DELUGE: 11 Inches Of Rainfall In Just 24 Hours In Padang, Indonesia - Floods Leave Hundreds Stranded!

Floods in Padang, Indonesia, March 2016.
© BNPB

March 23, 2016 - PADRANG, INDONESIA - Floods in the city of Padang and Padang Regency in West Sumatra have left hundreds of people stranded, according to Indonesia's Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
Meanwhile, floods in Magelang Regency in Central Java have left at least 1 person dead and several injured.

Padang, West Sumatra

As much as 370 mm of rain was recorded in Padang in 24 hours between 21 and 22 March 2016. The heavy rain resulted in the Batang Arau river overflowing.

Three districts - Koto Tangah, Padang Utara and Padang Selatan - have been severely affected by floods. BNPB say that as many as 9 villages are under water up to 1 metre deep.

There have been no reports of casualties, although houses, schools and a bridge have been damaged.

Floods in Magelang, Indonesia, March 2016. © BNPB

Teams from emergency agencies are carrying out evacuations using inflatable boats. However, BNPB says that given the wide areas flooded, not all flood victims could be reached and estimate that there are hundreds who are trapped and not been evacuated, particularly in Koto Tangah district. Magelang Regency, Central Java

BNPB also report that heavy rain on Mount Merapi and Merbabu, Central Java, caused flash floods several small villages in the Sawangan district of Magelang Regency.

On person has died and 3 were injured. A bridge in the area was severely damaged due to the impact of flash floods.

Indonesia authorities also report that the overflowing Cimanuk River caused floods in Garut Regency, West Java on 19 March, damaging at least 14 houses. - Floodlist.

 

MONUMENTAL DELUGE: Widespread Flooding – The Latest Reports Of High Tides, Heavy Rainfall, Flash Floods, Sea Level Rise, And Catastrophic Storms!

December 16, 2014 - EARTH - The following list constitutes the latest reports of high tides, heavy rainfall, flash floods, widespread flooding, sea level rise and catastrophic storms.

Floods Strike Again in Morocco Leaving 4 People Dead

Authorities in Morocco say that 4 people have died in the last few days as a result of heavy rain and flooding.

The recent deaths come just a month after the south of the country was hit by severe flooding which initially killed as many as 32 people. 11 more people died when floods struck again 1 week later.

Parts of Morocco have seen strong winds and heavy rain over the last few days. Casablanca saw 54 mm of rain fall in 24 hours on 14 December. On 15 December over 55 mm of rain fell in Chefchaouen, according to WMO.

Casablanca

AFP are reporting that three houses collapsed in Casablanca as a result of the heavy rain and winds. Two bodies have been recovered from the ruins. Housing in the city’s sprawling slums is known to be in poor condition and prone to collapse.

Floods in Morocco November 2014

Casablanca housing – vulnerable to severe weather. Photo: November Delta

The cramped conditions make the situation more hazardous, with several families often living in one house. Reports say the collapse of the three houses yesterday affected as many as 14 families.

Safi

The Moroccan MAP news agency also reported yesterday a further two deaths as a result of the severe weather. A mother and her young daughter died in Safi after their house collapsed as a result of the recent heavy rain.

EU Aid

Yesterday a  Delegation of the European Union in Morocco announced the €106,000 donation from European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent to provide assistance to the people affected by the floods.

Central Java Landslide (Updated) – Death Toll Now 56

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) have confirmed that the death toll from the landslide disaster now stands at 56, with a further 52 people still missing. As many as 1,145 people have been displaced by the landslide.

Original Report 14 December 2014

According to the latest reports from the Indonesian government, at least 32 people have died as a result of the landslide that struck in the regency of Banjanegara in Central Java, Indonesia, during the evening of 12 December 2014.

The following are several images of the mudslide in Banjanegara, Central Java, Indonesia. Photos by BNPD.

