The USA Disaster Situation Report
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For January 31, 2001
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
=> Special Notes
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or Significant
Icing Forecast
=> USA Flood Report
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
=> USA Earthquake Report
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
=> Guest Column-
=> Sponsored by The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
**** ARTICLES ****
=> Article CPSC, Carter's(r) Announce Recall to Repair Infant Jumpsuits
=> Article U.S. Weather Threats Assessment Valid Friday, February 2,
2001 - Tuesday,
February 13, 2001
=> Article USAID -- India Earthquake Fact Sheet #5
=> Article The U.S. Fire Administration has received notice of the
following firefighter
fatality:
=> Article OCHA Situation Report No. 5 India - Earthquake
=> Classified Ads
=> Links Area
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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Sponsored by the The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
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=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For January 31, 2001
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
National Temperature Extremes
High Tue...83 At Vero Beach FL
Low Wed...16 Below Zero At Craig CO
=> Special Notes
Stratwarm Alert Exists Stratwarm Wednesday
Comment: STRATWARM ALERT/WEDNESDAY/STRATWARM EXISTS.
STRONG MINOR WARMING CONTINUES.
TEMPERATURE GRADIENT REVERSED AT 5 HPA AND ABOVE.
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Wed Jan 31 10:59:56 2001
Flash Flood
West Virginia
* FLOOD WARNING FOR...MARSHALL COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA
* UNTIL 415 PM EST
Non Precipitation
California
WIND ADVISORIES REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH NOON THURSDAY FOR MOST
OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES...AND HIGH WIND WATCHES
REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA
COUNTIES TONIGHT THROUGH NOON THURSDAY...
A HIGH WIND WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE INLAND EMPIRE...AND THE
MOUNTAINS OF RIVERSIDE...SAN BERNARDINO...SAN DIEGO...AND ORANGE
COUNTIES FOR THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...
Winter Storm
Maine
...ANOTHER ROUND OF ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED THIS
AFTERNOON AND EARLY TONIGHT FOR ESPECIALLY DOWNEAST MAINE...
A VARIETY OF WINTER WEATHER CONTINUES ACROSS MAINE...
.A STORM SYSTEM WAS CENTERED JUST OFFSHORE OF DOWNEAST MAINE
TUESDAY EVENING. THIS SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BRING SNOW TO CENTRAL
AND NORTHERN MAINE WITH SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN TO INTERIOR
DOWNEAST AREAS AND RAIN ALONG THE COAST.
Michigan
HEAVY LAKE ENHANCED SNOW POSSIBLE FOR NORTHWEST AND NORTH
CENTRAL UPPER MICHIGAN LATE TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY NIGHT...
HOUGHTON-KEWEENAW-.BARAGA-MARQUETTE- ..WINTER STORM WATCH LATE
TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY EVENING FOR THE POTENTIAL OF 10 TO 16 INCHES OF
SNOW...
Vermont
ANOTHER SNOW EVENT FOR NORTHEASTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL
VERMONT...
MORE SNOW AND SLIPPERY TRAVEL FOR THE NORTH COUNTRY TODAY...
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
The forecast probability of an event is by the stated percentage or greater
for the event, within 25 miles of any point for the area described.
Tornado Risk - Slight
There is less than a 2% probability of a tornado.
Hail Risk - Slight
There is less than a 5% probability of hail 3/4 inch or larger.
Wind Risk - Slight
There is less than a 5% probability of winds in excess of 50 knots.
Tomorrow's Risk -
There is less than a 5% probability of any severe weather tomorrow.
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or
Significant
Icing Forecast
Precipitation Forecast
The 24 hour precipitation forecast is calling for over 1 inch of
precipitation over big bend through
northeast Florida and over extreme southeast Georgia.
The 24 - 48 hour precipitation forecast is calling for over 4 inches of
precipitation over portions of
central west and coastal Washington
Over 1 inch of preciptiation is forecast for portions of western Washington,
a portion of western
central Oregon, the central and northeast portions of Florida's panhandle,
south southeast Georgia,
and extreme southern South Carolina.
Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Rainfall is not expected to exceed flash flood values.
USA heavy snow and/or significant icing
>From noon to midnight today EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is low over central
west New Hampshire, and southeast coastal Maine.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
>From midnight to noon tomorrow EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is low over the
north northwest portion of Michigan's northern peninsula.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
Current USA Snow and Ice Cover
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/surface/us_NESDISsnow.gif
=> USA Flood Report
NATIONAL HYDROLOGIC SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
0825 AM EST WED JAN 31 2001
FLOOD SUMMARY
GENERALLY MINOR FLOODING
RIVER FLOODING CONTINUES IN PARTS OF TEXAS, LOUISIANA,
MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS, MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS.
