storm sweeps across Nepal

We were following this FREAK storm crossing much of Nepal till morning of 3-May-09, and later in afternoon the remnants of it erupted as HUGE electric storms over Bihar, west bengal and Bangladesh.

At least seven people were killed and dozens injured by a storm which struck many places in Nepal, officials said Sunday.

In Rautahat district, about 120 km southeast of the capital Kathmandu, at least five people, including four children, were killed when they were crushed by a roof which collapsed after the storm hit the area, the police said.

'The five were crushed by a falling roof after their homes were damaged by the strong winds,' said Ghananand Bhatta, Superintendent of Police of Rautahat district. 'More than 70 people were injured either by flying debris or were caught in collapsed houses.'

Police said nearly 400 houses in four villages were damaged by the storm which hit the district early Sunday morning.

Two more people died in Gorkha district, about 120 km west of Kathmandu, when they were struck by lightning. In the eastern district of Mohattari, seven students were injured in a wall collapse.

The country's meterological department said the storm system had now moved away into northeastern India.

'The storm was produced by a major system which affected much of the country Saturday night and Sunday morning,' meteorologist K.B. Malla said. 'It was accompanied by strong winds and heavy rains in some areas.'

Malla estimated that wind gusts of up to 60 km per hour accompanied the storm, but said a full report was only expected later Sunday.

Natural disasters killed 220,000 in 2008

Original from: http://www.canada.com/news/world/Natural+disasters+killed+2008/1123474/story.html

Natural disasters killed over 220,000 people in 2008, making it one of the most devastating years on record and underlining the need for a global climate deal, the world's number two reinsurer said Monday.

Although the number of natural disasters was lower than in 2007, the catastrophes that occurred proved to be more destructive in terms of the number of victims and the financial cost of the damage caused, Germany-based Munich Re said in its annual assessment.

"This continues the long-term trend we have been observing. Climate change has already started and is very probably contributing to increasingly frequent weather extremes and ensuing natural catastrophes," Munich Re board member Torsten Jeworrek said.

Most devastating in terms of human fatalities was Cyclone Nargis, which lashed Myanmar on May 2-3 to kill more than 135,000 people and leave more than one million homeless.

Just days later an earthquake shook China's Sichuan province, leaving 70,000 dead, 18,000 missing and almost five million homeless, according to official figures, Munich Re said.

Around 1,000 people died in a severe cold snap in January in Afghanistan, Kyrgystan and Tajikistan, while 635 perished in August and September in floods in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Typhoon Fengshen killed 557 people in China and the Philippines in June, while earthquakes in Pakistan in October left 300 dead.

Six tropical cyclones also slammed into the southern United States, including Ike which, with insured losses of 10 billion dollars, was the industry's costliest catastrophe of the year.

In Europe, an intense low-pressure system called Emma caused two billion dollars worth of damage in March, while a storm dubbed Hilal in late May and early June left 1.1 billion dollars' worth.

The earthquake in Sichuan province was the most expensive overall single catastrophe of 2008, causing around 85 billion dollars worth of damage, helping to make the year the third most expensive on record, Munich Re said.

With 200 billion dollars' worth of damage, only 2005, when a large number of hurricanes slammed into the southern United States, and 1995, year of the Kobe earthquake in Japan, wreaked more destruction since records began in 1900.

According to provisional estimates from the World Meteorological Organization, 2008 was the tenth warmest year since the beginning of routine temperature recording and the eighth warmest in the northern hemisphere.

This means that the ten warmest years ever recorded have all occurred in the last 12 years, Munich Re said.

"It is now very probable that the progressive warming of the atmosphere is due to the greenhouse gases emitted by human activity. The weather machine is running in top gear, bringing more intense severe weather events," it said.

The number of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic in 2008 was much higher than the long-term average, and in terms of both the total number of storms and the number of major hurricanes, 2008 was the fourth most severe hurricane season since reliable data have been available, it said.

The world needed "effective and binding rules on CO2 emissions, so that climate change is curbed and future generations do not have to live with weather scenarios that are difficult to control," board member Jeworrek said.

Last December, the international community agreed in Bali on a two-year roadmap culminating in a new global climate deal to be signed in Copenhagen in December 2009.

Unprecedented in scale and complexity, this accord, due to take effect from 2012, is meant to rein in the greenhouse gases that stoke global warming and throw a lifeline to poor countries exposed to mutated weather patterns.

Heavy rainfall, gale affect life in Manipur

Imphal, Heavy rainfall and gale since the past 24 hours has disrupted life as trees were uprooted and electric wires snapped in several parts of the state.

Power supply remained cut off in some parts of the state today.

Meanwhile, the weather remained gloomy with the maximum temperature recorded at 24 degrees Celsius while the minimum was 18 degrees Celsius.