The landslide was caused by 2 days of torrential rain and flooding in the hills around the small village of Jemblung in the district of Karangkobar. Eye witness reports say that the rain caused a flood of mud and water to cascade down the wooded mountain side. Some victims were found under mud as deep as 1 metre.

The landslide damaged or destroyed over 100 houses in the area, and over 400 people have been evacuated to temporary accommodation.

At least 76 people are still missing in the landslide. According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana / BNPB) much of the ground in the area of the landslide is still unstable and has caused problems for the search and rescue operations involving over 2,000 staff from military, police and BNPB. Only some areas are stable enough to use heavy digging equipment.

November to May is considered to be the rainy season in Indonesia.

Heavy rains lash St Mary, Portland parishes in Jamaica

Persistent heavy showers, which started on the weekend, yesterday soaked the parishes of St Mary and Portland, disrupted normal activities leaving several roads impassable and dozens of motorists and commuters stranded.

The National Meteorological Service has, meanwhile, forecast more rains for both parishes today as a trough across the central Caribbean is expected to remain in the region for another day, bringing with it heavy showers and thunderstorms.

"Landslides have rendered sections of the main road (Port Maria) impassable and police are at this time warning motorists to exercise caution when using the roadway," said Gary Flash, the deputy police superintendent in charge of operations in Port Maria, St Mary.

"As the heavy rains continue, we want to warn persons living in flood-prone areas to remain on alert and to move to shelters if the flooding in their areas worsen," said Deputy Superintendent Flash.

"Right now I am just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that the rains will end soon," said Joylene Northover, a resident and restaurant operator of Friendship, St Mary, where about 30 residents were said to be marooned by flood waters.

Neisha Weathers, another resident, also expressed concern about the continuing rainfall in the parish. "I am just hoping that the situation doesn't get worse as rains has been falling for several days; I am watching and hoping," said Weathers.

"I am not really worried about flooding, but the area in which I live is prone to landslides, so I am just hoping that the rains will end soon," said Sharon Brown, a resident of Devon Pen, also in St Mary.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) reported that, in St Mary, classes at Port Maria Primary School were disrupted because of flooding on sections of the campus, while several water sources, including those at Palmetto Grove, Rock Spring and White River were affected by turbidity.

The St Mary communities of Egypt Pen, Fellowship Hall, Llangley Fording, and Baxter's Mountain, according to the ODPEM, 'took a beating' from the heavy showers, while land slips were reported in Heartland, Derry, and on the Brooklyn Road heading towards Albion Mountain. Rockfall at Little Bay, according to the ODPEM, was cleared earlier yesterday, but motorists as well as pedestrians were asked to avoid the area to prevent danger to life and damage to vehicles.

A landslide on a section of the North Coast Highway, just outside of Port Maria in St Mary.  Photo: Karl McLarty

An inundated roadway near Long Wall at Boundbrook. Photo:  Gareth Davis

A deluge causes havoc for motorists crossing a ford in Tryall, St Mary, yesterday.   Photo: Orantes Moore

A fallen tree in Black Hill, Portland, that brought vehicular traffic to a halt for more than two hours during heavy rain. Photo:  Gareth Davis

Last night, the ODPEM advised users of the Hart Hill Road in St Mary that the main drainage channel was blocked, resulting in large volumes of water on the roadway. The water level, it said, could rise significantly within a relatively short period of time so people should avoid using the area.

The St Mary Disaster Preparedness Committee, according to Deputy Superintendent Flash, met with firefighters, the police and the parish council to discuss the possible evacuation of residents should the need arise.

"All emergency shelters [in the parish] have been activated and, at this time, we are on alert and will continue to monitor the situation," said Flash.

Stephen Shaw, manager of communication and customer services at the National Works Agency (NWA), reported that in Western Portland four blockages that occurred between Lennox and White Gate in Black Hill were later cleared to allow single lane access.

Shaw said last evening that total clearance was difficult as heavy rain continued to pelt the parish in the afternoon yesterday, making it difficult for work crews.

"There was also a breakaway along the Hope Bay to Chips Hall main road in the vicinity of an area called "Ring", just outside the Swift River community. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution along this section of roadway," Shaw said.

He said that a major breakaway which occurred on the Church Hill Corner to Muir Park roadway in Bybrook last week, was cleared and opened to single lane traffic. However, he said rains which started on the weekend caused landslides along that corridor and urged motorist to be cautious when travelling in the area.

In the meantime, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) said last evening that the planned restoration of electricity to a section of St Mary was hampered by heavy rainfall and blocked roads. The White River, the company said, overflowed its banks, making access to the location impossible.

Electricity outages, the light and power company said, were reported in Goshen, Gayle, Rose Street, Halifax, Lucky Hill, Jeffery Town, Hyatt Hill, Richard's Pen, Governors Pen, Wood Park, Cox Piece, Hartland, Derry, Hall Hill, Russell Hall, Dressikie, Barclay's Town, Pembroke Hall, Bagnol, and surrounding areas and all roads leading off.The light and power company also reported that the overflow of the White River made it impossible to access to access some of the locations.

50 Villages Hit by Floods in Southern Thailand

Floods in the southern Thai provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung have forced evacuations in as many as 50 villages, some of which are under more than 1 metre of water. One person is reported as missing after being swept away by the floods in Phrom Khiri district, Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Military personnel have been drafted in to help with evacuations. According to Deputy Army Spokesperson, Colonel Sirichan Nga-thong, Army Commander-in-Chief General Udomdej Sritabutr has instructed the Army’s disaster relief officers to inform all units in the flood-stricken area to be on standby for rescue operation deployment, while urging them to monitor the latest floods situations.

The Deputy Spokesperson said that, the Region 4 Army has initially sent troops to help affected locals in Nakhon Si Thammarat, relocating them and their belongings to a safer location. The 5th Field Artillery Regiment has dispatched its officials to provide assistance to the flood victims in Tha Sala District in Nakhon Si Thammarat, where deluge has damaged roads and residences.

The floods came after three days of heavy rainfall in southern Thailand. The worst affected areas are the districts of Nopphitam, Phrom Khiri and Tha Sala in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and the Srinagarindra in Phatthalung.

Heavy rainfall has also threatened floods in the provinces of Surat Thani and Songkhla. Further heavy rainfall is expected. River levels are high and run-off from hillsides may result in further floods in more mountainous areas.

WMO Rainfall Figures, 24 hours between 14 and 15 December 2014
Narathiwat – 138.6 mm
Pattani – 59.5 mm
Songkhla – 51.0 mm
Hat Yai, Songkhla – 89.4 mm

- Floodlist | Jamaica Observer | Jamaica Gleaner.

GEOLOGICAL UPHEAVAL: Massive Landslide In Central Java, Indonesia - Village Of Jemblung Destroyed; At Least 20 Dead, Dozens Still Missing; Hundreds Of Homes Leveled! [PHOTOS + VIDEOS]

Indonesian soldiers and rescue team members walk through the mud after a landslide hit the village of Sampang in Banjarnegara, December 13, 2014. 
© REUTERS/Idhad Zakaria/Antara Foto

December 14, 2014 - INDONESIA - Authorities in Indonesia say heavy lifting equipment is now being used to search for more than 80 people missing in a landslide in central Java.

At least 20 people died and dozens were injured in the incident in Jemblung village on Friday.

The search has been hampered by heavy rain and difficulty accessing the disaster site.

Flash floods and fatal landslides triggered by seasonal downpours are common in Indonesia.

Rescuers were forced to dig with their bare hands until tractors and bulldozers arrived on Sunday.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the country's national disaster agency, said some of the roads leading to the site had been cleared.

"Today the search for survivors will be carried out using heavy excavation equipment. The landslide has blocked road access since yesterday", he said.

Rescuers, including local residents, are still hoping to find survivors

Landslides are common in Indonesia during the rainy season, with around half the population at risk

Indonesian soldiers and rescue team members lift a cattle trapped in the mud after a landslide hit the village of Sampang in Banjarnegara, December 13, 2014.
© REUTERS/Idhad Zakaria/Antara Foto

Over 1,000 rescuers, including police and soldiers, are involved in the operation.

Disaster agency officials said at least 11 people were seriously injured and in hospital.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is due to travel to the area on Sunday to meet survivors.

"I am in grief over the landslide that struck Jemblung village," he said in a statement.

WATCH: Village destroyed by deadly landslide near Jakarta, Indonesia.

"Landslides can be a lesson to us, on the importance of maintaining environmental balance," he added.

The country's national disaster agency said hundreds of houses had been destroyed by the landslide, with almost 600 residents moved to temporary shelters.

Many of the inhabitants of the chain of 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains.

Authorities say around half the population is at risk from landslides. - BBC.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Volcano Report For March 19-20, 2014 - Updates On Etna, Slamet, Colima And Poas!

March 20, 2014 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.

Etna (Sicily, Italy): Mild explosive activity continues at the New SE crater with little variation, but has now essentially become continuous. Weak lava effusion also continues to aliment small flows from vents at the eastern base of the cone. The tremor shows a fluctuating, but overall slowly increasing trend.

Strombolian eruption at Etna's NSEC this evening (Radiostudio7 Montagnola webcam)

The lava flows seen from Linguaglossa (Etna Trekking webcam)

Current tremor amplitude (ECPNZ station, INGV Catania)

Slamet (Central Java): A stronger explosion Wednesday morning at 08:47 local time produced an ash column rising about 2 km, according to a local press article.

Light ash fall occurred in areas to the NW. The explosion was the largest in the current eruptive episode so far.

The alert status of the volcano (raised to 2 out of 4 last Monday) was not changed,- apparently, no significantly larger eruptions are expected. During the past days, the volcano has been producing strombolian eruptions at rates of 1-2 per hour, with ash plumes typically rising 500-1500 m.


Colima (Western Mexico): The volcano produced a series of small ash puffs last night (23:00 GMT). VAAC Washington alerted of low ash plumes beneath flight level 150 (15,000 ft / 4.5 km altitude) drifting east from the volcano.

Forcasted ash from Colima volcano (VAAC Washington)

Poas (Costa Rica): Another moderately sized phreatic eruption from the crater lake of the volcano took place yesterday morning at 07:08 local time.

The explosion ejected steam, water, mud and rocks to about 100 m height.

Phreatic explosion at Poàs volcano yesterday morning (Ovsicori webcam)

According to Ovsicori, this type of intermittent, sporadic explosive activity has been characterizing the volcano's typical behavior since 2006. Similar eruptions can be expected in the coming days or even months.
The so-called phreatic explosions themselves are caused by overheated fluids in the hydrothermal system beneath the lake, not directly by fresh magma, but can be very dangerous for anyone near when they occur.

Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for March 20, 2014.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Global Volcano Report For November 18, 2013 - Another Explosion At Indonesia's Sinabung Volcano Sends Ash Plume 30,000 Feet High; Merapi Volcano In Central Java Produces Strong Explosion With Loud Rumblings; And Weak Explosions At Italy's Mount Etna As Activity Decreases Since Last Paroxysm!

November 18, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of  Volcano Discovery.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Another explosion occurred this morning, sending an ash plume to about 30,000 ft (9 km) altitude according to Darwin VAAC, that drifted westward.

Explosion at Sinabung this morning.

The aviation alert level was raised to red immediately.


WATCH:  Sinabung eruption - November 18, 2013.

Merapi (Central Java): A relatively strong explosion occurred yesterday morning (4-6 am local time), producing a large ash plume of about 2 km height and accompanied by loud rumblings. Ash fell to the south and east sides of the volcano, as far as Solo (30 km distance). According to local press, many people spontaneously evacuated their homes in several villages near the volcano.


Etna (Sicily, Italy): Activity has gradually decreased since the last paroxysm, with short peaks of renewed stronger activity in between. As of now, weak explosions probably still continue at the New SE crater but cannot be observed due to cloud cover. Tremor signal is still elevated but with a an overall decreasing tendency.

Weak activity last evening from the New SE crater.

Current tremor signal (ESLN station, INGV Catania)

Complete Earthquake list (worldwide) for November 18, 2013.

- Volcano Discovery.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: Increased Seismic Activity at the Merapi Volcano in Central Java - Could Indicate the Start of a New Lava Dome Growth!

Seismic activity has increased beneath Mount Merapi volcano in Central Java, Indonesia, in the last few days. The increase in so-called multiphase earthquakes is thought to indicate the beginning of the formation of a new lava dome.

A volcanologist from the Selo observation post on the north side of the volcano is quoted "there is movement in the magma chamber in the form of a new lava dome formation. But we do not know the emission point because from Selo it is not visible". It is planned to check the situation at the summit in the near future. "The status of Merapi still active normal."

Starting around 11 February, Mount Merapi showed increased seismic activity, especially in multi-phase (MP) earthquakes, which are believed to correspond to movements in the magma chamber and conduits. During the week of 29 January and 4 Feb 29, 18 such quakes were recorded, but that figure rose sharply during the following week, when about 100 were recorded. The peak occurred on 12 February, when 63 MP as well as 6 shallow volcanic earthquakes were recorded. On 13 February earthquake activity decreased to 34 MP quakes, 3 avalanche, and 9 shallow volcanic and tectonic quakes. On 14 February, there were 25 MP and 14 shallow volcanic quakes.

The Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Mr Boyolali Hasanudin confirmed that the increased activity of Mount Merapi is a normal phenomenon frequently seen at the volcano, and still within the range of normal fluctuations. The official alert level remains at 1 out of 4 (normal activity). People living on the slopes of Mount Merapi, particularly those living higher up the slopes and near the major drainage valley are encouraged to remain vigilant. A major hazard for these areas are floods and mud flows, particularly now in the rainy season. - Volcano Discovery.

DELUGE: The Sinking of Indonesia - Widespread Floods and Landslides in the Banten Province; Over 13,000 Homes Inundated; Slowing Down Logistics as Floods Take Toll!

Incessant rain in several regencies in Banten province over the past three days has triggered floods and landslides, leaving not only three people dead and more than 13,000 homes inundated, but also hampering the flow of goods from Sumatra to Java and vice versa, an agency said on Sunday.

The Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a press statement that residents in Lebak, Pandeglang, Serang, Serang mayoralty, Cilegon mayoralty and Tangerang had to deal with floods of up to five meters deep, while a landslide also struck in Lebak regency. He said that the Banten floods had affected the Jakarta–Merak toll road at kilometer 58 and 59, forcing a reroute of traffic causing traffic jams as long as 35 kilometers.

“Based on our observation, the floodwater is still more than one meter deep making the road impassable to trucks,” Suharno, an official with toll road operator PT Marga Mandala Sakti, told The Jakarta Post by telephone on Sunday, confirming the BNPB information. The toll road operator diverted vehicles going from Jakarta to Merak through the Serang Timur exit gate and along Serang’s arterial route to reenter the toll road at the Balaraja Barat gate because of the flooding.

Meanwhile, vehicles from Merak port in Banten heading to Jakarta were instructed to take the opposite diverted route, Suharno said. Prasetyo B. Utomo, the business director of state-owned ferry operator PT ASDP Ferry Indonesia said, however, that the schedule of ferries crossing from Merak seaport to Bakauheni seaport in Lampung had not yet been disrupted. “As today is Sunday, there is no queue [yet] of vehicles to cross, although areas inside the port are crowded by vehicles,” he told the Post. By 9:40 p.m., the flooding had reportedly started to recede.

