inland counties have more frequent disasters than coastal regions.
Climate Change: Increasing severity and frequency of disasters are linked to climate change.
FEMA Aid: Flooding is the most common disaster type, with significant FEMA aid directed to hurricane-affected areas.
Good Luck in Mecklenburg: Mecklenburg County, NC, is a notable exception with no federal disaster declarations since 2011.
Political Context: Disasters affect both Republican and Democratic areas, highlighting that extreme weather is a universal issue.
Future Challenges: Continued efforts are needed for better disaster management and resilience

Hurricane Beryl Approaches Texas Coast, Governor Declares Disaster

July 7, 2024, 10:47 am

Hurricane Beryl is currently advancing towards the coastline of Texas, prompting Governor Greg Abbott to declare a severe weather disaster for 40 counties. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has escalated readiness levels in anticipation of the storm’s impact.

State Preparedness and Response

Governor Abbott’s announcement underscores the heightened readiness of Texas Emergency Management Council agencies, which are operating 24-hour operations. Resources for emergency response have been strategically positioned for deployment since yesterday.

Anticipated Landfall and Impact

Hurricane Beryl is projected to make landfall early Monday morning, likely as a Category 1 hurricane, between Corpus Christi and Brazosport. Tropical storm force winds are expected to commence as early as Sunday morning, accompanied by significant rainfall, particularly in South Texas with up to 7 inches in some areas.

The state has issued disaster declarations for the 40 affected counties to facilitate access to essential resources and aid for vulnerable communities. Governor Abbott urges residents, holiday travelers, and local authorities to heed guidance from state and local officials to ensure safety amidst expected heavy rainfall, potential flooding, and strong tropical winds.

Governor’s Statement

Governor Abbott remains in close coordination with state officials to ensure swift deployment of necessary resources and support. The focus remains on protecting Texans and mitigating the storm’s impact across multiple regions of the state.

Kenya Floods Claim 38 Lives, Crisis Escalates to Disaster Level

April 25, 2024, 2:47 am

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) announced that floods have claimed the lives of at least 38 individuals throughout Kenya, indicating a transition in the flood situation from emergency to disaster status. The torrential rains in the country have also disrupted regular business operations. Xinhua reported that over 38 people lost their lives in the severe rains in Kenya, leading to extensive property damage.

On Wednesday, at least one individual lost their life and six others were reported missing in Nairobi’s Mathare slums following heavy rainfall overnight. Xinhua reported that residents of this informal settlement, primarily comprising low-income earners, were stranded in their homes due to severe flooding. Additionally, other areas in Nairobi experienced flooded residences and businesses, inaccessible roads, and fallen trees after the intense rainfall overnight.

Certain areas became isolated from the city as stormwater inundated the streets. In Kitengela, a neighborhood south of the capital, the main bridge was flooded by the Athi River, resulting in thousands of businessmen and office workers being stranded, according to the same source.

“No vehicle is getting in or coming out of Kitengela. I have been waiting at this bus terminus for over three hours,” John Kimeu, an office worker, said.

Businesswoman Emily Kamau lamented that her day was ruined as she couldn’t purchase her groceries, as per the same source.

“My business premises were flooded two days ago, and I lost part of my stock. Today, the rains have cut me off. It is discouraging,” Kamau said.

In Kirinyaga County, located in central Kenya, more than 60 families were left homeless on Tuesday when the Thiba River overflowed, flooding their residences and businesses, Xinhua reported.

According to the humanitarian agency, since the commencement of the March-April-May rains, numerous counties have experienced adverse effects, including affected households, displacements, the creation of displacement camps, submerged arable land, affected businesses, and livestock fatalities.

As per the KRCS, the intense rains have impacted a minimum of 23 counties nationwide, resulting in over 110,000 individuals becoming homeless.

The humanitarian agency also reported that crops covering over 27,716 acres (approximately 112 square kilometers) have been devastated, and around 5,000 livestock have perished.

