Earth ChangesS


Tsunami

Relentless rain leaves widespread flooding in Botswana - 7 killed (UPDATE)


BBC
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:45 UTC
Huge areas of land in Botswana are under flood water after very heavy rain
© ReutersHuge areas of land in Botswana are under flood water after very heavy rain
Days of heavy rain in Botswana has led to widespread flooding which has forced schools and major roads to close.

Homes and business have suffered extensive damage and forecasters have warned that a further 50mm (2in) of rainfall or more could fall in some places in the next 24 hours.

The government has said this is likely to cause significant water accumulation in low-lying areas leading to flash flooding and more impacts on infrastructure and property.

The heavy rain is expected to move to the north of Botswana over the next few days.

However, the capital Gaborone and the southern half of the country should become drier over the weekend although heavy local showers in these areas could exacerbate the existing flooding situation.

More heavy rain is also forecast across other southern swathes of Africa in the coming days.


Comment: Update February 22

Reuters reports:
Flash floods across Botswana have killed seven people including three children and uprooted thousands after days of heavy rains, President Duma Boko said on Saturday.

Authorities have temporarily shut schools and blocked roads following more than a week of downpours.

"We will continue to work in the short term to mitigate further losses," Boko said in a televised address as over 1,700 people were evacuated from flood-stricken areas.

In the capital Gabarone, where the local dam was overflowing, cars were washed away and properties waterlogged as emergency workers braced for more rain in coming days.

Disaster management officials suggested that inadequate drainage in urban areas may have contributed to water building up in some of the worst hit low-lying areas.

"We must relook at our infrastructure planning to determine that indeed our infrastructure on a national level can handle droughts as well as floods," Boko said.


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Doberman

Man found dead from possible dog attack in Antonito, Colorado

Rob Lowe
The South Fork Tines
Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:46 UTC
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The Conejos County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a 57-year-old man whose body was discovered on Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the 5400 block of County Road 13 in Antonito.

At approximately 9:12 a.m. on Feb. 19, the Colorado State Patrol Dispatch received a call reporting a possible deceased individual in a ditch along County Road 13. The caller, who was going to an appointment, stated he noticed the body and immediately contacted the authorities.

Upon arrival at the scene, deputies located the body of a 57-year-old male. Lacerations from possible dog bites were observed on the victim's body. The victim has been identified by the Conejos County Coroner as Franklin Baca.

Investigators are exploring several possibilities surrounding the man's death, including the possibility of an animal attack. Two dogs are being considered as possible factors: a neighbor's pit bull and the victim's own dog, a Labrador mix.
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Arrow Down

Snowboarder killed in Colorado avalanche in 4th slide death in West this week


cpr.org
Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:03 UTC
An avalanche in the Middle Fork of Middle Creek drainage where a backcountry tourer was killed on February 20, 2025
© Silverton Medical Rescue via the Colorado Avalanche Information CenterAn avalanche in the Middle Fork of Middle Creek drainage where a backcountry tourer was killed on February 20, 2025
A snowboarder was killed in an avalanche in the mountains of southwestern Colorado on Thursday, the fourth person to die in an avalanche in the U.S. West this week after a string of winter storms.

Sarah Steinwand, 41, of Crested Butte, Colorado, was caught in the debris of the avalanche in the backcountry near Silverton, but a man who was skiing with the snowboarder escaped the snow slide, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said. Staff from a nearby backcountry hut noticed the avalanche, alerted rescuers and helped the skier dig Steinwand out of the debris, it said.

Three people died in avalanches Monday — one person near Lake Tahoe in California and two backcountry skiers in Oregon's Cascade Mountains.

The avalanche danger was elevated for most of Colorado's mountains earlier this week but conditions have improved somewhat in some areas.


AP
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Tsunami

Flash floods ravage Kanchanaburi, Thailand after 5.5 inches of rain in 12 hours


The Nation Thailand
Sat, 22 Feb 2025 18:54 UTC
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Heavy rain that has poured down since Friday evening has caused flash floods in four villages of Bong Ti subdistrict in Kanchanaburi province's Sai Yok district.

Provincial officers reported that at least 75 households in Moos 1, 2, 3 and 4 were submerged in floodwater, which also cut off two bridges crossing canals in the villages.

All residents in heavily flooded areas were evacuated to safety at around 8pm on Friday, officials said.

Kanchanaburi Governor Athisan Inthra ordered district officials to survey the affected areas for damage and provide assistance to villagers as quickly as possible.

The Department of Water Resource on Friday night raised the flood-warning level in Bong Ti subdistrict to red (critical) level after accumulated rainfall in the previous 12 hours crossed 140.5 millimetres.

The department urged local officers to prepare for possible flash floods, overflows, water runoff and landslides in the area as well as warning locals to prepare for emergency evacuation in case heavy rain persists.

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Snowflake

Best of the Web: Japanese ski resort receives staggering 3 meters of snow in 3 days


SkiAsia.com
Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:44 UTC
A buried chairlift at Kagura Ski Resort on February 19, 2025.
A buried chairlift at Kagura Ski Resort on February 19, 2025.
Ski resorts in Yuzawa Town in Japan's Niigata prefecture have endured one of the most chaotic weeks in recent memory, with strong winds and heavy snowfalls burying chairlifts and forcing lift closures.

