The 2013 South Asian Monsoon has left a trail of death and destruction from the southern coast o fSri Lanka, through Uttarakhand, India into Pakistan. Experts say that real time data and information sharing among the affected countries could reduce the dangers posed by the rains. – http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/08/when-disaster-rains-talk/
Disaster relief stocks across Sri Lanka are dangerously low, experts and officials warn.
“There are gaps we need to fill, especially on stocks like tents and medicines that cannot be procured at short notice,” Sarath Lal Kumara, assistant director of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the main government body tasked with early warning and relief work, told IRIN. – http://www.irinnews.org/report/98458/sri-lanka-disaster-stocks-dangerously-low
There is a dire need inSri Lankafor an effective early warning system and building of public awareness on extreme weather events’ related alerts and warnings. The early warning mechanism that was set up after the 2004 tsunami is focused on issuing tsunami warnings and experts warn that erratic monsoon and frequent extreme weather events dictate similar attention should be paid to other natural hazards. http://www.irinnews.org/report/98346/need-for-better-storm-warnings-in-sri-lanka
Early warning lags in Sri Lanka have proved fatal twice in the last 20 months for fishing communities along the south and western coasts. Twice, in November 2011 and June 2013, shallow water fishermen found themselves battling for their lives when the seas turned nasty suddenly. Like one survivor described, when the waves rose up and the sea howled like a deranged monster. The latest tragedy at least has made the government take note and may be some good will come about. – http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/06/in-sri-lanka-the-tempest-comes-unannounced/
Last week all eyes were on the Himalayas’ highest peak – 29,000-foot Mt. Everest, whose summit is bisected by the China-Nepal border – in honor of the 60th anniversary of the first human ascent of the mountain.
But the momentous occasion presented as much cause for panic as for celebration, when images showing bare rock jutting out from under the receding ice caps called attention to the rapidly changing face of this majestic range.
Sudeep Thakuri, who led the Italian team of researchers, told IPS that the continuous and increased melting is most likely caused by rising temperatures. http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/06/the-himalayas-are-changing-for-the-worse/
After suffering flash-flooding and ensuing damages, Sri Lanka is now taking at least some measures to meet the challenges thrown up by an erratic Monsoon. Experts say, it is just as well and more needs to be done. My report for IPS – http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/05/the-sri-lankan-monsoon-better-prepared-than-sorry/
