Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 Earthquake hits northeastern Iran.
5.5 Earthquake hits east of the Kuril Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits Catamarca, Argentina.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific: Post-Tropical Cyclone Dora is located about 320 mi…515 km SW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…WNW or 290 degrees at 10 mph…17 km/h.
NewsBytes:
China – China’s flood control authority said on Tuesday that some central and southern provinces are likely to see large floods this year as downpours swell rivers. There is a possibility of flooding along the Pearl and Huaihe rivers as well as the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Provinces including Guangdong, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan and Jiangxi have seen water levels in 175 rivers rise beyond their warning levels with five rivers at record-high levels. Flooding has forced more than 170,000 people to relocate in Hunan Province. In Jiangxi Province, 235,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed. More rainfall is forecast for southern and southwestern parts of the country in the next ten days, with precipitation in some regions likely to reach 300 millimeters within 24 hours.
Global Warming
Scientists find evidence of coral bleaching at iconic Heart Reef
Scientists claim they have found evidence of coral bleaching on one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most iconic landmarks, Heart Reef in the Whitsundays. They say it’s been caused by an extreme heatwave around the time of Cyclone Debbie.
The devastating storm itself missed the heart-shaped reef but it smashed other significant coral systems nearby. Just 18km away at Baits Reef, entire sections have been decimated. It’s been reduced to rubble, with barely any signs of life.
Experts say the reef is resilient and will bounce back, but it does take years and the more cyclones we have, the more vulnerable our global treasure becomes.
Wildfires
Wildfires – Washington, USA
Two wildfires burning in north central Washington have consumed more than 11 square miles (30.3 square kilometers).
The Spartan Fire in Chelan County had burned about seven square miles (18.1 square kilometers) on Tuesday and threatened some 80 homes. The state Department of Natural Resources says the fire is about 10 percent contained by 160 firefighters.
Meanwhile, the state says grasslands fires in Douglas County have burned some 4.6 square miles (11.9 square kilometers) and have no containment.
Occupants of the homes threatened by the Spartan Fire, a few miles southeast of Wenatchee, were told to be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice.
Disease
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia
Between 16 and 23 June 2017, the national IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported seven additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including two deaths, and four deaths among previously reported cases.
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China
On 2 June 2017, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (NHFPC) notified WHO of nine additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China. On 9 June 2017, the NHFPC notified WHO of 12 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in mainland China.
Lassa Fever – Nigeria
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever illness that is known to be endemic in various West African countries including Nigeria. As of 9 June 2017, a total of 501 suspected cases including 104 deaths have been reported since the onset of the current Lassa fever outbreaks season in December 2016. Of the reported cases, 189 have been further classified, 175 laboratory-confirmed including 59 deaths and 14 probable cases (all dead).
Nigeria: Hepatitis E
Nigerian health officials are reporting outbreaks of hepatitis E and cholera in two different states in the country. Hepatitis E A hepatitis E outbreak has been reported in the north-east Borno State, according to the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health. As of 17 June 2017, a total of 53 suspected hepatitis E cases were reported.