Storms and Floods

Avalanches in the Alps

At least seven people have died in avalanches in the French and Austrian Alps.

Avalanche in the southern French Alps: Four climbers died in Hautes Alpes region. The area is close to Italy.

Avalanche in Tyrol Austria: Three skiers killed including a German skier near the Hoher Riffler peak in Tyrol.

Massive Winter Storm Pounds The Northern United States

The storm has grounded 2600 flights, closed hundreds of schools and made roadways and highways impassible. At least four people were killed on Tuesday in accidents on icy and snow covered roads and highways. More than a dozen states from Minnesota to Virginia were in the path of the huge storm, which had already dumped as much as 60cm of snow in Montana and 38cm in North Dakota.

Another 1162 flights scheduled for Wednesday had already been cancelled, mainly in the Washington area. The storm was expected to hit the nation's capital late Tuesday or early Wednesday, and some Congressional meetings were already being called off.

Floods swamp thousands of homes in Jakarta

More heavy rains have fallen in Jakarta causing floods upstream of Bogor Dam, swamping areas of the capital that had only just recovered from January's major flood. Nearly 6,000 homes have been affected this time, with water up to 2.5 metres deep in places.