IRI Climate Digest August
2000
Climate Impacts
Hazards/Threats
India Heavy summer monsoon rains
caused extensive flooding and some landslides in 11 states. Especially
hard hit was the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh where the flooding
was considered the worst in 50 years. Over 160 fatalities were reported
along with damages estimated at 168 million USD. (OCHA) (ReliefWeb)
Western United States The worst fire
season in 50 years continued across several western states, enhanced by
unusually hot and dry conditions. Over 80 fires have burned more
than 1.4 million acres. So far in 2000 fires have burned over 5.6
million acres in the US as a whole - more than double the 10 year average.
(DRO)
, National Interagency Fire Center
Cambodia, Vietnam The early onset of a vigorous summer
monsoon has led to widespread flooding along the Mekong River.
Although flooding is common in the region during summer, the early onset
of rainfall led to flooding up to 40 days earlier than usual. (OCHA)
(ReliefWeb)
Brazil Several days of very heavy rain triggered mudslides
in northeastern Brazil. The states of Pernambuco and Alagoas were
affected most. Heavy rains during August are not common to the area which
is usually in the midst of its dry season. (OCHA)
Health
Brazil The northeastern Brazilian state of Permanbuco has
confirmed
433 cases of leptospirosis with 29 deaths, including 150 cases and
18
deaths in the capital city of Recife. This area has received
torrential
rainfall and flooding. Leptospirosis is carried in rat and dog
urine,
which during floods may spread into drinking water, mud and vegetation.
(ProMED)
United States One death and at least 9 other confirmed
cases due to tularemia, a bacterial infection, have occurred on Martha's
Vineyard since June 2000. The disease is usually transmitted from
rabbits and other rodents to humans through dog tick bites, direct contact
with infected animals, ingestion of contaminated water or inadequately
cooked meat, or inhalation of particles. An unusually moist summer
may have contributed to the sharp increase in tularemia as the bacteria
persist longer in damp weather. The last tularemia outbreak in the
Vineyard occurred in the 1970s.
(ProMed)
South Asia An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis has killed
at least 53
people in Nepal during the last 4 months, and sickened over 500.
This
viral brain infection is transmitted by mosquitoes that breed during
the
summer and rainy seasons. In India, water-borne diseases are
responsible for 19 deaths due to flooding in the northeastern state of
Assam. (ReliefWeb, ProMed)
Uzbekistan Protracted drought conditions have led to the
rapid deterioration of health and sanitary conditions in many parts of
the country. Tests of running water in some locations has indicated
a doubling in the E coli rate, and the occurrence of diarrheal diseases
has reportedly greatly increased. (OCHA) (ReliefWeb)
Water Resources
Kenya, Tanzania Diminishing water levels in reservoirs
serving Kenya's hydroelectric dams have forced the government to continue
with drastic power cuts to conserve water resources. In neighboring
Tanzania, the government is looking to expand its thermal power electrical
output in order to avert power rationing due to a shortage of rains.
(Power Marketing Assoc.)
Southern United States A continued lack of substantial
rainfall has led several communities in Texas, Louisianna and Florida to
implement water use restrictions. As of the end of August, some locations
in northern Texas had not received any rain at all for more than 60 connsecutive
days.
Agriculture
Uzbekistan, Georgia Severe drought conditions have caused
much of the rice crop in Uzbekistan to fail, and there is inadequate water
at present for the winter wheat crop. In eastern regions of Georgia,
the drought has damaged a significant portion of the wheat and sunflower
crops as well as winter pasturelands. (OCHA)
Southeast Europe A continued lack of significant rainfall
has delayed the planting of fall crops due to low topsoil moisture.
The lack of rain, combined with unusually high temperatures has stressed
summer crops across much of Romania, Yugoslavia and Bulagaria. (JAWF)
Kenya Despite above average August rainfall in portions
of western and central Kenya, a continued lack of significant rainfall
elsewhere continues to greatly stress crops, causing some to fail completely.
Overall crop yields have been reduced dramatically and more than 6,000
farmers were reported to have invaded parts of the Kenyan national reserve
in order to find land with enough soil moisture to cultivate crops.
(IFRC) (ReliefWeb)
Sahelian Africa Reduced rainfall affected crop development
in most parts of Niger, western Mali and portions of Senegal. Improved
rains are needed in these areas to avoid water stress or crop failure.
(FAO)
United States Very hot and dry weather from the central
and southern Plains to the lower Mississippi Valley severely stressed pastures
and immature summer crops. Record high temperatures - in some locations
exceeding 43 C - were reported in several locations during the month, while
precipitation was the lowest on record for the states of Texas and Oklahoma.
(JAWF, CPC)
Fisheries
Due to the high percentage of anchovy stock at a critical stage in reproduction,
a seasonal ban on fishing for anchovy for the month of August was enacted
in Peru. Anchovy populations off of the coast of Peru were significantly
reduced during the last El Nino event.
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