RAIN AND WARMER TEMPERATURES CAUSED LOCALIZED ICE JAM FLOODING IN
PARTS OF OHIO, WEST VIRGINIA AND PENNSYLVANIA. FLOODING OCCURRED
IN RURAL AREAS AND MAINLY AFFECTED LOCAL ROADS.
MODERATE RAINS THAT WILL PROVIDE WELCOME RELIEF FROM
LONG-STANDING DROUGHT CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING
IN FLORIDA
FLASH FLOODING:
FLASH FLOOD AND/OR URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORIES WERE
ISSUED OVER THE PAST DAY FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
OHIO: BELMONT COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA: LANCASTER COUNTY
WEST VIRGINIA: MARSHALL COUNTY
RIVER FLOODING:
RIVERS AND STREAMS WITH LOCATIONS EITHER ABOVE FLOOD STAGE OR
EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE INCLUDE (ALPHABETICALLY BY
STATE):
ARKANSAS: THE CACHE AND OUACHITA RIVERS
ILLINOIS: THE ILLINOIS, KASKASKIA, LA MOINE, SPOON AND
LITTLE WABASH RIVERS
LOUISIANA: THE CALCASIEU RIVER; BAYOU DORCHEAT AND
RED CHUTE BAYOU
MISSISSIPPI: THE BIG BLACK RIVER
MISSOURI: THE BLACKWATER, CUIVRE, MARMATON AND
LITTLE OSAGE RIVERS
OKLAHOMA: THE DEEP FORK RIVER; EAST CACHE AND
CLEAR BOGGY CREEKS
TEXAS: THE ANGELINA, GUADALUPE, NECHES, SABINE AND SULPHUR
RIVERS; ATTOYAC AND BLACK CYPRESS BAYOUS; WHITE OAK CREEK
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
The USA Fire Report and Forecast has not been updated.
=> USA Earthquake Report
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION CENTER
GOLDEN, COLORADO
LISTS OF U.S. EARTHQUAKES IN THE LAST 30 HOURS
Prepared by USGS/NEIC 2001 JAN 31 at 00:15 UTC
EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES
(29.0 TO 35.8 N, 102.0 TO 125.0 W)
Date Time (UTC) Lat Long Depth Magnitude
2001 JAN 30 01:47:06.00 33.9 N 117.6 W 0 km 3.0
15 miles ENE of Santa Ana, California
EARTHQUAKES IN WEST CENTRAL UNITED STATES
(35.8 TO 40.3 N, 102.0 TO 125.0 W)
Date Time (UTC) Lat Long Depth Magnitude
2001 JAN 30 20:23:04.00 36.9 N 121.4 W 8 km 2.9
NEAR Hollister, California
2001 JAN 30 20:04:15.00 38.8 N 122.8 W 3 km 3.3
15 miles SW of Clearlake, California
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
Note: All data is considered preliminary
Tornado Reports
No reports received
Hail Reports
No reports received
Wind Reports
No reports received
Fields marked UNK are unknown
All Times UTC
Wind Gusts in MPH
Hail Sizes in 1/100 of an Inch (75 = 0.75")
=> Guest Column
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**** ARTICLES ****
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=> CPSC, Carter's(r) Announce Recall to Repair Infant Jumpsuits
Carter's Recall Hotline: (888) 339-2129
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), The William Carter Co. (Carter's(r)), of Morrow, Ga.,
is voluntarily recalling about 600,000 infant jumpsuits for repair. A
ribbon that runs through the zipper pull tab can detach, resulting in a
potential choking hazard.
Carter's(r) received four reports of children detaching the
ribbons, putting them in their mouths, and starting to gag or choke. No
injuries have been reported.
The recalled infant jumpsuits have a 6-inch long satin
ribbon tied through the zipper pull tab. The ribbons are solid in color
or have "Carter's" printed on them. Recalled models are either 100
percent cotton interlock jumpsuits with a teddy bear, bunny or puppy
embroidery design on the front; or cotton/polyester blend velour
jumpsuits with a teddy bear or bunny embroidery design on the front. The
jumpsuits were sold in sizes Small (0-3 months), Medium (3-6 months),
and Large (6-9 months).
Outlet, department and specialty stores nationwide sold
these jumpsuits from May 2000 through December 2000 for $14 to $20.
Consumers should immediately remove and discard the ribbon.
The garment then can be worn without the ribbon. For more information,
consumers should call Carter's toll-free at (888) 339-2129 anytime, or
visit their website at www.carters.com.
