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Natural Disasters

  • River erosion to make 29,000 homeless by next one year: Study

    Around 29,000 people living along the banks of Brahmaputra, Jamuna and Padma rivers will be rendered homeless by next one year due to riverbank erosion, a research organisation working with river and water resources forecast yesterday. A study report of the Center for Environment and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) also said 2,840 hectares of land, 450 hectares of settlement, 150 metre of embankment, 1,860 metres of district road, 490 metres of upazila road and 3,750 metres of rural road are vulnerable to erosion along the three rivers.

  • Untimely swelling of Jamuna causes havoc in Sirajganj

    With untimely swelling of Jamuna River during the last several days, massive erosion along its western bank in Sirajganj district has devoured 200 homesteads and over 100 acres of croplands in 22 villages of five upazilas in the district. The affected upazilas are Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Chowhali and Shahzadpur. Meghai, Maizbari, Natuarpara, Shuvogachha, Simantabazaar and Dhekuria in Kazipur upazila, Kaizury, Gudhibari, Porzona, Monakosha and Datpara in Shahzadpur upazila and Khaskawlia, Umorpur, Jalalpur and Enayetpur in Chowhali upazila are worst affected areas.

  • 3 Tornadoes Strike Virginia, Hurting Hundreds

    Three tornadoes ripped through Virginia on Monday, with one hop-scotching across the southeastern part of the state and leaving behind a 25-mile trail of smashed homes, tossed cars and more than 200 injured residents. The twister in this city outside Norfolk cut a fickle, zig-zagging path through neighborhoods, obliterating some homes and spraying splintered wood across lawns while leaving those standing just a few feet away untouched. Buses took residents to safety, steering clear of downed power lines, tree limbs and a confetti of debris.

  • At least 200 hurt by three Va. tornadoes

    Three tornados ripped through southeastern Virginia on Monday, injuring scores of people and leveling dozens of homes and businesses. Dana Woodson, spokeswoman for the city of Suffolk, said two tornadoes struck the city about 5 p.m. "We have lots of cuts and bruises, contusions," said Dale Gauding, spokesman for Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk. Gauding said about 60 people were being treated there for mostly minor injuries. The National Weather Service reported that at least nine tornados struck Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.

  • Kaba crop flattened by hailstorm

    Wheat and barley cultivation in Kaba village, Trongsa, has taken a pelting in recent weeks, with hailstorms destroying several acres of the area's two important spring crops. According to villagers, a 6.2 acre area of wheat and barley cultivation was flattened by hailstones to such an extent that it can hardly be harvested at all. "It's essential for barley to be in a standing position for it to be harvested,' said 52-year-old Ugyen from Kaba village, whose one-acre barley cultivation was affected. "I'll be able to harvest only about one-third of the yield.

  • The Valley's Fault Lines (Environment)

    For residents of the san francisco bay area in California, their home is in one of the most agreeable parts of the world. The Bay Area has good weather, beautiful landscape, great job opportunities, and some of the most competitive and resourceful minds in the world to interact with. However, at the back of their minds is a phenomenon that can destroy the tranquility in Silicon Valley: earthquakes.

  • Environmentally sensitive Bhutan on the brink

    High in the Himalayas, above this peaceful valley where farmers till a patchwork of emerald-green fields, an icy lake fed by melting glaciers waits to become a "tsunami from the sky.' The lake is swollen dangerously past normal levels, thanks to the global warming that is causing the glaciers to retreat at record speed. But no one knows when the tipping point will come and the lake can take no more, bursting its banks and sending torrents of water crashing into the valley below.

  • Moderate quake shakes Mexico

    A moderate earthquake rattled Mexico on Sunday, but no major injuries or damages were reported. The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 and was centered 96 miles north of Acapulco, the U.S. Geological Center said. Mexico's National Seismological Service released a preliminary magnitude of 5.6. Sunday's quake caused office buildings to sway and sent many frightened residents into the streets of the capital, Mexico City. "Yes, it scared us," said Julio Lara, 38, a parking attendant in downtown Mexico City. "It was strong."

  • Locals to protect five villages from erosion

    AN INITIATIVE has been taken by the local people at five villages

  • Landslide threat in eight districts

    The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday warned the public to be vigilant on sudden landslides that could occur in eight districts Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kalutara, Galle and Matara as a result of torrential rains.

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