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Vol. 3, No. 1 February 1997 |
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Vol. 3, No. 1 February 1997 |
| From the ADPC director's
desk
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Disaster News ...
Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia Mt. Merapin Central Java erupted at 10:35 hours on 17 January 1997, gushing molten lava and spewing heat clouds of ash over vast areas. The eruption also pro- duced heavy solvated smoke with low pressure at 200 meters height. Following the eruption the local authori- ties of Yogyakarta maintained the Mt. Merapi alert at the highest level. The areas within 6 km distance from the volcano were under "Most Alert" status, whereas others were under "Alert" status. More than 3,000 per- sons from villages or communities of Kaliurang, Turgo, Tritia, Ngandong, Glogaharjo, Kepuharjo and Umbulhaoo were evacuated into elementary schools, relocation areas, kindergartens, houses of village heads, etc. In cooperation with Radio, Armed Forces, Minis- tries of Public Works and Social Affairs, SATLAK PB (district emergency operation center) took up the task of providing emergency assistance for communications, communal kitchens, clean water, waste bins, mats/beds and other items required in the evacuation shelters. Source:UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA)
Tropical storm in Malayasia On 27 December 1996, tropical storm "Greg' hit the northwest coast of Sabah State, Malaysia, causing heavy rainfall, with winds blowing at more than 70 kmph, and widespread flooding. According to BERNAMA (Malaysia News Service) report, 170 persons were killed and over 100 missing. More than 3,000 people were left homeless and at least 300 buildings damaged. Keningau district was severely affected. The road between the State capital Kota Kinabalu and Keningau was cut as two bridges had been washed away, and the road from Kota Kinabalu to Tambunan was blocked by a landslide. The State Disaster Committee coordinated the relief efforts in which military, air force, police, firemen and members of voluntary organizations such as the Ma- laysian Red Crescent Society participated. In Kuala Lumpur, the disaster management unit head at the National Security Council announced that a 24-member Special Malaysian Assistance and Rescue Team had already been deployed to Keningau. Source:UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA)
Cyclone in India Andhra Pradesh, a state on the eastern seaboard of India was struck by a severe cyclone just after 6 pm on the 6th November, 1996. The wind speed in the severe damage zone was estimated between 120 to 140 kmph. The cyclone had a track about 15 km width as it entered East Godavari district/from the east, crossed the Gowtan-d-Godavari river, moved west-northwest affect- ing Yanam (Pondicherry), parts of East Godavari district, before crossing into West Godavari, Khammam and Krishna districts. Torrential rainfall of 20 cms. accompanied the cyclone. The brunt of the cyclone was felt in the coastal and riverine areas of the two districts of East and West Godavari, which were among the most densely populated and prosperous areas in the State. Damage and death was also reported from the adjoining Krishna and Khammam districts. East Godavari was the worst affected district. A triangular area of about 400 sq.km. between the Bay of Bengal, the Gowtami and Vasista- Godavari rivers (distributaries of the Godavari) was most seriously affected. Over 1,000 deaths were reported from the affected area. The most important cause of death was drowning: of fisherfolk at sea and prawn seedling collectors in the delta during the storm surge. Government health teams fanned out into the affected area to treat injured people just after the disaster. The injured were also treated in private medical institutions, by private organizations, private medical practitioners and NGOS. Informal reports from medical teams report a death to injury ratio as 1:2. Extensive damage was reported to the live stock, food crops, fisheries, prawn culture and coconut and banana crops. The commitment of relief funds was announced by a wide range of agencies (as reported by the media). The largest amount of relief has been offered by the Government of India at Rs 5 billion (US$ 140 million). The other State Governments in India announced relief contribution of about 130 million (US$ 3.7 million). The US Government announced release of relief funds worth Rs 22 million (US$ 0.6 million), the ODA (UK Government) has announced a release of Rs 3.5 million (US$ 1 million). The French Government announced release of Rs 0.35 million (US$ 10,000). The total bilateral commitment was about Rs 26 million (US$ 0.7 million),. The Indian corporate houses also announced donations worth Rs 6 million. The reported total NGO commitments were over Rs 12 million. Source: Identification mission report by TARU Research and Information network. For the detailed report please contact:
Floods in Vietnam Northern Vietnam had a severe rainy seag October) in 1996. Typhoons, tropical ston-ns and flash floods killed more than 400 people and seriously affected more than 260,000 households. The total damage to crops, houses and economic activity is estimated at 362 million US dollars. More than one hundred people were confirmed dead after flash floods in Vietnam's most north-westerly province of Lai Chau. A torrent of water swept through central parts of the region in August, burying houses under tonnes of mud and rock. Large boulders were strewn about a Muong Lay, a village of 1,200 inhabitants, where 67 people were killed and a quarter of the population was made homeless. Source:Vietnam Red Cross |
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