Earth ChangesS


Cloud Lightning

Bolivia floods misery continues, state of emergency declared



Bolivia flood
©AP
Many tens of thousands have been forced from their homes

The Bolivian authorities estimate that some 60,000 families across the country have been affected by severe flooding, which has followed weeks of heavy rain.

The flood waters, which have killed at least 60 people, are threatening to inundate the Amazon city of Trinidad, sparking large-scale evacuations.

The government has declared a state of emergency in the worst-hit areas.

Life Preserver

Russia to deliver food to storm-hit Far Eastern islands

A ship carrying around 50 metric tons of food has left for the Komandor Islands, in Russia's Far East, after the area was cut off by storms and bad weather, the local emergencies said Wednesday.

Heavy storms have made it impossible to deliver supplies by sea or air to the islands, 200 km east off Kamchatka, since December 2007. Food has been running short in the Aleut District, where around 800 people, including 200 children, live.

Arrow Up

China's snowstorms claim over 100 lives

China's worst snowstorms in 50 years have killed a total of 107 people in the past month, the country's Xinhua news agency said on Wednesday.

The extreme weather has wreaked havoc on the country's economy causing damage of about $15.3 billion, said Civil Affairs Minister Li Xueju. So far the government has allocated $73.79 million in emergency funding for 19 disaster-stricken provinces.

Snowman

Icy storm ties up travel, voting in East

TRENTON, N.J. - Winter's latest delivery of misery slid across the East Coast after icing over parts of the Ohio Valley, snarling primary-day voting, delaying air travel and causing hundreds of traffic accidents.

Up to 4 inches of snow and sleet was forecast for northwestern New Jersey before it was expected to change over to rain Wednesday. A bridge over the Delaware River near Philadelphia closed during evening rush hour so crews could spread salt, and speed limits were lowered on others.

Cloud Lightning

Mozambique floods claim more lives

Maputo - Flooding caused by heavy seasonal rains claimed three more lives over the weekend in Mozambique where authorities bracing for a fresh surge along the Zambezi river were battling to get supplies to around 2 000 families that had fled their homes.

The latest fatalities in the floods that have claimed over 60 lives in southern Africa since December were reported in Marromeu district in Sofala province, through which the Zambezi passes on its way to sea.

Star

Perth set to sizzle during record heatwave

If you're waiting for relief from the hot weather, you're likely to be disappointed as Perth looks set to have its longest heatwave in 20 years.

The Bureau of Meteorology says residents are set to swelter with nine days straight of temperatures in the mid to late 30s. A heatwave is when there is three consecutive days over 35C.

Binoculars

'Mystical' white stag roams Scotland Highlands

Since time immemorial it was a messenger from the afterlife, a mystical creature that chilled the blood of kings and commoners alike. But now a young white stag has appeared in the Highlands of Scotland, gathering his own legends.

Mythical Stag
©Times of London

Bizarro Earth

Moderate earthquake rattles south Lebanon, felt in Syria, Israel

Beirut, Lebanon: A moderate earthquake rattled southern Lebanon on Tuesday, causing some panic among local residents but no major damage, the meteorological department said.

The quake, which hit the southern port city of Tyre and surrounding villages, registered up to 4.2 on the Richter scale. Some residents in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and neighboring Syria and Israel, also felt the earthquake.

Bizarro Earth

Magnitude 6.4 earthquake shakes southern Mexico

A strong earthquake shook southern Mexico today, causing panic and minor damage to buildings, and prompting an oil refinery to shut down as a precaution. There were no reports of major damage or injuries.

The magnitude-6.4 quake was felt across hundreds of miles, gently swaying buildings in Mexico City and rocking parts of Mexico's Gulf coast.

Evil Rays

Magnitude 4.0 earthquake shakes Israel

A mild earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter Scale was felt across Israel Monday night, from Kiryat Shmona in the north to the Jerusalem area.

The quake's epicenter was located about 12.5 miles east of the south Lebanese town of Tyre. No injuries or damage were reported.