To see a picture of the recalled product(s) and/or to establish a link
from your web site to this press release on CPSC's web site, link to
the following address:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01075.html
=> U.S. Weather Threats Assessment Valid Friday, February 2, 2001 -
Tuesday,
February 13, 2001.
Summary of Forecasts & Threats
SYNOPSIS: There is a lot of variability, and uncertainty, during the threats
outlook period, with fast
zonal flow bringing rapid across the northern part of the country prior to
the period, transitioning to a
vigorous short wave over the eastern and southeastern U.S. with moderating
temperatures in the
West early in the period, followed by a pattern reversal with a trough
developing over the West and
ridging over the Southeast in the latter part of the period. The above is
accoridng to the MRF model,
and much uncertainty is introduced by the fact that the ECMWF model develops
a strong mean
trough in the West for most of the 6-10 day period, while the ECMWF digs a
strong mean trough
just inalnd from the West Coast for the same time frame, with downstream
ridging over the
Southeast. Since the MRF comes around to the ECMWF pattern towards the end
of the period,
past experience suggests that the MRF is probably slow in forecasting the
pattern change. Due to the
variability and uncertain timing of predicted changes in the mean patterns,
extremes are unlikely, but
localized threats related to individual storms could develop with little
advance warning.
THREATS
Heavy rain from strong thunderstorms with a possibility of local flooding is
likely for parts of the
Southeast Sunday-Monday Feb 4-5.
Forecast precipitation during the next two weeks is not expected to be
sufficient to provide
significant relief for long-term drought in Florida.
DETAILED SUMMARY
For Friday February 2 through Sunday February 4: A trough is expected to
enter the Nation in the
Northwest and drive toward the south-central U.S. Friday through Sunday.
Today the
accompanying surface low develops over the Southeast but does not become
intense until it reaches
the Gulf Stream. Some localized heavy rain and strong thunderstorms could
develop in the warm
sector, with a possible brief change to freezing or frozen precipitation
before it ends along the
northwestern edge of the storm. The UKMET and especially the ECMWF models
show this trough
faster and less amplified, so the threat is somewhat tentative.
For Monday February 5 through Tuesday February 13: A series of upper air
troughs drop into the
western and central U.S. beginning around Wednesday, bringing a period of
cold and windy, but not
extreme, conditions to the region. Ridging over the Southeast would moderate
temperatures there,
but contribute to a northward flux of Gulf moisutre into the associated
surface storms. Near the end
of the period daily and mean forecast patterns suggest that a cold high from
Canada could build into
the Northeast and be overrun by moisture from one or more of the short waves
lifing out of the mean
trough in the West, leading to a possible hazardous wintry mix anywhere from
the Great Lakes
region to New England and the northern Middle Atlantic states. This far
ahead the timing, location
and even existence of this scenario are so uncertain that it is not
displayed on the Threats Map.
=> USAID -- Earthquake Fact Sheet #5
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
INDIA - , Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 January 30, 2001
Background
- On January 26, at approximately 8:46 AM local time, an earthquake
measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale occurred in western India. The
epicenter of the earthquake was located 13 miles northeast of Bhuj in
Gujarat State, India. Since January 26, there have been 77 confirmed
aftershocks, 19 of which registered above 5.0 on the Richter Scale. On
January 28, two aftershocks caused additional structural damage. Pakistan,
Nepal, and Bangladesh were also impacted.
- The earthquake was the most powerful to strike India since August 15,
1950, when an 8.5-magnitude earthquake killed 1,538 people in northeastern
Assam state.
Numbers Affected
- Official Government of India (GOI) figures place the death toll at 6,444
and the number of injured at 16,767. GOI sources estimate that as many as
100,000 people are dead and 200,000 injured. Media reports indicate that
more than 500,000 people are displaced.
- A local official in Gujarat estimates that approximately 125,000 people
remain missing. Local GOI sources confirm that tens of thousands may still
be trapped in collapsed buildings.
- An additional 11 people are reported dead and 68 injured in the
Pakistani towns of Hyperbad and Badin-located in the southern province of
Sindh.
Current Situation
- The United States Agency for International Development's Disaster
Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) assessments indicate that Bhuj,
Anjar, Bachchao, and Rapar in the Kutch district and Morvi in Rajkot
district are the most severely affected areas in Gujarat.
- The GOI has delegated the Ministry of Agriculture's Natural Disaster
Management (DMT) Office as lead coordinating agency for the disaster. The
DMT is coordinating the distribution of relief assistance with the
Resident Commissioner of Gujarat State.
- The Ministry of Agriculture reports that the GOI has mobilized 871
medical personnel and 9,500 search and rescue personnel, and has moved
92,000 blankets and 8,210 tents into the disaster area.
- The GOI has identified several critical needs in affected areas
including earth moving equipment, concrete cutting and breaking supplies,
medical equipment and supplies, mobile field surgical hospitals, potable
water, sanitation facilities, food, and shelter.
- Logistical constraints continue to hamper the relief effort. Forklift
and ground transport capacities of local airports have been transferred to
the search and rescue and clean-up efforts-forcing some local airports to
limit incoming cargo flights. Much of the off-loading of relief supplies
is being done by hand. Bhuj
- Field reports indicate that water, communications, and fuel
infrastructures remain impaired. However, limited power service has been
restored.
Ahmedabad
- USAID/New Delhi field reports indicate that approximately 100 homes were
destroyed and 200 damaged. Despite a brief interruption of service, the
electrical infrastructure was restored throughout the city two hours after
the earthquake.
U.S. Government Assistance
- On January 27, the United States Agency for International
Development/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA)
announced that it is prepared to provide $5 million in emergency
humanitarian assistance.
- USAID/DART assessments in Bhuj cite access to potable water as a primary
concern. Access is limited by the unavailability of electricity, which is
required to operate pumps that access deep wells. Two USAID/OFDA-
provided water purification units and a number of water containers and
generators have arrived in Bhuj. The water purification unit provides
potable water from surface water sources for 20,000 people a day.
- USAID/OFDA is planning to send a second airlift of emergency relief
supplies to the affected area. The emergency relief supplies on the
airlift include 930 rolls of plastic sheeting, two water purification
kits, nine 3,000-gallon water tanks, and 830 tents from USAID/OFDA's
stockpile warehouse in Pisa, Italy. The total value of these commodities
is $494,830, with a transport cost of $269,000.
- The first airlift of USAID/OFDA-funded commodities including plastic
sheeting, blankets, 5-gallon water containers, water distribution kits,
water purification units, generators, light stands, and electrical cords
valued at $822,156, including transport costs, has arrived in India and
the commodities are in transit to the affected area.
- USAID/OFDA provided an initial $100,000 in disaster assistance through
USAID/New Delhi to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for immediate
assistance to those affected by the earthquake.
- Approximately 600 metric tons (MT) of U.S. Title II emergency food
commodities, valued at $230,000, are being distributed in the affected
areas by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and CARE. USAID/DART assessments
indicate that food requirements are being met in the short-term.
- An eight-member USAID/DART comprised of a team leader, logistics
officer, information officer, administrative officer, press officer,
communications officer, field officer, and a technical expert is operating
in the affected areas and New Delhi. Two Department of Defense (DOD)
logistics personnel from the Defense Attache Office at the U.S. Embassy in
New Delhi will complement the USAID/DART.
- On January 26, USAID/OFDA activated a 24-hour Response Management Team
in Washington, D.C. to coordinate the U.S. Government response to the
disaster.
- Since 1998, USAID/OFDA has provided funding in support of the Program
for the Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER), a regional training
initiative designed to promote, develop and strengthen Search and Rescue
(SAR) capabilities in earthquake-prone countries of Asia. This
collaborative program, implemented in partnership with the Asian Disaster
Preparedness Center (ADPC) and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department has
helped to increase earthquake preparedness and response capabilities in
India prior to this disaster.
Other Donor and International Organization Assistance
- The European Union (EU) provided $2.78 million in emergency assistance.
Additional donations have been made by Britain ($4.5 million), Italy ($2.1
million), Australia ($1.5 million), Norway ($1.1 million), Japan
($900,000), Canada ($662,000), Sweden ($523,000), Germany ($475,000),
Netherlands ($420,000), Ireland and Belgium ($920,000), Kuwait ($250,000),
Greece ($270,000), South Korea ($100,000), and China ($50,000).
- The Government of Israel is dispatching a mobile field hospital,
including a team of doctors, medical staff, and medical equipment.
- The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has deployed a 350
bed mobile field hospital to Bhuj.
- Search and rescue teams from Russia, Switzerland, Britain, Turkey, and
Germany are operating in the affected area.
USG Funding Summary
USG Agency
Implementing Partner (if applicable)
Project/Sector
Location (if applicable)
Dollar Amount
USAID/OFDA
Prime Minister's Fund
All
$100,000
USAID/Delhi
In-kind commodities
Bhuj
$881,986
Commercial Aviation
Airlift
Bhuj
$704,000
USAID/OFDA
Total $1,685,986
USAID/FFP
CARE
Title II Food Assistance
Bhuj
$43,000
CRS
Title II Food Assistance
Bhuj, Ahmedabad
$187,000
USAID/FFP
Total $230,000
Total USG Assistance $1,915,986
Public Donation Information
- In the interest of effective coordination of public response, USAID
encourages the public to contact directly those private voluntary
organizations (PVOs) currently working in the region in order to provide
monetary donations.
- InterAction, a coalition of voluntary humanitarian and development
organizations working overseas, maintains a list of PVOs responding to the
earthquake in India. InterAction can be contacted at 1-202-667-8227 x106,
or via the Internet at <http://www.interaction.org/>. Those interested in
providing specific technical relief services or commodities can obtain
guidelines for private voluntary organizations through Volunteers in
Technical Assistance's (VITA's) Disaster Information Center at
http://www.vita.org.
- USAID will not deviate from standard Denton Program procedures for
transporting privately-donated relief supplies. USAID will prioritize
delivery of essential relief commodities. For more information on the
Denton Program, please refer to the USAID website at
http://www.usaid.gov/hum_response/pvc/denton.html.
- For additional information about the relief effort in India, please
refer to the Natural Disasters section of ReliefWeb at
http://www.reliefweb.int/
=> The U.S. Fire Administration has received notice of the following
firefighter fatality:
Name: Cecil Smith
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 76
Status: Volunteer
Date of Incident: 01/27/2001
Time of Incident: 1608hrs
Date of Death: 01/28/2001
Fire Department: Meredith Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Department Address: P.O. Box 494, Meredith, NH 03253-0494
Fire Department Phone: (603) 279-6061
Fire Department Chief: Charles G. Palm
Cause of Death: Firefighter Smith died from injuries sustained in a traffic
accident involving his POV
while responding to a reported structure fire.
Calling Hours: 01/31/2001 1400-1600hrs & 1900-2100hrs {at} Mayhew Funeral Home,
Daniel
Webster Hwy in Meredith, NH.
Funeral: 02/01/2001 1300hrs {at} 1st Congregational Church, Highland Ave. in
Meredith, NH
Donations In Lieu of Flowers: Meredith Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box
494, Meredith, NH
03253-0494
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Smith at:
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/ffmem/
Additional information on firefighter fatalities may be found on the USFA
web site at:
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfdc/ff_casualties.htm
To date, 9 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2001.
=> OCHA Situation Report No. 5 India - Earthquake
31 January 2001
1. The Government of India (GOI) has not made an appeal for international
assistance. However, as a matter of policy, assistance offered as a matter
of international solidarity in such cases is gratefully accepted.
2. The GOI received offers of assistance from a large number of foreign
countries and agencies following the devastating earthquake in Gujarat.
The GOI has decided that, while there will be no appeal for seeking
assistance, all offers made voluntarily will be gratefully accepted.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Priority in India is for items such as cutting concrete slabs, mobile
communication equipment, small generators as well as mobile surgical
operation theatres and other medical hardware. Offers for supply of
clothes, blankets and tents will be accepted if they can be airlifted to
Ahmedabad. Medical teams will be welcomed provided they come in their own
aircraft.
Coordination of earthquake relief is being done by the Disaster Management
Group in the Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi. The officers in charge
are Mr. Purukayasth, Commissioner, Natural Disaster Management, Ministry
of Agriculture and Ms. Rita Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of
Agriculture (Telephone number: + 91 11 338 2219 (Office), + 91 11 338 5574
or + 91 11 338 9453 (Control Room), Facsimile number: + 91 11 338 4555).
Those desirous of sending relief items as indicated above are advised to
get in touch with the nearest Indian Mission.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Situation and Damage
- The strong earthquake which shook the Indian subcontinent on the morning
of 26 January 2001, India's Republic Day, caused devastating damage in the
western Indian State of Gujarat. The Indian Prime Minister states that it
is the worst earthquake independent India has seen.
- A series of aftershocks have occurred.
- The search and rescue phase is drawing to a close and efforts will now
shift to emergency relief activities.
- The GOI has officially reported the recovery of 6, 444 bodies as of 30
January, while tens of thousands were feared to be still trapped in the
debris at Bhuj, Anjar, Rapar, Bachchau (all in Kutch district), Ahmedabad,
Surendranagar, Morbi and other places.
- According to the latest official report, 35 million people have been
affected. 73,142 houses/huts have been damaged.
- It is reported that 50,000 people have been injured and some 200,000
left homeless.
- Bhuj, formerly home to some 150,000 people, is the worst affected town.
Almost all the buildings there have crumbled and the infrastructure like
water supply network, power supply and telecommunication lines have
collapsed. Electricity and cell phone services have been partly restored
in Bhuj. Air services between Ahmedabad and Bhuj have also been restored.
- An estimated cost of the damage amounts to INR 60 billion (approximately
USD 1.3 billion).
- The tremors also extended to neighbouring Pakistan, where 12 people have
reportedly died and about 100 have suffered injuries. According to the UN
Resident Coordinator in Islamabad, the situation in Pakistan is under
control and there is no call for international assistance.
National Assistance
- The Indian Prime Minister announced financial assistance of INR 5
billion (approximately USD 107 million) during his visit to the
earthquake-affected areas of Gujarat on 29 January.
- Immediately after the occurrence of the disaster, the central and state
governments began to work round the clock on rescue and relief activities.
Manpower and relief supplies for search and rescue operations, medical
treatment and other relief activities have been forthcoming from every
agency and organization concerned. The main assistance mobilized to date
is as follows:
- 921 medical personnel deployed and 86 more alerted
- Rescue teams consisting of 5,568 army and para-military personnel,
together with 14 sniffer dogs already deployed and 800 persons travelling
to site
- 16 helicopters located in the vicinity of Bhuj are being used
effectively for relief and rescue operations and evacuation of injured
persons
- 110,000 MT of food grain and sugar sanctioned
- 92,000 blankets sent, 57,000 more on their way
- 8,660 tents provided and 2,450 more on their way
- 11.5 tons of medicines along with medical equipment and supplies
provided
- Army has set up 340 field hospitals
- 16 debris clearing equipment machines, 3 recovery vehicles, 15
earthmovers and 17 MT of rescue equipment already provided
- 444 people have been evacuated
- INR 1 billion (USD 21.5 million) for power lines and INR 1 billion for
transformers sanctioned
- Other Indian States are providing Gujarat with relief assistance in cash
and kind, including food, blankets, medicine, medical personnel, water,
tankers and equipment.
- Further information is available on the Internet Website of the Indian
National Infomatics Centre at http://www.nic.in
International Assistance
United Nations System
- On officially offering his condolences to the families of the earthquake
victims in India and Pakistan, and to the Governments of these two
countries on the day of the earthquake, the UN Secretary-General made it
clear that the United Nations is ready to lend assistance in any way the
GOI deems appropriate. He also called on the international community for
its prompt and generous assistance in response to the calamity.
- The in-country UN Disaster Management Team (UN-DMT) led by the UN
Resident Coordinator has been working closely with Government authorities
and has convened emergency meetings on a daily basis to review the
situation. UN agencies in India are mobilizing rapid relief measures for
the devastated regions of Gujarat, rushing medicines and survival kits to
affected areas in coordination with the state authorities and NGO
partners. On 29 January the UN system in New Delhi held a meeting with
multi-bilateral partners, where it was agreed that a UN-bilateral Task
- Force be constituted to liaise with the UN-DMT for coordination in
Gujarat. An in-country UN assessment team, composed of representatives
from the Offices of UNDP, WHO and UNFPA in India, as well as a UN
facilitator in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is currently conducting rapid needs
assessments in the affected areas with support from the UNICEF State
Office in Gujarat. Further information on activities of the in-country UN
System is available on the UN System in India Website at
http://www.un.org.in
- UNDP is playing a key role in facilitating the UN System coordinated
response through the UN-DMT and has released initial funding (cash
contribution of USD 50,000 and in-kind worth USD 50,000) to accelerate a
unified UN response.
- WHO has made available 10 surgical kits for deployment to Gujarat. Three
WHO polio eradication experts in Gujarat are providing epidemiological
surveillance support in Gujarat.
- While its State Office in Gujarat is conducting assessments, UNICEF
issued a donor alert on 29 January. UNICEF has committed itself to
providing some USD 8 million, including USD 2 million for family survival
kits and nearly USD 5 million for medical supplies and the provision of
safe water. In addition, UNICEF expects to spend at least USD 2 million on
schools and teaching supplies. UNICEF has provided USD 100,000 worth of
medial supplies with an additional USD 600,000 worth on their way, as well
as 25,000 blankets, 1 million chloroquine tablets, 1,000 bags of bleaching
power, 10,000 survival kits and 50,000 plastic sheets.
- The WFP units in Gujarat which were already engaged in providing relief
in the drought-stricken areas, are now planning to divert some of the
resources to help the quake-affected population.
- WFP and OCHA are making arrangements, with cooperation from the Italian
and Norwegian Governments for the provision of relief materials worth USD
591,000 (blankets, tools, generators and kitchen sets from the Italian
Government/OCHA stock, water systems, tents and blankets from the
Norwegian Government/OCHA stock, and emergency health kits from WHO stock)
from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Brindisi, Italy.
- The World Bank offered USD 300 million to help India recover from the
massive earthquake. The Asian Development Bank is also considering the
provision of technical and financial assistance. UNDAC team activities
- The UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, consisting of
earthquake experts arrived in Ahmedabad on the morning of 29 January. 5
members of the team are working primarily with the Indian authorities in
Ahmedabad and Bhuj on the coordination of international assistance,
including search and rescue teams.
