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Spain’s Worst Floods: Death Toll Rises, Residents Plead For Aid

November 2, 2024, 1:37 am

The flood crisis in Spain has intensified, with the death toll soaring to 205, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country’s history. In Valencia, where floodwaters have destroyed infrastructure, roads, and homes, authorities warned that more rain is likely, placing the region on an amber alert.

Struggles in Rescue Efforts and Rising Anger

Residents in some of the hardest-hit areas, such as the towns of Alfafar and Masanasa, report limited access to food, water, and essential services. Floodwaters have left streets blocked and bridges impassable, forcing some survivors to evacuate on foot. As frustrations mount, many locals are relying on each other and local police rather than national aid.

Additional Troops and Emergency Services Mobilized

In response to the escalating crisis, Spain’s government deployed an additional 1,000 troops to the affected regions, with 500 more scheduled to arrive over the weekend. Defense Minister Margarita Robles emphasized the critical need for resources to clear flooded areas, rescue residents trapped in basements, and restore basic services. “This is an unprecedented tragedy,” Robles said, calling it an extreme weather event linked to the climate crisis.

Residents Appeal for Help as Supplies Dwindle

With many cut off from basic resources, residents are taking matters into their own hands. In Alfafar, the local mayor, Juan Ramón Adsuara, described desperate efforts to distribute food and supplies to those isolated by the floodwaters. “We’re out of everything,” he said, pleading for national aid as his community continues to battle the aftermath of the floods.

Community Solidarity and Political Tensions

Despite repeated calls from local officials, assistance has been slow. Thousands of volunteers from nearby areas have shown up on foot, armed with shovels, food, and water to aid in relief efforts. The response has sparked criticism of emergency services, with some officials blaming the delay in alerts for the high number of casualties.

Climate Crisis Link and Future Precautions

The Valencia floods highlight Spain’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. As communities rebuild and grieve their losses, government officials are focusing on immediate relief efforts and longer-term climate resilience strategies.

Kerala Landslides: Rescue Operations Continue As Death Toll Reaches 215

August 3, 2024, 2:34 pm

As rescue operations in the landslide-hit areas of Wayanad, Kerala, enter the fifth day, rescuers have unearthed more bodies, bringing the death toll to 215. Despite the efforts, around 206 people are still reported missing, adding urgency to the ongoing search.

The rescue operations face significant challenges due to massive boulders and logs deposited in the residential areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala, compounded by waterlogged terrain. In an effort to locate people believed to be trapped beneath the debris, deep search radars are being deployed in the affected areas. The Kerala government has requested advanced radar equipment, including one Xaver radar and four Reeco radars, to be airlifted from Delhi by the Indian Air Force.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the search and rescue operations have entered their final stages. However, identifying bodies and body parts recovered from the Chaliyar River remains challenging.

“Till now, 215 bodies have been recovered, of which 87 are women, 98 are men, and 30 are children. As many as 148 bodies have been handed over so far. There are 206 people missing. Eighty-one people are injured and are under treatment in various hospitals,” said Vijayan.

Regarding rehabilitation efforts, Vijayan announced that a secure region will be identified for constructing a new township. Additionally, the Education Minister will visit the schools destroyed in the region to ensure that the education of affected children continues without interruption.

Celebrity Involvement and Relief Efforts

The day also saw the arrival of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in the landslide-ravaged areas. As an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, he oversaw the search and rescue operations. Wearing army fatigues, Mohanlal met with officers at the Army camp in Meppadi before visiting affected areas and interacting with rescue workers and locals.

During his visit, Mohanlal stated, “This is one of the worst natural disasters the country has ever seen,” and thanked everyone involved in the search and rescue efforts. The actor’s Viswasanthi Foundation has pledged ₹3 crore for rehabilitation works in the disaster-hit region.

Actor-director and retired army officer Major Ravi, accompanying Mohanlal, promised to rebuild the Mundakkai LP school, which was destroyed by the landslides.

Political Tensions Over Donations

Meanwhile, a controversy erupted within the Congress party over donations to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF). Senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala announced he would donate one month’s salary, drawing criticism from KPCC chief K Sudhakaran. Sudhakaran expressed displeasure, stating there was no directive to contribute to government-managed funds and that Chennithala should have donated to Congress’s relief efforts instead.

Despite online smear campaigns against donating to the CMDRF, many individuals, from tea stall owners to children, continue to contribute their earnings and pocket money to support those affected by the landslides. Police have registered 39 FIRs related to the smear campaigns and have issued notices to remove 279 social media accounts involved in discouraging donations.

