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The world is a very busy place, and it’s hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the Disaster news events you need to know so far for January 2024.
- Flooding In The Southern Region Of England Triggers Panic
- Critics Blame Worsening Sewage Pollution On Failed Government Policies
- Landslide In A Region Of Colombia Kills 37 People
- Dead And Missing People In China Following Massive Landslide
Flooding In The Southern Region Of England Triggers Panic
Photo Source: AP Photo/Frank Augstein
Thursday, January 4, 2024 – Parts of the United Kingdom are dealing with yet another day of terrible weather, with heavy rain and hundreds of flood watches and warnings in effect. The warning, which stretches from Cornwall to East Anglia, warns of power outages and traffic delays.
A Met Office’s yellow rain warning for the south of England went into effect at lunchtime and will be in effect until 03:00 GMT on Friday. At 20:00 GMT, there were 246 active flood warnings spanning much of England, with two in Wales. There were also 326 flood alerts in force across England and Wales, indicating that flooding was possible.
Residents in flood-prone locations were advised by the Environment Agency, which covers England to take precautions such as cutting off gas, water, and power supplies, moving items upstairs, and transferring family, pets, and cars to higher ground.
Source: BBC
Critics Blame Worsening Sewage Pollution On Failed Government Policies
Photo Source: Getty Images
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 – Water experts in the U.K. have indicated that over several years, increased sewage contamination, urban floods, and water supply disruptions are the consequence of a decade of failures by the government. They believe this increased sewage pollution is due to the lack of sponge cities which has resulted in open sewage flow, worsening the flood situation.
The report’s writers conducted interviews with water and environmental specialists. They were overwhelmingly dissatisfied with water company ownership and operations. Only 6% of the professionals polled supported maintaining the present system of ownership, corporate governance, and regulation. According to Thames Water, by 2015, London has witnessed the greatest drop in plant cover in front gardens of any city in the U.K., with five times as many front gardens with no plants as in the previous ten years.
Increased rainfall runoff overwhelms water company sewage facilities, which have not been maintained or enhanced because of underinvestment. The additional water raises the possibility of raw sewage discharge, while hard surfaces in towns and cities raise the danger of floods.
Source: The Guardian
Landslide In A Region Of Colombia Kills 37 People
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jaime Saldarriaga
Saturday, January 13, 2024 – At least 37 people have died in landslides in Colombia’s northern district of Chocó, according to the Prosecutor’s Office. The current report did not specify the number of people who sustained injuries following the disaster.
“We are experiencing a very sad weekend for Chocó,” remarked Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curi. “Our people feel the victims’ grief. I will not stop until I ensure that all Chocoans get knowledge about their family.
The incident prompted the mobilization of Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, Colombian Civil Defense, the National Army, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the Choco police department.
Authorities reported at least 17 remains had been taken to Medellin for forensic investigation. According to Reuters, images on social media show the moment a massive chunk of land fell from a mountain and landed on top of numerous automobiles driving down the flooded road below.
Source: CNN
Dead And Missing People In China Following Massive Landslide
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 – A landslide in Zhaotong city—an isolated, hilly terrain—trapped 47 persons around 05:51 local time (21:51 GMT) on Monday. Sub-zero temperatures have prompted President Xi Jinping to urge an “all-out” rescue. Nearly 1,000 rescue personnel were deployed, and over 500 locals were evacuated. A delegation headed by Chinese vice-premier Zhang Guoqing oversaw rescue efforts at the site.
One villager informed local media that most people were elderly or children. Another neighbor told Jimu News that the landslip occurred Monday early when many were sleeping. “It was very loud, and there was also a shake, it felt like a big earthquake.”
Social media videos showed rescuers trekking on debris against snow-covered mountains. Personal items are strewn among the crumbling stonework. A landslip in the same county killed 18 in January 2013.
Source: BBC
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