Hazards/Threats

Western Asia Drought conditions in Georgia, Uzbekistan and Tajikstan severely stressed crops and reduced water levels in reservoirs. Unusually hot conditions prevailed in the region. Persistent drought conditions in Afghanistan and Armenia continued to stress crops and water resources. The World Food Program issued concerns about food shortages in the coming winter. (FAO, FAO DRO Story)

South Asia  The India Meteorological Department indicated the 2000 summer monsoon was 92% of its long-term average, making it a "normal monsoon" (a normal monsoon is within 10% of the long-term average). For some sections of NW India it was the second year with below average rainfall. The Hindustan Times reported that severe drought in the Chattisgarh region continues to affect 7 districts resulting in substantial migration from the region. Meanwhile, in the northeast, unusually heavy rains resulted in flooding that has claimed over 1,250 lives in India and rendered 300,000 homeless in Bangladesh since September of 2000. (Reuters)

Southeast Asia  In Cambodia continued heavy rains during the month contributed to additional flash flooding. Flooding along the Mekong river and its tributaries have affected an estimated 2.7 million Cambodians and left more than 270 people dead since July 2000. (DRO) According to the Vietnamese Government, Southern Vietnam was experiencing its worst flooding in 74 years. Floodwaters began to decrease during October, but remained at very high levels. Heavy rains later in the month produced additional flash flooding and mudslides. Floodwaters are not expected to subside until late November or December. The number of fatalities from this year's flooding has risen to 463. (OCHA, DRO)

United States  22 of Wyoming's 23 counties have been designated as disaster areas as a result of wildfires and an ongoing drought. In the southeast severe drought continues with reports from Alabama that reservoirs are at record low levels. (CIP, U.S. Drought Monitor , National Interagency Fire Center )

Health

Bangladesh  With recent heavy rains, Dengue cases have risen to 4,223 since the beginning of July, with at least 77 deaths. A Diarrhoea outbreak affecting more than 700 persons has also been reported in the local media. (ProMED, ProMED)

Saudi Arabia and Yemen Since the beginning of the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreak in September 2000, the death toll has climbed to 91 in Saudi Arabia, with 508 reported cases. In Yemen, 109 deaths from RVF have been reported. This virus causes disease in livestock, but can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes or from contact with infected animals. September's heavy rainfalls in the southern border city of Jizan, Yemen have provided ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. (ProMED)

Sri Lanka Due to an outbreak of dengue, associated with recent monsoonal rains, Sri Lanka's Health Ministry ordered the closing of 40 schools and one of the country's largest universities. 145 cases of dengue have been reported with 3 deaths. (ProMED,  DISCOVERY )

Water Resources

Albania A protracted spell of unusually dry weather has resulted in very low water levels at hydro-electric facilities and necessitated power rationing. (PMA)

Kenya During the ongoing drought, low water levels have reduced hdro-electric power and necessitated power rationing. Large diesel electric generators are being installed to bolster the electricity supply in the region and reduce the need for rationing. The Kenya Power and Lighting Company has blamed drought conditions for approximately 20 million USD in losses/increased costs. (PMA)

Tajikistan The water level in the reservoir at Norak hydro-electric power station was reported to be an unprecedented 8 meters below average for the current time of year, fueling fears of power shortages this winter. A government resolution was issued limiting the use of power. Tajikistan is also facing a projected 300,000 metric ton food shortage. 1.9 million people are believed to be severely affected by the continued drought conditions.(PMA)

Uzbekistan The Karakalpakstan region, just south of the Aral Sea, has been particularly hard hit by drought conditions and faces possible food shortages in the coming winter. More than a third of Uzbekistan's 24 million population are suffering from drought which has led to crop failures and shortages of drinking water. The Aral Sea - the world's 4th largest inland body of water - has receded hundreds of miles since the 1960's mainly due to diversion of water for agricultural purposes. (Reuters)

Turkey Drought conditions have led to the lowest water levels at hydro-electric plants in 10 years. The Turkish Prime Minister announced a number of power saving measures to decrease demand for electricity. The current drought has added to an already serious power shortage in Turkey due to the county's growing energy demand and a lack of investments in the energy sector. (PMA)

Agriculture

United States According to Texas A&M economists, the drought in Texas has caused over 1.1 billion USD in damage to state agriculture so far this year. Losses to cotton are estimated at 485 million alone. Heavy rainfall at the end of October helped to ease the drought situation across much of the state. (AP)

Georgia  OCHA reported that the drought in eastern regions has damaged a significant portion of the wheat and sunflower crops, as well as winter pasturelands. (CIP, OCHA)

Europe Heavy rains persisted through the month in south-central Europe, stalling summer crop harvesting and delaying winter grain planting. (JAWF)

Bangladesh The heavy rains have washed off a quarter of the transplanted 'Aman' paddy crop. (Independent News)

Fisheries

Peru Catch of small pelagics off the coast of Peru for the first three weeks of October remained minimal due to the continuation of normal seasonal restrictions on fishing. Statistics for the last week have not been reported, although rumor is that catches are high and comprised of a large percentage of adults. (FEO)

Bangladesh Heavy rains have resulted in severe losses in both inland and coastal fisheries. Reports indicate that 792 shrimp nurseries and hatcheries have been washed away. (Independent News)
 

Material for this portion of the IRI Climate Information Digest has been extracted from the UN/OCHA Reliefweb (RW), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Doctors Without Borders (DWB), Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) , USDA/NOAA Joint Agricultural Weather Facility (JAWF) and the Fishmeal Exporters Organization (FEO). Additional information was obtained from the NOAA/OGP Climate Information Program, Red Cross/CNN/IBM Disaster Relief, Earth Alert, CNN, and the Power Marketing Association PMA.