May 2021 was a very active month for disasters. The following disasters were recorded (by area) impacting thousands throughout the globe during May 2021:
Worldwide
Coronavirus COVID-19 reported 172,242,495 confirmed cases and 3.709,397 deaths since the onset of the virus. Vaccine doses have been administered to thousands according to the World Health Organization. The Americas lead in cases, followed by Europe, South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Africa, and the Western Pacific.
Global
A C-class solar flare on May 28 hit Earth on June 2, 2021 causing no harm to the planet.
Afghanistan
Widespread flooding leaving 22 people dead, 20 missing
More heavy rainfall and flash floods kill at least 84, destroy 2,600 homes in Afghanistan
Africa
Inside Africa’s drive to boost medicines and vaccine manufacturing
Argentina
Trichinosis outbreak sickens more than 100 in Argentina. Linked to chacinados (salami)
Australia
Queensland’s skies blackened by unseasonal thunderstorms, lightning strikes produce green hue over Brisbane
Brazil
Chikungunya cases up in Pernambuco state
Heavy rains of the Solimoes, Negro and Amazon rivers.
Burundi
Malaria epidemic
Canada
Wildfires burning at extremely dangerous levels across Manitoba
China
Violent storms hit Jiangsu Province, claiming 11 lives and leaving 102 injured
Severe thunderstorm hits Wuhan, turning day into night
China reports additional H9N2 avian influenza case in Guangdong Province
Twenty-one dead as extreme weather hits ultramarathon in China
China reports 1st known human case of H10N3 avian influenza
1 killed, 8 injured in tornado in NE China’s Heilongjiang
Democratic Republic of Congo
DR Congo eruption: Hundreds of houses buried by lava as residents flee volcano
Seismicity and soil deformation indicate the presence of magma under Goma and Lake Kivu-Nyiragongo, DR Congo
Plague outbreak in Ituri province, DRC
Equador
Major damage after worst flooding in 11 years hits Cuenca
Significant eruption at Sangay volcano with ash to 12.2 km
Finland
Snow chaos – Finland braces for severe snowstorm – up to 30 cm (12 inches) of snow expected)
Guatemala
Severe weather affects more than 10,000 people
Iceland
Huge Lava fountains at Fagradalsfjall, biggest since the eruption started in Iceland
Lava flow at Fagradalsfjall increases by 70 percent amid ongoing eruption
India
Very severe cyclonic storm “Yaas’ makes landfall over Odisha, India
Extremely sever cyclonic storm ‘Tauktae’ makes landfall over the coast of Saurashtra, Gujarat
Iran
At least 10 people killed after severe flash floods hit Iran
Italy
Increase in explosive activity, lava fountain night at Etna volcano, Italy
Kenya
Lake Victoria Backflow, floods devastate residents
Madagascar
At least 1 million people facing starvation as drought worsens
Mexico
What was Mexico’s second largest lake now a cemetery of abandoned fishboats
Sinkhole opens up in southeastern Mexico
Middle East
Extreme heat forms across Arabian Peninsula after record Russian heatwav
Latin American
Tragic milestone – COVID – 19 deaths top 1 million
Nepal
Heavy rains killed four people
Flooding killed three people in Chautara and landslide killed one person in Vyas Municipality
New Caledonia
Leptospirosis: 190 cases since the beginning of the year
Nigeria
Measles outbreak in Borno State nears 6,000 cases
Norway
Norway investigates Yersinia enterocolitica outbreak
Pacific
Tropical Storm ‘Andres’ formed as eastern Pacific’s earliest named storm on record
Pakistan
Human rabies death reported in Karachi
Philippines
Tropical Storm ‘Crising’ to make landfall over Davao Oriental – Surigao del Sur area, Philippines
South Cotabato barangays under dengue ‘state of calamity’
3 dead, 6 missing after Tropical Storm Dante makes landfall in Eastern Samar
Phivolcs warns of Iahar flow as Dante crosses Philippine landmass
Rwanda
Dozens killed as heavy rains trigger floods, landslides
Singapore
High mosquito population, less common dengue serotypes increase surge risk
Somalia
Heavy rains leave 25 people dead, more than 150,000 at risk in days ahead
South Africa
Giant sinkholes lead to the closure of two major roads in Gauteng and Western Cape
Rare ‘Level 5 snow warning’ in place for parts of SA on Wednesday 2 June
Spain
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever case confirmed in Salamanca provinces
O fever cases reported in climbers
Bright meteor recorded over Cordoba
Sri Lanka
Huge environmental disaster as oil-laden ship MV X-Press Pearl sinks off Sri Lanka
St. Vincent
Multiple lahars observed at St. Vincent, public advised to be vigilant and exercise caution
La SoufriA “re Volcano: Humanitarian needs remain urgent, as ongoing volcani activity prevents return home
Sweden
Salmonella Braenderup outbreak in Sweden grows. Part of international outbreak
Taiwan
Water reservoirs drop to critical levels as Taiwan suffers worst drought on record
Thailand
Thailand reports human rabies death in Surin
United Kingdom
Possible Earth-grazer fireball over Scotland and Northern Ireland, UK
United States of America
Tornado outbreak: Destructive tornados sweep through Louisiana and Mississippi, U.S.
E-Coli Outbreak reported, 7 children affected
Houston area reports 250% increase in congenital syphilis cases
Whit-nose syndrome reported in bats in New Mexico
Norovirus-like illness outbreak linked to Seattle-area restaurant
Iowa reports first human West Nile virus case of 2021
Plague confirmed in Colorado Springs domestic pet
Bright fireball seen over Washington, D.C.
Arizona Spur Fire
California – Oregon border faces ‘catastrophic’ water crisis, irrigation water to farmers shut off
Severe storms lash Texas and Louisiana, flood emergency declared
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