Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone (tc) 22s (Joalane), located approximately 517 nm east of Port Louis, Mauritius is tracking east-southeastward at 03 knots.

Tropical cyclone (tc) 23p (Twenty-three), located approximately 581 nm northwest of Noumea, New Caledonia, is tracking southwestward at 10 knots.

NewsBytes:

Britain - ‘Blood rain’ falls on Britain as red Saharan dust blows in from Africa. Storms in the Sahara desert have whipped up sand into a fine dust which is being carried to Britain on northerly winds. When the rain falls it looks a reddish colour and when it dries it leaves a thin layer of dust capable of coating houses, cars and garden furniture. Although it is more common in Spain and the South of France, it has been known to travel longer distances and fall in areas like Scandinavia. In some parts of India the colour has been vibrant enough to stain clothing. In ancient times ‘blood rain’ was believed to be actual blood and considered a bad omen, heralding death and destruction. It is mentioned in Homer’s Iliad and in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s tales of King Arthur.

Illinois, USA - A tornado touched down near Rochelle, Illinois, Thursday evening, leaving one dead, as well as substantial damage. The fatality took place in Fairdale, about 60 miles northwest of Chicago. A large twister crossed Interstate 39, and the tiny hamlet of Fairdale in DeKalb County took a direct hit. "All structures in town are damaged." The tornado was one of several that were spun off across Illinois and Iowa on the second day of a monster storm system that has peppered a 1,500-mile arc with grapefruit-size hail and winds up to 80 mph from Texas up to the Great Lakes and across to North Carolina.

Myanmar - A landslide in a jade mining area in Phakant, Myanmar has left nearly 70 people missing. The bank of a 15.25-meter-high jade mining burrow collapsed near Lonekhin village in Phakant. Rescue efforts continue.