Nature’s PerilFresh winds and rain helped clear...

Nature’s Peril

Fresh winds and rain helped clear the deadly smoke clouds from the diminishing wildfires in Southeast Asia, but the impact the air pollution has had on the region’s wildlife is just becoming apparent. While the human population has been able to avoid the smoke by wearing masks or staying indoors, many species have had no sanctuary from the pollution. Nearly 2,000 elephants in central Sumatra are suffering from respiratory problems, and some have run amok through villages and plantations. Tigers have also fled into populated areas, killing at least three people. On Borneo, several orphaned orangutans were found hungry and dehydrated in villages and along roadways after their mothers were shot by poachers while fleeing the smoky forest. Songbirds have fallen silent across parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Tropical Storms

Hurricane Pauline tore through a long stretch of Mexico’s Pacific coast. At least 27 people were killed in the Acapulco area alone when flash flooding and high winds struck the population resort. Several more deaths were reported elsewhere along Pauline’s path.

Tropical Storm Fabian formed briefly in the open Atlantic southeast of Bermuda, and Tropical Cyclone 02P strengthened in the southwest Pacific near Santa Cruz Island.

Volcano Alert

New Zealand scientists raised the alert level on Mt. Ruapehu,, a volcano in the center of the North Island, after a spate of volcanic eruptions occurred within a few hours. The last dramatic eruption from the imposing mountain was in July 1996 when Ruapehu belched glowing rocks the size of cars.

Earthquakes

Strong aftershocks of he destructive Sept. 26 temblors in central Italy caused further damage around Assisi. The continuing tremors have taken a psychological toll on the population, with many going to hospital complaining of stress or panic attacks. Six people were injured and a number of homes damaged when two strong earthquakes jolted southern Iran’s Persian Gulf coast.

Earth movements wer also felt in northern Japan, the southern Philippines, the India-Burma border region, southwest Mexico, northwest California, the Los Angeles Basin and the California desert.

Drought and Famine

More than 400 people have died of starvation and drought-related disease in the remote villages of Indonesia’s easternmost province of Irian Jaya. Emergency shipments of supplies are being airlifted into the villages suffering the most serious malnutrition and illness.

Nearly 4,000 people in the mountains of central Vietnam have been close to starvation for months because drought destroyed their crops. Authorities are encouraging those affected to pick wild fruits in the forest to supplement thier meager ration of one meal a day.

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