Storms
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Snowflake

Thousands of motorists stranded on roads in China amid heavy snow

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Icy conditions have trapped thousands of drivers on motorways in central China as snow and freezing rain disrupted travel by air, train and road during the annual Lunar New Year holiday rush.

A Chinese travel blogger said she and her boyfriend were waiting with others on Tuesday for de-icing work to be completed after covering only 20-25 miles in 13 hours the previous day.

Travelling in the relative comfort of a motorhome, Chen Wei appeared unperturbed by the delay in the trip to her hometown. She quoted an old Chinese saying, telling the AP she "accepts what comes and faces it with calmness".

The heavy snow, unusual for central China, was forecast to continue into Wednesday.


Snowflake

Nova Scotia, Canada digging out after historic snowfall

Kent Peters of Dream Stables in Albert Bridge, Cape Breton, was busy clearing several feet
© Joe PembrokeKent Peters of Dream Stables in Albert Bridge, Cape Breton, was busy clearing several feet of snow from the riding facility's barn roof on Sunday. Peters and his wife, Deanna Peters, have been caring for 38 horses throughout a powerful winter storm that is currently hitting northeastern Nova Scotia
People in Nova Scotia are digging out after a historic multi-day snowfall slammed the province, with many schools across the province closed Monday and Cape Breton Regional Municipality under a local state of emergency.

Parts of Cape Breton Island had received more than 86 centimetres by Monday morning, prompting officials to ask residents to stay off the roads.

Cape Breton Regional Police Const. Gary Fraser said the force received more than 550 calls for service over the weekend, including 30 car accidents and "many many many stranded motorists and abandoned vehicles."

"So a lot of people didn't heed the warnings and stay off the roads," said Fraser, adding that road conditions were still "terrible" on Monday morning.


Cloud Precipitation

Multiple parts of California feel the effects of atmospheric river storm

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Many parts of California experience the effects of an atmospheric river storm.


Cloud Precipitation

Pakistan: Heavy rain causes urban flooding in Karachi

Urban flooding on Karachi’s main artery
Urban flooding on Karachi’s main artery Shahrae Faisal caused many vehicle to submerge under water.
Heavy rain wreaks havoc in Pakistan's Karachi. Downpour leaves roads submerged and over 700 power station out of service.


Cloud Precipitation

Ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily hits north western Queensland with dangerous flooding in Australia - foot of rain in 24 hours

Parts of the Gulf Country have been warned of potentially ‘life threatening’ flooding.
© Brian CasseyParts of the Gulf Country have been warned of potentially ‘life threatening’ flooding.
Ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily continues to threaten parts of Queensland with dangerous and "life threatening flooding", amid fears a new cyclone could be brewing off the east coast.

A severe weather warning was issued for the southwest Gulf Country near the Northern Territory on Saturday morning, as the system makes its way further southwest.

Meanwhile, the North Tropical Coast seems to be spared for now after the Bureau cancelled an earlier severe weather warning for the region.

The Bureau stated rainfall is "unlikely to exceed heavy rainfall thresholds later this afternoon" and the situation will continue to be monitored.

In the 24 hours to 9am Friday, more than 300mm of rain was recorded in some parts of the region, with the Bureau warning the weather system would likely bring heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding in western parts of the Gulf Country, north west, and Channel Country districts.


Cloud Precipitation

At least 20 killed due to floods, landslides in southern Philippines (UPDATES)

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The number of casualties due to landslides and flood-related incidents brought by the trough of the Low-Pressure Area (LPA) in the province of Davao de Oro has now reached six while two individuals are still missing.

Based on the report provided by the Provincial Local Government Unit of Davao de Oro (PLGU-Davao de Oro) following the initial assessment of the Provincial Disaster Reduction Risk Management Council (PDRRMC) as of Friday morning, February 2, 2024, two dead bodies were recovered in the municipality of New Bataan, three in Maragusan, and one in Pantukan.

