Earth ChangesS


Cloud Precipitation

At least 20 killed due to floods, landslides in southern Philippines (UPDATES)

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The number of casualties due to landslides and flood-related incidents brought by the trough of the Low-Pressure Area (LPA) in the province of Davao de Oro has now reached six while two individuals are still missing.

Based on the report provided by the Provincial Local Government Unit of Davao de Oro (PLGU-Davao de Oro) following the initial assessment of the Provincial Disaster Reduction Risk Management Council (PDRRMC) as of Friday morning, February 2, 2024, two dead bodies were recovered in the municipality of New Bataan, three in Maragusan, and one in Pantukan.

In New Bataan, victims were identified as Mimai Pagantupan, 76, who allegedly drowned in floodwaters in her residence in Barangay Cagan, Andap, and Junjun Romagos who was reported to be buried alive in a major landslide in Barangay Camanlangan.


Comment: Update February 3

Agence France Presse reports:
The death toll from landslides and floods triggered by torrential rain in the southern Philippines in the past week has risen to 14, official tallies showed Saturday.

Rain has pounded parts of Mindanao, the country's second-largest island, on and off for weeks and forced tens of thousands of people into emergency shelters.

At least 10 people died in recent days in the mountainous gold mining province of Davao de Oro as it endured relentless downpours.

"I haven't experienced that kind of heavy and continuous rain before," provincial information officer Fe Maestre told AFP.

Of the 10 deaths in Davao de Oro, three were recorded in New Bataan municipality and another four people were killed in landslides in Maragusan and Monkayo municipalities, disaster officials told AFP.

Another three people drowned in separate incidents in Pantukan and Maco municipalities in Davao de Oro.

In the neighbouring province of Davao del Norte, a landslide buried four people inside a house in Kapalong municipality, rescue officer Jaiasent Cabactulan told AFP.
Update February 5

NDTV reports:
At least 20 people have died after days of torrential rains in parts of the southern Philippines, provincial disaster agencies said on Monday.

Thirteen people died in Davao de Oro province while two were missing, and seven people were killed in neighbouring Davao del Norte, disaster agency officials said.

A northeast monsoon and trough of a low pressure area brought rains in southern Mindanao region from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, resulting in deadly floods and landslides, data from the national disaster agency show.



Tornado2

Several waterspouts spotted off Canterbury coast in New Zealand

Waterspout spotted off Timaru on Saturday morning.
© Andrew BeazleyWaterspout spotted off Timaru on Saturday morning.
Several waterspouts have been spotted along the south Canterbury coastline this morning.

Andrew Beazley and his wife had been walking their dog on South Beach, Timaru, at 8am on Saturday morning when they spotted the waterspouts.

He told 1News they typically went down to the beach a few times a week, but "it's the first time I've seen anything like that off the coast."

The spouts were about "two [or] three kilometres" off the coast, he said.


Doberman

Man dies after being mauled by dogs in Detroit

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A Detroit father who was mauled by three dogs earlier this week has died, his family said.

According to an update on the family's GoFundMe page, Harold Phillips died Friday evening.

Phillips was heading home from a bus stop near the corner of Longacre Street and W. Chicago Road when he was attacked. Due to the extent of his injuries, Phillips had his arm amputated.

City officials say the incident was preventable as the dogs' owner did not follow the city's ordinance and failed to secure them. The three dogs that attacked Phillips have been euthanized, and the owner received a total of $5,000 in fines.

On Thursday, Phillips' family announced that they were suing the city of Detroit and the dogs' owner.

Doberman

One year old dies in stray dog attack in Telangana, India

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A one-year-old boy died in an attack by stray dogs in Shamshabad around 12.30 am on Thursday, with the incident going unnoticed until early morning.

The boy was staying with his father in a roadside hutment, while his mother was in a hospital to give birth, the police said.

RGI police inspector Balaraju said the incident came to light after locals identified the lifeless body of the child on the road and a closer inspection found dog bites on the body.

"We were alerted in the morning when locals found the body. A case has been registered and investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident," he said.

Snowflake

Over 566 roads blocked by heavy snow in Himachal Pradesh, India

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Moderate to heavy snowfall continued in high hills and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday while the state capital received the first snowfall of the season bringing cheers to residents, tourists and farmers.

Shimla was wrapped in a thin blanket of snow on Thursday while the 5-km stretch between Kufri and Fagu was entirely covered in snow. Braving the cold, tourists and residents thronged the Mall Road and Ridge in the heart of the city to enjoy the snow.

Shimla was lashed by a severe hailstorm on Wednesday night followed by intermittent rains.

Over 566 roads, including six national highways, in the state have been closed for vehicular traffic following heavy snowfall and rain, said Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh, adding that 138 roads are expected to be opened by tonight.


Cloud Precipitation

California pummeled by atmospheric river

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Heavy rain flooded California roadways and much-needed snow piled up in the mountains as the first of back-to-back atmospheric rivers pummeled the state Thursday.

The storm focused its energy on the southern and eastern parts of the state after initially hitting the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday, where it halted cable car service.

The downpours arrived Thursday in Southern California in time to snarl the morning commute.


Attention

Right whale found dead near Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts beach as species 'approaches extinction'

Deceased female North Atlantic right whale.
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute/Michael Moore.Deceased female North Atlantic right whale.
A young North Atlantic right whale was found dead off a Martha's Vineyard beach in Massachusetts over the weekend as the number of the endangered species continues to decline and is "approaching extinction."

NOAA said its fisheries division was notified Sunday that a dead female right whale was located near Joseph Sylvia State Beach in Edgartown.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, an organization that responds to stranded marine mammals on Cape Cod and the south coast of Massachusetts, as well as the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) were able to secure the whale, NOAA Fisheries said. And preliminary observations showed the presence of rope around and embedded in the whale's tail.

NOAA said the whale was female, but because of the animal's position, it couldn't be identified. However, it was estimated that the dead right whale was a juvenile due to its size.


Fire

South Africa evacuates small coastal communities near Cape Town as wildfires burn out of control

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Residents were evacuated from small coastal towns near Cape Town in South Africa as wildfires swept down from surrounding mountains and burned out of control for a second day on Tuesday.

Authorities ordered a full evacuation of Pringle Bay, a coastal village popular with holidaymakers about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Cape Town. People evacuated parts of the nearby town of Betty's Bay on Monday.

Wildfires are relatively common in the mountain ranges around Cape Town and further down the coast in the South African summer, but it's unusual for towns to be completely evacuated.


Arrow Down

Buildings buried in mud after torrential rain triggers landslide in Peru

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Dramatic scenes out of Peru after homes were buried in a landslide triggered by torrential rain in swathes on Peru.

An avalanche caused damage to infrastructure in Haural, in Peru's central coastal area, local media reported on Tuesday (January 30). Locals grabbed shovels and pickaxes to divert the floodwaters near homes.

The Huaral Civil Defence office is assessing the damage caused and trying to determine the economic losses in the area.

Meanwhile in La Oroya, Junin, an overflowing river engulfed a local bridge. In Chanchamayo, a bus was trapped due to a strong water current fueled by the rains in the area.

-Report from Reuters


Snowflake

Cyprus turned into winter wonderland amidst heavy rain and snow

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Cyprus has been enveloped in a wintry embrace as heavy rainfall and snow have transformed various parts of the island into picturesque landscapes, particularly in the mountains.

A video capturing the beauty of Troodos, shared by the "Weather Enthusiasts of Cyprus" Facebook page, showcases the snow cover that has delighted locals and visitors alike.