Kagura Ski Resort bore the brunt of the storms, reporting three metres of snow in just three days, forcing a total suspension of lift operations on Wednesday and Thursday and partial closures at other times.

GALA Yuzawa ski resort was closed for the day on Friday - the first time is has ever completely closed due to heavy snowfall, according to a post on Snow Japan.

A Facebook post from Kagura on February 20, which has now had more than 4,000 engagements, apologised for the interruption and pleaded with followers for their understanding.


Comment: Other heavy snowfall reports for the country in February:

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Tsunami

State of emegency declared as Nazca in Peru hit by severe flooding and landslides


Euronews
Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:03 UTC
mmmmm
State of emegency declared as Nazca hit by severe flooding and landslides

Severe flooding and landslides hit rural Peru, destroying homes and farmland in Nazca. A state of emergency was declared in 157 districts.


Comment: Just 2 weeks prior: 5 hours of heavy rains trigger flash flood in Nazca, Peru

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Ice Cube

Frozen waterfall wows Florina, Greece amidst Storm Coral's frigid grip


Greek City Times
Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:59 UTC
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A breathtaking spectacle of nature has captivated residents of Florina as a local waterfall froze solid amidst the icy grip of Storm Coral.

The plunging cascade in the Polypotamos area transformed into a shimmering ice sculpture, creating a scene straight out of a winter fairytale.

Overnight temperatures in Florina plummeted to a bone-chilling -12°C, part of a widespread cold snap brought on by the storm. According to Meteo, Neos Kafkasos in Florina registered the lowest temperature at -11.6°C. Other areas experiencing extreme lows include Seli, Imathia (-11.3°C), and Ochiro, Nevrokopi (-10.7°C).

The frozen waterfall has become a popular attraction for locals, who have braved the frigid conditions to witness the stunning natural phenomenon.

Storm Coral continues to impact Greece, bringing not only freezing temperatures but also (mention other impacts of the storm, e.g., snow, disruptions to transport). Authorities are urging residents to (mention any safety advice or precautions being issued).


Comment: Meanwhile elsewhere in this region of southeast Europe: Snowstorm hits Turkey: Flights delayed, ski resorts see record snow

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Doberman

11-month-old baby dies after mauling by mastiff at grandparents' home in Fonollosa, Spain


Unionesarda.it
Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:05 UTC
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An 11-month-old baby died yesterday in Fonollosa (Barcelona) after being attacked by a mastiff in his home, according to what was confirmed by the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan police, who have opened an investigation into the incident.

The pet is said to have bitten the child around six in the afternoon under circumstances that are still unclear, causing fatal injuries.

The case recalls the tragic end of little Giulia Loffredo, mauled by the family pitbull in Acerra and found dead during the night between Saturday and Sunday. The judicial authority has opened an investigation into the incident, which has deeply shocked the town in the province of Barcellona, where the family of the little victim is well known.

It appears that the child was being cared for by his grandparents on their farm at the time of the attack, according to Regiò 7. The mayor of Fonollosa, Eloi Hernandez, reported that the entire community is in a state of shock, calling the incident "a real tragedy."

This content has been automatically translated
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Bizarro Earth

The Coming Volcanic Winter?

Martin Armstrong
Armstrong Economics
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16 UTC
QUESTION: Marty, Your computer warned that we would be heading into global cooling, not warming. But you also warned that we would see increased volcanic activity and the risk of a volcanic winter. Well, this has been the coldest winter I can remember. With Mt Spurr stirring, another offshore from California, and some hinting at Yellowstone erupting, do you have any update on this aspect from Socrates?

Darby
Mt Spurr, Alaska
© Armstrong Economics
ANSWER: Nothing has changed. We are heading into a more active volcano period, and that does raise the risk of a volcanic winter in which crops fail, and there will be a shortage of food. I still recommend that you stockpile two years' worth of food. It is not that you will save money, but that the supply may be seriously diminished. Our models of Wheat warn that this year is the Directional Change, and we can see a shortage into 2028.
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Snowflake Cold

Snowstorm hits Turkey: Flights delayed, ski resorts see record snow

Vedat Özgür Töre
ftnnews.com
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:11 UTC
A powerful wave of heavy snowfall
A powerful wave of heavy snowfall and blizzards has swept across Türkiye, closing off transportation access to 2,985 settlements nationwide.
A powerful winter storm sweeping Turkey is bringing flight delays, road closures, and record-breaking snowfall in ski resorts, causing major disruptions for travelers.

The impact of the heavy snowstorm is being felt across multiple regions, from Istanbul's airports to popular winter tourism destinations like Uludağ, Palandöken, and Kartalkaya.

Flights Delayed as Istanbul Struggles with Heavy Snow

The snowstorm severely affected Istanbul's airports, with planes forced to circle above Sabiha Gökçen Airport due to poor runway conditions. The heavy snowfall reduced visibility, causing significant delays and forcing some flights to divert to alternative airports.

As the snowfall intensified on the evening of February 20, Sabiha Gökçen Airport had to temporarily suspend operations to allow runway and taxiway clearing. Snow removal vehicles worked extensively to remove ice and snow, ensuring the runway was safe for landings and takeoffs. During this period, several aircraft were left circling in holding patterns over Istanbul, awaiting clearance to land.

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