In New Bataan, victims were identified as Mimai Pagantupan, 76, who allegedly drowned in floodwaters in her residence in Barangay Cagan, Andap, and Junjun Romagos who was reported to be buried alive in a major landslide in Barangay Camanlangan.


Comment: Update February 3

Agence France Presse reports:
The death toll from landslides and floods triggered by torrential rain in the southern Philippines in the past week has risen to 14, official tallies showed Saturday.

Rain has pounded parts of Mindanao, the country's second-largest island, on and off for weeks and forced tens of thousands of people into emergency shelters.

At least 10 people died in recent days in the mountainous gold mining province of Davao de Oro as it endured relentless downpours.

"I haven't experienced that kind of heavy and continuous rain before," provincial information officer Fe Maestre told AFP.

Of the 10 deaths in Davao de Oro, three were recorded in New Bataan municipality and another four people were killed in landslides in Maragusan and Monkayo municipalities, disaster officials told AFP.

Another three people drowned in separate incidents in Pantukan and Maco municipalities in Davao de Oro.

In the neighbouring province of Davao del Norte, a landslide buried four people inside a house in Kapalong municipality, rescue officer Jaiasent Cabactulan told AFP.
Update February 5

NDTV reports:
At least 20 people have died after days of torrential rains in parts of the southern Philippines, provincial disaster agencies said on Monday.

Thirteen people died in Davao de Oro province while two were missing, and seven people were killed in neighbouring Davao del Norte, disaster agency officials said.

A northeast monsoon and trough of a low pressure area brought rains in southern Mindanao region from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, resulting in deadly floods and landslides, data from the national disaster agency show.



Tornado2

Several waterspouts spotted off Canterbury coast in New Zealand

Waterspout spotted off Timaru on Saturday morning.
© Andrew BeazleyWaterspout spotted off Timaru on Saturday morning.
Several waterspouts have been spotted along the south Canterbury coastline this morning.

Andrew Beazley and his wife had been walking their dog on South Beach, Timaru, at 8am on Saturday morning when they spotted the waterspouts.

He told 1News they typically went down to the beach a few times a week, but "it's the first time I've seen anything like that off the coast."

The spouts were about "two [or] three kilometres" off the coast, he said.


Snowflake

Over 566 roads blocked by heavy snow in Himachal Pradesh, India

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Moderate to heavy snowfall continued in high hills and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday while the state capital received the first snowfall of the season bringing cheers to residents, tourists and farmers.

Shimla was wrapped in a thin blanket of snow on Thursday while the 5-km stretch between Kufri and Fagu was entirely covered in snow. Braving the cold, tourists and residents thronged the Mall Road and Ridge in the heart of the city to enjoy the snow.

Shimla was lashed by a severe hailstorm on Wednesday night followed by intermittent rains.

Over 566 roads, including six national highways, in the state have been closed for vehicular traffic following heavy snowfall and rain, said Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh, adding that 138 roads are expected to be opened by tonight.


Cloud Precipitation

California pummeled by atmospheric river

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Heavy rain flooded California roadways and much-needed snow piled up in the mountains as the first of back-to-back atmospheric rivers pummeled the state Thursday.

The storm focused its energy on the southern and eastern parts of the state after initially hitting the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday, where it halted cable car service.

The downpours arrived Thursday in Southern California in time to snarl the morning commute.


Arrow Down

Buildings buried in mud after torrential rain triggers landslide in Peru

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Dramatic scenes out of Peru after homes were buried in a landslide triggered by torrential rain in swathes on Peru.

An avalanche caused damage to infrastructure in Haural, in Peru's central coastal area, local media reported on Tuesday (January 30). Locals grabbed shovels and pickaxes to divert the floodwaters near homes.

The Huaral Civil Defence office is assessing the damage caused and trying to determine the economic losses in the area.

Meanwhile in La Oroya, Junin, an overflowing river engulfed a local bridge. In Chanchamayo, a bus was trapped due to a strong water current fueled by the rains in the area.

-Report from Reuters