Tragic Landslides In Wayanad: Heartbreaking Stories Of Loss And Survival

August 1, 2024, 9:32 pm

The recent landslides in Wayanad have left a trail of destruction, claiming over 250 lives and leaving many more missing. Families are grappling with unimaginable loss, searching for their loved ones and trying to rebuild their lives. Survivors share their poignant stories, highlighting the resilience of those affected by this tragedy.

A Night Next to a Tusker

Sujata, an elderly woman, recounted the terrifying night she spent with her grandchild after escaping their collapsing house. Fleeing to a nearby hill on the edge of the forest, they found themselves standing next to a wild elephant.

“We barely escaped from our toppling house,” Sujata told PTI. “We ran to a nearby hill at the edge of the forest. Once we reached there, we realized that we were standing next to a tusker.”

She spoke to the elephant, pleading for safety: “Told him (the elephant) that we lost everything and asked him not to attack us. We spent the entire night next to him.”

Loss of Home and Livelihood

Sirajudeen and his family witnessed boulders and trees crushing their home and livelihood. Their autorickshaw, crucial for their daily earnings, was destroyed.

Ganesh, a security guard from Chooralmala, described the moments leading up to the landslide. “As I reached home, I saw muddy water and woke up my wife who was sleeping. I didn’t waste a single second. We left the house and went to a nearby hilltop,” he said, recalling the urgency of their escape.

Ganesh’s voice filled with grief as he recounted losing his sister, her family, and their home. “As the water rose, we ran to the hilltop. We saw my sister’s house being washed away in the first landslide. The second landslide took away my house too.”

A Father’s Desperate Search

Amid the chaos, a father searches desperately for his missing 14-year-old daughter, Anamika, who was staying at her grandmother’s house during the landslide. With tears in his eyes, he said, “My youngest daughter is missing. Unless I can identify her, I will not believe that she is gone. I will consider that she has gone to some faraway place for higher studies.”

The disaster has affected families across the region, with over 25 children among the deceased. As rescue operations continue, the death toll is expected to rise, deepening the heartache for the people of Wayanad.

Heavy Rain In Uttarakhand: 10 Dead, Kedarnath Footpath Blocked

August 1, 2024, 1:45 pm

Uttarakhand State Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman reported on Thursday that heavy rain in the area has resulted in the death of at least 10 people and caused damage to the concrete bridge along with the footbridge on the Kedarnath route. “All the routes of Chardham are open, only the footpath in Kedarnath has been obstructed. 100 other routes are obstructed; efforts are being made continuously to open them” the Chief secretary said.

Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the areas affected by the disaster. He conducted a review meeting with officials at the State Emergency Operation Centre to evaluate the status of rescue and relief efforts in regions hit by heavy rainfall. During the meeting, CM Dhami noted that rescue teams had worked through the night, moving people to safety in response to the rain’s impact. “We received information about the disruption of life in many areas across the state. Consequently, rescue teams worked through the night to move people to safer locations,” he said.

The Chief Minister assured that he is in contact with the local administration. He directed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams to stay on high alert in the affected areas. “I have directed officials to assist those affected by the heavy rainfall and to relocate individuals endangered by rising rivers and drains to safer places. Everyone has been instructed to stay vigilant,” CM Dhami said post the meeting. He also stated that relief and rescue efforts are currently underway in the severely impacted areas of Rambada, Bhimbali, and Jakhaniyali.

The Chief Minister instructed that all the officers have to ensure that the government promptly approves any necessary funds for evacuating people from vulnerable areas, conducting relief and rescue operations, and for reconstruction and rehabilitation for security purposes. He directed all district magistrates to coordinate locally and act swiftly upon receiving disaster reports, prioritising public safety without delay.

Earlier, the Uttarakhand government issued a safety advisory for Chardham Yatra pilgrims due to anticipated heavy rainfall throughout the state. Authorities have urged devotees to postpone their trips until the weather conditions improve and to stay in secure locations.

DGP Abhinav Kumar has advised pilgrims and devotees to exercise caution and begin their journey only after taking necessary breaks. He emphasised on the importance of staying in safe locations and adhering to instructions from local authorities. “The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for heavy rain in most districts of Uttarakhand. Your safety is our priority,” the DGP said.

Kerala Electricity Minister Orders Power Restoration In Landslide-Affected Areas

July 30, 2024, 7:28 pm

Kerala Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty has instructed that power connections in the landslide-affected areas of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad be restored promptly, according to a statement from the minister of electricity’s office on Tuesday.

Minister Krishnankutty has directed that power restoration efforts prioritise all areas except for seven transformers in the disaster-stricken region, which serve approximately 1,400 consumers. Power to other areas is expected to be restored by this evening. The evaluations will further be conducted in collaboration with disaster management authorities.

