Earth ChangesS


Cloud Precipitation

Flash floods, landslides wreak havoc in Indonesia - 26 dead, 11 missing, over 80,000 flee - almost a FOOT of rain in just 6 hours (UPDATES)

Motorists drive through a muddy road following flash flooding in Pesisir Selatan Regency after days of heavy rain across the province.
© AFPMotorists drive through a muddy road following flash flooding in Pesisir Selatan Regency after days of heavy rain across the province.
Following flash floods and a landslide on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a local official reported Saturday that at least ten people had died and ten more were missing.

In the province of West Sumatra, torrential rains caused landslides and floods in the Pesisir Selatan regency, forcing about 46,000 people to flee to makeshift shelters.

"Ten bodies were discovered. According to a statement from Doni Yusrizal, acting head of the Pesisir Selatan disaster mitigation agency, "two victims were found in Langgai village, Sutera subdistrict; seven victims were found and identified in Koto XI Tarusan subdistrict; and one other victim was found in the Lengayang subdistrict."

Doni added that bad weather had hampered efforts to search for 10 missing people.


Comment: Update March 10

Al Jazeera reports:
Flash floods and a landslide on Indonesia's Sumatra island have left at least 19 people dead and seven others missing, officials have said.

Mud, rocks and uprooted trees rushed down a mountainside and engulfed villages in the Pesisir Selatan district of West Sumatra province late on Friday following torrential rains, Doni Yusrizal, who heads the local disaster management agency, said on Sunday.

Yusrizal said rescuers recovered seven bodies in the village of Koto XI Tarusan and three others in two neighbouring villages.

"Relief efforts for the dead and missing were hampered by power outages, blocked roads covered in thick mud and debris," Yusrizal said.

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency said six bodies were found in Pesisir Selatan and three bodies were found in the neighbouring district of Padang Pariaman, bringing the death toll so far to 19.

The agency said at least two villagers were injured and seven others were still missing, with more than 80,000 people fleeing to temporary government shelters.

Flash floods and landslides are a common occurrence in Indonesia, where millions of people live near floodplains, especially during the rainy season.

In December, at least two people were killed when a landslide and floods swept away dozens of houses and destroyed a hotel near Lake Toba on Sumatra.
Update March 11

Floodlist reports:
Days of heavy rain on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia triggered deadly flooding and landslides which have left at least 26 dead and 11 missing.

Rescue after flooding in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, March 2024.
© BPBD Padang Pariaman RegencyRescue after flooding in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, March 2024.
According to BNPB, Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides in a number of areas in West Sumatra Province from 07 March 2024.

By 10 March, BNPB reported at least 19 fatalities along with widespread damage to homes, forcing over 80,000 people to evacuate.

Flood waters swept through streets of Padang City, capital of West Sumatra province, impacting around 10,000 homes and displacing 3,734 people. Authorities reported flooding in 31 locations in eight sub-districts in the city area between 07 and 09 March. Landslides were reported in six locations. Figures show that almost 300 mm of rain fell in 6 hours late on 07 March 2024.

Communities in Pesisir Selatan Regency were also severely impacted. On 10 March, BNPB reported flooding had affected 25,794 families and displaced 76,178 people. At least 16 people lost their lives in the regency.

Fatalities were also reported in Padang Pariaman Regency, where severe flooding and multiple landslides have affected 2,958 people and displaced over 200.

Other affected areas include Solok City and the wider Solok Regency, Limapuluh Kota Regency, Agam Regency, Pasaman Regency and West Pasaman Regency.

Search and rescue teams have been working to find those reported missing. In the latest update of 11 March, BNPB confirmed 26 fatalities and 11 missing. BNPB reported damage to over 30,000 homes, 26 bridges, 45 buildings of worship, 25 schools, 13 roads and 5 public buildings.



Attention

Sperm whale dead after beaching itself off coast of Venice, Florida

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Marine wildlife officials confirmed the sperm whale that beached itself off the coast of Venice over the weekend has died.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the 50-to-70-foot whale had beached itself on a sandbar about 50 yards out from Service Club Park on Sunday morning.

FOX 13's Kellie Cowan reported it had washed up even closer to the shore early Monday morning and officials had planned to euthanize the whale if it survived the night.

Laura Engleby, the branch chief of the NOAA Marine Mammal Division, confirmed the whale is now deceased.


Cloud Lightning

Lightning strike kills 2 people and 25 sheep in Pishin, Pakistan

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Lightning killed a man, his nephew and 25 sheep in Balochistan, the 24NewsHD TV Channel reported on Sunday.

The tragedy took place in the Pishin district of Balochistan. Heavy rains played havoc in Balochistan.

The downpour began yesterday evening, leaving main roads and streets flooded with knee-high water and submerged low-lying areas in Gwadar and adjoining districts.

