Wildlife

Beavers control flash floods in Scotland

A population of beavers in Scotland that was blamed for flooding may actually be preventing it, a study has shown.

Dams built by beavers in eastern Scotland act like a sponge, experts say, and mitigate flooding by storing and then slowly releasing water.

The presence of the reintroduced animals also benefits the wider environment by improving biodiversity and lowering levels of agricultural pollutants, according to the study published in the journal Freshwater Biology this week.

The research comes after residents in Alyth blamed beavers for flash flooding in July last year, saying some of the debris washed through the village in Perthshire showed signs of being chewed by animals upstream. But in October, experts said beavers were not responsible and the flooding had been caused by heavy rain and a high flow in the river.

Naturalists confirmed last year that more than 150 beavers are living and breeding successfully in the wild in the southern Highlands after escaping from nearby private collections. Ecologists called a reintroduction scheme at Knapdale in Argyll an “outstanding success” after four pairs produced 14 young in five years.

Last year, Natural England agreed to allow wild beavers living in Devon to remain at large after a campaign by conservationists.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Austria - An avalanche at an Austrian resort in the Alps has claimed the lives of five skiers from the Czech Republic. The avalanche in the Tyrol region buried 17 people injuring at least two skiers. Ten people were rescued unhurt. Two ski groups from the Czech Republic were caught up in the snowslide, including two guides. Helicopters and search dogs were deployed to rescue the injured. The entire skiing region has been on a level three avalanche alert and skiers were warned about the avalanche danger by locals.

Scotland - Flooding, gales and snow disrupted travel across Scotland today with ice forecast to cause further problems tonight. Several roads were closed and trains cancelled by flooding, with snow hampering driving over the Drumochter pass on the A9 between Perth and Inverness. Two Met Office yellow - “be aware” - severe weather warnings have been issued, including for winds up to 65mph. However, the impact of the next storm - named today as Imogen - is expected to be limited to southern England and Wales when it arrives tomorrow with winds of up to 80mph.

Malaysia - The flood situation continues unabated in the southern states during the first day of the Chinese New Year. In Malacca, the number of victims increased to 4,600 people (1,005 families) Monday morning from 4,317 (956) Sunday night. In Johor, the floods claimed their first victim, a 14 year old boy.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 09s (Stan), located approximately 97 nm north of Port Hedland, Australia, is tracking south-southeastward at 04 knots.

Stan is expected to become a category three cyclone when it makes landfall near Port Hedland late on Saturday morning.

NewsBytes:

British Columbia, Canada - An avalanche near McBride, British Columbia in Canada has claimed the lives of five people on Friday. Two others were injured.

Scotland = Heavy rain, extremely high winds, blizzards and floods are forecast to batter the north-east today and over the rest of the weekend as Storm Gertrude moves over northern Britain.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Scotland - According to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), heavy rainfall during early Wednesday has led to significant flooding in parts of the area, particularly from the rivers Teviot and Jed in the south west parts of the area. Around 600 people have been evacuated from low-lying parts of Hawick after severe flood warnings were issued in the area.

Gaza - Scores of Palestinian families in Rafah were evacuated yesterday after their homes were flooded by rainwater.

Australia - A freak thunderstorm has wreaked havoc on Geelong, leaving cars submerged in floodwaters and houses inundated. More than double the month’s average rainfall of 31mm pelted Avalon in just one hour, with the day’s total reaching 72mm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The bureau said the afternoon’s rainfall was “equivalent to a one-in-100-year event”.

Disease

Bird Flu in Scotland

An outbreak of bird flu has been detected in chickens at a farm in Fife, the Scottish government has warned. 40 000 birds are to be culled and an 1km exclusion zone has been created around the affected farm.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 06p (Ula), is located approximately 227 nm south of Suva, Fiji, and is tracking west-northwestward at 03 knots.

NewsBytes:

Scotland - A 16th century castle in Scotland is on the verge of collapse after chunks of soil were washed away by floods, threatening its foundations. Abergeldie Castle was evacuated after the River Dee washed away about 60 feet of land.

El Niño peaks, expected to decline in coming months

El Niño, which disrupted weather worldwide last year, has peaked. Now forecasters are predicting what may be next for the world’s climate.

A number of El Niño-Southern Oscillation indicators suggest that the 2015–16 El Niño has peaked and weather models predict it will decline in coming months, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said on its website on Tuesday. Conditions will return to neutral during the second quarter with a chance of La Nina in the second half of 2016, it said.

La Nina is a cooling in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, sometimes thought of as El Niño’s opposite. The two are extreme phases of a naturally occurring cycle, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Based on the 26 Niño events since 1900, about 50% have been followed by a neutral year with 40 by La Nina, according to Australia’s weather bureau.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 06p (Ula), is located approximately 256 nm south of Suva, Fiji, and is tracking southwestward at 04 knots.

