Storms
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Snowflake

Best of the Web: Massive October snowstorm dumps up to 42 inches of snow in 36 hours on Sierra Nevada ski resorts

Heavenly
Snow at Heavenly
A huge snowstorm hitting North America's West Coast has dumped up to 105cm (42") on Californian ski slopes in around 36 hours.

The only ski areas currently open already for the 21-22 season in North America are in Colorado, but now California's Mammoth Mountain says it plans to open two weeks earlier than originally intended, this coming Friday, ready for Halloween weekend. It's not yet clear if other areas will open early, Heavenly (pictured top) has indicated its sticking to its original November opening date.

Mt Rose posted the biggest snowfall so far (38-42โ€ณ / 95-105cm) but Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) came close saying it had had at least three feet (90cm) at the top of the mountain and posted the image below.


Snowflake

3 people killed in snowstorm in Kashmir, India - 3 feet of snow reported

snow
Two persons died while two others were rescued from Sinthan Pass in Kokernag areas of south Kashmir's Anantnag after getting stranded in a snowstorm in the area, an official said on Sunday.

The two persons rescued from the area are being treated for hypothermia and shock at Sub-district hospital Kokernag, an official said. The deceased have been identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir of Khualchul, Kishtiwar, Dawood Ahmad Lone of Dadpath, Kishtiwar.

The four were traveling in two different vegetable-laden Tata mobile load carriers bearing registration numbers JK17-0053 and JK17-9334.The rescue team comprised SDM Kokernag, SDPO Kokernag, 19 RR, Police and SDRF. An official said, the rescue team traveled through rough snow-locked and foggy terrain, aided by MED machinery, and then walked 8 km in freezing winds and snow to rescue the stranded persons. "The operation was carried on the directions of DC Anantnag, Dr. Piyush Singla," he said.


Snowflake Cold

Winter arrives early in Himachal Pradesh, India: Sub-zero temperatures in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur - 50 roads blocked by snow

Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh received snowfall on Sunday, leading to a dip in the mercury and blocked roads.
© HTLahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh received snowfall on Sunday, leading to a dip in the mercury and blocked roads.
Winter has arrived earlier than usual in Himachal Pradesh with Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts experiencing sub-zero temperatures after Sunday's snowfall. Though the sky cleared on Monday, Keylong recorded a low of minus 5 degrees Celsius and Kalpa 0.6 degree after heavy snowfall a day before.

The snowfall brought life to a standstill in the tribal regions of Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi in Chamba district. More than 50 roads were blocked due to snowfall in the region. Gondla got 15cm snow, Hansa and Khadrala 5cm each and Keylong 3cm.

The Manali-Leh highway was also closed for traffic beyond Darcha due to snowfall on the mountain passes, while the Gramphu-Kaza national highway was blocked at Kunzum Pass.


Cloud Precipitation

Couple missing as storms, floods batter south Italy - Foot of rain dumped on Sicily in 24 hours

FLOOD
Rescuers on Monday resumed the search for a couple who have been reported missing after being caught up in the extreme weather that battered southern Italy at the weekend.

The married couple, a 67-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, got out of their Ford Fiesta car on Sunday when mud and flood waters inundated the town of Scordia, near Catania, and they may have been swept away, an eyewitness said.

The eyewitness was a motorist who was rescued by fire-fighters after being trapped in his car by the water and mud.


Comment: Floodlist reports:
Sicily Regions meteorological agency Servizio Informativo Agrometeorologico Siciliano reported 312.2 mm of rain fell in 24 hours to 25 October at a weather station at Linguaglossa, while the station as Lentini recorded 279.8 mm during the same period.

Rainfall Sicily, Italy to 25 October 2021.
© Servizio Informativo AgrometeorologicoRainfall Sicily, Italy to 25 October 2021.



Cloud Precipitation

Three killed in Tunisia flash floods

Several dead in Tunisian floods
Several dead in Tunisian floods
Three people have died in floods in Tunisia after heavy rain storms battered the North African nation, a spokesman for the civil protection agency said on Sunday.

In Thala, a town in northwest Tunisia, two people aged 20 and 27 died after their car was washed away by surging waters, agency spokesman Moez Triaa said.

A 24-year-old died in floods in Borj Chakir near the capital Tunis, added Triaa.


Windsock

Storm chaos in California as 'Bomb Cyclone' brings mudslides, flooding, power cuts

A pedestrian walks on a flooded street on
© JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGESA pedestrian walks on a flooded street on October 24, 2021, in Kentfield, California. A "bomb cyclone" has triggered a state of emergency in the Californian city of Sausalito, after torrential downpours dumped up to 10 inches of heavy rain in the region, triggering mudslides and more.
A"bomb cyclone" has triggered a state of emergency in the Californian city of Sausalito, after torrential downpours brought up to 10 inches of rain to the region, causing mudslides, property damage and power outages.

A potent combination of heavy rain falling on land cleared of trees by the summer's wildfires has resulted in "widespread storm damage" in Sausalito.

The city issued an emergency declaration, which said: "Conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property now exist in the City of Sausalito caused by significant storm events resulting in widespread flooding, a water main break, property damage, downed trees and power lines, displacement of people living at the Marinship Park tent encampment, and power outages throughout the City."


People

298 disaster-related deaths in 2021 for Indian state of Uttarakhand

landslide
With 298 deaths and 66 reported missing in weather-related disasters in 2021, the year has turned out to be the second-worst in terms of loss of lives in such calamities after 2013 when Kedarnath flash floods had taken thousands of lives.

According to data with the State Operation Emergency Center (SEOC), nearly 300 people have died, 66 have been reported missing and over 100 people sustained injuries in weather-related calamities this year. This includes casualties in events like flash floods or floods, cloudbursts, avalanches, landslides and mudflows.

