Earthwatch: A Diary of the Planet

Tropical Storms

Two storms of tropical origin unleashed widespread and destructive flooding across the Korean peninsula. Remnants of Tropical Storm Neil produced flash floods that killed at least seven people and left 7,000 others homeless. Vast tracts of rice fields were also ruined by the inundations. The same area was lashed by high winds and torrential rains from Typhoon Olga, which killed at least 63 people in South Korea alone. Some areas received as much as 29 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period.

Tropical Storm Paul was expected to bring storm-force winds to China’s port of Shanghai late in the week.

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Earthquakes

The second destructive earthquake to strike Bangladesh’s Maheskhali Island in 11 days leveled more than 200 homes but caused no casualties. The quake occurred near the epicenter of the earlier temblor, which killed six people.

Earth movements were also felt in the Osaka region of Japan, eastern Nepal, central Chile, western Argentina, the Aleutian Islands and between Las Vegas and California’s Death Valley.

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Asian Floods

Near-record flash flooding occurred in several areas of Asia from severe weather not directly associated with tropical storms or typhoons. Nearly 22 inches of rainfall in parts of Vietnam triggered floods that destroyed 1,500 houses and swamped 40,000 acres of rice fields. Officials said it was the country’s worst natural disaster in 15 years.

Flooding around the Philippine capital of Manila forced the evacuation of 60,000 residents around the inundated city and closed the country’s main stock exchange. Sixteen people were killed by flash floods and resulting mudslides around Manila.

The worst flooding to strike Thailand’s Chantaburi River in 80 years affected nearly 60,000 residents.

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Canine War Relief

Help has arrived for the thousands of stray dogs abandoned in Kosovo when residents took flight from the country’s ethnic conflict. A disaster relief team from the World Society for the Protection of Animals arrived Aug. 2 to begin the task of trying to save the sick and starving dogs that were left behind. The team will join with Kosovo veterinarians to stop the spread of disease and provide food and shelter for the strays. The dogs have been roaming city streets in packs, scavenging for food.

The relief workers will attempt to find homes for as many of the canines as possible.

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Indonesian Blazes

Forest fires have enshrouded the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo with a haze that reached hazardous levels. Environmental officials said that the amount of smoke far exceeded acceptable limits. The number of hot spots throughout the islands increased dramatically during the last week of July.