Tropical Storms

Hurricane Nora lashed seaside communities of western Mexico as it moved slowly northward. The storm weakened to tropical storm strength as it passed across the Mexico-Arizona border late in the week. Typhoon Fritz roared into the coast of Vietnam, packing winds of up to 85 mph. It was expected to weaken rapidly over the country’s interior high terrain. Tropical cyclone 02B formed along the eastern coast of India. Torrential rains from the storm caused widespread flooding from Sri Lanka to Bangladesh. Tropical storms Ginger and Ella passed harmlessly over the open waters of the western Pacific.

Eruptions

An avalanche of super-heated volcanic rock and debris cascaded through Montserrat’s abandoned airport, igniting its wood-frame terminal building and burying parts of the runway before flowing into the sea. Scores of charred fish and lobsters washed up on the shore shortly after the flow abated. Despite the continuing activity, few remaining residents are interested in permanently relocating off the Caribbean island. Indonesia’s Mt. Merapi volcano continued its current eruptive phase with spurts of ash and smoke. Residents of the nearby city of Bukittinggi have been warned that a major eruption of Merapi could occur at any time.

Earthquakes

South African miners were injured when a tremor hit a gold mine about 65 miles east of Johannesburg. Most seismic activity in the area is related to mining operations. Earth movements were also felt in Indonesia’s Irian Jaya province, New Zealand’s South Island, the HKermadec Islands, central Japan, western Iran, northwest Greece, Africa’s Great Rift Valley near Lake Tanganyika, eastern Venezuela and Southern California.

Locust Invasion

Invasion swarms of locusts have chomped their way through crops in southwestern Chad. The plague began in the North African nation in late August, and has spread into Mali and Mauritania. Agricultural officials say that days of air attacks with pesticides have done little to reduce the number of insects. It is estimated that as many as 200 locusts per square yard cover parts of Chad.

Peruvian Cat Feast

A last-minute appeal from the humane society persuaded organizers near Peru’s southern coastal town of Canete to cancel a festival of cat cookery intended to celebrate a local saint’s day. Just as the highly advertised festival began amid crates of chilled beer and about 50 plump cats ready for the grill, health authorities showed up to cancel the event.

The tradition of cat-eating in the area goes back to the 18th century. “Some people eat them today for superstitious reasons,” said Lima folklore specialist Manuel Acosta.

“Because cats are supposed to have nine lives, some believe it will make them live longer.,” One Canete inhabitant explained to a local television station that stray cats are the best “because they have more flavor.”

Sources: U.S. Climate Analysis Center, U.S. Earthquake Information Center and the World Meteorological Organization.