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Fri, 05 Nov 2021
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Attention

Drought-hit California unable to supply state water

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© Getty Images
Farmers said the announcement was "a terrible blow"
California's water agency has announced it may for the first time be unable to deliver water to local agencies, amid a worsening drought.

Two-thirds of state residents and 1m acres (404,500 hectares) of farmland get part or all of their drinking and irrigation supplies from the agency.

A state-wide drought was declared earlier this month, as the largest reservoirs sank to record low levels.

Forecasters have warned 2014 could be California's driest year on record.

The extreme conditions have already caused a wildfire that destroyed homes in the Los Angeles area.

Previous extremely dry years led to catastrophic wildfire seasons in California in 2003 and 2007.

Colosseum

Italy battles floods as bad weather batters Europe

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The Arno river in Pisa threatened to burst its banks
Areas of Italy and France are on flood alert as heavy rain brings chaos to parts of Europe.

Hundreds of people were forced to evacuate their homes in the Italian city of Pisa as the Arno river threatened to burst its banks on Friday.

High seas are expected to cause widespread flooding along France's Atlantic coast.

Meanwhile, deep snow drifts left dozens of people stranded in Serbia.

Local officials declared a state of emergency and deployed rescue teams to help travellers trapped in their vehicles. Snow storms and strong winds have been sweeping across Eastern Europe.

Binoculars

UK storms bring in rare Arctic gulls to Pembrokeshire

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© Richard Stonier
RARE FIND: A Kumlien’s gull, which comes from Arctic Canada, has been spotted in Pembrokeshire
The storms that have battered Pembrokeshire in recent weeks have brought with them a number of Arctic visitors.

One of the worst affected areas, Newgale, has been the focal point for local and visiting bird watchers.

Rare gulls, such as Glaucous and Iceland gulls, have been spotted on the beach and on the nearby flooded marshes.

Hundreds of Kittiwakes have also been seen. These small gulls normally stay further out to sea and only come inshore when storms hit.

At Newgale they have been feasting on wrecked shellfish.

The rarest visitor found so far is the Kumlien's gull, which comes from Arctic Canada. It can be found close to the Brandy Brook outflow.

To learn more visit www.birdsonline.co.uk

Arrow Down

Large sinkhole threatens two homes in snow-covered Hackettstown, New Jersey

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© HackettstownPatch.com
The sinkhole on College View Drive in Hackettstown, New Jersey.
During the repair of a water main break Friday morning, the ground began to open up on College View Drive and has compromised two properties, police said.

A sinkhole has compromised the ground and safety of residents on College View Drive in Hackettstown Friday afternoon, according to police.

The sinkhole is a result of a water main break that occurred Thursday night. Utility crews were working in the area Friday when the ground began to cave, and has now compromised two properties, Sgt. Darren Tynan said.

Other utility crews were requested to respond immediately to the scene just after 1 p.m. College View Drive is currently closed between Deerfield Drive and Carter Terrace. Water has been restored to residents in the area.

Snowflake Cold

Heavy snowfalls and blizzard hammer southern Romania

romania blizzard
© AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda
People wait in a snowed in bus stop during a blizzard in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. Weather forecasters issued a code red severe weather warning as a second wave of blizzards affects the southeastern regions of Romania disrupting road and rail traffic.
Up to half a meter of snow in 24 hours paralyzes 18 counties in Southern and Southeastern Romania. Tens of villages left without electricity.

Authorities have issued the first ever code red for massive snows and wind.

Around 5,000 troops in Romania are helping to clear snow after up to 50cm (20 inches) fell in some parts of the country in 24 hours.

Attention

Something amiss in the ocean depths? Rare Oarfish washes up on beach in Japan

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What the heck kind of fish is this?

Don't recognize this fish? Well, it was the subject of a big rhubarb a couple months ago, so you should remember the species. Not easy when you get a new view of it, huh?

OK, enough of the anticipation; it's an Oarfish. Although this one isn't extremely long, we are treated to a close up of an extremely strange head.

So, what's the story with this 13'-7" Oarfish? Well, it was washed up on a Japanese beach. It was then promptly taken and put to culinary use.

So, are there more Oarfish washing up on beaches or are they just getting more press? Further, I wonder if this guy check the radioactivity level in the fish before making fillets? Further still, does this mean another tsunami is going to hit Japan?

Credit: blog.livedoor.jp

Comment: See also:

Second rare oarfish washes up in Southern California

18-foot oarfish caught by Catalina marine science instructor in California

Something amiss deep down? Bizarre-looking oarfish washes ashore on Cabo San Lucas beach

Appearance of "Earthquake fish" spook Japanese

Rare "King of Herrings" Found off Swedish Coast

England: Monster of deep washes up on beach


Bizarro Earth

USGS: Earthquake Magnitude 61. - 13km SSW of Visokoi Island,

Visokoi Quake_010214
© USGS
Event Time
2014-02-01 03:58:43 UTC
2014-02-01 01:58:43 UTC-02:00 at epicenter

Location
56.810°S 27.273°W depth=126.6km (78.7mi)

Nearby Cities
13km (8mi) SSW of Visokoi Island,
2543km (1580mi) ESE of Ushuaia, Argentina
2750km (1709mi) ESE of Rio Gallegos, Argentina
2775km (1724mi) ESE of Punta Arenas, Chile
2053km (1276mi) ESE of Stanley, Falkland Islands

Technical Details

Fish

Three-eyed fish caught in Lake Nipissing, Ontario

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© Baytoday
There has been great debate around who owns the rights to the photo of 'Third Eye Louie' submitted to BayToday this morning and in the interest of fairness we would like to credit the correct individuals for taking the photo.

Third Eye Louie was caught by Jimmy Stewart at his shack on Calander Bay January 19th along with his friend Chad Poitras and Brandon Warmington.

Poitras has also provided two more photos of Louie.

Derek Warmington was on a fishing expedition this past Sunday with his son Brandon Warmington on Lake Nipissing and what they reeled in has them scratching their heads and asking what is going on in the lake.

"My son caught a pickerel with a 3rd eye on last Sunday in Lake Nipissing," he tells BayToday.

"Is there a nuclear reactor or toxins in the lake to cause this?"

TV

Obama talked about global warming in coldest SOTU address ever

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Cloud Precipitation

17 California towns will run out of water in the next 60 to 120 days

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State officials in California have said that 17 communities will be out of water within the next two to four months.

Wells are starting to run dry and reservoir levels are low as the state faces the worst drought in almost a century. The number of vulnerable communities is expected to increase over the coming weeks and months, and the list will be updated weekly said Dave Mazzera, acting drinking water division chief for the California Department of Public Health.