IRI Climate Information Digest - Impacts August 1999
CLIMATE AND HEALTH
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Contaminated stagnant water in the wake of flooding in Sudan contributed
to a rapid increase in diarrheal diseases and numerous deaths, according
to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies.
HAZARDS/THREATS
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Severe flooding in Chad and Sudan destroyed more than 15,000 homes and
left thousands homeless. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) reported that in Chad the River Batha reached its highest
level in 30 years.
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Abnormally dry weather in central South America has fueled the spreading
of numerous fires in the region. In Bolivia OCHA reports 600 homes
were destroyed by fires.
AGRICULTURE
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Hot dry weather in northwestern India and eastern Pakistan has stressed
oilseeds, grains and cotton crops.
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Crop development remained slow in California and portions of the southwestern
US due to below-average temperatures.
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Widespread rains eased drought conditions in much of the eastern US which
boosted vegetative growth but came too late to help the most advanced crops.
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Continued lack of significant rain in portions of the North China Plain
has stressed the filling of summer crops.
WATER RESOURCES
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Continued drought in sections of northern China has stressed local water
supplies affecting 3 million people according to media reports.
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Rainfall in the eastern US eased drought conditions but long term water
shortages still exist and mandatory water use restrictions remained in
effect in several areas.
FISHERIES
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As a result of a seasonal veda (fishing ban) which began in July, fishing
for small pelagics off the coast of Peru during the month of August was
severely restricted (with the exception of some very limited areas in the
South, near Paita). Total catch of small pelagics for the month did
not exceed 20,000 metric tons. Total catch of small pelagics for 1999 has
exceeded 4,200,000 million metric tons. The Peruvian oceanographic
agency is currently monitoring the biological resources in an attempt to
determine when fishing may begin again. This veda is expected to continue
at least through the month of September.
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