News Listing

June 30, 2024

Affected countries: Barbados, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
Glide: TC-2024-000105-VCT
Tropical cyclone Beryl has become a major hurricane forecast to bring life-threatening winds and storm surge to the Caribbean, according to the National Hurricane Center.The hurricane headed toward the Windward Islands (Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Martinique). On 29 June evening, Beryl was about 960 km/h east-southeast of Barbados with maximum sustained winds of near 136 km/h, moving west at around 30 km/h. Maximum sustained winds of 129 – 177 km/h or greater, rainfall accumulations of 100 to 150mm, very rough and hazardous marine conditions and storm surges are expected across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with possible higher winds offshore. Large and destructive waves/swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has urged the population to gather emergency supplies. Shelters are to be accessible by 6 p.m. local time today. Volunteers are active in their various communities, checking the vulnerable population and assisting families preparing for the event. (ECHO, 30 Jun 2024)


June 18, 2024

Affected country: Bangladesh
Glide: FL-2024-000088-BGD
On 18 and 19 June, heavy monsoon rainfall impacted the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, southeastern Bangladesh causing flash floods and 773 landslides incidents, resulting in casualties and damage. According to humanitarian partners, as of 19 June, 10 people died, including at least seven Rohingya refugees, almost 8,000 people have been affected across 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar and also around 1,200 shelters. Rising water and mudslides have damaged learning centers, health facilities, mosques, latrines, water points and bathing cubicles. Flooding from heavy rains has also affected 1.6 million people in other parts of the country. Nearly 30,000 people moved to shelter centres while many families were seen wandering in northeastern Bangladesh. Only in Sylhet district, almost 75 percent of areas, including 23 wards of the city and 1,548 villages in 13 Upazilas, have been flooded, directly affecting over 825,000 people. In Sunamganj district, flooding affected 560,000 people. (ECHO, 20 Jun 2024)
Continuous heavy rainfall inside the country over the past three days and onrushing water from upstream have flooded the northeast Haor region of Bangladesh. Sylhet and Sunamganj districts have experienced 242 mm and 223 mm of rainfall respectively already exceeded monthly average.
Almost 75% of Sylhet district is now flooded, with more than half of the crops and paddy fields in the region submerged under water, likely to have lasting impacts on people’s food security. According to humanitarian partners, as of 19 June, 15 people died due to landslides. (ECHO, 21 Jun 2024)


June 15, 2024

Affected country: El Salvador
Glide: FL-2024-000098-SLV
Heavy rainfall has been affecting El Salvador since 15 June, causing floods, landslides and severe weather-related incidents, that have resulted in casualties and damage. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and media reports, as of 17 June, at least 14 fatalities have been reported, including five in Tacuba district in Ahuachapán Department (western El Salvador) due to a landslide, two due to a severe weather-related incident, and four due to flooding. At least 744 people have been displaced in 30 active shelters, another 100 shelters are pre-equipped and available, and 26 homes have been destroyed. A national state of emergency was declared on 16 June. On 19-20 June, more very heavy rainfall is forecasted for the whole country. (ECHO, 19 Jun 2024)


June 12, 2024

Affected country: Nepal
Glide: FL-2024-000103-NPL
Flood is the most severe of the hazards observed in Nepal in terms of physical and socioeconomic losses and destruction. Koshi, Karnali, and Narayani are the major river systems in Nepal, and floods from these large perennial river systems generally impact several districts in the Southern Terai plains. Moreover, rivers such as West Rapti, and Babai Rivers, which originate in the Mahabharat range, do more damage in the Terai floodplains because they frequently generate flash floods during the monsoon. Moreover, the Terai's vulnerable topography, combined with its dependency on agriculture, exacerbates the severity of flood hazards compared to other regions. (IFRC, 12 Jun 2024)
The targeted flood-prone areas are the Terai districts along the flood plains of Karnali, Babai and West Rapti rivers, namely Banke, Bardiya and Kailali. frequently affected due to flooding in the monsoon period. People living along these rivers especially low-lying areas, informal settlements, fragile houses, and those who have lowincome status and a number of dependent family members to care for, are highly vulnerable to flooding; especially during the monsoon (June to September). (IFRC, 12 Jun 2024)
The monsoon season is impacting several parts of Nepal, causing floods, triggering landslides and resulting in casualties and damage. According to the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal, as of 8 July, 21 people have died since the beginning of the month - 12 due to landslides and nine others to floods - three people are still missing, 29 have been injured and 541 families have been affected across several districts of the country. (ECHO, 8 Jul 2024)
Heavy rainfall has been affecting central Nepal (particularly the Gandaki province and the neighbouring Bagmati province over the last 24 hours, triggering huge landslides that have resulted in casualties and damage. Media report, as of 12 July, 11 fatalities across the Kaski district (Gandaki province), one fatality and 65 persons still missing in the Chitwan district (Bagmati province) due to different landslide events. Over the next 96 hours, very heavy rainfall is still forecast over most of Nepal. (ECHO, 12 Jul 2024)


