2024 Disasters in Numbers
<p>In 2024, the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) recorded 393 natural hazard-related disasters. These events caused 16,753 fatalities and affected 167.2 million people. Economic losses totaled US$241.95
Natural Disasters
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Scientists baffled by swarm of quakes in Ore.
Scientists baffled by swarm of quakes in Ore. Ore. (AP)
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China Drought Leaves 670,000 Without Drinking Water
China Drought Leaves 670,000 Without Drinking Water CHINA: April 14, 2008 BEIJING - A drought in China's northeast Liaoning province has left nearly 700,000 people without drinking water after rainfall in the first three months of 2008 tumbled to one-fifth levels last year, the Xinhua agency said on Sunday. The area is a top grain producer, and maize and rice farming is due to begin next week, but from January to the end of March it had got less than 2 centimetres (less than an inch) of rain.
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Bangladesh Faces Climate Change Refugee Nightmare
Bangladesh Faces Climate Change Refugee Nightmare BANGLADESH: April 14, 2008 DHAKA - Abdul Majid has been forced to move 22 times in as many years, a victim of the annual floods that ravage Bangladesh. There are millions like Majid, 65, in Bangladesh and in the future there could be many millions more if scientists' predictions of rising seas and more intense droughts and storms come true.
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Scientists predict more floods, droughts
Scientists predicted Thursday that climate change in coming decades will cause more flooding in the Northern Hemisphere and droughts in some southern and arid zones. In addition, they said that some areas around the Mediterranean, parts of southern Africa, northeastern Brazil and the western US region will likely suffer water shortages. Rajendra Pachauri, the chief UN climate scientist, said at the end of a meeting in Budapest that the rising frequency and intensity of floods and droughts could lead to a food crisis.
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Unabated earthquake fear
Unabated earthquake fear Abdul Khaleque Earthquakes happen when forces deep within our planet cause movement of the earth's outer layer called the crust. The rock plates that make up the earth's crust number about 20. Most earthquakes occur along the boundaries of major plates. As the mantle moves plates slowly around the globe, the plates may crape against each other. Sometimes pressure along the edges becomes so great that something has to give way. Then the land trembles with an earthquake.
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$ 50m livelihood project for Sidr-hit people
The US$ 50 million livelihood restoration project for cyclone Sidr-affected people will be launched this month, with four worst affected upazilas being covered in the first phase. The second phase would be the formal project launch, which would take place simultaneously in all the proposed unions by the end of June this year, said a World Bank information note. Social Development Foundation (SDF) will implement the project to meet the emergency need to support restoration of livelihoods with financial assistance from the World Bank.
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Forecaster Expects Eight Atlantic Hurricanes This Year
Forecaster Expects Eight Atlantic Hurricanes This Year US: April 10, 2008 MIAMI - The noted Colorado State University hurricane research team predicted on Wednesday that 15 tropical storms would form during the coming Atlantic storm season, of which eight would strengthen into hurricanes. The team founded by forecasting pioneer Bill Gray increased its outlook by two tropical storms and one hurricane over its last outlook issued in December due to improved conditions for storm development, including warmer sea surface temperatures in the eastern Atlantic.
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Disaster mitigation and management for West Bengal, India An appraisal
We examine the predominant natural hazards in West Bengal, along with an analysis of the prevalent disaster mitigation and management perspectives. Pre-hazard activities towards its mitigation are emphasized and explicated.
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Brazilian Floods Kill 34, Leave 190,000 Homeless
Brazilian Floods Kill 34, Leave 190,000 Homeless BRAZIL: April 9, 2008 RIO DE JANEIRO - Flooding from heavy rains that killed at least 34 people and left 190,000 homeless in Brazil's northeast now threatens to spread disease, authorities said on Tuesday. The unusually strong rains in recent days washed out roads, tore down bridges and flooded homes across the region. Crops and livestock throughout the region were destroyed and the government is considering compensation for farmers and ranchers, National Integration Minister Geddel Vieira Lima said.
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Freak Hailstorm Kills Five In Central China
Freak Hailstorm Kills Five In Central China CHINA: April 9, 2008 BEIJING - A freak hailstorm that lasted only half an hour killed five people, injured 66 others and damaged thousands of homes in central China on Tuesday, the official Xinhua news agency said. The storm, with wind gusts of over 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour, hit Dangyang city, Hubei province, in the early hours of the morning and doused it with 6 centimetres of rain.