The Global Rundown
Tens of thousands have been left homeless by flooding in Nigeria. Unseasonable sandstorms are wreaking havoc in parts of Iran and Afghanistan. The Gulf of Mexico has been sans hurricane for the longest period on record. A major city in the United Arab Emirates is dumping out more than half of its treated wastewater, while major military installations in the United States may eventually be underwater. And despite severe monsoon flooding in India, villagers and wildlife rangers recently worked together to rescue six rhino calves from the quickly rising waters in Kaziranga National Park.
“The courage and empathy of the flood-affected villagers deserves special mention here. The entire village came together, setting aside their own predicament, to save a baby animal.” –Subhamoy Bhattacharjee, assistant manager of the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s Awareness for Conservation project. The rhinos are currently recuperating at a research and conservation center. Rangers hope to release the animals as soon as the waters recede. (The Telegraph)
By The Numbers
30,000 Number of people left homeless following heavy flooding in Nigeria. Livestock and cropland was also decimated because of the flooding. The country has recently been gripped by a severe food crisis resulting from a prolonged drought. The United Nations, which is helping to distribute food, has warned that flooding could affect more than 100,000 Nigerians before the year is done. Ahram Online
160 days Current length of the annual “wind of 120 days”–a period of intense summer storms–in the Hamoun Lakes between Iran and Afghanistan. The unnaturally long and hot weather in the region has turned the critical wetlands into a source of sandstorms which are causing widespread damage. Many are also pointing to myopic agricultural policies, which have neglected the Hamoun Lakes and other watersheds, as a contributor to the storms. Newsweek
1,048 days Period since a hurricane has developed or entered the Gulf of Mexico, the longest stint on record since 1886. Despite this, the U.S.’s National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration still projects the Atlantic Ocean will see 10 to 16 named storms, a typical amount, this season. Scientific American
Science,Studies, And Reports
A new report from Abu Dhabi indicates the United Arab Emirate’s capital city could save huge amounts of water if it embraces sustainable farming practices. Because of a lack of infrastructure, in 2012 only 54 percent of Abu Dhabi’s recycled water was reused, the rest was expelled into the sea. Now, experts are hoping to use the excess water to support crop production near the treatment sites. Two farm plots using the treated water will be monitored for pollutants over the next five years before the plan will move into full effect. The National
An analysis of 18 major US military installations indicates by 2050 most could see 10 times the amount of current flooding. The data collected suggests 16 of the installations may experience more than 100 floods a year. By 2070, more than half of the sites are projected to experience daily flooding. Experts recommend the U.S. Department of Defense keep a close eye on the effects of climate change, and remains prepared to reallocate resources as the need arises. RT
