2012-05-12 16:36:52 – Biological Hazard – Chile

Several news outlets are reporting that some 2,300 dead sea birds have been found along four miles of beach in Chile. The mass avian die-off has left corpses from Cartagena to Playa de Santo Domingo, and is a no doubt unnerving sight. We really need to stop these mass animal die-offs, they’re creeping me out.According to reports, most of the birds were gray petrels, with some pelicans, gannets and Guanay cormorants as well. Many of the birds were found with broken wings and bruising, suggesting that the birds were caught in fisherman’s nets and drowned before being dumped back into the water.Though fishing nets do kill a certain number of birds per year, it is usually much lower. Jose Luis Britos, the director of the Museum of Natural History of San Antonio, Chile, is quoted as putting the number at around 15 to 20 annually.While the cause of death seems understood, how so many birds came to die in this manner is still a mystery. One theory blames nearby oil exploration. However, recent bird and dolphin die-offs in Peru have suggested that warming ocean waters could have played a role. Unseasonably warm waters along the Peruvian coast seem to be causing schools of anchovy to seek out the cooler, deeper waters around Chile.The influx of anchovy may be causing migratory birds to linger around Chile, feasting on the fish. With more birds there are presumably more accidental drownings in nets, which resulted in beaches filled with dead birds. Meanwhile, seabirds in Peru are apparently dying of starvation.Though the exact chain of events that has lead to the enormous number of bird deaths is still unclear, Britos’ staff and local officials are trying to prevent further deaths by working with local fisherman. The hope is that they can be persuaded them to save the birds before the nets are closed. With any luck it might keep some birds alive, though the changing marine ecosystem in the region will remain in flux.

The name of Hazard: Unknow or unidentifed hazard
Species: Animal
Status: Suspected

Posted:2012-05-12 16:36:52 [UTC]

2012-05-12 09:56:21 – Ship Incident – India

One woman drowned and six others, including a two year-old are reported missing after a country boat capsized today in Hooghly river near a ghat on Konnagar, about 14.5 km from Kolkata.Police said the boat with about 19 pilgrims and oarsmen were on way from Sukhchar in North 24 Parganas district to Konnager when it capsized near the Baro Madirtala ghat.The pilgrims were bound for Shakuntala Kalibari at Konnagar in Hooghly district.Locals immediately jumped into the river and rescued 12 pilgrims, the police said.Efforts are on by the district administration and the police to trace the missing, the police added.

Posted:2012-05-12 09:56:21 [UTC]

2012-05-12 05:14:36 – Extreme Weather – India

Ten persons were killed after being struck by lightning in North Dinajpur on Friday. In Malda, lightning claimed two lives whereas a boat capsize left three dead.10 persons were killed in North Dinajpur while 5 in Malda in lightening and boat capsize. 7 died in Karandighi alone and one each at Chakulia, Kaliagunj and Goalpokhor of North Dinajpur. The dead includes a family of husband, wife and son at village South Kochra under Karandighi while two brothers both of whom were minors were killed at village Srinandighi. The storm and lightening killed one at Gazole block and one at Chanchal of Malda.At around 11.30am on Friday, thunderstorm lashed various parts of North Dinajpur. In South Kochra village, some labourers were working in the field when the thunder struck. They took shelter under a thatched roof where lightning struck, killing four people. Three of a family – Akalu Das, 40, his wife Budho Das, 35, and their son Kajal Das, 8, died on the spot. Thirty-five-year-old Atul Chandra Das also died.It is learnt that around 11.30 am when the sky suddenly became dark and huge thunderstorm and lightening started at a vast area in North Dinajpur and Malda. Labourers working in the paddy field took shelter under a thatched roof beside the filed. But the lightening struck there which killed Akalu Das (40) his wife Budho Das (35) and their son Kajal Das (8) on spot. Besides, Atul Chandra Das (35) also found dead in lightening.Two brothers – Md Ibrahim, 10, and Md Israil, 12 – met the same fate in Srinandighi village when they were working in the field. While 40-year-old Nur Islam died after being struck by lightning, Azhar Ali, 30, was found dead beside his house. Lightning claimed the lives of two women – Milan Das, 40, in Kaliagunj, and Parvina Khatun, 35, in Goalpokhor.Similar fate was awaiting two brothers Md Ibrahim (10) and Md Israil (12) of village Srinandighi who were working in the field and could not escape the lightening. One Nur Islam (40) too died struck by lightening. Besides, Azhar Ali (30) was found dead in a jungle beside his house. Some women were working in the jute filed at Kaliagunj who were injured by lightening. When they were taken to hospital, one Milan Das (40) succumbed to her injury. Three more were hospitalized. Another woman of Goalpokhor named Parvina Khatun (35) died of lightening.In Malda, five persons died in a boat capsize while two died after being struck by lightning. Five persons were killed in Malda in boat capsized and lightening. Meanwhile at list 300 houses were fully damaged in storm at Gazole block. Electricity and road communication has been disrupted at Gazole and part of North Malda.Thirty-five-year-old Dulali Das of Sadarpur went to the field to save her cattle but was struck in lightening. Later, one more death was reported from village Bajesahil of Gazole police station but the man was not identified. DM Pasang Norbu Bhutia said, “The victims will be compensated as per government norms. Block administrations were directed in this reagard.

Posted:2012-05-12 05:14:36 [UTC]