Reports said heavy rains suspended traffic and blocked connecting roads in the Kech district.

Snowflake

Wintry weather hits south of Spain

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Five provinces in the region of Andalucía are under alert for rain, snow, wind or rough sea conditions.

Spain's state Met Office Aemet has warned of a weekend of unsettled and "wintry weather" this weekend in five of Andalucía's provinces.

Storm Monica has caused rough rain, snow, wind or rough sea conditions and is due to continue until Sunday night.

Since 10am on Saturday, much of Andalucia has under yellow and amber alert - making the impact of the weather as low (for yellow warnings) to severe (for amber), with some disruption to travel.


Snowflake

Storm dumps up to 90cms of snow on Newfoundland, Canada

Credit for the image above goes to Edgar Slade in Western Bay, NL
Credit for the image above goes to Edgar Slade in Western Bay, NL
A late-season storm brought heavy snowfall to eastern and northeastern Newfoundland from late Thursday through early Saturday morning. Significant amounts of ice were also observed over southern Avalon and Burin Peninsulas on Thursday night and Friday morning.

Here is a preliminary list of snowfall totals from around the region:

Kilbride: 90.0 cm
Bay Roberts: 80.5 cm
Paradise: 79.7 cm
Victoria (CBN): 79.0 cm
St. John's East: 78.0 cm


Cloud Precipitation

Heavy rains, floods hit parts of United Arab Emirates

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The UAE experienced severe weather on Friday (March 8) night and Saturday (March 9), with heavy rain and thunderstorms hitting parts of the country.

Dubai faced transportation disruptions, with as many as 13 flights coming into the city diverted to nearby airports. In Abu Dhabi, lightning storms were observed overnight, accompanied by heavy rainfall.

Torrential rain was also reported in the south of the Emirate of Al Ain, leading to road closures and disruptions. Authorities across the UAE issued warnings urging people to stay indoors, avoid beaches, and drive cautiously.

The National Centre of Meteorology warned of continued unstable weather conditions, with heavy showers and thunderstorms forecast throughout the weekend.


Doberman

Baby killed in attack by family dog in New Jersey

dog attack
Authorities in Middlesex County are investigating the death of an infant Saturday in what is believed to have been an attack by the family dog.

At 6:17 a.m. Saturday, Woodbridge police received a call for an unresponsive baby on Mereline Avenue, according to a police statement. Authorities said the infant was "believed to have been attacked by the family dog."

Officers found the mother and the baby with serious injuries from the dog and the baby was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. The mother and father were transported to the hospital for treatment, authorities said.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office did not immediately respond to questions Saturday.

Attention

Man killed by crocodile in Kendraparan district in Odisha, India - 7th such death in 7 months for the area

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A 34-year-old man was killed by a crocodile in Odisha's Kendrapara district on Friday, officials said.

The incident happened around 8.30 am in Dakhinabheda village on the outskirts of the Bhitarkanika National Park when Nimai Mallick was fetching water from the river with a bucket to irrigate his field, they said.

The crocodile dragged him into the river and killed him. A few hours later, his half-eaten body was fished out from the river by forest guards and fire services personnel, they added.

Nimai is survived by his wife, three daughters and a son, said a forest official. This was the seventh such death in the area in as many months, he said.


PTI

Snowflake

Record snowfall blasts North Platte, Nebraska - 17.4 inches in a day

Record snowfall impacts North Platte
Record snowfall impacts North Platte Thursday
A winter storm rolled into the area yesterday evening and blasted North Platte with snow. The snow began falling just around 5:00pm Thursday and as the evening progressed, the snow came flying down.

According to the National Weather Service, North Platte Office, a new single-day record was shattered when the weather service reported at 6:00am that 17.4" of snow was recorded. The previous record 13.9" that was set on January 18th, 2023.

Nebraska Department of Transportation crews are still clearing roads and travel is not advised. I-80 westbound is still closed from Paxton to Kearney while I-80 eastbound is closed from Sidney to Gothenburg. Highway 30 is also closed from Ogallala to Gothenburg. click here for the latest road conditions.


Arrow Down

Avalanche forecaster Nick Burks killed in avalanche near Anthony Lakes, Oregon

Anthony Lakes, OR. |
Anthony Lakes, OR.
At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, an avalanche accident occurred on the north side of Gunsight Mountain (8,342′) in the Elkhorn Mountains near Anthony Lakes, Oregon.

Nick Burks, an avalanche forecaster with the Northwest Avalanche Center and a part of the snow safety team at Mt. Hood Meadows ski area, was killed due to trauma sustained in the slide.

The Central Oregon Avalanche Center shared the news of the slide on Thursday, March 7, writing on social media that its staff was deeply saddened to announce the death of Burks and stating that a full investigation and report will be forthcoming in the coming days.