Venant Ndhigila, head of disaster operations with the KRCS, said, “The flooding situation is a disaster. The people most affected are those without alternatives. We are trying as much as possible with our teams to map the population at risk.”

Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) indicated that the country has encountered unparalleled heavy rainfall, with certain regions receiving up to 200 mm within a single day. In response to the downpour, the department cautioned that flooding would likely occur nationwide, advising residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground.

Authorities in Kenya, at both county and national government levels, have instructed residents in flood-prone regions to relocate to higher ground. Kindiki Kithure, the cabinet secretary for interior and national administration, urged residents residing near dams like Masinga in the eastern region and Thiba in the central region to move, as per the same source.

“Any further precipitation is likely to cause spillover, with greater flooding effects likely in settlements,” Kithure said in a recent statement.

Kithure additionally emphasized that the government remains on high alert, with a multi-agency team actively engaged in mitigation measures. According to an update from the Climate Prediction and Application Center (ICPAC) of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Kenya is among the nations in the Horn of Africa grappling with exceptionally heavy rainfall this season, as reported in the same source.

“Temperatures in the countries are also warmer than average, with episodes of elevated levels of heat stress in northern South Sudan and southern Somalia,” the ICPAC added.

Bali to ban activities in mountains to curb tourist misconduct in sacred peaks

June 18, 2023, 1:44 pm

To preserve the mountains’ holiness, Bali’s governor, Wayan Koster, has put an emergency ban on tourism activity there. This choice was made in response to an increase in visitor misbehaviour, which has led to worries about Bali’s cherished natural areas being harmed. Governor Koster emphasised the significance of maintaining the sacredness of these mountains and stated that to do so would be to diminish Bali’s holiness.

Bali’s tourism chief, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, supported the ban and assured that local mountain guides would be offered opportunities as contract workers to ensure their livelihoods. The ban encompasses popular activities such as mountain climbing and hiking, affecting foreign and domestic tourists, as well as local residents. Governor Koster emphasized that the ban is permanent, except for religious ceremonies and handling natural disasters.

Although specific penalties for violating the new rules were not disclosed, authorities have already taken action against groups of foreigners, deporting them and imposing six-month bans on their re-entry into Indonesia. Bali, known as the “island of the Gods,” has faced challenges with misbehaving tourists, prompting Governor Koster to crack down on illegal activities and safety concerns.

The ban extends to all 22 mountains in Bali and remains in effect indefinitely, effectively restricting climbers’ access. Recent incidents, such as the filming of a pornographic video on Mount Batur and a semi-nude photo taken by a tourist on Mount Agung, have fueled the need for stricter regulations. Despite participation in a religious ceremony and issuing a public apology, the offending tourist was deported and banned from entering Indonesia for at least six months.

Amit Shah to lead meeting with state, UT Disaster Management Ministers tomorrow

June 12, 2023, 1:53 pm

On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will preside over a meeting with the ministers responsible for Disaster Management from various states and Union Territories. The day-long meeting will include the participation of Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Given the existing challenges in disaster management, the meeting aims to emphasize preparedness for addressing future phases of such challenges.

The meeting is learnt to be part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s holistic approach towards disaster management to make it relief-centric, early warning-centric, proactive and early preparedness-based.

The Home Minister has said that earlier the country had only a relief-centric approach towards disaster management which did not involve minimizing the loss of life and property, but this approach changed after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister.Ministry of Home Affairs has fixed targets for every five years and every year till 2047, for which it is working with full readiness.Last year, the Home Minister also chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs on “Disaster Management” at Kevadiya in Gujarat.

