Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

Floods are a looming threat to homes and communities globally, accentuated by the escalating impacts of climate change. As a response, there's a growing emphasis on flood-resistant construction. Floods represent a significant and escalating threat to homes and communities worldwide, exacerbated by the increasing impacts of climate change. In response to this mounting risk, there is a growing emphasis on flood-resistant construction practices. This article explores the various techniques, materials, and philosophies that underpin flood-resistant homes, providing valuable insights for homeowners, builders, and policymakers alike. One of the primary challenges posed by floods is the potential for extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. Traditional approaches to flood management often focused on structural defenses such as levees and flood walls. While these measures can provide some degree of protection, they are not always sufficient, particularly in the face of increasingl

December 27, 2023: In a tragic turn of events, heavy rains have unleashed devastating floods in central Congo, claiming the lives of at least 22 people. Among the victims were 10 members of a single family, highlighting the scale of the disaster that struck the district of Kananga in Kasai Central province. Governor John Kabeya confirmed the grim toll, noting that the incessant rainfall caused widespread destruction, leveling houses and structures. The collapse of a wall led to the tragic deaths of the family in Bikuku, underscoring the vulnerability of communities to such natural disasters . Rescue efforts are underway, with authorities working tirelessly to locate survivors and provide relief to those affected. The flooding has also inflicted significant material damage, with reports of extensive destruction emerging from the region. Nathalie Kambala, the country director of The Hand in Hand for Integral Development NGO, emphasized the urgent need for assistance in the wake of the ca

February 05, 2024: In a devastating turn of events, the southern Philippines has been battered by severe flooding and landslides, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 20 lives. The disaster struck the provinces of Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte, where torrential rains triggered by a northeast monsoon and a low-pressure area wreaked havoc from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2. According to officials from the provincial disaster agencies, 13 individuals lost their lives in Davao de Oro, with two more missing, while seven fatalities were reported in neighboring Davao del Norte. The calamity has left over 812,000 people affected, forcing approximately 85,000 individuals to seek refuge in evacuation centers. Sadly, this catastrophe is not an isolated incident. Just weeks prior, in mid-January, 18 lives were claimed by floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in the same region. Landslides and floods are unfortunately common in the Philippines, a nation of over 7,600 islands that is battered by ap

October 6, 2023: Sri Lanka grapples with the aftermath of heavy rains that have claimed the lives of at least six people, leaving a trail of destruction and displacing tens of thousands. In a tragic incident in Colombo on Friday, a large tree fell onto a moving bus, resulting in five fatalities and 17 injuries, as reported by the state-run Lankapuvath news agency. Separately, in the Galle district, a rock tumbled onto a house during a mudslide, claiming one more life, according to the Disaster Management Center. The floods have not only taken a toll on human lives but have also caused extensive damage to hundreds of homes across 12 districts, affecting more than 50,000 people. In response, authorities have relocated 1,473 families to temporary shelters. The coastal district of Matara bears the brunt of the disaster, with most parts submerged for over a week. In light of the ongoing risks posed by floods and landslides, schools in Matara were forced to close on Friday, adding to the dis

October 9, 2023: At least 27 people lost their lives, and over 50 others sustained injuries as floods wreaked havoc in the Cameroonian capital of Yaounde and its surrounding neighborhoods on Sunday. The calamity unfolded as heavy rains unleashed flooding in the district of Yaounde 2, near the capital, leaving destruction and despair in its wake. The district of Yaounde 2 witnessed buildings swept away in a torrent of water and mud, reduced to chunks of rubble. The disaster took a more ominous turn as the rising floodwaters overwhelmed a dike built in the colonial era, releasing a manmade lake that cascaded down a hill, carrying several structures in its path, according to Assola Joseph, a local leader in the Mbankolo neighborhood. The aftermath of the flood was devastating, with numerous buildings in the district destroyed, and at least 30 houses in the Mbankolo neighborhood washed away, causing others to collapse with residents trapped inside. Urbanism Minister Celestine Ketcha Courte

October 31, 2023: In the wake of persistent heavy rains in central and north Vietnam, disaster management authorities reported on Tuesday that three lives have been lost as homes are flooded, and roads submerged, painting a grim picture of the impact of the ongoing deluge. Central Ha Tinh province bears the brunt of the calamity, with access to several communities severed and rescue operations initiated by the police and military to evacuate people from high-risk areas. Tragically, a woman and a 13-year-old boy lost their lives in the province after being swept away by powerful currents. A search is currently underway for a 29-year-old woman in Ha Tinh, according to the flood and storm control department's latest report. The floodwaters have not spared hundreds of homes, crops, and sections of the national highway and railway that connects north and south Vietnam. This has resulted in significant disruptions and challenges for the affected communities, amplifying the urgency of res

