Morocco Earthquake
Search for survivors continues
In Morocco, the situation is dire. the ongoing search and rescue mission in Morocco following a devastating earthquake. Despite some hopeful scenes of aid workers arriving in small villages with provisions and shelter, the focus remains on finding survivors. Regrettably, the prospects of locating more survivors seem to be diminishing. Reports from Morocco indicate that the use of sniffer dogs has yielded few signs of life. Nevertheless, the search efforts persist. The earthquake in Morocco claimed the lives of 2,900 individuals and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Our correspondent, Tom Bitman from the BBC, is currently in the Atlas Mountains with UK Aid workers assisting in the search for survivors. In a recent interview, he described the desperate conditions faced by the earthquake survivors, who have been enduring their fifth night outdoors. The scarcity of proper shelter is a significant concern, as people rely on makeshift solutions such as blankets, tarps, pieces of wood, and tree branches for protection against the chilly nights in the high Atlas Mountains. This additional risk compounds the trauma already experienced by the survivors since last Friday's events.
We have now reached the town of Amiz, which serves as a base for the four international search and rescue teams invited by the Moroccan authorities. The Moroccan military is also present here. Recently, a helicopter departed with several members of the British Rescue Team. Their base camp can be seen behind us. However, due to the challenging conditions and inaccessible areas, they have been instructed to only conduct reconnaissance at the moment. Unfortunately, they are unable to land and provide direct assistance and rescue to the areas most in need. In the past 24 hours, we accompanied one of the UK search and rescue teams on a journey to one of the most isolated regions affected by the earthquake. Colin, a member of the team, meticulously scoured the ruins of a severely damaged mountain village in search of survivors. This British crew is dedicated to finding and rescuing those who may still be alive amidst the devastation at the earthquake's epicenter.
Despite working against all odds, unfortunately, there has been no indication of any live casualties in this area. Now, the focus shifts to recovery. Hussein, who considers himself an experienced dog, was in Turkey earlier this year and is trained to search for live scents. However, there seems to be no interest. Coping with the devastation, Hussein digs out the remains of his home in hopes of retrieving his possessions and family's clothes. Recounting the moment of the disaster, he shares, "I was here with my family, having dinner when the ceiling fell on me. It's God's decision. My brother died, and there's nothing I can do. I'll just take my clothes and move to the tent. This is our home now." People are now forced to adapt to living amidst the foul air of death surrounding them. Over a hundred individuals were buried instantly when the earthquake struck, leaving near-complete destruction. Only the minaret of their mosque stands, while everything else, including homes and streets, has been reduced to rubble. The magnitude of the devastation is overwhelming, and everyone we've interviewed here believes that all the missing individuals have perished. Hope for finding survivors has extinguished.
Supplies are being delivered to residents who have lost everything and are isolated from the outside world. However, residents are expressing the need for more assistance. They emphasize that without government support, they have no place to live and are left with nothing. Despite the challenges, these resilient individuals are already attempting to rebuild their lives. It is evident that they have been deeply affected by their losses and are searching for ways to move forward. The presence of a British team working against the odds is apparent, along with interviews highlighting the residents' plea for additional aid. Concerns and criticisms have arisen regarding the limited access of international agencies and countries to Morocco. The Moroccan authorities took approximately 48 hours to invite aid, causing delays in deployment. The coordination of efforts is crucial, as emphasized by the Moroccan government, which has invited only four countries so far in order to manage the response effectively. However, complaints about the lack of an official response and the need for humanitarian aid have persisted, with volunteers, family, friends, local charities, and NGOs stepping in to provide assistance. More recently, there has been a more noticeable presence of the Moroccan Armed Forces in remote regions, indicating progress. Nonetheless, the overall pace of recovery has been painfully slow.
