19/09/2012

I. International

DRC – Ebola epidemic (ECHO)

• A retrospective investigation of the suspected cases shows that 31 people have died since the outbreak started in May; 17 are laboratory confirmed. The epicentre of the epidemic is Isiro town, in DRC’s Orientale province.
• Although the situation remains serious, right now there are only six active cases of Ebola. These have been identified and admitted to the treatment centre in Isiro.
• Together with the Congolese Ministry of Health and other organizations, MSF is taking care of the patients and trying to contain the outbreak. Measures have been implemented to prevent the epidemic from spreading further.
• The emergency team has set up a treatment centre, is supporting the training of the Ministry of Health staff to combat the outbreak and is giving psychosocial assistance to patients and families.

Nigeria – Floods (NEMA, GDACS, Local Media)

• Overflow of the river Benue has caused the displacement of at least 25,000 people since last week in 14 communities in Benue State, central-eastern Nigeria, according to the National Emergency Management Agency. Thousands are also reported displaced in Kaduna, central Nigeria, following overflow of the Kaduna River, and some communities in Kano State were submerged after the collapse of the Warawa dam.
• Local media, quoting NEMA officials, report more displacements in Taraba and Cross River states, eastern and SE Nigeria on 18 September, following floods caused by heavy rainfall. 30 communities are reported affected in Taraba, with many of them stranded due to bridges being made impassable by the floods.
• According to NEMA, more areas along the plains of the rivers Benue and Niger remain under threat of floods due to rising waters in the upstream dams. On 10 September NEMA ordered an immediate evacuation of the Niger plains, as the water in the Jebba and Kainji dams has reached its highest level in the last 29 years.

 

II. Europe

Portugal (Azores) – Tropical Cyclone NADINE-12 (GDACS, NOAA, Meteo Portugal)

• Tropical Cyclone NADINE-12 that has been moving over open waters in the Atlantic since it formed on 11 September, is approaching the Azores islands. At 03:00 UTC 19 September it was a Tropical Storm with a max. sustainable wind speed of 84 km/h, its centre was located 450 km WSW of Pico island and was heading NNE.
• The centre of NADINE is forecast to continue moving NNE over open waters in the next 12 hours; its course afterwards is still uncertain. The Azores islands might be affected by moderate winds and rainfall within the next couple of days and a Tropical Storm warning by NOAA is in effect for Flores, Corvo, Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira as of 03:00 UTC 19 September. An Orange Alert for rain, wind and high waves has been issued for the Azores by Meteo Portugal.

Portugal – Forest Fires (Portuguese CP)

• As of 05:00 UTC 19 September there were 3 fires active in Portugal, one in the district of Coimbra, in Palheiros, and two in the district of Braganca, in Bemposta and Pombal.

Meteoalarm – Orange Alerts

• Heavy rain in NE Spain, Azores in Portugal – Orange Alert
• Thunderstorms in central and NE Italy – Orange Alert
• Strong winds in central and NE Italy, Azores in Portugal – Orange Alert
• High waves in Azores, Portugal – Orange Alert

---