Monday, August 01, 2022

New wildfires rage in France and Portugal as temperatures spike

new-wildfires-rage-in-france-and-portugal-as-temperatures-spike
A man watches as smoke rises from a wildfire in Venda do Pinheiro in Mafra, Portugal on July 31, 2022. © Pedro Nunes, Reuters 
Portugal and France on Sunday battled major forest fires as temperatures rose sharply this weekend.

In Portugal, a blaze broke out in the Mafra area, north of Lisbon, while in France at least four firefighters were seriously injured and motorways were closed.

Around 400 firefighters were drafted in to fight the blaze around 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Lisbon.

Residents tried to slow the advance of the flames by hosing their gardens, as the flames also swept through neighbouring forests, according to television images.

A retirement home housing 30 people was evacuated as a precautionary measure, Commander Paulo Santos of the Civil Protection Authority told Renascenca radio.

Elsewhere, other major outbreaks raged in northern and central Portugal, requiring over 1,000 firefighters.

In central Ourem, a river beach was also evacuated as a precaution, while two people suffered smoke inhalation, according to an emergency official quoted by the Lusa agency.

Parts of northern and central Portugal were placed on alert this weekend in the face of “steep temperature rises” to more than 40 degrees Celsius, (104 degrees Fahrenheit) expected to last until at least Tuesday, according to the meteorological institute.

Experts blame climate change for the soaring temperatures—and warn that worse is yet to come.

Portugal, which remains traumatised by the deadly fires of 2017 which killed more than 100 people, was also hit in early July by a series of fires fanned by scorching temperatures.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 58,000 hectares (143,000 acres) have gone up in smoke, according to the latest, still provisional, data from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF).

New fires, meanwhile, broke out in southeastern France on Sunday, with 350 hectares burned in Gard where a firefighter was seriously injured, and 35 hectares near Marseille hit, causing the partial closures of motorways.

“Four firefighters are injured,” announced Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin in a tweet about the fire which broke out around 3:00 pm in a pine forest in the town of Aubais, south of Nimes.

One of them was “seriously injured” and had to be evacuated by helicopter to the Montpellier hospital centre for burns to the hands and face.

The others were more slightly injured following a reversal of the flames by the wind which partly destroyed their vehicle, Eric Agrinier, who coordinated the operations, told AFP.

(AFP)


California wildfire: McKinney Fire spreads rapidly in north of state

By Alys Davies
BBC News




  • Published


Wildfire in California grows to more than 50,000 acres in 48 hours.

Hundreds of firefighters in California are battling the largest wildfire to spread in the state so far this year.

The McKinney Fire, which started in the northern Siskiyou county on Friday, has already burnt 21,000 hectares (52,500 acres), the state's fire service said.

At least 2,000 residents as well as trekkers on the Pacific Crest hiking trail have left the area, authorities say. Homes have been destroyed.

It was 0% contained as of Sunday, the emergency service's latest report said.

A red flag warning indicating the threat of dangerous fire conditions is in place, as California suffers from persistent drought conditions.

A state of emergency was declared in Siskiyou county on Saturday, after homes were destroyed and infrastructure was threatened, state governor Gavin Newsom said.

The fire was "intensified and spread by dry fuels, extreme drought conditions, high temperatures, winds and lightning storms", he added.

Authorities warn that possible thunderstorms could result in more fires developing in the coming days.

The US Forest Service warned that conditions could be "extremely dangerous for firefighters, as winds can be erratic, and extremely strong, causing the fire to spread in any direction".

Meteorologist Brad Schaaf told the New York Times, however, that smoke from the McKinney blaze could lower temperatures, which would then counteract some of the dangerous "thunderstorm ingredients".

The fire is the second major blaze to hit the state in recent days. The Oak Fire, near Yosemite National Park, is still roaring after eight days but has been 67% contained, the fire department Cal Fire said.

California, which is facing serious drought conditions, still has months of its fire season ahead.

Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires.

The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

Iran Flash Flooding and Mudslides Leave at Least 69 People Dead
MIDDLE EAST
Jul 31, 2022
A rescue helicopter positioned on the bank of a river, after flooding caused by heavy rainfall in southern Iran's Estahban county, on July 23, 2022.
 (Mohammad Ali Mohammadi/AFP via Getty Images)

At least 69 people have been killed in flooding and landslides that hit cities across Iran, Iran’s Crisis Management Organization said on Sunday.

Nezhad Jahani, a senior official at the organization, said at least 45 people are still missing in Tehran and three other provinces following the recent floods, which damaged at least 20,000 residential homes.

More than 20 provinces, including the Tehran province, have been affected by the floods that were caused by heavy rainfall, semi-official Fars news agency said. Several airports and main highways were closed and thousands of people evacuated.

State-media said the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told ministers and governors to prepare measures that would minimize damage resulting from flooding, as the Iranian Meteorological Organization warned the rain would continue across several provinces.