Krishnankutty will soon visit the affected areas to assess the restoration efforts firsthand. According to the minister’s office, approximately 3 kilometers of high-tension lines and 8 kilometers of low-tension lines in the Meppadi electrical section have been severely damaged by the landslides. Additionally, two transformers are missing, and three others are damaged. There has been significant damage to the lines in two transformer zones, leading to a complete power outage for around 350 homes, officials reported. In the early hours of Tuesday, the landslides in Meppadi, Wayanad, resulted in over 80 fatalities and about 116 injuries.

Along with Wayanad, Kozhikode bears brunt of landslide

July 30, 2024, 4:28 pm

One person is reported missing following a landslide that struck the Vilangad area in Kozhikode district, Kerala, on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, the Wayanad district of the state is struggling with landslides caused by heavy rainfall.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is carrying out search and rescue operations. The landslide has destroyed the Malayangad bridge and partially damaged four houses along the riverbank, isolating 15 families. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, and residents living along the riverbanks have been relocated.

In a separate incident, a landslide on the Kaithapoyil-Anorammal-Valliyad road has covered about 80 meters of the road with debris, resulting in the evacuation of seven families from the area. Additionally, landslides in the Pashukadav region of Kuttikkad Maruthonkara village have caused significant disruption. The heavy rains have led to flooding, which has waterlogged streets and inundated houses and shops.

As water levels in the Kadantara river continue to rise, residents from the Preakkandod, Mukkam, and Peetikappara areas have been moved to temporary shelters. To manage the increasing water levels, two shutters of the Kakkayam Dam have been raised by four feet in multiple stages.

Residents living along the Kuttayyadi riverbanks have been advised to be cautious. Heavy rainfall has raised water levels in the Poonur, Mahe, Kuttayyadi, Chaliyar, and Cherupuzha rivers to critical levels, prompting warnings for vigilance in these areas. Additionally, access to tourist spots in the district has been restricted, and quarry operations have been suspended due to the intense rainfall.

At present, 854 individuals from 196 families are taking refuge in 41 relief camps across Kozhikode district, with many others seeking shelter at relatives’ homes. Residents in areas prone to landslides have been advised to relocate. In Kozhikode Taluk, 24 relief camps are accommodating 298 people. Vadakara Taluk has two camps housing 21 individuals, Koilandy Taluk has seven camps with 161 people, and Thamarassery Taluk has eight camps sheltering 374 people.

Regarding the search and rescue operations in Wayanad, S. Shankar Pandian, Deputy Commandant of the NDRF, stated “Our teams are located at various locations in Wayanad. Even in Kozhikode, a landslide was suspected, the NDRF team is deployed there. Already, three teams of NDRF are in Wayanad. We are doing our best to carry out rescue efforts. We are facing difficulty in reaching interior parts in the landslide-affected area.”

Kerala Chief Secretary V. Venu announced that more than 80 bodies have been recovered as rescue operations persist in the landslide-affected areas of Wayanad. Additionally, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in eight districts across the state.

A red alert has been issued for the districts of Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod. An orange alert has been sounded for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts.

Union Island Devastated By Hurricane Beryl: Urgent Call For Aid

July 3, 2024, 12:37 pm

After Hurricane Beryl hit Union Island, Katrina Coy on 2 July, a local shared a video message detailing the massive destruction. She reported that almost every building was damaged or destroyed, leaving most residents homeless. The hurricane caused extensive damage, flattening houses, blocking roads, and knocking down electricity poles.

Sebastien Sailly, a fisherman who has lived on the island for many years, agreed with Coy. He said Beryl was worse than Hurricane Ivan in 2004, destroying 90% of the island and leaving his family barely escaping harm. Alizee, Sebastien’s cousin who runs a hotel, described the harrowing experience of sheltering from the intense winds and pressure, which caused severe damage and flooding.

The island’s urgent needs are shelter, food, and water. People are using whatever materials they can find to make temporary shelters. They urgently need supplies like canned food, powdered milk, sanitary products, first-aid kits, tents, and generators. Communication is difficult, but Alizee has managed to send messages using the Starlink network.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines acknowledged the severe damage and suffering caused by Hurricane Beryl. He promised a quick response, but there are doubts about whether the government can handle the extensive damage without international help. Sebastien Sailly expressed concerns that rebuilding the island could take more than a year and billions of dollars.

Katrina Coy, head of the Union Island Environmental Alliance, asked the Caribbean community for help, stressing the urgent need for emergency supplies and evacuation. Her important work on water security was destroyed by the hurricane.

Hurricane Beryl hit as a category four storm with 150 mph winds, leaving thousands without power and many in temporary shelters across St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and St Lucia. Despite the extensive damage, Sebastien Sailly found comfort in knowing his neighbors survived, valuing human life over material losses.

