IRI Climate Digest
July
2001
Climate Impacts - June
Contributions to this page were made by IRI researchers
Dr. A. Amissah-Arthur (Agriculture),
Dr. M. Hopp (Health),Dr. B. Lyon (Energy),
Dr. A. Seth (Hazards) and Dr.
L. Zubair (Water Resources).
Hazards/Threats
Uruguay Very heavy rainfall over a two week period resulted
in widespread flooding. In the north, the department of Artigas was
particularly hard hit as were the central and southern departments of Rivera
and Durazno. Over 6,000 people were evacuated with over 1,000 homes
affected and 240 reportedly destroyed. In Artigas, the Cuareim River
reached a record level of over 14m. The latest flooding follows an
extended period of above average rainfall over the past several months
in much of the region. (OCHA)
Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana Unusually heavy rainfall along
the Guinea coast in West Africa resulted in flooding and extensive damage
to buildings and roads. In southeastern Nigeria in the Cross River
State, losses were estimated at 5 million USD. In Ghana, heavy rains
in and around the capital city of Accra caused tens of thousands
of people to evacuate their homes while 19 fatalities resulted from the
intense rains and flooding in the coastal village of Limbe in Cameroon.
(OCHA, CIP)
The IRI Net
Assessment forecast indicates above average rainfall has the
greatest probability of occurrence along the Guinea coast in West Africa
during the next 3 months.
India and Nepal Reports indicate
that over 100,000 people were displaced from their homes due to heavy rains
and flooding in the northeastern state of Tripura. More than 600,000
people were forced to evacuate their dwellings in the nearby state of Assam.
In Nepal, 35 people were reportedly killed in floods and landslides in
Satya Devi village of Dhading district triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall.
(COMTEX)
China Various media sources reported that at least
17 people have died and an estimated 78 million dollars in damage has occurred
in Guangdong Province as a result of heavy rains during June. The
heavy rains reportedly began on June 2nd, and floods swept away 5,300 houses
and affected at least 1.76 million people. Flash floods in Zengcheng
reportedly stranded more than 2,000 individuals. Approximately 470,000
hectares of cropland have reportedly been inundated, 200 enterprises have
closed and a large number of highways, telecom and water conservancy facilities
have been destroyed. The worst hit area is reportedly Yangjiang City in
western Guangdong, where rainfall from late at night on June 7th through
the evening of June 8th totaled 650 mm - a record high. (From the
CIP)
Health
Colombia Heavy rains in Atlantico province in coastal northern
Colombia during the first week of June are aiding the spread of dengue
fever according to reports from the International Red Cross. Needs
assessments were also taking place in remote rural settlements in
the provinces of Sampués and Magdalena.
(IFRC, WHO dengue
fact sheet )
China Intense rainfall in the southern Chinese province
of Guongdong is believed to have contaminated the water supply resulting
in more than 60 cases of possible cholera and several deaths. (ProMED,
WHO cholera fact sheet
)
Water Resources/Energy
Iran Three years of consecutive drought have adversely
affected large regions of the country. Water levels at three dams
near the Capital city of Tehran are currently at 50% of last year's already
low levels. Water rationing was initiated in June due to increased
stress on drinking water supplies. Police reportedly arrested over
40 people in riots sparked by limited access to drinking water. (Reuters,
ReliefWeb
)
India and Pakistan Early monsoon rains
brought some immediate relief to drought-stricken areas of northern Pakistan
and northwest India but longer term water shortages remain. In a
recent report by the Indian government, water levels in reservoirs within
the drought region are as low as 5-10% of capacity. According to
the report, the Ministry of Railways is undertaking transportation of water
and fodder without to the worst affected regions without charging any money
to the States. (Report
Summary )
Canada Low water levels in British Columbia has led Alcan,
Inc., an aluminum manufacturer, to announce it will reduce production at
its smeltering operation by up to 50% to conserve water and energy.
The water level in some reservoirs is reportedly at record lows due to
winter drought conditions. Rainfall is usually at a minimum during
summer with steadier precipitation returning in the fall. (COMTEX)
Norway Reuters reported that below average winter snowfall
has reduced melt water flow into many reservoirs which is having an adverse
affect on the hydroelectric industry where electricity prices have reportedly
hit a five year high. Norway depends almost exclusively on hydropower
for its electrical generation. (Reuters)
Sri Lanka An extended drought has led to severe declines
in streamflow over the last six months in the Mahaweli, Kelani and Walawe
rivers that host all the major hydropower plants on the island. The reservoir
levels on the largest river basin (the Mahaweli) ranges from only 11 to
20% of capacity. This shortfall led to load shedding with scheduled
power cuts since May. (Sunday Observer)
Agriculture
China The severity of drought conditions
across northern China are considered the worst in 10 years while the spatial
extent of the drought is considered the second worst since 1949 (with 1978
being the most widespread). Reports indicate that over 4.25
million hectares of cultivable land went unplanted due to drought while
several hundred thousand planted hectares never germinated. Over
15 million people are affected along with 11.4 million livestock. Many
areas currently stressed have been experiencing drought conditions since
1999. (CIP, USDA)
Uzbekistan and Tajikstan According to an OCHA report, drought
conditions have led field crops production to be reduced by up to 50%.
In Tajikstan, wheat, oil seeds and legume crops have been especially stressed.
Livestock throughout the region has suffered as well owing to reduced feed
supply. (OCHA)
Korea Persistent drought conditions have reportedly caused
the failure of up to 80-90% of potato, wheat, barley and maize crops in
some areas in North Korea. In South Korea, drought conditions considered
the worst in 90 years led the government to mobilize 20% of its total military
force for drought assistance. The majority of the troops were assigned
to irrigation efforts. (DRO, CIP, ReliefWeb
/ AFP report )
Australia According to the Australian Bureau of Agriculture
and Resource Economics, all the states, except Queensland, are expected
to decrease their total crop area due to drought conditions. Southern
Western Australia is especially affected with some locations having the
driest June in 100 years. Sections of southeastern New South Wales
are greatly impacted as well. (COMTEX, CIP)
The IRI seasonal precipitation
forecast shows a slightly enhanced probability of rainfall being
below average in south-central Queensland and western New South Wales for
the July-August season.
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