The global cost of disasters is growing: The economic burden of disasters is intensifying. While the direct costs of disasters averaged $70–80 billion a year between 1970 and 2000, between 2001 and 2020 these annual costs grew significantly to $180–200 billion. But the real cost is far higher. Disaster costs …
THE total seasonal rainfall during the year's southwest monsoon (June 1 to September 30) for the country as a whole was 99 per cent of its long-period average (LPA), which, being within plus or minus 10 per cent of the LPA, can be termed as a `normal' monsoon. However, both …
The skewed pattern of rainfall experienced across the country during this year's monsoon appears to be an anomaly. UNPREDICTABLITY of the monsoon, unusual spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall over the four-month period, shifting rainfall patterns, sustained low rainfall activity, drought-like conditions in some areas and excessive rainfall in others, …
Previous studies have linked climate variations to the collapse of societies around the world. According to a study published in Nature (Vol 375, No 6530, June 1, 1995), drought caused the demise of the Maya civilisation in Mexico. The researchers argued that internal factors like population growth and environmental degradation, …
function table() { var popurl="image/20060930/10-table.jpg" winpops=window.open(popurl,"","width=450,height=450,scrollbars=yes") } the monsoon season in Assam is often time for fearful floods. But this year, the state was struck by a terrible drought. The weather office registered a rainfall deficit of more than 40 per cent between June and August. The shortfall has hit …
Just imagine: floods in dry Rajasthan; drought in wet Assam. In both cases, devastation has been deadly, with people struggling to cope. But are these natural disasters or human-made disasters signs of change of the world's climate systems? Or are these simply the result of mismanagement so that people already …
The province of Balochistan and parts of Sindh province of Pakistan are in the grip of a drought. This is likely to affect cotton, rice and sugarcane crops, the mainstay of the country's agrarian economy. Experts say lack of rain is not the main reason for water shortage in Pakistan. …
The Uttaranchal government has declared 56 of the state's 78 tehsil s drought-hit. A Union government team recently noted that more than 50 per cent of the rabi crop in Nainital district has been affected. The state government has responded with an aid package of Rs 33 crore. But experts …
Climatic changes, droughts, floods, heat/cold waves, pests, diseases and poverty dynamics is a complex phenomenon demanding multidisciplinary management of early warning systems, risk assessment, insurance and mitigation.
the water level of Africa's Lake Victoria, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, has dropped dramatically by two metres in the last 45 years. Though drought has been largely blamed for this dip, a closer look by environmentalists and politicians in Uganda points to a new culprit: the …
As Spain faces another year of drought, the government has imposed drastic restrictions and plans to recycle all water used in the capital, Madrid, by 2012. The plan will come into effect in April, 2006. Paz Gonz
For over a decade, Orissa has been teetering from one extreme weather condition to another: from heatwaves to cyclones, drought to floods. The state has been declared disaster-affected for 95 of the last 105 years. Why is this happening? Is it the result of global warming and climate change? Richard …
A searing drought that threatens livelihood of millions of people in East Africa is also leading to a human-elephant clash. The search for water and food is drawing elephants in the Kenyan National Park and other reserves, close to human settlements and crop fields. Elephants have killed two people after …
In all the drama over the November 2005 legislative assembly elections in Bihar, the drought afflicting a large part of the state got short shrift. Though all political parties made promises to deal with drought, it scarcely became an election issue. This was new to Bihar's political cauldron
a team of scientists in the us has developed tomato plants with high tolerance to drought conditions. It is believed that the results can be replicated in other crop plants. Led by Kendal Hirschi, a researcher at Texas a & m University's Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center and Baylor's College …
This report offers the vision of a different future - a revolution in development thinking that could see poor regions using renewable energy to power a new and clean era of prosperity. The report analysis focuses on sub-Saharan Africa - which has the highest concentration of the world's poorest people. …
Albania in southeastern Europe has imposed severe power cutbacks in the country. Drought and poorly maintained infrastructure threaten to bring electricity production to a halt in the country. Electricity supply for general consumers are to be restricted to four to eight hours a day, said Korporata Elektro-energjetike Shqiptare (kesh), the …
bacco off the shelf: Thailand has taken a strong step against tobacco sales in the country. They ordered vendors in September to remove all cigarettes from display or risk a US $50,000 fine. Activists say cigarette packets are also effectively an advertisement and so should be hidden from view. sa …
As some regions in Australia enter the fourth year of drought, the federal government has announced changes to the exceptional circumstances drought assistance. Under the amendments, 19 areas in New South Wales, three in Victoria, one in South Australia and two Queensland boards will automatically be re-assessed to see if …
"Rainfall and floods are annual features in many parts of the country. Instead of thinking on interlinking of rivers only during flood and drought, it's time we implement this programme with a great sense of urgency. We need to make an effort to overcome various hurdles in our way to …
The heat wave in Portugal and Spain continues to bring more forest fires. The fires have killed at least 15 people in Portugal and burnt at least 180,000 hectares land. Five per cent of the country's forest cover has been lost. It is believed that while lightning and other environmental …