The humidity was about 90 per cent along with poor visibility at around four km.

However, the weather was calmer this noon though more rain is forecast during the next few days, Met officials said

Huge thunder cell over Bihar

A super HOT day over most of India.
And a Super Thunder cell formed and drenched parts of southern Bihar, West Bengal and Over Central Bangladesh.
More thunder storms were visible over parts of Rajasthan and southern Karnataka

A summer that spelt cruelty -- 03-Jun-2001, The Hindu

Original from: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/06/03/stories/0403401z.htm

CHENNAI, JUNE 2. After two years of ``softer seasons,'' summer this year, especially the period of ``Agni Natchatram'' which ended on Monday, proved extremely unkind to Chennai, as the city experienced one of the severest heat wave spells this time.

So far this month, the maximum temperature exceeded 40 degree Celsius for 12 days in Nungambakkam and for 14 days in the Meenambakkam weather station. Last year, Numgambakkam had only five such days and Meenambakkam eight days. In 1999, only one day in Nungambakkam and two days in Meenambakkam, saw the barometer cross the 40 degree C mark.

It was in 1998 that both observatories witnessed the maximum temperature going beyond 40 degree Celsius for a period ranging from 10 to 15 days. At that time, the season was at its peak in the second half of May.

Considered the hottest spell during summer as per the Hindu almanac, the ``Agni Natchatram or Khatri'' season, started on May 4. With this period ending today, the general expectation among the city residents is that the heat wave spell will also end in Chennai and its suburbs.

Though the Meteorological Department does not attach any significance to the Khatri season, ``we regard May as the peak summer for Chennai'', Mr.S.K. Subramanian, Director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre, says.

This month, the maximum temperature of 44.1 degree Celsius was registered in Meenambakkam on May 12. The next day, Nungambakkam saw the mercury touching 43.1 degree Celsius. Two days later, Tambaram, where the Air Force runs a weather unit, recorded 43.6 degree Celsius.

The city's peak summer spell was between May 12 and 16 when the temperature in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam hovered around 40 degree Celsius and 44 degree Celsius, for four successive days. After a day's break, the mercury table went up in the two observatories for the next three days and ranged from 40 to 42 degree Celsius. Between May 21 and 24, the weather was milder as the maximum temperature was below 40 degree Celsius in the two areas. From May 25 to 27, the table rose again and was in the range of 40 degree Celsius to 41 degree Celsius.

MJO "wet phase" and "Present temperature"

MJO - 40 day forecast predicts a GOOD wet phase from 12-May-09 to 25-May-09.

Take a look...

We do not what it is going to be for Indian sub-continent... May be a early setting of South-west monsoon..???

At present though it's severe heat thru out central, northern and south-central sub-continent.

Here's the Temperature chart for today.

Chennai is clear and Hazy and will be for next 5 days.

Max termperature is around 37, 38 deg celcius, this is mostly due to a intermittent cold wind from South-east from the Bay.

Once this stops, we'll have a record breaking 43 deg celcius. Chennai people, expect this soon.

For tamilnadu "Agni Natchatram" is starting from 4-May-09

For your info:

Agni Natchatram:
The hottest part of the summer; it is forecast in the Almanac. Prayers are offered to God to lessen the intensity of the heat

Indian summer and Swine Flu

A searing hot day, with mercury climbing to 43.5 degree Celsius, might be far from a perfect day. But it might prove to be a shield

against the latest health scare to hit the world. The H1N1 swine flu virus finds it difficult to survive high temperatures.

The heat wave presently gripping northern India and the rising temperatures in other parts of the country, may be a boon against swine flu infection.

Communicable disease experts say rising temperatures make it very difficult, especially for influenza viruses, to survive.

Speaking to TOI, Dr Khanchit Limpakarnjanarat, regional advisor for communicable diseases at the World Health Organization's regional office for South-East Asia, said, "When we cough, the virus may fall on the floor. In such high temperatures, the virus can't survive in the open and perishes. A slightly cold weather is most suitable for the virus to survive in the environment and live longer."

"However, if the virus already exists inside humans, it can continue to transmit from human to human through cough and sneeze, irrespective of the weather," Dr Limpakarnjanarat added.

According to Dr Jai P Narain, director of communicable diseases at WHO SEARO, "The H1N1 swine flu virus, like any other influenza virus, is most likely to die as temperatures soar. However, very little is known about the H1N1 swine flu strain, which is a mix of avian, human and swine flu genes. Since it is a new virus, we can just hope that it is susceptible to heat."

Experts from India's National Institute of Communicable Diseases also said that "influenza viruses peak during winter and cooler climates and disappear during summer".

