The report investigates the broad concept of the economics of drought management, provides a conceptual, two-tier framework for the assessment of proactive and reactive actions, and disseminates case studies
The US National Earthquake Conference will be held in Seattle from April 22 - 26. Earthquake experts from around the nation will convene to discuss the latest research on earthquakes and the generation of tsunamis. The conference will also focus on tsunami hazards, offering attendees and the media an opportunity to hear, via webcast, from experts from Sumatra, Sri Lanka and Phuket, Thailand, that were catastrophically impacted by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December, 2004.
Thousands Evacuated After Colombian Volcano Erupts COLOMBIA: April 16, 2008 BOGOTA - Thousands of Colombians were evacuated around the Nevado del Huila volcano in the southwest part of the country on Tuesday after an eruption of ash and gas that caused no damage, but put authorities on high alert. "Constant monitoring of the situation will be maintained," said a statement from Colombia's Interior Ministry. The volcano, in the province of Huila, is not located near any major coffee plantations integral to the economy of this part of the Andean country.
Ten Students Missing In New Zealand River Flood NEW ZEALAND: April 16, 2008 WELLINGTON - Ten teenagers are missing after being swept away in a raging river in New Zealand as violent storms caused widespread flooding in the country's North Island, local media and police said. The students were taking part in an activity with the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre when they got into trouble at the Mangatepopo Gorge, said police.
Tornado study to dive into storm's heart This funnel cloud formed April 10 in Keo, Ark, although no tornadoes on the ground were reported. A band of hail, heavy rain and twisters pounded Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma Thursday, damaging hundreds of homes, flooding roads and leaving thousands without power. U.S. scientists plan the most extensive tornado study since one in the mid-1990s that helped inspire the Hollywood film Twister. Starting in spring 2009, researchers intend to hunt tornado-spawning thunderstorms in the central part of the country.
Major Quake Almost Inevitable For California - Study US: April 15, 2008 LOS ANGELES - California will almost inevitably be struck by a major earthquake, and possibly a catastrophic quake, sometime in the next 30 years, scientists said on Monday in the most comprehensive geologic forecast for the state. California faces a more than 99 percent chance of being hit by a magnitude 6.7 temblor -- the size of the 1994 Northridge quake -- in the next 30 years, according to a study using new data and analyzing earthquake probabilities across the state.
More than 13,000 people were evacuated after sections of the main embankment of China's Yellow River collapsed on March 19. The collapse occurred along the river's southern bank in Ordos city in the
Scientists baffled by swarm of quakes in Ore. Ore. (AP)
China Drought Leaves 670,000 Without Drinking Water CHINA: April 14, 2008 BEIJING - A drought in China's northeast Liaoning province has left nearly 700,000 people without drinking water after rainfall in the first three months of 2008 tumbled to one-fifth levels last year, the Xinhua agency said on Sunday. The area is a top grain producer, and maize and rice farming is due to begin next week, but from January to the end of March it had got less than 2 centimetres (less than an inch) of rain.
Bangladesh Faces Climate Change Refugee Nightmare BANGLADESH: April 14, 2008 DHAKA - Abdul Majid has been forced to move 22 times in as many years, a victim of the annual floods that ravage Bangladesh. There are millions like Majid, 65, in Bangladesh and in the future there could be many millions more if scientists' predictions of rising seas and more intense droughts and storms come true.
Scientists predicted Thursday that climate change in coming decades will cause more flooding in the Northern Hemisphere and droughts in some southern and arid zones. In addition, they said that some areas around the Mediterranean, parts of southern Africa, northeastern Brazil and the western US region will likely suffer water shortages. Rajendra Pachauri, the chief UN climate scientist, said at the end of a meeting in Budapest that the rising frequency and intensity of floods and droughts could lead to a food crisis.