Extreme weather claims 2 million lives, causes $4.3 trillion in damages: UN agency

May 24, 2023, 11:31 pm

Nearly 12,000 extreme weather, climate and water-related events over much of the past half-century around the globe have killed more than 2 million people and caused economic damage of $4.3 trillion, the U.N. weather agency said Monday.The stark recap from the World Meteorological Organization came as it opened its four-yearly congress among member countries, pressing the message that more needs to be done to improve alert systems for extreme weather events by a target date of 2027.
The Geneva-based agency has repeatedly warned about the impact of man-made climate change, saying rising temperatures have increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather — including floods, hurricanes, cyclones and drought.
WMO says early warning systems have helped reduce deaths linked to climate and other weather-related catastrophes.
Most of the economic damage between 1970 and 2021 came in the United States — totaling $1.7 trillion — while nine in 10 deaths worldwide took place in developing countries.
WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said the cyclonic storm Mocha that swept across Myanmar and Bangladesh this month exemplified how the “most vulnerable communities unfortunately bear the brunt of weather, climate and water-related hazards.”
“In the past, both Myanmar and Bangladesh suffered death tolls of tens and even hundreds of thousands of people,” he said, alluding to previous catastrophes. “Thanks to early warnings and disaster management these catastrophic mortality rates are now thankfully history.”
The findings were a part of an update to WMO’s Atlas of Mortality and Economic Losses from Weather, Climate and Water Extremes, which previously had covered a nearly 50-year period through 2019.Extreme temperatures were the top cause of reported deaths; floods were the main cause of economic losses. WMO forecasts a 66% chance of Earth reaching 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the mid-19th century within the next five years, a key threshold of the Paris climate accord.

Two killled and 20 vehicles buried in Landslide near Torkham border

April 18, 2023, 3:44 pm

According to Voice of America (VoA), a massive landslide in northwestern Pakistan killed at least two individuals and several got injured ,buried over 20 vehicles.
The landslide occured early Tuesday morning on the road connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan. Over 20 trucks were buried in the accident, which occurred near a border crossing on the Khyber Pass, an important commercial route between South Asian countries, number of persons were also hurt.

Officials said a heavy rain storm overnight could have triggered the landslide.
Bilal Faizi, spokesman for the Rescue 1122 service in the province, told Al Jazeera that the landslide took place before dawn after rain and thunderstorm were reported in the area.

Faizi said authorities have launched a search operation to look for people trapped under the landslide. He said there could be more than 20 vehicles, including large trucks, under the rubble.

“This is not a small landslide that can be cleaned up quickly. We have more than 60 people working here to remove the rubble. It’s like an entire mountain has collapsed,” Al Jazeera quoted Faizi as saying.

Earlier, in March, Torkham border was closed for several hours owing to a protest by the Khugakhel tribesmen in the Landi Kotal region of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the construction of a customs terminal at the border over their additional land without their formal consent, Dawn reported.
The agitated Khugakhel tribesmen agreed to open the road, which was closed at Torkham bypass in Landi Kotal after a group of their negotiating team held a series of talks with relevant officials.

Massive earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, death toll rises to nearly 5,000

February 7, 2023, 4:11 pm

It was 6 February in the morning, a magnitude of 7.8 earthquake hit south-eastern Turkey and parts of Syria. Till now, the death count reported more than 5,000 and tens of thousands lives are injured. The quake was followed by a tremor 7.5 struck just 9 hours later, as well as more than 200 aftershocks. Its shaking could be felt as far afield as Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.

So far, 11,000 buildings have been reported damaged in Turkey. Nearly 25,000 emergency responders are working at scenes impacted. Rescuers are using at least 10 ships and 54 aircraft to transport the wounded and help with search operations. On Tuesday morning, planes carrying aid from Iraq and Iran arrived at Damascus International Airport in Syria. Many countries came forward to provide all kinds of aid.

The international community has been quick to offer assistance to Turkey and Syria as the full scale of the disaster becomes clear. Though earthquakes are not uncommon in this part of the world, today’s is believed to be the largest and deadliest one to hit Turkey in decades.

PM Narendra Modi expressed distress at the loss of lives and damage to property due to the earthquake in Turkey. “Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy,” PM Modi tweeted.

As rescue operations continued, freezing winter weather hindered search efforts for survivors through the night. Temperatures fell close to freezing overnight, worsening conditions for people trapped under rubble or left on the streets.

The earthquake on Monday was the biggest recorded worldwide by the US Geological Survey since a tremor in the remote South Atlantic in August 2021.