NewsBytes:

Scotland - The warnings, which mean flooding is expected, are mostly for the Tayside, Angus, and Dundee areas, as well as Aberdeen and Ballater in Aberdeenshire. The rain is less intense but more prolonged than during Storm Frank.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 05a (Megh), located approximately 15 nm northeast of Aden, Yemen, is tracking westward at 17 knots.

Tropical Storm Kate is located about 280 mi...450 km NNE of the northwestern Bahamas and about 695 mi...1120 km WSW of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement...N or 10 degrees at 17 mph...28 km/h.

NewsBytes:

Iraq - The Iraqi Ministry of Health said 69 people have died across the country over the past two weeks, due to a combination of the country's dilapidated electrical grid and heavy rains that overwhelmed sewer systems. Many died in their homes as they waded through flooded first-floor rooms. Others were electrocuted in the city streets where electrical lines are haphazard and jerry-rigged, connecting homes to the municipal grid and a network of generators. Most homes in Baghdad receive only nine to 14 hours of electricity a day from the government.

Scotland - Parts of Scotland have been left under water and homes plunged into darkness after the country was battered by torrential rains and strong winds.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical storm 09w (Chan-Hom), located approximately 450 nm southeast of Kadena AB, is tracking northwestward at 11 knots.

Tropical storm 10w (Linfa), located approximately 251 nm southwest of Taipei, Taiwan, is tracking northward at 03 knots.

Tropical storm 11w (Nangka), located approximately 238 nm east of Saipan, is tracking westward at 08 knots.

Invest 96E strengthens to become Tropical Depression Four-E located about 925 mi E of Hilo Hawaii and about 1120 mi E of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...NW or 315 degrees at 17 mph...28 km/h.

Invest 91C remains an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific which have the potential for tropical development.

NewsBytes:

Pakistan - Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains have claimed the lives of at least eight people in different areas of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. At least 16 people have been rescued after floodwaters swept them away. Terrified residents were seen sitting on roofs as floodwaters surged through the streets in Rawalpindi.

Scotland - Cars were submerged in water and shops were forced to close in Aberdeen yesterday after heavy rain. The flooding has caused problems on the roads all across the city and flooded the airport terminal.

Wildfires

Forest Fire - New Zealand

Firefighters with the help of five helicopters are fighting a forest fire east of Martinborough in the Wairarapa area, New Zealand.

Other News:

Wildfires still burn in St. Lucie County, Florida, USA.

Firefighters are still battling to control the wildfires in Scotland.

Storms and Floods

Flash floods in Mauritius

Massive flash flooding in Mauritius has claimed eight lives. The floods have injured 82 others. Six people died in the flooding in Caudan underground tunnel.

Several accidents have been reported across Mauritius. Dozens of vehicles collided each other at Port Louis.

Lightning strikes in Uttar Pradesh, India

Lightning strikes have claimed eight lives and injured nine others. Lightning claimed three lives in Chandauli and Meerut each, two in Ghazipur and one in Sambhal.

Avalanche close to the Glencoe Ski Centre, Scotland

One person is reported to be missing in an avalanche in the Etive Glades, close to Glencoe Ski Centre.

Around 30 people including Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team are involved in the search operation.

Other News

North Dakota Governor has declared a state wide flood emergency. The worst spring flooding is expected on the Red River in eastern North Dakota, USA.

Tornado in Hokitika, New Zealand has injured one person. The twister touched down about at 12.30am and tore off roofs from several houses including Railway Hotel Motel in Weld Street.

Wildfires

Wildfires in Scotland

Firefighters have been tackling a number of large wildfires across the Highlands in Scotland. In one area the flames were two miles wide and were so close to the village, the residents were told to be on standby in case they needed evacuate their homes.

Storms and Floods

Avalanches

Avalanche in Uttarakhand, India

Avalanche in Dehradun district of India killed two people. Both fatalities were from Lohari village going to Bagni village to celebrate Magh festival.

They were buried under 3 ft of snow near Chuirmari Dhang.

Avalanche in Cairngorms, Scotland

Avalanche in the Coire an t-Sneachda area of Cairngorms, Scotland injured three people.

Three mountaineers were airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Storms and Floods

Flooding in Kruger National Park, South Africa

-Flooding has mainly affected the eastern entrance to Kruger National Park.

-The river near the Malelane gate has swollen and flooded Kruger National Park.

-The Crocodile bridge has also flooded. -Heavy rains have also flooded Carltonville, west of Johannesburg.

Avalanche in Glencoe, Scotland

-Three climbers are reported to be missing in Scotland.

-Avalanche hit Bidean nam Bian, Glencoe, Scotland at about 14:00.

-Two other climbers were rescued who are currently being treated in Belford hospital in Fort William.

-Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams along with police search and rescue dogs are searching the missing climbers.

Europe Hit By Blizzards

-Extreme winter weather swept across western Europe on Saturday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at London's main international airport and claiming several lives in Spain, Portugal, Scotland and France, including those of three Mali-bound soldiers.

-The frigid temperatures also caused delays and cancellations on major railway lines including the Eurostar train service, and transport authorities warned of further traffic disruptions with more blizzards forecast for Sunday.