Iran has been battling deadly floods and mudslides for two weeks, including in the country’s south. The Red Crescent said the damage in the southern Fars province was caused by flooding from a dam on the Rodbal River near the city of Estahban.

The CNN Wire contributed to this report.


Flooded Kentucky Communities Grapple With More Rain as Death Toll Rises to 35

“If things weren’t hard enough on the people of this region, they’re getting rain right now,” Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday at the capital


By Rebecca Reynolds 
Appalshop via AP
The flooded Appalshop building is seen in Whitesburg, Kentucky. The cultural center known for chronicling Appalachian life is cleaning up and assessing its losses. Like much of its stricken region, Appalshop has been swamped by historic flooding.


Another round of rainstorms hit flooded Kentucky mountain communities Monday as more bodies emerged from the sodden landscape, and the governor warned that high winds could bring another threat — falling trees and utility poles.

Gov. Andy Beshear said 35 people have already been killed amid the rising water while hundreds of others remain unaccounted for.

Radar indicated that up to 4 more inches (10.2 centimeters) of rain fell Sunday, and the National Weather Service warned that slow-moving showers and thunderstorms could provoke more flash flooding through Tuesday morning.

“If things weren’t hard enough on the people of this region, they’re getting rain right now,” Beshear said Monday at the capital. “Just as concerning is high winds -- think about how saturated the ground has been -- it could knock over poles, it could knock over trees, so people need to be careful. And it’s even going to get tougher when the rain stops. It’s going to get really hot, and we need to make sure people are ultimately stable by that point.”

An approaching heat wave means “it’s even going to get tougher when the rain stops,” the governor said. "It’s going to get really hot, and we need to make sure people are ultimately stable by that point.”

More than 12,000 customers remained without power, many because their homes and businesses have been destroyed or are unfit for habitation. At least 300 people were staying in shelters.

The floods were unleashed last week when 8 to 10 1/2 inches (20 to 27 centimeters) of rain fell in just 48 hours in parts of eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia and western Virginia

The floodwaters also swept away some of the region’s irreplaceable history. Appalshop, a cultural center known for chronicling Appalachian life, was assessing extensive damage at its repository, where historic documents and artifacts were flushed out of the building.

While touring the disaster area Sunday, Beshear said he saw how people have been helping their neighbors.

"These are amazing folks. They’re hurting, but they’re strong. And it’s amazing to see them helping each other, even when they’ve got nothing left,” he said.

About 400 people have been rescued by helicopter, according to Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the U.S. National Guard Bureau.

“In light of the devastation, the response is going pretty well," he said Sunday.

The governor canceled a trip to Israel that was scheduled for later this week, saying he could not travel overseas "while the people of eastern Kentucky are suffering."

Meanwhile, nighttime curfews were declared in response to reports of looting in two of the devastated communities — Breathitt County and the nearby city of Hindman in Knott County.

Flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. Learn what you should do if you are caught in the middle of a flash flood.

Breathitt County declared a countywide curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., County Attorney Brendon Miller said Sunday evening in a Facebook post. The only exceptions were for emergency vehicles, first responders, and people traveling for work.

“I hate to have to impose a curfew, but looting will absolutely not be tolerated. Our friends and neighbors have lost so much. We cannot stand by and allow them to lose what they have left,” the post said.

Hindman Mayor Tracy Neice also announced a sunset-to-sunrise curfew because of looting, television station WYMT reported. Both curfews will remain in place until further notice, officials said.

Last week’s flooding extended to West Virginia, where Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for six southern counties, and to Virginia, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a similar declaration that enabled officials to mobilize resources across the flooded southwest portion of the state.

President Joe Biden declared a federal disaster to direct relief money to flooded counties, and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials were helping with the recovery efforts.



Associated Press contributors include Dylan Lovan in Louisville, Mike Pesoli airborne with the National Guard and Julie Walker in Washington.

Copyright AP - Associated Press

PM reviews relief work in flood-hit Balochistan as death toll rises past 130

 Published August 1, 2022  

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets residents of flood-affected areas in Qilla Saifullah. —

 Photo courtesy: Government of Pakistan/Twitter

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached Quetta on a day-long visit on Monday to oversee relief operations in flood-affected areas of Balochistan.

The prime minister’s visit comes as nine more people died in rain-related incidents in Balochistan over the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 136, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

Speaking to the media during a visit to a tent city set up for flood-affected citizens in Qila Saifullah district, the PM sought action against officials for their failure to provide people with food and water.

“During my visit here and to other camps, I have been told the people are not being provided food and water […]. People clearly said they were not getting any food and water and when I asked them how were they managing, they said they had to send someone back home to fetch food,” PM Shehbaz said.

“It is extremely unfortunate that these camps are without food and water,” he lamented.

The premier said immediate action should be taken against the district administrations concerned, adding that Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo had assured him that action would initiated against those responsible.

The prime minister said he had issued directives to ensure food was provided at relief camps from today.

