Group items tagged

There is yet more unexpectedly large rainfall and resulting flooding. Heavy rainstorms in Italian city Livorno have killed at least 6 people and led to extensive damage.

With another rainstorm and hurricane immediately following the aftermath of Ida, we are all seeing how climate change is affecting the world. I am curious what plans politicians can make for future events, in addition to all the relief efforts.

I am also very curios to see what schemes (not using the word in a pejorative sense here) the politicians draw up to protect hundreds and hundreds of miles of coast from flooding. Also, what type of infrastructure can you build that stops natural floods that are simply caused by heavy rain? At a certain point it seems like nature is trying to tell us to get more flexible...

You are curious to see what plans "the politicians draw up to protect hundreds and hundreds of miles of coast from flooding. Also, what type of infrastructure can you build that stops natural floods that are simply caused by heavy rain?" See, that's the thing. The rising tides cannot be held back for long. Millions of people will probably have to abandon their homes. A few will be able to afford structures that are capable of floating when necessary. . .

Slide show linked to article: "Floods Force Thousands From Homes in Pakistan"

Increasingly, these intense bursts of rain and the deadly flooding that accompany it are being recognized as the new normal. Less commonly noted is how this "new normal" tends to disproportionately hit the underclasses - the urban poor, agriculturalists, coastal communities, and poor women everywhere.

India was struck with one of the worst monsoon storms in years, resulting in floods destroying over 20 000 homes. Combined Nepal and Bangladesh there have been 1 200 deaths during this year's season.

An entire block in Queens was destroyed, with barely any of the home owner's valuables left to save. As Ida moves north, with more and more rainfalls, people are unprepared for the damages they'll face. As of Wednesday, 40 are dead, 13 being from New York.

This is really scary and seems to have left a lot of families devastated. Hopefully some aid efforts can help the people impacted by the flooding?

This story is really well reported, and the photographer did a great job capturing the moment that the article talked about. It never ceases to amaze me how fragile our system is - always just a disaster away from financial ruin

Monsoons in Pakistan have killed thousands of lives this past summer, so multiple neighboring nations sent aid to help those stranded. Heavy rains may be caused by climate change, and the unprecedented monsoons have washed away infrastructure/homes.

Overall, there has not been as much news coverage of this flooding as many other events going on in the world. However, I noticed that emphasis on aid to this climate catastrophe has been covered even less. What does this say about news bias and possibly even censorship?

Good questions, Subby. I think that charitable donations are down, even as intense needs are rising. see https://afpglobal.org/covid-era-fundraising-stalls-donations-soften-and-donors-retention-rates-fall-first-quarter-2022

Florida has begun evacuations to prepare for flooding due to hurricane Ian. They are also bracing for tornadoes, and Cuba is also bracing for impact.

It's very interesting to read this article after seeing how big hurricane Ian has transformed in just 2 days. I have some friends in Florida and they were telling me all about there preparations for the storm last night on a call. It's very sobering, especially when you look at predictions for future storms due to climate change.

Video on infrastructure repair--worst flood in a century

This is a blog written by a Pakistani graphic designer and web developer living in Saudi Arabia.

Wow!

It is shocking to see the state that the government is in (especially the part about them only having two months' salary). In Pakistan's history this would have meant a military or oppositiong party takeover. However, neither general Kayani nor fromer prime minister Sharif wants to be responsible for the disaster caused by the floods. The military has been doing most of the work in flood aid. But the fact that neither group wants to take over shows just how bad Pakistan's situation is.

I wonder why only 2 million out of 170 million people pay taxes. It seems to be the political culture, since top government officials don't pay either. Gilani, who really runs the country, is also being blamed, instead of just Zardari. In addition, it seems that another military coup is in the near future, but how are the people going to reconcile their desire for democracy with the current government's unpopularity?

Times Topic overview with links

An interesting look at the effects of hurricane Irma on another country. Especially interesting is the way in which the cuban military forced civilians to evacuate, while in Florida no one is forced to evacuate, just very strongly advised.

Much of this tribal land in Minnesota has been damaged beyond repair due to chemical waste, and many Native Americans have a hard time fighting against it.

It is totally unfair the way the Native Americans have repeatedly been ignored even with their health and lives on the line. The nuclear power plant and the dangers it causes reminds me of critical theory from APES. This dangerous power plant is built in a community of disadvantaged people and harms them while serving other people.

New York City, which which was built atop rivers and wetlands, is planning to daylight Tibbetts Brooke in an effort to replace outdated infrastructure. This would hopefully reduce flood damage, which has been increased by climate change.

I wonder if Oakland would consider doing a similar thing. All of our culverts increase the risk of flooding in the Bay.

Global climate crisis has led to an unprecedented monsoon season. 300,000 homes destroyed. Prime minister vows to provide housing for all who lost their homes.

Same as Will, I didn't hear about this until recently and also want to know more about how they are supporting so many evacuees. Are they receiving foreign aid from other countries? And, are the evacuees all still in Pakistan, or are they getting refugee status in other countries?

Let's discuss why so many people seem to lack news on the Pakistan flooding. Any thoughts?

BEIJING - Coastal wetlands in China have vanished at an alarming rate because of the country's economic development, and current economic plans could diminish them to below the minimum needed for "ecological security," including fresh water, fishery products and flood control, according to a report released on Monday by Chinese scientists and an American research center.