IRI Climate Information Digest - Impacts December
1999
HAZARDS/THREATS
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11 consecutive days of heavy rainfall occured in
a region already saturated by 3 months of above normal rainfall in coastal
Venezuela. A state of emergency was declared in 7 states on December 16
due to flooding and landslides associated with the rains. An IFRC
report provides unofficial estimates of 50,000 deaths and 600,000 directly
affected.
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Heavy rains in Vietnam between 1and 6 December were
associated with flooding, 115 deaths and an estimated $53M in damages.
The region was still recovering from flooding and excess rainfall in late
October and November. (OCHA)
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In western Europe a series very intense storms caused
serious widespread damage over much of the region, France being the hardest
hit by a storm having winds which reached 200 kmh (120 mph). The
storms resulted in over 90 deaths.
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Torrential rains have caused flooding in the Congo
River basin, and required evacuation of 16,000 residents from parts of
Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Rebulic of Congo (DRC). The flooding
occurred with still a month of primary rainy season ahead.
HEALTH
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In Venezuela monitoring and control procedures are
underway to combat parasites, dehydration, cholera, malaria and dengue
fever. The efforts are being coordinated by local health officials
and the PAHO.
AGRICULTURE
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Mild winter temperatures in central Asia have aided
dormant winter wheat, however, lack of snow cover renders crops exposed
and vulnerable to cold temperatures.
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While the dry conditions were eased in the soybean
and coffee regions of southern Brazil, below average rainfall continued
to stress summer crops in southern Paraguay and Uruguay and northern
Argentina.
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In Queensland, Australia persistent rains hampered
the winter grain harvests.
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Flooding in Vietnam destroyed 29,000 ha of
rice paddies. (OCHA)
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In the Unites States unusual warmth eliminated snow
cover on the northern Plains, where temperatures have averaged above normal
for 10 consecutive weeks and highs occasionally exceeded 60 degrees
F as far north as Montana
WATER RESOURCES
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Dry conditions persist in Israel and Jordon where
the Sea of Galilee, one of the primary sources of fresh water for the region,
is at its lowest levels since 1908.
FISHERIES
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In Peru, the unofficial estimate of 1999 landings
of small pelagics is approximately 7 M metric tons. Towards the end of
December a seasonal fishing ban (VEDA) was implemented. The ban is expected
to last until march (depending on results of biological sampling conducted
by the government). The fishing industry remains in a financial crisis
due to the inability to pay off accumulated debts which were exacerbated
by the low catches during the 1997/98 El Niño event.
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