Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms

Tropical cyclone (tc) 18p (Lusi), located approximately 418 nm east of Noumea, New Caledonia, and is tracking southeastward at 13 knots. Lusi will sustain the current category 3 intensity for at least 12 hours before gradually weakening.

New Zealand’s Civil Defence and councils across the country are preparing for a battering as the tropical cyclone tacks toward New Zealand, bringing heavy rain and winds.

NewsBytes:

Flash flooding in Hail province in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of at least seven people. The authorities have ordered all schools in the region to close.

Avalanches and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three days have claimed the lives of at least 16 people and injured 30 others. Heavy snowfall claimed the lives of three Nepalese workers when their stone quarry caved in near Kargil. Fatalities have been reported on both sides of the de-facto border between India and Pakistan. Complete power breakdown has been reported in Srinagar and the entire Kashmir valley as heavy snowfall damaged Jammu-Srinagar 220 kv and 440 kv transmission lines. A “high danger avalanche” warning has been issued in many parts of the region.

South Africa - Floods ahem inundated Limpopo Province as numerous rivers burst their banks after heavy downpours. The crocodile infested Mogol river has flooded the towns of Ellisras and Vaalwater.