Stories about Disaster from November, 2009
Saudi Arabia: Citizens’ Fury At Flood Deaths
Saudi Arabia's second largest city, Jeddah, was struck by heavy floods last week, and the death toll has risen to more than 100 people. Poor infrastructure and mismanagement of city works construction have been blamed, and thousands have joined a Facebook group criticising the authorities.
Russia: At Least 25 People Killed in the ‘Neva Express’ Train Crash
An express train traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg derailed at 9:34 PM on Friday, Nov. 27, near the town of Bologoye, killing at least 25 people. Below are some of the initial reactions from the Russian blogosphere.
Afghanistan: Counting the cost of war
Nick Fielding reviews “The Cost of War: Afghan Experiences of Conflict 1978-2009″, a report by nine NGOs working in Afghanistan analyzing 30 years of war and a devastating impact they had.
Bangladesh: Brahmaputra River Is Threatened
RealTime Bangladesh blog reports that a dam in Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) in China will divert 200 billion cubic meters of waters to the Yellow River. This will spell disaster for the Tibetan plateau and the lower riparian countries, India’s North East and Bangladesh as Brahmaputra river and its branches like...
Russia: Videos of Ulyanovsk Arms Depot Blasts
LJ user oleg_kozyrev posts six YouTube videos of Ulyanovsk arms depot blasts, shot by Russian video bloggers.
Egypt: Nidal Hassan – Psychiatrist or Psychotic?
Major Nidal Hassan is the US military psychiatrist of Arab origins who went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood in Texas, killing 13 people. He is now facing charges of premeditated murder. "Psychiatrist or Psychotic?", ask Egyptian bloggers.
China: Drought and the Three Gorges Dam
Since September this year, China’s Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower scheme, has began a plan to raise its reservoir to its ideal height of 175 metres. In October, there has been severe drought in the provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi provinces along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Is there any co-relation between the Dam and the drought?
Southern Madagascar Hit Hard by Severe Drought and Toxic Spill
While the political direction of Madagascar remains mired in total uncertainty since the coup d'etat in March, in Addis Ababa, the international community is again trying to mediate an agreement between the various political movements. The president of the African Union and one of the mediators present in Addis Ababa,...
Jordan: Nidal Malik Hasan
Arab American Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire at a military base on the US, killing several people. Jordanian Hareega comments on the incident in this post.
Philippines: Dita Tree saved 36 lives during floods
A 40-feet Dita Tree in Metro Manila became a literal ‘Tree of Life’ when it was used as a refuge by residents who were trapped in their homes during a recent flooding and storm disaster. Lesson: Don’t cut trees.
Timor Sea Drilling Spill
Return to Rai Ketak appeals to media, bloggers and government officials of Indonesia and East Timor to monitor and discuss the Timor Sea Drilling Spill.
Ukraine: Chernobyl Photos Web Exhibit
Chernobyl and Eastern Europe links to Michael Forster Rothbart's interactive web exhibit of Chernobyl photos.
Ukraine: Updates on Flu
Updates on the flu situation in Ukraine, at Greetings From Kyiv – here and here, and at Ukrainiana – here.
Leptospirosis outbreak in the Philippines
Leptospirosis outbreak was declared in several flood-affected areas of the Philippines. Health authorities claim it is one of the biggest Leptospirosis outbreaks in the world. Filipino bloggers react.
Egypt: Two Trains, a Buffalo, and a Minister
Two trains collided with each other in south Cairo, Egypt, killing at least 18 people. What followed was a cry for the Minister of Transportation to resign. Bloggers reaction to the crash and the minister's resignation.
