MASS DISASTER

Indian floods death toll soars to 418

Via Channel 14.com...

Police said efforts were on to recover the bodies of an estimated 100 people buried under an avalanche of mud in a village 95 miles south of Bombay.

... full text here.

CHINA: Torrential rains trigger widespread flooding

Central and western regions in the Hunan province have been hit hard by flooding. 67 reported dead as thousands are evacuated...

At least 30,000 buildings have collapsed in Hunan and the western provinces of Guizhou and Sichuan, injuring many who were sleeping inside

... via the Daily Telegraph.

More here from news24.com...

Thousands of people perish every year from floods, landslides and mudflows in China, with millions left homeless, but officials have warned this year could be worse than usual.

Last month Qin Dahe, a top official at the China Meteorological Administration, warned of an "apocalyptic" summer of severe drought and floods.

"China may face a grim situation from seasonal floods or drought this year with potential damage worse than that of last year," he said.

The China Daily, citing Qin, reported on Thursday that two massive rain belts are predicted from the south along the Yangtze River to the north on the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River.

SOMALIA: Flooding displaces thousands in Beletweyne

In south-central Somalia the Shabelle River has burst its banks...

The floods had "displaced around 5,000 families in and around Beletweyne" and destroyed 2,500 ha of farmland in the Hiiraan region.

"Most of those displaced not only lost their homes but also their livelihoods. Many were farmers, and their farms and crops are underwater," he said.

... via Alert Net.org.

BANGLADESH: Monsoon's Deluge Kills 13

The perennial threat of seasonal flooding looms large in Bangladesh. This year proves to be no different...

People drowned or died of lightning and house collapse as the Manu river breached an embankment in Moulvi Bazar, 215 km northeast of the capital, Dhaka.

"Suddenly the flood came in and washed away my home and my cattle. Now I have taken shelter with my children in this school," said Nioti Rani Malkar, a resident of Mouliv Bazar.

... via webindia123.com.

ABC of conflict and disasters

Anthony D Redmond pens an informative article detailing natural disasters from a medical/rescue standpoint. Read and be prepared.

Concerning the rescue timeline after earthquakes he writes...

Most successful rescues take place within the first 24 hours. Most lives are saved by the immediate actions of survivors. Local authorities implement the second phase, when a more coordinated response is established with local rescue teams joining the survivors. In the third phase more intensive and focused efforts are supplemented with extra help from other areas. The fourth and final phase involves the provision of specialist aid for rescuing people deeply entrapped.

... via British Medical Journal.com.

USA: Southern Utah braces for Floods

With temperatures rising, snowmelt has begun to swell the Virgin River. Local populations prepare for possible complications.

TAIWAN: Torrential rains continue

A round up of flooding fatalities and accidents in Taiwan. In addition to the human victims, animals have been effected as well. Mainly - 60,000 drowned chickens.

Torrential rains continued to cause considerable damage to highways, bridges, and farms around the island yesterday, as treacherous weather conditions continued for a second day. Six people are currently missing and may have died in a number of incidents around the island, according to an initial police report.

... via etaiwannews.com.