Earth Changes
Levels of the lake have been slowly rising since February 2021. Heavy rainfall since the start of April has worsened the situation with further rainfall predicted until mid-May.
As of 19 April 2021, the level of Lake Tanganyika at the port of Bujumbura stood at 776.45 metres above sea level. The average level is 772.7 metres. Media said if the level exceeds 777 metres, areas around Bujumbura port will be flooded.
UNOCHA reported around 8,000 families have been affected and 2,000 displaced by flooding in lakeside communities including Bugarama, Kanyenkoko, Muhuta, Nyanza-Lac, Gatumba, Rukaramu, Kibenga, Gisyo and Kabondo.
Reticulated pythons are common in the area, but it was actually wild boars that Wa had been worried about initially because they'd be destroying her crops, according to the Jakarta Post's report.
When Wa didn't return, her sister went out to find her and found Wa's footprints, flashlight, slippers, and machete. On Friday, 100 villagers from Persiapan Lawela searched the area and found a 23 foot-long snake with a very swollen belly. The villagers killed the snake, cut it open, and found Wa inside intact. She probably didn't die inside the snake: A reticulated python secures its prey with a bite, then wraps its body around the victim, squeezing down until the victim cannot breathe, before consuming, according to the Associated Press.
Pythons are the longest snake in the world and usually only eat smaller mammals. However, a similar incident happened last year to a farmer from the nearby village of Salubiro on Sulawesi Island, according to The Washington Post.
A field of dry reeds went up in flames on the suburb of Omsk in Western Siberia, possibly as a result of an outdoor weekend barbecue.
It took eighteen firefighters to stop the fire.
The National Weather Service is reporting that 2.3 inches of snow fell at the Cincinnati- Northern Kentucky International Airport. This broke the previous daily snowfall total of 1.5 inches set in 1901. Totals may be higher than that in some areas.
Unfortunately, the cold snap isn't over yet.
A freeze warning is in effect for all of Greater Cincinnati from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service said sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 are expected.
"Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing," the National Weather Service said. "Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing."
Civil Defence and the Bolivian Navy evacuated families in the municipality of Ivirgarzama and surrounding areas after flooding began from late 23 April 2021.
Flooding also blocked parts of the Cochabamba - Santa Cruz highway (National Route 4) at the Chimoré-Ivirgarzama sector, causing major transport disruptions. A bus and several other vehicles were trapped in the waters and than 50 passengers and motorists had to be rescued.
Flooding first struck around 19 April 2021 after the Trombetas river broke its banks.
As of 22 April, the municipal government said flooding approximately 14,020 people are directly affected. An estimated 3,000 homes were flooded and affected in some way. In the city of Oriximiná, streets, businesses, public buildings and infrastructure also suffered damage. Surrounding rural areas along the river also experienced flooding. The municipal government said dozens of communities were affected, with homes, schools, livestock and crops damaged.
Last month authorities declared an emergency situation after flooding in the municipality of Rio Maria in Pará.
Following the eruption at 1:09 a.m., the Japan Meteorological Agency issued an eruption alert, urging people in the cities of Kagoshima and Tarumizu in Kagoshima Prefecture to protect themselves from the potential impact of the volcanic activity. There were no reports of injuries or property damage following the eruption, local authorities said.
The agency initially said pyroclastic flows were confirmed within 1.8 km of the Minamidake crater but said later its on-site observation suggests it was part of the smoke. The likelihood of death or injury is low since people have been prohibited from approaching within 2 km of the crater since February 2016, it added.
Sadly, the raging storm claimed the life of a 45-year-old in the municipality of Fuente Alamo, who was reportedly picking spinach in the rural area of Balsapintada when he was struck dead by a bolt of lightning.
Aemet, Spain's State Meteorological Agency, forecast heavy rains and storms a few days ago and issued weather warnings for no less than twelve areas of Spain.















Comment: Extremes of weather are wreaking havoc across the planet, with regions seeing heavy flooding and unusual cold that is then followed by stretches of unseasonably warm and exceptionally dry conditions: