At least 100 Kenyans have died and some 200,000 residents have been forced from their homes by multiple rounds of flooding and mudslides that struck the African nation in April, the Red Cross said.
The floods have caused a humanitarian disaster that authorities say needs an immediate response before it worsens, the Times of India reported. Residents told the Standard that flooding has cut off health care facilities, making them unable to reach.
"We would urge the national government to declare this a national disaster so that deliberate effort can be made and resources mobilized to help the affected people," Kenya Red Cross secretary general Abbas Gullet told reporters Sunday. "We need a national disaster management fund set up."
With many roads cut off, rescuers had to airlift more than 300 people to safety amid the flooding in Nairobi, the Standard also said. Several dams are also in danger of overflowing as water levels continue to rise, and officials fear even worse damage downstream if that happens, the report added.
As the disaster persists, there's another fear: illness. On both sides of Kenya's border with Somalia, refugee camps were flooded, and the conditions have officials fearful that a cholera outbreak is imminent, the Telegraph reported.
"Our staff on the ground have seen the elderly, women and children struggling to survive while their flimsy shelters are knee-high full of stagnant water," Victor Moses, Somalia country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, told the Telegraph. "With limited access to proper toilets and clean water, it’s a ticking time bomb for disease outbreaks like cholera and malaria."

Gov. Charlie Baker is seeking federal disaster relief for six Massachusetts counties hit hardest by the March 2-3 nor'easter that pounded the region with hurricane-force wind and rain and downed trees.

The Republican governor on Monday asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a major disaster declaration for Essex, Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable and Nantucket counties.

Baker said preliminary estimates show emergency protective measures, debris clearance, and repairing or replacing damaged public infrastructure exceed $23.8 million — well beyond the statewide threshold of $9.5 million.

Baker is also seeking a disaster declaration from the federal Small Business Administration.

Tewksbury Police Department

The declaration would let the agency make low-interest home disaster and business physical disaster loans available to eligible applicants in Norfolk County and neighboring counties including Plymouth, Bristol, Suffolk, Middlesex and Worcester.

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico hits the cool, dry air from Canada and a tornado is born. The birthplace is typically tornado alley, which includes Oklahoma.

The National Weather Service provides information on how to prepare for a tornado by staying informed of the current weather and any potential severe weather. Their website shows what an individual should do during a tornado, whether at home, the workplace or school, outside or in a vehicle.

But what about preparation before severe weather strikes?

U.S. government website www.ready.gov provides information on how to build a kit for disaster, including a checklist of recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit to be prepared.

According to the website, being prepared means having food, water and supplies to last for at least 72 hours.

Additional emergency supplies can be determined by individual needs. This includes prescription medications, cash, important family documents such as insurance and identification, sleeping bags and clothes.

After assembling an emergency kit, maintenance may be required and needs for families may change and should be rethought every year.

Keeping canned food in a cool, dry place, replacing expired items as needed and making sure boxed food is stored in a tightly closed plastic or metal containers will guarantee an emergency kit is up to date.

The website also recommends to consider kit storage locations since an individual’s location may not be known during a disaster, whether it will be work, home or vehicle.

Home kits should be kept in a designated place and ready in case evacuation is necessary.

Work kits should be stored in a ‘grab and go’ case and accommodate a person for at least 24 hours including food, water and other necessities such as medication.

Vehicles kits should have additional supplies with a basic kit, such as jumper cables and car cellphone charger.

For more information visit: www.ready.gov/build-a-kit

NEW DELHI: Six months after the University Grants Commission (UGC) sent a letter to all universities asking for compulsory courses on disaster management, geography teachers of Delhi University, concerned with the safety situation in the campus, have written to the DU vice-chancellor requesting the start of such a course.
In their letter, geography professor and member of the DU Teacher’s Association (DUTA), Vishwaraj Sharma, stated that DU needs a centre for disaster management studies.

“It is pertinent to note that whenever any disaster happens, it not only causes financial but also social and psychological sufferings in the society. Thus, the importance arises of conducting research and studying this discipline in the contemporary society,” the professor wrote to the vice-chancellor.

Sharma told TOI that only recently, JNU started its ‘Special Centre for Disaster Research,’ a trans-disciplinary centre where research would be conducted including social sciences and natural sciences and will start courses from next year.

Amita Singh, chairperson of the centre, explained that the centre will allow opportunities of research and “will also start master’s courses where students will be taught about disaster management and response.”

Sharma also mentioned TOI’s report on Jamia Millia Islamia beginning its centre for climate sustainability and disaster management where they are offering MSc and diploma courses ‘specific to Delhi’.