October 5, 2023: In a tragic turn of events, ice-cold floodwaters wreaked havoc on mountain towns in India's Himalayan northeast, claiming the lives of at least 31 people, displacing thousands, and leaving a trail of destruction. The catastrophe unfolded as a glacial lake overflowed, breaching Sikkim State's largest hydroelectric dam and unleashing a torrent that swept through the valley below. The incident, occurring after midnight on Wednesday, marks the latest in a series of deadly floods to hit northeast India during a year of unusually heavy monsoon rains. With nearly 50 lives lost in August in nearby Himachal Pradesh state and over 100 casualties in northern India due to record rains in July, the region is grappling with the devastating impact of extreme weather events. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority reported the successful rescue of over 2,000 people, but the search continues for nearly 100 missing individuals, including 22 soldiers. Rescue operations are

June 25, 2023: In a sudden and unfortunate turn of events, a woman's vehicle was swept away by a flash flood in the Ghaggar River, triggered by heavy rains in the region. The incident occurred when the woman, who had come to pay her respects at Kharak Mangoli, parked her vehicle on the riverbank, unaware of the imminent danger posed by the rising water levels. Prompt and courageous actions from local residents saved the woman's life as they quickly responded to the crisis. Braving the strong current of water, they managed to rescue her from the trapped vehicle. A video capturing the intense rescue effort circulated on social media, highlighting the bravery and determination of the locals in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, local law enforcement authorities swiftly arrived at the scene to support the rescue operations and bring the situation under control. Efforts to retrieve the vehicle using a crane are currently underway, with hopes of salvaging it from the fast-flowing wate

May 22, 2023: The devastating floods that have struck Africa in 2023 have caused immense loss of life and widespread destruction, resulting in a staggering loss of life and widespread destruction. Heavy rainfall, exacerbated by climate change, has caused extensive damage and casualties across the affected regions. The floods have affected countries including Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. With a death toll exceeding 2,200 and thousands of people missing, the aftermath of these floods has left communities devastated and in urgent need of assistance. Meteorological Background Frequent heavy rains during the months of March to May have long plagued East Africa, leading to significant damage and loss of life. In 2023, several rounds of heavy rain saturated the ground, setting the stage for the devastating floods. Rwanda, which has experience

May 21, 2023: In a tragic turn of events, the death toll from the catastrophic floods in Italy's northern region of Emilia-Romagna has risen to 13. The devastating floods have forced thousands of people from their homes and caused severe destruction to farms in an area renowned for its agriculture. The eastern side of Emilia-Romagna, known as Romagna, was particularly hard-hit by torrential rains, resulting in approximately 300 landslides, 23 overflowing rivers, 400 damaged or destroyed roads, and 42 municipalities inundated by floodwaters. The floods have had a severe impact on agriculture in the region. More than 5,000 farms have been submerged, resulting in the loss of numerous animals and tens of thousands of hectares of vineyards, fruit trees, vegetables, and grain crops submerged under water, according to agricultural lobbyist Coldiretti. These floods are part of a series of extreme weather events that have struck Italy in the past year, highlighting the transformation of onc

May 8, 2023: The death toll from floods and landslides in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to 394, with more bodies being recovered, according to BBC. Heavy rainfall in the Kalehe region of South Kivu province on May 6 caused rivers to overflow, causing landslides that engulfed the villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi. In all, several villages were submerged, many houses washed away, and fields devastated when rivers in the region burst their banks due to the heavy rains. As rescue workers continue to search for survivors, officials fear that the death toll may rise even further. In addition to the loss of life, the floods have destroyed homes , businesses, and infrastructure, leaving many areas without electricity, clean water, or basic services. International aid organizations and neighboring countries have already begun to offer assistance, with the United Nations announcing that it will provide emergency funding and supplies to help with the relie

March 29, 2023: The heavy rainfall caused a lot of destruction in Hyderabad, with Nallakunta being the most affected area. The incomplete construction of the Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP) resulted in the overflowing of the nala, which flooded the streets and caused damage to the area. The rainfall caused the death of a nine-year-old girl who fell into the nala in Kalasiguda, where the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) was laying a CC road. Videos and pictures of the havoc caused by the rain went viral on social media, and the GHMC received over 500 complaints related to fallen trees and flooding. Many two-wheelers were washed away in the rainwater, and the incomplete works of SNDP resulted in waterlogging in Nallakunta. The IMD has predicted more rain and hailstorms till May 4, and an orange alert has been issued for the city for Sunday due to high heat levels and an ongoing depression near the Vidarbha region. The GHMC and other authorities need to complete

