Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.4 earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storm systems.
NewsBytes:
DR Congo – The death toll from flash floods and landslides in eastern Congo has risen beyond 200, with many more people still missing, according to local authorities in the province of South Kivu. Several main roads to the affected area have been been made impassable by the rains, hampering the relief efforts.
Wildfires
Wildfires – Alberta, Canada
Alberta has declared a state of emergency after wildfires spread across the western Canadian province, driving nearly 25,000 people from their homes. Faced with more than 100 wildfires, Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith called the situation “unprecedented”.
Residents of Edson, a town of more than 8,000, were told to leave immediately. A hot, dry spring had created “so much kindling” and some 122,000 hectares (301,000 acres) had burned so far.
Many of the fires are burning out of control, fanned by strong winds. The worst-hit areas include Drayton Valley, about 140km (87 miles) west of the provincial capital Edmonton, and Fox Lake, some 550km north of the city, where 20 homes were consumed by fire.
Disease
Epidemics Decrease in South America
Paraguay – The report from the General Directorate of Health Surveillance indicates that, in the last three weeks of 2023, a total of 5,235 cases of chikungunya, 663 of dengue and none of Zika were registered. According to statements by the health authorities, the chikungunya epidemic is decreasing significantly, while the decrease in dengue is slower, but it continues to decrease.
Argentina – In a follow-up on the dengue outbreak in Argentina, 84,433 cases of dengue were reported in the country, of which 78,725 acquired the infection in Argentina through the end of April, the Ministry of Health reports. Dengue cases have decreased for third consecutive week.