- A sub-team of the UNDAC mission in Ahmedabad has had several meetings
with the government control room, international teams at the SAR reception
centre in the airport, NGOs and the Ericsson communications team as well
as UNICEF representatives in Gujarat. The sub-team carried out an air
reconnaissance and ground survey within the affected area in and around
Bhuj on 30 January. Their initial review of the situation in consultation
with UNICEF indicates that the type of relief aid urgently required covers
water and sanitation, temporary shelter, family emergency packs and
technical assistance for the rehabilitation phase and beyond. In addition,
needs for medial supplies will need to be reviewed following further
assessment. The focus of their work will be to achieve more detailed
information on the requirements associated with these relief items. The
team reports, among others, the following findings:
- The reception of incoming relief aid is increasing and will continue to
do so. It is important to continue to monitor incoming relief aid in order
that it reaches the affected population without delay. A database of SAR
assets and capabilities has been compiled on site and information
collected from the airport reception desk has been transferred to it.
- An information meeting with NGOs which was organized by the UK/DFID
proved to be an excellent information forum on site.
- A clearer picture of the overall situation, particularly in the most
affected area and resultant aid needs is being compiled by the GOI, UN
Agencies and NGOs, in order to clarify relief needs and highlight those
places which have received little attention so far.
- The most significant improvement in terms of communication lines is
centred around the mobile phone system, while the more common landline
systems will take longer to be reestablished. Ericsson has made a large
contribution in this field.
- Another sub-team accompanied by representatives from UNDP New Delhi is
working closely with the local authorities in Bhuj to establish a control
cell equipped with the necessary communication lines for the coordination
of relief activities. The sub-team is also conducting a rapid needs
assessment in Bhuj and the surrounding area. Its initial findings will be
available later today.
- Contact details of the UNDAC team are as follows: UNDAC team leader: Mr.
Edward Pearn (in Ahmedabad) E-mail: unmob4{at}server.unog.ch
International Search and Rescue (SAR) / Medical teams
- The focus of main activities in respect of Search and Rescue (SAR) is in
Bhuj and the immediate surrounding area. Activities of international (SAR)
and Medical teams in the affected area are as follows:
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Government | Activities |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Denmark | The Emergency Management Organization of Greater|
| | Copenhagen is dispatching an Emergency Surgery|
| | Unit. The Unit, consisting of 1 doctor, 2 nurses, 2|
| | emergency technicians and a base support and|
| | communication element of 7 persons, is arriving in|
| | Nakhatarana on 31 January. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| France |A SAR team with 9 rescuers, 3 search dogs and SAR|
| (USRI) |equipment have been working since 29 January. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Germany | German THW now has 30 rescue experts on site (Bhuj|
| (THW) | and Anjar) with 6 sniffer dogs and a complete set|
| | of additional equipment. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Hungary | Two SAR teams have been working in the affected|
| | area since 28 January. One team in Adjal consists|
| | of 12 persons with 3 dogs and the other consists of|
| | 3 persons with 1 dog. The Hungarian Ministry of|
| | Health deployed a medical team on 29 January. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Israel | An Israeli emergency aid mission, numbering about|
| | 150 personnel, was dispatched on 29 January. The|
| | mission is carrying an entire field hospital which|
| | includes a team of doctors, medical staff and|
| | medical equipment. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Japan | The Japanese Government decided to deploy a Japan|
| | Disaster Relief (JDR) Team (medical team). Its|
| | composition will be announced shortly. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Poland | A Polish SAR team, consisting of 12 firemen with|
| | equipment and medical doctors, is arriving in|
| | Ahmedabad on 31 January. The team will provide|
| | humanitarian and medical assistance in the form of|
| | medicines, blankets and tents in Jannagar. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Russian | The 76-member EMERCOM team is working in the|
| Federation | affected Buagao settlement (Bhuj region). |
| (EMERCOM) | |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Switzerland | Swiss SAR Team (48 persons, including 9|
| (SDR) | doghandlers) is currently working in Ahmedabad and|
| | Bhuj. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| Turkey | The 35-member Turkish Team (GEA and Civil Defence)|
| | with sound location equipment, search cameras and|
| | dogs has been working on site since 28 January. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| United Kingdom | The DFID team (69 SAR experts with thermal imaging,|
| (DFID) | video locating and sound locating equipment and 2|
| | coordinators) is working in Bhuj. The team has also|
| | established a 24-hour coordination centre with|
| | satellite phone link. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
| United States | BHR/OFDA deployed a 7-person Disaster Assistance|
| (DART) | Response Team (DART) to assist in the management of|
| | the U.S. Government response to the disaster. |
|----------------+----------------------------------------------------|
- The Czech Ministry of the Interior is prepared to dispatch a Czech
trauma/medical team (8-10 persons and material up to 2.5 tons) to the
affected area in Gujarat if any donor can provide transportation
arrangement (Contact point: Mr. Ludek Prudil, Operation and Information
Centre, Fire and Rescue Service of the Czech Republic Fire Headquarters,
telephone number: + 420 2 2423 2220, facsimile number: +420 2 24232321).