Floodplains are areas adjacent to bodies of water that are periodically flooded during high-flow events. These regions have been attractive for their fertile soil, access to water, and transportation routes. However, they are also susceptible to flood-related hazards, including property damage, economic loss, and loss of life. The issue of whether floodplains should be encouraged for development remains a contentious issue (Barlow et al., 2021). Proponents of floodplain development contend that these areas provide valuable land for residential, commercial, and industrial development. In addition, floodplain development can increase tax revenue and create jobs, which can stimulate local economies. They also argue that modern building techniques and flood control measures can mitigate the risks associated with floods, making floodplain development a viable option (Barlow et al., 2021). Conversely, opponents of floodplain development argue that the risks associated with flooding cannot be

Irrigation is a crucial agricultural practice, but it can also lead to soil salinization (Johnson et al., 2020). Flood irrigation, where water is applied to an entire field, can dissolve and transport salts to the root zone, causing soil salinization in areas with high salt content. Over-irrigation can also result in waterlogging, filling the soil pores with excess water and promoting the accumulation of salts. Similarly, furrow irrigation, which involves applying water to channels between crop rows, can exacerbate soil salinization by concentrating salts in the furrow bottoms through repeated applications of water (Rengasamy, 2006). Proper management practices can reduce the negative impacts of flood and furrow irrigation on soil salinization. Johnson et al. (2020) suggest using salt-tolerant crops and implementing drainage systems to mitigate the negative effects of irrigation. Monitoring soil salinity levels and adjusting irrigation practices accordingly can also prevent salt accumu

Scientific studies have confirmed that earthquakes are not directly caused by flooding; instead, they result from the movement of tectonic plates and faults within the Earth's crust (USGS, 2021). However, flooding can still have an indirect impact on seismic activity by infiltrating faults and acting as a lubricant, thereby increasing the chances of slipping (USGS, 2021). Furthermore, Zhang et al. (2017) have suggested that the weight of water in large reservoirs, created by damming rivers, can also trigger earthquakes, an occurrence known as reservoir-induced seismicity. In recent years, there has been growing evidence to suggest that heavy rain can trigger earthquakes in landscapes with caves and channels by increasing pressure in the underlying rock. While it was already known that rainfall could cause tremors, the amount of water required to do so is much more significant than previously thought, according to Steve Miller, a geologist at the University of Bonn in Germany (Mille

From December 2022 to March 2023, California experienced a lot of rain which led to floods in different areas of the state as well as nearby states like Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. The floods caused significant damage to property and resulted in the loss of at least 22 lives, making it the deadliest meteorological event in the US in 2023. The floods caused power outages, evacuations, and the closure of more than 40 state parks and one national park. In addition, several Amtrak trains had to modify their schedules or cancel services due to the floods. Landslides, sinkholes, and flooded roads also caused disruption and property damage. On January 4, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, and on January 9, 2023, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in 17 California counties. Later, a major disaster declaration was approved for several counties. President Biden and Governor Newsom surveyed the damage on January 19. The media reported the floods as an example

September 18, 2022: Sections of the Ulu Pandan Park Connector in Ghim Moh, Singapore have been closed after water levels in the Ulu Pandan Canal almost reached the level of the park connector. According to the National Water Agency PUB, the water level in the canal was at 90 per cent capacity around 09:00 am today.

September 18, 2022: The world's deadliest flood since the 2017 South Asian floods have claimed lives of 1,486 people in Pakistan since June 14, 2022. Heavy rainfall and floods have affected 33 million people in Pakistan since mid-June and destroyed around 568,817 houses and damaged 1,174,528 others. Floods affected areas include Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, southern parts of Punjab, Sindh, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the Pakistan government, the floods caused loss of US$30 billion. Pakistan declared a state of emergency because of the flooding disaster on August 25, 2022.

July 28, 2022: The Fujairah Port has witnessed the highest amount of rain in the country in 27 years with a record of 221.8 mm rainfall. The rainfall was accompanied by hailstorm and lightning in Al Bithnah Road towards Masafi and with lightning and thunderstorm in Fujairah International Airport, Suhaila in Sharjah and Al Manama in Ajman, Gulf Today reported. Around 3,897 people have been placed in temporary shelter in Sharjah and Fujairah. According to the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (Ncema), hotels have capacity to accommodate an additional 1,885 people. The National Centre of Meteorology issued a safety alert regarding the flood-hit areas of Sharjah and Fujairah. For any emergency, the public have been asked to call 999.

July 29, 2022: Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued high flood alert for  Chenab river today. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, high flood in river Chenab is expected at Marala Headworks in Sialkot district, Khanki headworks in Gujranwala district and Qadirabad headworks in Mandi Bahauddin district. Flooded Chenab river is flowing above danger mark at Akhnoor.