Zimbabwe: Floods, Lightning Claim 124 Lives

-Eighty-six people have drowned while 38 others were struck by lightning across the country since the beginning of the rainy season. The heavy rains have also destroyed 180 houses in Tsholotsho, leaving most of the families homeless. In Beitbridge district, the rains have caused widespread damage to roads leaving some areas impassable.

-Major rivers in Gokwe such as Ume, Sesame and Sengwa were in flood. Several people were reportedly marooned on islands in some of them.

-People in the areas have been urged to desist from water-related activities along the rivers.

Storms and Floods

Snowstorms in Russia

-Snowstorms in Russia have killed 21 people. Other 147 others were hospitalized with frostbite.

-Daytime temperatures vary from -17 to -20 in Moscow and minus 50 in Siberia.

- Ice from the local river has plugged water pipes. People in town of Balashov, Saratov region were left without water.

 

Flooding in Cork and Waterford, Ireland

-Heavy rainfall caused flooding in Cork and Waterford region of Ireland.

-Rain water also caused flooding on the Killarney Road at the Racecourse in Mallow.

-Ballea Road from Carrigaline to Ballygarvan is impassable. Flood affected Waterford in Dungarvan at Garrenbane School.

Flooding in Scotland, United Kingdom

-The Met Office has issued 24-hour severe weather alert for flooding in the east from midnight. Rainfall up to 50mm is forecast.

Snowstorms in Colorado, USA

-Heavy snowstorm caused delay of flights at Denver International Airport.

-The National Weather Service has forecast 3-8 inches of snow in southern Utah and northern Arizona from Tuesday to Wednesday, and 6-8 inches of snow in some parts of Colorado.

-The Utah Avalanche Center has also issued a warning for dangerous backcountry snowslides in northern Utah's mountains.

Death toll from Sri Lanka flood has risen to 16. Other 14 are still reported to be missing. Following Disaster Management Centre, some 175,558 individuals are reported to be affected by the floods.

The remains of tropical cyclone Evan are forecast to bring heavy rain over Manawatu on New Zealand's North Island on Christmas Day. Tropical Cyclone Evan is increasingly likely to pass close to northern New Zealand. Evan wreaked havoc in Samoa and Fiji, and forecasts are predicting heavy rain for the north of the North Island on Sunday.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Cyclone Evan

-As of 12:00 UTC, Tropical Cyclone Evan was located 495 nm northeast of Nadi, Fiji.

Flooding in Scotland

-Evacuations due to high tides and flooding in Aberdeenshire and from properties in the Roanheads area.

-Heavy storm also damaged fishing boats in Wick.

-Flood alerts and warnings have been issued in 126 areas across the UK.

Flash floods in Bali, Indonesia

-Heavy rainfall has caused flash floods in at least eight areas in Denpasar.

Flooding in Fiji

-Villagers in Vaturova have been evacuated after heavy rain flooded their village last night.

Typhoon Bopha's death toll has now reached 1,020. With nearly 850 people still missing, the toll is likely to rise further. The storm struck the Philippines on 4 December, with the southern island of Mindanao worst affected. Many of those still unaccounted for are fishermen who went to sea before the storm hit. The storm displaced hundreds of thousands of people and caused severe damage to property and infrastructure. A large relief operation continues. More than 27,000 people remain in evacuation centres, with many more sheltering at the homes of friends and family.

Storms and Floods

Heavy rain causes flooding and road disruption in Scotland. Some train services out of Glasgow have been closed. The River Cree burst its banks and the flooding in Newton Stewart is the worst in 50 years.

 

 

Flooding also occurred:

- in Vernonia, Oregon, USA

- in South Devon, England

- in Sungai Rembau, Malaysia

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storm Rafael forms over eastern Caribbean, the 17th storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season.

Heavy rain and flooding hit large swathes of Scotland, bursting riverbanks, turning roads into torrents and stranding people in their homes.

Storms and Floods

Super Typhoon Jelawat, which has intensified to a Category 5 typhoon with 160 mph winds. Jelawat is Earth's second Category 5 storm of 2012; the other was Super Typhoon Sanba. Jelawat is approaching China's east coastal regions, bringing rain and gales.

Floods and gale force winds wreak havoc on England and Scotland's transport routes. Many people are facing a night in temporary accommodation after a second day of heavy rain brought flooding and travel chaos to parts of the UK.

Tens of thousands of people have been made homeless by heavy monsoon flooding in the Pakistani provinces of Balochistan and Sindh. About 120 000 homes have been destroyed and tens of thousands of tents are now being distributed to flood victims.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storm Ernesto drenches Jamaica and heads for Mexico's Yucatan peninsula.

Tropical Storm Florence weakens in the Atlantic.

Tropical Cyclone Damrey floods Liaoning and Hebei provinces in north-east China.

Heavy rains bring floods to Scotland and south-western England.

Tornado hits northern Yorkshire in England.