May 31, 2024

Affected country: Honduras
Glide: EP-2024-000093-HND
This year, due to the escalating number of reported cases, the Secretariat of Health (SESAL) issued an epidemiological alert in February. By March, the incidence of cases had escalated to epidemic proportions. Despite extending the scope of the alert in May, the number of dengue cases and associated fatalities continued to rise. Consequently, a national emergency was declared on 31 May. According to data from the Epidemiological Alert issued by WHO on 24 May 2024, in Honduras, up to EW 19 of 2024, of the 20,563 dengue cases reported, 1,248 (6.0%) were laboratory-confirmed, and 266 (1.29%) were classified as severe dengue, as well as 27 deaths, with 11 of these fatalities directly attributed to the disease. The cases reported up to EW 19 of 2024 represent an increase of 445% compared to the same period of 2023, and 193% compared to the average of the last 5 years. In the same period, a total of 10 deaths were reported, corresponding to a case fatality rate of 0.049%. (IFRC, 14 Jun 2024)


May 28, 2024

Affected country: Colombia
Glide: VO-2024-000082-COL
According to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC), the alert level of the Puracé Volcano changed from Yellow Level (I) to Orange Level (II) on May 3, 2024, which represents a probable eruption in a matter of days or weeks, prompting local authorities to take preparedness, mitigation, and communication actions. The alert status to ORANGE indicates that the monitored parameters show considerable variations or fluctuations (they may increase or decrease) and raise the probability of one or more major eruptions (those of great scope and height that can significantly affect the lives
of people and animals, the ecosystem and infrastructure, bridges, buildings, roads, etc.). The territories identified under the zone of influence of the Puracé volcano in the department of Cauca are: Puracé, Popayán, Sotará Paisbamba, Timbío, Rosas, El Tambo, La Sierra, Patía, Bolívar, Sucre, La Vega, Totoró; and in the department of Huila they are: San Agustín, Isnos, Saladoblanco and La Argentina. Thus, according to the Colombian Geological Service and Cauca branch, around 40,000 people live under the influence of the volcano and could be affected. (IFRC, 28 May 2024)


May 26, 2024

Affected countries: Bangladesh, India
Glide: TC-2024-000083-BGD
A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclonic storm “Remal” and it is expected to make landfall near West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts around midnight between 26 and 27 May. Wind speed ranging 90-120 kmph (with a maximum up to 135) and a surge height ranging 3-4 m are expected in the coastal areas of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Hatia, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barisal, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Cumilla, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. There is a particular alert for Rohingya camps and hill districts for heavy rainfall and subsequent landslide risks. The overall potential exposed population is 1.9 million, who may be displaced during the cyclone, with almost 0.5 million houses estimated to be possibly damaged or destroyed. (ECHO, 26 May 2024)
A tropical storm named REMAL formed over the northern Bay of Bengal on 25 May. It made landfall over the border area between India, West Bengal state and Bangladesh, Khulna division on 26 May around 18.00 UTC. Tidal surges as high as 12 feet, heavy rainfall, and wind speeds of up to 120 km/h have led to inundation of many southwestern coastal areas of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, over 800,000 people have been evacuated to safer areas in 16 coastal districts ahead of the cyclone in 9,000 shelters. Tens of thousands of volunteers had been mobilized by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) to quicken the evacuation efforts and relief has already been transported to remote areas. 10,599 houses are so far reported fully destroyed, while 18,605 are reported partially destroyed, and 9 people are reported dead. Millions are without power. Over the next 48 hours, very heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected over West Bengal and most of Bangladesh. (ECHO, 27 May 2024)
As of 28 May, ten casualties are reported across southern Bangladesh and six more in the West Bengal state (India). Around 800,000 are displaced across Bangladesh and 150,000 in India. Approximately 3.75 million of affected people in both countries. Around 115,000 houses were reported damaged in India and 35,000 destroyed in Bangladesh, fostering high risk of protracted displacement. (ECHO, 28 May 2024)
Media report, as of 29 May, a total of 54 fatalities, of which 44 in India and 10 across Bangladesh. In India, 27 fatalities and seven missing people were reported across the Mizoram state, seven fatalities in West Bengal, four fatalities and 18 injured people in Assam, four fatalities in Nagaland and two fatalities and four injured people in Meghalaya. More than 37,000 damaged houses were reported across the affected states. In Bangladesh, around 807,000 people have been evacuated in nearly 9,500 shelters and around 70,285 houses have been completely destroyed, 107,176 of which partially damaged. (ECHO, 29 May 2024)