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Sinking Cities
Sea levels are on the rise worldwide, putting several major cities at risk of being submerged. Global warming can be challenging to comprehend if you're not directly affected by rising sea levels, water shortages, or wildfires. It may all seem abstract. In this video, we will explore the top nine cities that could be underwater by 2030, with the most surprising ones at the top. Make sure to stay till the end. Let's start with number nine: Savannah, USA. Situated in a hurricane-prone area, the historic city of Savannah, Georgia, faces the threat of being engulfed by the sea from all sides. The Savannah River in the north and the Ogeechee River in the south could overflow into the nearby marshland during hurricanes and flash floods. By 2050, the city is projected to experience flood levels that historically occur once per century on an annual basis. The impact may be even more severe. Moving on to number eight: Georgetown, Guyana. For centuries, Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, has relied on a massive 280-mile-long seawall for protection against storms. This is because most of the country's coastline is between 0.5 and 1 meter below high tide. Around 90 percent of Guyana's population resides on the coast, making it crucial for Georgetown's central areas to enhance their seawall to prevent substantial damage. At 7, Bangkok, Thailand, a recent study conducted in 2020 revealed that Bangkok is at high risk of being severely affected by global warming in the near future. The capital city of Thailand is situated only 1.5 meters above sea level, and similar to Venice, it is experiencing sinking, but at a much faster rate of approximately two to three centimeters per year. Furthermore, Bangkok is built on dense clay soil, which further increases its vulnerability to flooding. By 2030, it is projected that a significant portion of the coastal areas, including Tarcam and Summer Prakan, could be submerged, along with the main airport, Suvarnabhumi International. Moving on to number 6, Kolkata, India, much of West Bengal has thrived for centuries due to its fertile landscape. However, as depicted in the map, this has now become a major cause for concern. Similar to Ho Chi Minh city, Kolkata and its surrounding areas could face challenges during the monsoon season, as there is limited land for rainwater runoff. The climate map from Climate Central shows that the eastern districts of Ho Chi Minh City, especially the flat and heavily built-up Marshland area of 2tm, are at the highest risk of flooding. Additionally, the city will face increasing threats along the Mekong Delta. While the central area of Ho Chi Minh City itself is not expected to be submerged by 2030, it will become more vulnerable to flooding and tropical storms. In the near future, Venice, Italy faces a dual threat of rising sea levels and sinking land. The city already experiences severe flooding, and climate change is likely to increase the frequency of high tides that submerge it. Similar to New Orleans, Venice has flood defense systems in place, but as the crisis worsens, maintaining these systems will become more challenging and costly. In New Orleans, USA, the map shows the city's levee system, indicated by the sharp, thick gray borders around the center. These levees serve as protective barriers against the growing red area from Lake Moreepas In the northern region and from Lake Salvador to little Lake in the southern region, New Orleans would face severe threats from rising sea levels if it weren't for the existing defenses. However, even with these defenses in place, the damage would still be catastrophic. On the map, both the Biloxi and Gene Lafitte Wildlife preserves appear to be highly vulnerable as they are almost completely submerged. In the foreign city of Basra, Iraq's main port city, it lies in the Chateau Arab, a massive and wide river that flows into the Persian Gulf. Due to its complex system of canals, streams, and neighboring marshland, Basra and its surrounding areas are particularly susceptible to rising sea levels. To make matters worse, Basra already suffers significantly from waterborne diseases, so increased flooding poses even greater threats. Lastly, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, one can understand why they are referred to as the low countries. Both Amsterdam and the cities of Rotterdam and the Hague are located in low, flat areas.
By Fred Ferguson Antoine 2 years ago in Earth
When Behavior Walks Away:
I have spent decades watching how behavior changes when the environment stops making sense. That skill came from forensics, trauma science, and animal work in the field. Patterns never break cleanly. They stretch first. They warp. Then the organism abandons the behavior that once kept it stable. I see that pattern now across animals that have nothing in common except the world they live in.
By Dr. Mozelle Martin5 days ago in Earth
Magic
Note from the Author: I want to let you know that this is an unusual story, and it has been written purely from whatever is in my unconscious mind, because before I start writing, I get into a flow state that reaches my unconsciousness. I also write in my subconscious mind, which is like a mid-flow state between the conscious and unconscious mind.
By Denise Larkin2 days ago in Fiction
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