PDC Weekly Global Flood Survey: April 19, 2012

PDC Global Hazards Atlas displaying PDC Integrated Active Hazards and accumulated rainfall for the past 7 days

Did you know that six of the deadliest natural disasters occurring in 2011 were floods? According to the 2011 Disasters in Numbers report, over 106 million people were affected and over 5,200 killed during flooding events last year. In fact, over half of the total population affected by natural disasters in 2011, over 205.8 million people, was affected by flooding!

This week has been another busy week of flooding across the globe! Floods persisted in Australia, particularly in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland; as well as in Haiti and Dominican Republic. Flooding was also observed in Paraguay, Nicaragua, Kenya and Rwanda, and flooding caused by the melting of snow was observed in Russia.

Below we will take a closer look at the recent flooding events in Rwanda and Paraguay.

Precipitation & Flooding: Rwanda

PDC Global Hazards Atlas centered on Rwanda displaying PDC Integrated Active Hazards and accumulated rainfall for the past 7 days

According to a recent Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) report, heavy rain and flooding has been occurring in northern Rwanda for over a week. At least 2 people have been killed and 300 displaced. A report issued by Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) stated that the flooding has inundated at least 876 hectares (over 3 square miles) of land, resulting in damage to transportation networks, as well as to schools and clinics.

A senior researcher with Rwanda Meteorological Services has informed IRIN that more flooding should be expected.

Precipitation & Flooding: Paraguay

PDC Global Hazards Atlas centered on Paraguay displaying PDC Integrated Active Hazards and accumulated rainfall for the past 7 days

According to another GDACS report, weeks of torrential rain and flooding have resulted in at least 2 deaths and the displacement of 5,000 people in Paraguay.  A report issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) stated that a state of emergency has been declared in the Chaco region, where evacuations occurred over the weekend. Over 10,000 families are reportedly affected and about 20 communities have become isolated.

The latest forecasts for the capital cities of Fuerte Olimpo (Department of Alto Paraguay) and Filadelfia (Department of Boqueron) in the Chaco region show a continued chance of precipitation occurring over the next week.

Looking Ahead

PDC is currently monitoring flooding events in: Afghanistan, Australia, Dominican Republic, England, Haiti, Kenya, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Russia, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia.

Over the next week, PDC will continue to monitor areas of high precipitation and keep a close eye on flooding across the globe.  For the most up-to-date information on these flood events and all-hazards, download the free PDC Disaster Alert mobile app for iOS and Android devices.