Organization of the American States: Disasters this Week
Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Recent Natural Events
Disaster Alert: Severe Drought in Mexico
The country’s worst drought in more than 70 years is devastating water and food supplies throughout Mexico. Thousands of cattle have died and more than two million acres of crops have been destroyed, with northern states seeing record levels of drought. Read
Chihuahua, Mexico – Raramuri communities severely affected by drought. Watch
Durango – Worst drought in 100 years. Read
Alaska Snow Storm 2012: 18 Feet of Snow Bury Small Towns in ‘Snowicane’
January brought cold temperatures and much above average snowfall to parts of Alaska. One of the hardest hit areas was the town of Cordova. Between November, 2011 and early January, more than 18 feet (5.5 meters) of snow fell. Read
In January 6.2 earthquake shakes Peru
The number of injured by the earthquake increased to 150 people. Read
Ecuador: Floods and Landslides
Heavy rains have triggered floods and landslides in the provinces of Guayas, El Oro and Esmeraldas, affecting hundreds of people. Read
The number of casualties went up to 13. Read
29 dead in Brazil floods
January is traditionally a month with heavy rain. A year ago, more than 800 people died because of floods in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Read
Bolivia: Floods – Jan 2012
Cochabamba – Rain and hail affected 65 families and submerged 26 hectares of crops. Read
Overflowing of the Desaguadero river triggered floods in the department of Oruro, affecting 1,093 families in Toledo and Choro (Government). Read
Paraguay: Drought – Jan 2012
On 17 January 2012, the Paraguayan government decreed a state of food security emergency after several months of drought, with levels of precipitations significantly below historical averages. As a result of the weather conditions, some 263,800 families suffered losses in their crops (IFRC, 30 Jan 2012). Read
Other Disasters Related News
Carstens says Mexico’s Historic Drought may hamper inflation expectations
Mexico’s worst drought on record is pushing up food costs and may hamper the country’s efforts to keep inflation expectations in check, central bank Governor Agustin Carstens said. Read
Cloud Seeding – Uncertain Solution for Mexico’s Drought
Half of Mexico endures one of the most severe droughts in its history. Read
Economic and Climate Vulnerabilities Converge in the Caribbean
Caribbean islands are doubly exposed by the convergence of weak economies heavily dependent on foreign imports and greater vulnerability to climate change, according to ECLAC Executive Director Alicia Bárcena. Read
Jamaica must be sensitized about impact of climate change, says new minister
Pickersgill said it costs the country almost $14 billion (US$163 million) for weather related problems per year. Read
January 2012 the fourth warmest for the contiguous United States
During January, warmer-than-average conditions enveloped most of the contiguous United States, with widespread below-average precipitation. Read
Dramatic links found between Climate Change, Elk, Plants, and Birds
Climate change in the form of reduced snowfall in mountains is causing powerful and cascading shifts in mountainous plant and bird communities through the increased ability of elk to stay at high elevations over winter and consume plants. Read
Chilean prosecutor talks about the research on the event occurred in the earthquake and tsunami.
The prosecutor says that with the report, the errors will be acknowledged and responsibilities will be formalized.Read
On behalf of the Section for Risk Management and Adaptation to Climate Change, RISK-MACC, Department of Sustainable Development, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, General Secretariat of the Organization of American States
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Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this bulletin are exclusively those of its authors and sources, and do not represent the opinions or the official position of the Organization of American States, its General Secretariat, or its member States.