It is expected that within the next few weeks Greater Jakarta will be hit by five-year cyclical heavy flooding that could disrupt business activities including logistics to and from the capital city. In 2007, major floods paralyzed Jakarta for several days, causing a total loss of Rp 8 trillion (US$880 million). As the rainy season started this month, all stakeholders were urged to prepare for the floods.

BNPB’s Sutopo said the floods in Banten also forced 2,000 residents living on the Ciujung River banks in Serang, Banten, to leave their homes and shelter along the shoulders of the Jakarta–Merak toll road. The BNPB, assisted by the local disaster mitigation agencies and administrations, has responded to the emergency situation by providing necessary assistance including evacuation. Officers of the National Police and soldiers also helped evacuate residents whose houses had been devastated by the flood.

“The number of evacuees has increased. From the Kragilan sub-district, there are 1,158 people [that have been evacuated],” Banten Disaster Mitigation Agency Chief Suyadi Wiraatmadja said on Sunday. He said that the Kragilan subdistrict was one of the places that suffered most because of the extreme rain, as it was located close to the Ciujung River. The BNPB reported that floods also inundated various cities across the country including Pati in Central Java, Bojonegoro, Lamongan, Nganjuk in East Java, Sambas in West Kalimantan and West Kutai and Kutai in East Kalimantan. - The Jakarta Post.

GEOLOGICAL UPHEAVAL: Indonesia Sinking - Floods Affect 40,000 People Following the Collapse of Three River Levees in Central Java!

Some 40,000 people living in around 11,000 homes have been affected by floods in Central Java, following the collapse of three river levees, local media reported on Monday.

Levees in Ciapit, Bancang and Kabuyutan had apparently collapsed, resulting in flooding in dozens of villages in Brebes, Central Java, as reported by kompas.com. The news media also reported that a one-kilometer stretch of road in the regency connecting Semarang to Jakarta was also flooded, causing heavy congestion on Sunday, particularly from the Semarang area. Residents required logistic assistance and heavy equipment to repair the Kabuyutan river levee. Two other levees are also in need of repair. Indonesia is prone to heavy downpours and floods from November to April. - Phil STAR.

DELUGE: Flash Flooding and Landslides Submerges Wonosobo, Central Java, Indonesia - Six People Killed, Five Missing and Hundreds Displaced!

Six people died during a flash flood and landslide in Wonosobo, Central Java on Sunday.

According to the spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a joint search and rescue team from the local mitigation agency, the military, police and local people found five more bodies on Monday. Five others are still missing and 627 people were displaced by the natural disaster and are taking shelter at the village meeting center. “The missing victims might be buried under the mud,” Sutopo said.


A flash flood and landslide swept away 13 houses in Tieng village, Wonosobo on Sunday afternoon and damaged seven houses. A survivor, Romdhon, said the disaster occurred during heavy rain. “My mother and I were outside our home, while my father was inside,” he said. “All of sudden mud covered our house and swept it away.” His father still has not been found. - Jakarta Globe.

GLOBAL VOLCANISM: LEVEL II ALERT - National Disaster Mitigation Agency Raises Alert Status of Mount Sundoro, Indonesia!

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has raised the alert status of Mount Sundoro in Central Java from level I to level II after the mountain showed increased volcanic activity on Monday night.

“We fear this heightened volcanic activity in the form of deep and shallow volcanic events may trigger further, more extreme volcanic activity, such as ash eruptions,” BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said Tuesday. He said several disaster-prone areas near the mountain would be directly affected by the volcanic activity, but he told residents to remain calm as there had not been any instructions to evacuate the areas. “Disaster-Prone Area [KRB] III [2 kilometers from the crater] will potentially be hit with hot clouds, lava flows, poisonous gas, hurls of incandescent rocks and heavy ash rains,” he said. KRB II and I, which are situated at a distance of 5 and 8 kilometers from the crater, respectively, would also be affected by similar conditions. The BNPB stated that the volcanic activity of Mount Sundoro began to increase in November and was expected to continue into December. - The Jakarta Post.