May 26, 2024

Affected country: Armenia
Glide: FF-2024-000087-ARM
A severe flash flood struck the Lori and Tavush regions in Armenia on 26 May 2024, following heavy rain the previous day. Between Alaverdi and Chochkan, the flooding affected at least 15 villages, including Alaverdi, Akhtala, Bagratashen, Bendik, Deghdsavan, Haghtanak, Karkop, Mets Ayrum, Pokr Ayrum, Sanahin, Shamlug, and Shnogh. The flooding resulted in significant damage to infrastructure, homes, livestock, and businesses. Based on the latest national population census of Armenia, the combined population of these villages exceeds 30,000 people. (IFRC, 13 Jun 2024)


May 24, 2024

Affected country: Botswana
Glide: DR-2024-000091-BWA
On May 24, 2024, the Rural Development Secretariat under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development issued a report urging support due to the devastating impact of drought on food security drivers, nutrition, water supplies, and food production. The report highlighted a signicant decline in crop yields, with a drop from 206,572 tons harvested in 2021/22 to 125,184 tons in 2022/23. Cereal production in 2022/23 reached only 67,530 tons, which is equivalent to just 23% of the national requirement. The 2022/23 cropping season experienced low and highly erratic rainfall, along with extended dry periods, severely impacting food and agricultural production, disrupting urban water supplies, and damaging the rural economy and socio-cultural structures. As a result, the nation is experiencing signicant chronic food insecurity, with over 10% of the population facing food and nutrition problems.
The country has experienced dry spells and rainfall decits in recent years, leading the government to declare a drought emergency in July 2023. This marks the third consecutive year of severe drought, affecting arable agricultural land in a context where 70% of the rural population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods, primarily through rain-fed farming. Since then, 163,000 people have been categorized as food insecure. The SADC Synthesis Report on The State of Food and Nutrition Security and Vulnerability in Southern Africa indicated that 37,000 individuals in Botswana are experiencing food insecurity in 2024.
The El Niño drought effect in Southern Africa has further exacerbated the already critical drought situation. According to the Southern Africa Seasonal Monitor report, Botswana is currently experiencing El Niño conditions, leading to severe rain deficits and challenging harvest conditions across most of the region, with dry spells expected to persist. (IFRC, 12 June 2024)


May 23, 2024

Affected country: Papua New Guinea
Glide: LS-2024-000080-PNG
A huge landslide occurred in the Enga province, central-northern Papua New Guinea on 23 May, resulting in casualties and widespread damage. According to DG ECHO partners, the total number of casualties remains unverified. Local media reports, as of 24 May, more than 100 fatalities across six villages (where the worst affected is the Kaokalam village) in the Porgera-Paiela district, Enga province due to the landslide occurred on very early morning, local time, of 24 May. Over the next 96 hours, more heavy rainfall with locally very heavy rainfall is forecast over the whole Papua New Guinea. (ECHO, 24 May 2024)
Landslides triggered by heavy rains struck the Tulpar community in Yambali village, Lagaip-Porgera District, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea on 24 May 2024. The area remains extremely dangerous due to ongoing land movement. Access is difficult due to a blocked highway and ongoing instability. As of 26 May 2024, authorities report the death toll has risen to five. Many are missing, and estimates suggest a possible additional 670 fatalities. The authorities of the affected area have declared a State of Emergency and requested national assistance. At least approx. 1,250 people had become displaced. (ECHO, 26 May 2024)