Southern China: Five dead, 33 injured as Tornado hits Guangzhou

April 28, 2024, 1:40 pm

Five individuals have lost their lives and 33 others sustained injuries in a tornado that struck Guangzhou, located in southern China, as reported by CNN, citing Chinese state media. The city, which is home to 19 million people, experienced tornadoes at a level-three intensity, two levels below the highest level of five.

Authorities noted that while 141 factory buildings were damaged, no residential houses collapsed, according to the Xinhua news agency. A weather station in Liangtian Village, Baiyun District, approximately 1.7 miles from the tornado’s impact area, recorded a maximum wind gust of 20.6 meters per second.

Search and rescue operations concluded by 10 pm local time. Following the tornado, several days of heavy rains have struck southern China, leading to deadly floods and endangering the lives of tens of millions of people. Guangdong province, an economic hub with a population of 127 million, has witnessed widespread flooding, prompting the relocation of over 110,000 people, according to state media citing local government reports.

The Pearl River Delta, China’s manufacturing heartland and one of its most populous regions, has experienced sustained torrential rains since April 16, with four weather stations in Guangdong recording record rainfall for April. While the Pearl River basin typically faces annual flooding from April to September, recent years have seen more intense rainstorms and severe floods, attributed to the climate crisis exacerbating extreme weather patterns.

Although tornadoes are not as common in China as they are in the US, they do occur. A 2015 peer-reviewed scientific article revealed that China averages fewer than 100 tornadoes per year, with at least 1,772 deaths recorded from tornadoes in the country over the 50 years since 1961.

The China Meteorological Agency has cautioned that heavy rain and strong storms are expected to continue until the end of the month.

Japan Earthquake: 48 dead, death toll on the rise

January 2, 2024, 3:44 pm

The death toll from the New Year’s Day earthquakes in Japan has climbed to 48, with additional injuries reported in Ishikawa, Niigata, Fukui, Toyama, and Gifu prefectures, according to NHK World. A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck central Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year’s Day evening, causing the collapse of 25 buildings in Wajima City. Rescue operations are ongoing, and a fire that broke out in Kawai Town is being controlled. Approximately 200 buildings, including shops and houses, are estimated to have burned in Asaichi Street.

The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometers. Authorities cautioned about potential aftershocks in the coming week, especially in the next two to three days. The impact of the quake extends to other prefectures, causing injuries in Niigata and Toyoma.

The Met agency recorded over 100 aftershocks in the region since the initial quake. The Hokuriku Electric Power Company has shut down two generators at its Nanao Ota thermal power plant in Ishikawa Prefecture, leading to power outages for over 44,000 households in the affected area.

Cyclone Freddy rips through Africa’s Malawi, claiming 190 lives

March 15, 2023, 4:17 pm

Tropical Cyclone Freddy tore through southern Malawi, killing at least 190 people, according to local officials on Tuesday. Survivors are still searching for loved ones in the worst-hit areas. In the nation, 37 individuals have been reported missing and at least 584 injuries.

The cyclone is “weakening but will continue to produce torrential rains coupled with windy conditions in most areas of Southern Malawi districts,” according to a statement from the Malawi Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change on Tuesday.

The scenario in southern Malawi has gotten worse, according to Charles Kalemba, a commissioner for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs agency, who spoke to CNN on Tuesday. “Today is worse. A number of locations are flooding and a number of roads and bridges are cut. Nearly no visibility is present. Both the network and the electricity are out. It’s getting worse and worse,” Kalemba said, adding that bad weather has also hampered relief efforts.

“It’s hard. Machines are required (for recovery operations), but the rain prevents them from reaching the areas where they were intended to be excavated, Kalemba continued. Kalemba continued by saying that Wednesday should see a change in the weather. “The cyclone might have gone by tomorrow. Although today is worse, we expect tomorrow to be better. There is a lot of water and heavy downpour.

The danger of damaging winds and heavy flooding “remains very high,” according to a warning issued on Monday by Malawi’s Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services.

Joshimath Subsidence case: SC refuses to entertain the plea to declare Joshimath as natural disaster.

January 16, 2023, 5:25 pm

The Supreme court refused to entertain a plea seeking its intervention to declare Joshimath subsidence as natural disaster. A bench of Chief Justice Of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala permitted the petitioner to approach the Uttarakhand High Court with the plea.

“High court can suitably redress the grievances including rehabilitation of the affected people,” the Supreme Court said. The plea before the top court seeks to stop the development of the Tapovan project and the protection of religious sites. Several families were evacuated from Joshimath after cracks appeared in their houses in the wake of the subsidence. The petition sought to provide immediate financial assistance and compensation to the people of Uttarakhand, who have lost their houses and land to subsidence.

Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Kumar Sinha inspected the landslide-affected areas in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath and said that there has been an uptick in the number of cracks, but no new areas have faced damages.