International Charter on Space and Major Disasters

Flood in Minxian County in northwest China, Gansu Province

International Charter on Space and Major Disasters — 2012-05-12T16:00:00+0000

Hail and torrential rain, on 11th May, have caused flooding in Minxian County, Gansu Province. The storms have affected towns and villages, leading to widespread evacuations and destruction of homes and the loss of crops.

The disaster has affected an estimated 404,900 people. As of the 11th May the death toll was recorded as 25, with 33 people missing. Approximately 29,300 people were evacuated.

The most seriously affected areas are Chabu town, Puma town, and Lvjing town in Minxian county.

Over 23,000 hectares of crops have been affected by the floods and hail, with more than 2,300 hectares of arable land destroyed.

212 national highways are damaged, and some are destroyed. 28,000 houses have suffered damage or been destroyed.

Floods in Paraguay

International Charter on Space and Major Disasters — 2012-05-01T07:35:00+0000

Heavy rain, which began in March, has caused the Pilcomayo river in Paraguay to overflow; resulting in flooding throughout the country. An estimated 13,000 families have been isolated due to the floods.

The main affected areas are:

North of the country: Puerto Casedo, Pinasco
Central area of the country: Villa Choferes del Chaco, Tte. Manuel Irala Fernandez, Cruce Pioneros
South of the country: Teniente Esteban Martinez, Cacique Sapo

Flooding in Fiji

International Charter on Space and Major Disasters — 2012-03-31T12:00:00+0000

Intense and continuous rains brought on by tropical depression TD17F caused flooding in large parts of Fiji.

In some places more than 300 mm of rain fell in less than 24 hours since the early hours of 30 March and subsequent flash flooding caught many by surprise. So far three deaths have been reported.

As of 31 March 2012, 49 evacuation centers (of which 31 schools) with in total more than 3700 people, approximately half of which are children, have been operational in Ra (4), Tavua (5), Ba (14), Lautoka (10), Nadi (8) and Sigatoka (8).

The situation is considered worse than the recent flooding in January 2012,as more areas are flooded. Deterioration of the situation can be expected as further weather systems accompanied by heavy rains are expected to affect Fiji.

Floods and landslides in Ecuador

International Charter on Space and Major Disasters — 2012-03-10T11:30:00+0000

Heavy rains continued to pour in Jocay, Ecuador this week, causing flooding across coastal communities.

In an official statement from the Ecuadorian government, they announced that at least 20 people were killed and 65 people were severly injured due to flooding within coastal provinces.

166 homes have been destroyed and 2,823 people have been evacuated from their homes to shelters and other communities.

In February, hundreds of people fled their homes to seek shelter after severe rains caused floods and damaged local crops and produce.

Ecuador's National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology forecast further heavy rains during the months of March and April.

Flood and Ocean Storm in Madagascar

International Charter on Space and Major Disasters — 2012-03-01T11:00:00+0000

Torrential rain has flooded large parts of Madagascar following the passing of Tropical Cyclone Irina on 01 March 2012.

The storm traversed east-wards across the north and central landmass of Madagascar, with wind speeds reaching 55 knots (63 mph / 102 kph). The storm then moved south along the island's west coast and into the Mozambique Channel.

Inland flooding and some wind damage is expected in the wake of the storm.

AFP reports that 65 people are believed to have been killed in the days following the storm, many of them in the southeast of the island.

Please see here for the SERTIT rapid mapping webpage for this activation.

Floods in Algeria, El Tarf

International Charter on Space and Major Disasters — 2012-02-24T11:00:00+0000

Three people have died after heavy rains in El Tarf, Algeria. Reports suggest there has been much damage within the El-Tarf area.

Please see here for the SERTIT rapid mapping webpage for this activation.