- The National Survey for Seismic Protection (NSSP) of the Government of
the Republic of Armenia is also is ready to send immediately its Task
Forces including seismologists, earthquake engineers,
psychologists-sociologists, physicians, rescuers with rescue dogs, if
financial support from any donor be made available (Contact point: Prof.
Dr. Serguei Balassanian, President of the NSSP, telephone number: +374 1
28 22, e-mail: president{at}nssp.r.am)
Other contributions from donors, NGOs and others
- The Governments of Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands,
Norway, Oman, the Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom
and the United States as well as ECHO have pledged or provided cash and/or
in-kind contributions bilaterally or through NGOs or the UN System.
- Following the IFRC preliminary appeal for CHF 2 million (USD 1.22
million) issued on 26 January, IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal for
assistance on 30 January, seeking CHF 25.6 million (USD 15.6 million) to
assist 300,000 beneficiaries for 4 months. The planned operation is fully
in line with Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) stated priorities of shelter
(plastic sheeting, tarpaulins, blankets and cold-weather clothing),
medical services and supplies (a 350-bed hospital and mobile clinic,
cholera and health kits), water sanitation equipment (buckets, tanks and
purification tablets) and other relief supplies (high protein biscuits and
kitchen utensils).
- Many NGOs are providing emergency relief assistance in various ways. The
reports on their activities have been posted on the OCHA Internet Website
at http://www.reliefweb.int or on InterAction Internet Website at
http://www.interaction.org
- The total amount of contributions/pledges reported to OCHA to date
reaches nearly USD 20 million.
- The Swedish international telecommunications group Ericsson has been
assisting in restoring or establishing mobile telephone networks to the
affected area.
3. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva,
as indicated below, on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their
corresponding values by item.
4. Contributions to this disaster may be found by clicking on Financial
Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet
Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Donors are requested to verify this
table and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions/values. Donors are
encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their contributions to this disaster
using the OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format, available
electronically in the above mentioned Financial Tracking Website.
5. OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used
for immediate relief assistance, in coordination/consultation with
relevant organizations in the United Nations system. Funds should be
transferred to OCHA account No. CO-590.160.0, Swift code: UBSWCHZ12A at
the UBS AG, P.O. Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: OCHA - India
- Earthquake. OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent
details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed.
6. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident
Coordinator in New Delhi and the UNDAC team as well as with the Indian
Permanent Mission to the UN at Geneva, and will revert with further
information as it becomes available.
7. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int
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=> Links Area
ELF Making Good on Threat
Officials Fear Increased 'Ecotage' by Elusive Activists
By Dean Schabner
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/elf010130.html
What the Christian Children's Fund is doing in the aftermath of India's
worst earthquake. And an
opportunity to make a gift today to support relief and rehabilitation
efforts.
To make a donation right now, please click here:
http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a14166a29791a68814432a0.
One defendant found guilty, one not guilty in Lockerbie
bombing murder trial, CNN reports.
http://www.CNN.com
STORM SYSTEM IN NORTHEAST AND MIDWEST US
Northeast/Midwest US
This GOES-8 image shows a storm system over the Northeast states that
produced a wintry mix for
parts of New England
on Tuesday. Another low pressure system over the Upper Midwest has brought
more snow to a
region that is already coping with impassable roads, closed schools, and
widespread power
outages. The snow was particularly heavy in southeastern South Dakota where
some areas reported
18 inches by Tuesday morning.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Storms/US_East/STMusE030_G8.jpg
ASH CLOUD IN MEXICO
Mexico
This GOES-8 image shows an ash cloud from the eruption of Popocatepetl in
Mexico.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Volcano/Mexico/VSHpopo030_G8.jpg
TROPICAL CYCLONE 07S (TERRI)
Indian Ocean
Tropical Cyclone 07S (Terri) was located off the coast of Australia near
17.5S and 119.7E at 06:00
UTC. Terri has been moving west-southwest at 7 knots with maximum sustained
winds estimated at
35 knots, gusts to 45 knots.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Tropical/IndOcean/TRCterri030_GM.jpg
British rescuers save American student from earthquake rubble
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_191101.html
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