CM Bizenjo, who was also present on the occasion, then directed the provincial chief secretary to suspend the officials concerned if food was not being provided at the relief camps.

“We were told people have been given one-month’s ration,” he said, instructing the chief secretary to probe the matter and suspend the relevant deputy commissioner (DC), tehsildar, PDMA in-charge and relevant team if food was not available.

“They are all suspended and action will be taken against them,” he assured the prime minister.

The chief minister reiterated that if proper relief was not being provided at any camp, the relevant DC and other officials should consider themselves suspended.

Earlier, the PM also expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of patients’ records at medical camps in tent cities and asked the CM to take action regarding this.

He further called for an inquiry to determine whether people were being actually treated at these medical camps or “if it was all on paper”.

He said the federal and provincial government would work together to rehabilitate families and the infrastructure affected by the rains and subsequent floods.

“The federal government has announced Rs1 million in compensation and the provincial government has already disbursed Rs1m,” he said, adding that a compensatory amount of Rs200,000 would be given for a partially damaged house and Rs500,000 for a completely damaged house.

Prior to the media talk, the PM was briefed about relief operations in the area, DawnNewsTv reported.

During the briefing, which was aired on television, the PM was told that four relief camps had been set up in Balochistan — in Qila Saifullah, Quetta, Kech and Lasbela.

He was informed that livestock and crops had also been damaged but an accurate assessment of the damaged caused would be carried out after conducting a survey in the third phase of the relief operation.

NDMA, PDMA to hold joint survey of damages

Later in the day, the prime minister, along with CM Bizenjo, headed to Chaman where he met locals affected by the floods and assured them that the provincial and federal governments were working “day and night” for them.

“Today, I want to tell you that during this time of hardship, not just the federal and provincial governments, but all the institutions of the country are here to help you.”

PM Shehbaz said that he was aware of the destruction floods had ensued in the province, promising that the government would compensate for all the losses incurred by the people.

“I have instructed the PDMA and NDMA to conduct a joint survey of damages to crops, bridges, and roads across the province using satellite images,” he said.

“I also request General Bajwa to instruct his corps commanders to help us in the survey,” the PM went on, adding that once completed, the survey report will be sent to the governments for compensation of the damages.

This is PM Shehbaz’s second trip to Balochistan within the span of a week to oversee relief efforts.

He had visited the flood-affected areas of the province on Saturday and assured flood victims of all possible help and cooperation in their rescue and rehabilitation.

NDMA chairman brief PM

On this trip, PM Shehbaz is accompanied by Defence Production Minister Israr Tareen, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Housing and Works Minister Maulana Abdul Wasay, Narcotics Control Minister Shahzain Bugti, Minister of State for Energy Mohammad Hashim Notezai, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal MNA Salahuddin Ayubi and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz.

During their flight to Quetta, the NDMA chairman briefed the premier on relief and rescue activities under way in Balochistan.

He was later given a detailed briefing by the NDMA after landing in Quetta, following which is issued directives for the immediate disbursement of financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives due to rains and floods, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.

The prime minister announced on the occasion that the government had increased the amount of financial assistance for individuals whose houses had been damaged by rains to Rs500,000, the Radio Pakistan report said.

It added that PM Shehbaz also instructed relevant officials to increase the number of medical camps in flood-affected areas to that people could get timely medical assistance.

He said heavy monsoon rains had badly affected the infrastructure in the province and caused loss of human life, assuring the both federal and provincial government were committed to rehabilitating every family affected by rains and floods.

Rains, floods wreak havoc in Balochistan

According to the latest PDMA report, 136 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Balochistan since June 1, while 70 others have been injured during this period.

Further, the authority said on Monday that several roads and bridges were washed away by floods. It said that a bridge connecting Lasbela and Sindh, which was damaged seven days ago, had not yet been repaired.

Roads linking Quetta to Ziarat, Chaman and Sibi had also been affected by rains, the authority said.

It said rains had damaged 13,535 houses in the province since June 1, out of which 10,129 were partially damaged and 3,406 were completely destroyed.

The authority said relief activities were under way in the province.

On Sunday, the situation had slightly improved in the province’s Lasbela district, which has faced the worst flooding so far, a Dawn report said. Subsequently, traffic on the Quetta-Karachi highway was restored after almost a week. The highway was badly damaged after collapse of three bridges earlier this month.

Weather forecast

The PDMA report also shared the weather prediction for the next 24 hours. It said that Zhob, Musakhel, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Harnai, Duki Kohlu, Ziarat, Chaman, Qilla Abdullah, Quetta, Mastung and coastal areas of Balochistan were likely to receives isolated heavy showers over the next 24 hours.

Rain-wind and thundershowers were expected in these areas, it said.

It added that while weather was likely to remain hot and humid in most parts of the province over the next 48 to 72 hours, Zhob, Barkhan, Loralai, Ziarat, Harnai and surrounding areas were expected to witness rains and thunderstorm.

All relevant authorities were expected to remain alert during the forecast period, the PDMA said