"The virus that exists in the droplets of your nose or moth get killed when it is released in the environment. This is our experience with seasonal flu."

Heat wave scorching North India

Original from: http://www.samaylive.com/news/heat-wave-scorching-north-india/622700.html

New Delhi: Searing heat continued to scorch the plains of north India as temperatures remained above 40 degrees Celsius with no relief offered by the met office from the heat wave conditions.
In Delhi, the maximum temperature Friday was 44 degrees Celsius, a good five degrees above normal. Delhhiites had a tough time beating the heat with many trying their best to stay indoors or taking ample precautions if they had to venture out.


Radhika Sharma, a second year Delhi University Student who had an exam Friday said she couldn't stop sipping water every few minutes while writing her exam.


"It was so irritating. Every few minutes my throat would go absolutely dry and I had to keep sipping water. It just became next to impossible to concentrate," Sharma told IANS.


For rickshaw puller Raju Misra, all efforts to keep the heat at bay proved futile.


"I kept soaking my towel in water and wrapped it around myself to get some relief from the extreme heat. But all this brings only temporary relief," Misra, with a cloth masking half his face, said.


With mercury levels soaring, the union territory of Chandigarh and its neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana also sizzled in the heat.


The town of Hisar in Haryana was the hottest Friday at 45 degrees, which was five degrees above normal.


According to Met officials, the mercury will stay above 40 degrees Celsius in this region, clearly three to seven degrees above normal for this time of year.


Chandigarh recorded 42 degrees Celsius, six degrees above normal, Thursday.


Furthermore, with temperatures soaring over 43 degrees Celsius for the third consecutive day, the summer heat became increasingly intolerable in most parts of Uttar Pradesh.


"If such extreme heat conditions persist, we may consider early closure of schools for the summer vacations," Lucknow district magistrate Chandra Bhanu told IANS.


"We are also going to put up drinking water facilities along the roads in different parts of the state capital," he added.


In the desert state of Rajasthan, Pilani was the hottest city with day temperatures touching 47.1 degree Celsius Thursday. The state capital Jaipur was also sizzling at 44 degrees which was six degrees above normal.


"In view of the scorching heat I have changed my timings. I do some of my work before 11 a.m. and start again after 6 p.m.," said Ravi Singh, a direct marketing executive.


Some of the schools have also changed their timings from seven to noon while others are planning to declare early vacations because of the heat wave.


The weather officials said the weather condition over the entire northern region is dry and, therefore, the heat wave is likely to continue.

How to Survive a Monsoon

1. Step 1
2. Prepare for monsoon season by storing food and supplies. Food should be non-perishable and easily prepared. Supplies should be battery powered or mechanical.
3. Step 2

   Check your house for any weaknesses. Reinforce windows if necessary. Secure outdoor furniture or bring it inside. Clear any trees or garbage that could be caught in the wind.

4. Step 3

   Fill everything that can be used as a container with drinking water because the overflow from the rains can introduce contaminants into tap water. The first thing you need in order to survive is water.

5. Step 4

   Repair leaks as soon as possible. Dry the area immediately to prevent further damage or the growth of mold.

6. Step 5

   Stay inside as much as possible during monsoon season. Most of the risks to your health are outside.

7. Step 6

   Listen for emergency instructions on the radio or television. Follow official recommendations for continued safety.

What is "weather radio" and "How to use it?"

1. Weather hazards are a part of life no matter where you live. In addition to weather alerts on the regular media, the NOAA's National Weather Service issues broadcasts through National Weather Radio that can only be picked up by a weather radio. Weather radios come in handy, so learn how to use one with these steps
2. How to use it?
3. Step 1
4. Understand that there are two basic types of weather radios. Stand-alone receivers issue watches and warnings. General multi-band/function receivers deliver regular broadcasts as well.
5. Step 2

   Place your radio near a window facing the closest National Weather Service transmitter. Reception often improves in second floor windows and away from computers.

6. Step 3

   Tune your weather radio to one of these seven VHF frequencies that National Weather Radio (NWR) broadcasts from:162.400;162.425;162.450;162.475;162.500;162.525;162.550.

7. Step 4

   Check your reception. If you live in an isolated area or near mountains, you may need to use an external antenna for good reception. Nearby buildings can affect reception too. Weather radios often come equipped with an external antenna jack at the back that you can connect to a larger antenna.

8. Step 5

   Program weather radio use with Specific Alert Message Encoding (SAME) for the counties you want to receive alerts for. This allows you to get alerts only for your area and not others.

9. Step 6

   Learn that a 1050 Hz tone alarm precedes most weather watch and warnings. This tone activates weather radio receivers and should awaken you if alerts come at night.

10. Step 7

    Plan to keep fresh batteries to use for the battery backup in case you experience a power outage.