Barring the 2013 deluge, this is the second-highest fatalities count in a year since 2010. While the hill state has had a long history of natural disasters, it was only in 2010 that the data collection system was enhanced. "While data was being maintained earlier as well, flash floods in 2010 prompted the state to bolster its disaster management system and strengthen data collection," said an official. A total of 220 people had died in natural disasters in 2010.

Comment: Flood death toll rises to 64 in the Indian state of Uttarakhand - Almost 19 inches of rain in 24 hours


Cloud Precipitation

Massive flooding in Algiers, Algeria

floods
In just a few hours of precipitation, several streets and entire neighborhoods in Algiers and other wilayas were flooded. According to the weather forecast for Algeria, the rains will continue to fall in several regions during the night.

In the capital, several roads and neighborhoods were flooded. Car traffic was severely disrupted in several motorway sections, particularly at the level of the northern ring road.

The heavy amounts of rain recorded in a few hours caused the blockage of the tram line in Ruisseau. The floods also caused some material damage; two vehicles were washed away in Draria, west of Algiers.


Cloud Precipitation

Floods, landslides kill at least 111 in Nepal - 14 inches of rain in 24 hours (UPDATES)

At least 43 people have died and another 30 are missing after three days of heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods in Nepal, police said on Wednesday.
At least 43 people have died and another 30 are missing after three days of heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods in Nepal, police said on Wednesday.
At least 48 people have been killed and 31 others gone missing in floods and landslides caused by unseasonal rainfalls over the last three days in Nepal.

The unexpected rainfalls, after the monsoon season receded two weeks ago, flooded rivers and streams and sparked landslides across the country.

"In addition to 48 deaths and 31 missing, 23 people have been reported injured by Wednesday afternoon," Phanindra Mani Pokharel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, told Xinhua. "The casualties might increase."

Besides, 20 houses have been fully destroyed in rain-induced disasters along with paddy ready for harvest on hundreds of acres of land, and 20 of the 77 districts in the country have been highly affected by the disasters, said Pokharel.


Comment: Update: India.com reported on October 21:
At Least 88 Dead as Heavy Rains Trigger Flash Floods, Landslides in Nepal

At least 88 people lost their lives in the recent incidents of flood, landslides and inundation that hit different parts of Nepal.
© ReutersAt least 88 people lost their lives in the recent incidents of flood, landslides and inundation that hit different parts of Nepal.
At least 88 people have died across Nepal over the past three days due to flash floods and landslides triggered by incessant heavy rains, health ministry officials said. The death toll rose to 88 on Thursday after 11 more fatalities were reported from various parts of the country, officials said. As many as 63 people died on Wednesday, while the death toll was 14 on Tuesday, they said.

Thirty people have gone missing in the recent incidents of flood, landslides, and inundation so far, according to the latest data published by the ministry's Disaster Management Division.

Panchthar, a district in eastern Nepal, recorded the highest number of deaths at 27, followed by 13 each in Ilam and Doti districts. Fatalities were also reported from 15 other districts, including Kalikot, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Bajhang, Humla, Solukhumbu, Pyuthan, Dhankuta, Morang, Sunsari and Udayapur.

The natural disaster hit 20 districts of Nepal. In Bajhang district, 21 people have gone missing. However, weather conditions have started improving from Thursday, the officials said.
Update2: Floodlist reported:
Disaster authorities in Nepal report that dozens of people have died or are missing after heavy rain caused floods and landslides over the last few days.

The country's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) reported heavy rain from around 16 October. In 24 hours to 18 October, Jogbudha in Dadeldhura district recorded 168.8 mm of rain. In the following 24 hours Sahu Khark in Dadeldhura district saw 361.0 mm and a total of 502.2 mm across a 48 hour period. Over the last 24 hour period to 20 October Tarahara in Sunsari district recorded 398.2 mm of rain. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the rain was falling on slopes already saturated by higher than average 2021 monsoon rain.
Update3: The Times of India reported on October 22:
PM Deuba inspects flood-hit regions in Nepal, death toll rises to 111

Nepal prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his cabinet colleagues on Friday visited western Nepal - part of the Himalayan nation hardest hit by the floods and landslides - to take stock of the situation and ensure relief measures are being implemented.

The death toll from the flooding triggered by heavy rains in the country climbed to 111 on Friday, with at least 32 reportedly being injured and 35 still missing, officials said.

Deuba, finance minister Janardan Sharma, minister for tourism and civil aviation, Prem Ale Magar among others, visited Kailari rural municipality, Bhajani municipality, Tikapur municipality and Janaki rural municipality of Kailali district, situated in the western part of the country.

"As floods, landslides and inundation have resulted in a huge loss of lives and properties the government is carrying out immediate relief and rescue works," Deuba said.

He added that the government would carry out plans to resolve issues related to flood and inundation on a long-term basis.

The natural disaster has also caused widespread destruction of crops and properties.

According to data released by the ministry of agriculture, the floods have damaged up to 2,59,000 metric tonnes of rice in Lumbini province, Sudur Paschim province and Province 1, causing losses to the tune of NPR 7.22 billion.



Windsock

Strong wind in Moscow collapses scaffolding at Kremlin's wall

wind up
It was reported that the incident occurred due to strong winds.Passage to Red Square has been blocked after the scaffolding partially collapsed from the Kremlin wall earlier on Friday.According to TASS, passages to the square are currently blocked from all nearby streets.

As the security officials which control the perimeter stated, Red Square was closed due to the collapse.There are several people on the Kremlin wall in the area of the Spasskaya Tower near the battlements that were damaged in the accident.

One of the elements on the wall is completely missing.Earlier, the Russian Federal Protective Service's Office of Public Affairs told TASS that the incident occurred due to strong winds, no injuries have been reported.