State of the Climate in Asia 2024
<p>The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report warns that the region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving more extreme weather and posing
Floods
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Floods recede: 9 dead, 50,000 affected
Floods and landslides which accompanied the heavy deluge, specially during the last two days, were showing signs of receding but had left nine people dead and over 50,000 affected in eight districts, authorities said yesterday. Weather experts predict more heavy showers accompanied by lightning and strong winds during the next 45 days (specially after two weeks) with the monsoon reaching its climax.
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Floods take heavy toll
Floods took a heavy toll in several districts with several deaths reported and nearly 8,000 families displaced while cutting off access roads in many areas due to heavy flooding and obstructions by landslides. 7,860 families (33,408 persons) were reported displaced in Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Puttalam, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle, Gampaha and Kegalle. Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishard Badiudeen has directed the District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries of the relevant districts to carry out immediate relief work.
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Sivasagar non-functional irrigation projects revived
SIVASAGAR: Due to proactive role of Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner NM Hussain, the flood-ravaged farmers of the district could harvest a rich crop of rabi cultivation this year. In the areas where flood damaged the standing crops last year the DC directed farmers of Bokota, Ikarani, Khamon, Mahmora, Demow and Konwarpur region with seed and technical support, while the Irrigation Department was directed to revive the dead irrigation projects to irrigated a total of 525 hectares of crop land in the district.
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South Asia
Polio resurfaces in Pakistan: Efforts to eradicate polio appear to have taken a blow following confirmation of a third case in Pakistan's Sindh Province this year. The disease was confirmed in a
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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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Flood in dry season
A sluice gate built by Water Development Board (WDB) six month ago at the mouth of Barabhetkhali canal in Mirgang river for draining out water has now turned into a bane for local people. At least 18 villages in Munshiganj and Romjannagar unions in Shyamnagar upazila were flooded yesterday as water entered the areas from Mirgang river through holes created in the embankment of the sluice gate. The water is not receding as the sluice gate is inoperative, locals said. WDB constructed the sluice gate at a cost of Tk 75 lakh
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Gender budgeting in disaster relief: Need for a new methodology
While making policies and designing disaster recovery programmes, the different gender roles and responsibilities that are socially attributed to men and women should be taken into account. The programmes should focus specifically on the women's component in the general scheme or women-specific schemes. The gender perspective should be incorporated into disaster budgeting in such a way that the vulnerable are catered to according to their specific needs.
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Breached dyke yet to be repaired
As the monsoon season has come nearer the Lakhimpur district Water Resource Department has yet to repair the embankments, which were breached by the flood in the year 2007.
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China Bosses Jailed For Mine Flood That Killed 172
Two Chinese coal mine managers have been jailed for seven years for negligence after a colliery flood killed 172 workers, the country's worst such accident in decades, local media said on Wednesday. The tragedy happened in August 2007 when a river dyke burst in torrential rain, sending water rushing into two mineshafts. The miners were declared dead after weeks of trying to pump out the water ended in vain.
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UN agency warns of food crisis in North Korea
North Korea faces a looming food and humanitarian crisis after a poor harvest that has caused food prices to skyrocket and supplies to dwindle, the United Nations World Food Programme said on Wednesday. Agricultural experts in Seoul have said the shortfall, the result of flood damage last year, high commodity prices and political wrangling with major food donor South Korea, may be one of the worst since famine hit North Korea in the 1990s.