Over 260,000 fatalities were caused by natural disasters and catastrophes in 2010. Insurance agencies estimate financial losses worldwide of US$222 billion according to Swiss Re, t he largest reinsurer. Earthquakes, volcanoes, mud slides, flooding, tropical storm cyclones, cave-ins, heat waves and forest fires struck worldwide. In reverse chronological order for 2010 a few of the major 2010 disasters are listed here.
Natural Disasters to Increase
The United Nations 2011 Humanitarian Appeal estimated $7.4 billion was needed to assist the 50 million lives worldwide.[1] Global warming will cause the number of catastrophes and natural disasters to rise warned The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Mount Merapi Volcano Eruption in Indonesia
Mount Merapi erupted October 25, 2010. 386 people here lost their lives due to gas clouds, hot ashes and respiratory problems. Meteorologists were able to evacuate 350,000 people. The mountain was still erupting November 30, 2010. The volcano initially erupted just as western Indonesia was recovering from a a 7.7-magnitude earthquake. The earthquake had initiated three-meter high tsunami waves killing 370 persons.
Pakistan Flood Crisis
The flooding which swept through Pakistan beginning July 26, 2010 was the worst ever to hit that country. Fatalities in the floods reached almost 2,000 persons and further affected 20 million people The Pakistan flood relief effort is not over yet. The infrastructure damage was staggering. Nearly 10,000 schools, and 1.7 million houses need to be rebuilt along with miles and miles of road, railway and bridges. Flood victims have been further hit by a polio epidemic and the country is entering its cold winter season exacaberating the Pakistan crisis stated the UN.
Torrential Rains and Flooding in Southern China
Torrential rains which began in May 2010 across southern China resulted in over 3,000 fatalities, and over 1,000 people missing. Surging rivers which overflowed their banks,and mudslides took the greatest number of lives. Over 10 million were displaced from the storms.
Guatemala Sink Hole follows Tropical Storm Agatha
Tropical Storm Agatha made landfall in Guatemala May 29, 2010 causing landslides and Guatemala City nearby. On May 27, 2010 Guatemala City was evacuated due to the Pacaya volcano eruption. A giant sinkhole formed approximately 18 m (60 ft) wide and 60 m (200 ft) deep. Geologists theorized that leaking sewer pipes and a full water table eroded the loose pumice fill from prior volcanic eruptions upon which Guatemala City is built. The sinkhole has been termed the Guatemala Piping Pseudokarst or Piping Feature.
China 6.9 Earthquake
On April 14, 2010, Yushu, Qinghai, China was struck by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake. From this devastation, Xinhua news reported 2,698 died and another 270 were missing following relief efforts up to May 31. Another 12, 135 persons were injured. The population was hard to reach by rescuers, Devastated villages and towns were located on the Tibetan plateau at an elevation of 3,700m (12,000 ft).
Russian Heat Wave and Forest Fires
Following unusual early year blizzards and record snow fall in many areas, the northern hemisphere was hit with a particularly long heat wave. Russia was impacted with close to 15,000 deaths. Further, the drought arising from continuous temperatures reaching 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) instigated deadly forest fires causing the evacuation of 5,000 people
Iceland Volcano Eruption
Amidst seismic rumblings recorded since December 2009, the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted March 20, 2010. A second explosion followed on April 14, 2010 affirmed the New York Times. Air traffic across Northern Europe was grounded stranding millions of passengers. Aviation losses mounted into the millions of dollars due to canceled flights. Airlines did not fully recover from the aviation disaster until complete operations resumed after May 17, 2010.
Tropical Storm Hubert at Madagascar
Tropical Storm Hubert impacted Madagascar on March 12,2010. The disaster left 36 killed and 85,000 injured. Besides relief efforts and road infrastructure damage, the main hospital was submerged in flood waters.
Chilean 8.8 Earthquake
An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chili on February 27, 2010 at 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. EST) instigating tsunami warnings. At 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. EST) people rushed into the roads from their beds as buildings collapsed. The earthquake resulted in the deaths of 521 persons and another 56 missing. Even though the Chili earthquake was larger in magnitude, the Haiti earthquake had a much larger death toll.
Haiti 7.0 Earthquake
A 7.0 earthquake struck the capital city, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010 resulting in the deaths of 200,000 to 250,000 persons. The quake and the aftershocks leveled the city and surrounding area. Immediate relief efforts were drastically hampered by devastating damage caused to the ports, airport and roads.
By May only 1.8% of the 1.3 million Haitians who had lost homes had restored shelters. A tarpaulin city was created for the rainy season. The earthquake was followed by seasonal flooding, a cholera epidemic and Hurricane Thomas said Valerie Amos, United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Nearly one year later, on Christmas eve, the New York Times still urges donations to help support the Red Cross in Haiti.
The United Nations 2011 Humanitarian Appeal
“In 2011, tens of millions of people will need help to survive...This appeal is asking for the resources needed to respond quickly. The strong response to the mega-disasters this year in Haiti and Pakistan shows what is possible when the international community comes together,” implored Ms Amos at the launch for $7.4 billion United Nations 2011 Humanitarian Appeal..[2]
Interested in other memorable 2010 events? Read about what happened in this exciting year on suite101.com.
Part 1 Top News Stories of 2010
Part 2 Famous Deaths in 2010 - A Testimonial in Honor.
Part 3 Natural Disasters of 2010
Part 4 Top Sport Stories of 2010
Sources:
1. "Highlights of Press Conference by UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Others to Launch 2011 Humanitarian Appeal". United Nations Information Service Geneva. November 30, 2010. ochanet.unocha.org Retrieved 2010-12-25.
2. "In biggest appeal ever, UN seeks $7.4 billion for humanitarian efforts in 2011". UN Daily News. The United Nations. 30 November 2010. un.org. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
