This week, the world witnessed a series of unprecedented climate disasters. Thousands were hospitalized in Japan due to extreme heat, while South Korea faced record-breaking rains. In the United States, a 120-year-old bridge couldn’t withstand the heat, and Italy’s Sicily saw simultaneous volcanic eruptions. Here’s a detailed look at these events and more from July 3rd to 9th.
Key Takeaways
- Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe.
- Multiple countries experienced record-breaking natural disasters within the same week.
- The impact on human life, infrastructure, and the environment is profound and far-reaching.
Italy: Dual Volcanic Eruptions in Sicily
Italy declared a red alert on the island of Sicily due to the simultaneous eruptions of Mount Etna and Stromboli. Mount Etna had been showing increasing activity over the past three weeks, culminating in a powerful eruption on July 4th. Lava fountains and a volcanic ash cloud reaching about 5 km high covered roads, sidewalks, cars, and even the runway of the local airport, leading to the cancellation of at least 90 flights.
Cycling and motorcycling were banned for two days, and the speed limit for all vehicles was reduced to 30 km/h. Simultaneously, Stromboli also became active, releasing a stream of lava that rapidly flowed into the sea. The island is also suffering from drought and water shortages, making the summer unbearable for many.
South Korea: Record-Breaking Rains
South Korea recorded unprecedented heavy rains, leading to the deaths of four people and one missing. About 1,600 people were evacuated in the city of Gunsan, where more than 10% of the region’s average annual rainfall fell in just one hour. This was the highest amount of rain in one hour in the country’s history.
In the city of Wanju, rescuers evacuated residents from rooftops, and in Busan, floods partially suspended railway transportation and led to flight cancellations at Gimhae Airport.
China: Rare Tornadoes and Dam Breaks
In the Chinese province of Shandong, tornadoes are extremely rare, averaging 1.5 per year. However, in just two days in early July, at least three destructive tornadoes hit the province, injuring 83 people and killing five. The whirlwinds caused extensive damage, breaking trees, tearing off roofs, and tossing cars.
On July 5th, a dam break at Doning Lake in Hunan Province caused massive flooding, forcing nearly 6,000 people to evacuate as water rushed onto fields and villages, flooding houses up to their roofs.
Japan: Dangerous Heatwaves
Japan is experiencing dangerous heat, with more than half of the country’s prefectures receiving heat stroke warnings. On July 7th, the temperature in Shizuoka reached 40°C, setting a record. Hundreds of other locations saw temperatures rise to 35°C and above. Mortality from heat in Japan has increased six-fold in recent years.
On July 8th, at least 435 people aged 2 to 102 were hospitalized with suspected heat stroke. In total, more than 6,800 people were admitted to medical facilities with this diagnosis in the first week of July.
Turkey: Devastating Floods
Heavy rains in Turkey led to multiple warnings from the meteorological service. Water flooded buildings and roads, damaging city infrastructure and agricultural lands. The province of Ordu was particularly affected, with 186.7 mm of rainfall recorded in one day. Water overflowed riverbanks, sweeping away cars and bridges, and causing landslides that blocked highways.
India: Severe Floods and Landslides
Many states in India continue to struggle with floods amid extreme rains. On July 9th, a red alert was declared in Mumbai and Pune due to tides and heavy downpours. More than half of the monthly rainfall fell on Mumbai in just six hours, disrupting suburban passenger trains and leading to flight cancellations.
In the state of Assam, storms, floods, and landslides have killed 92 people and forced nearly 2.3 million residents to leave their homes. The total number of affected people reached 24.5 million, with significant damage to agriculture and wildlife.
USA: Hurricane Barrel and Record Heat
Hurricane Barrel, after devastating the Caribbean, struck Texas, causing the deaths of at least 12 people. The hurricane brought torrential rains and strong winds, turning roads into raging rivers and leaving more than 2.7 million homes without electricity. The situation was exacerbated by unbearable heat and humidity.
On July 8th, extreme heat in New York caused the Harlem River drawbridge to get stuck in the open position due to overheating. Record heat continues to scorch the Western USA, with 14 weather stations setting new historical temperature records on July 6th.
Conclusion
The world is facing growing climate challenges, and it is time for each of us to take responsibility. By sharing information about the increasing danger, we can help others realize the reality and find solutions together to eliminate the causes of climate disasters. We are responsible for the planet and the life on it.
