natural disaster
- Phuket Travel
Remembering the 2004 tsunami in Phuket
A disaster that transpired almost two decades ago, yet the wounds are still fresh for many present on the southern island at the time. Although Phuket has evolved to become a powerhouse of Thailand’s tourism as of late, for those present on the fateful day in 2004, the memories of a sunny day quickly turning deadly remain engraved in their…
- Thai Life
Tsunami survivor’s story: A journey from chaos to hope
The Indian Ocean tsunami touched countless lives, claiming more than 230,000 people across 14 countries. In Thailand alone, over 8,000 perished. What would you do in such a situation? How would you react if you found yourself in the “warzone” of your life, with only seconds to act? These are the questions the tsunami compels us to confront. The answers…
- Thailand News
Tsunami guardian: How one man guards Thailand from the waves (video)
Nearly 20 years after the devastating Boxing Day tsunami, one man in Phang Nga province has become a beacon of hope and safety for his community. Meet 59 year old Banlue Choosin, a former fisherman turned guardian of the Andaman Sea. Ban Nam Khem village, where Banlue lives, was one of the hardest-hit areas in the 2004 disaster, which claimed a…
- South Thailand News
Supermodel recalls surviving 2004 tsunami after 20 years
Twenty years after surviving the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, supermodel Petra Nemcova revisited her harrowing experience in a recent Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer. Nemcova, now 45 years old, was vacationing at Thailand’s Khao Lak resort with her boyfriend, photographer Simon Atlee, when the tsunami struck on December 26, 2004. The massive waves, triggered by an undersea…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s life-saving tech boost to guard against natural disasters
Thailand is gearing up to supercharge its natural disaster warning system with a sweeping expansion of automated monitoring stations. In a bold move to protect lives and property, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday, September 3, by the Friends in Need Volunteers Foundation and various national agencies, marking the launch of the second phase of a nationwide project.…
- Phuket News
Phuket landslide leaves 13 dead, 19 injured, 209 homes damaged
Rescue officials in Phuket concluded the search for missing individuals following a devastating landslide. All 13 missing persons have been found dead and the disaster has left 19 injured and impacted 209 households. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwann announced the end of the search operation after the bodies of all 13 missing individuals were located. The landslide occurred in the Kata subdistrict…
- Thailand News
Mae Hong Son hit by 3.1 magnitude earthquake, mild tremors
An earthquake measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale struck Mae Hong Son today causing mild tremors felt by residents. The quake, which occurred at 5.23am, today, July 4, had its epicentre in the Huai Pu Ling sub-district, Mueang district of Mae Hong Son. The Department of Mineral Resources’ Earthquake Operations Center, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, reported…
- Thailand News
NBTC disaster alert system: No more SMS alerts
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) alongside Advanced Info Services Plc (AIS) has pioneered a mobile phone broadcasting service primed to forewarn citizens of imminent natural disasters. At a joint press conference, NBTC chairman Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck and Varunthep Watcharaphon, AIS’s chief of business relations, unveiled the successful trial of this innovative broadcasting service. Funded by the Universal Service Obligation…
- World News
Morocco earthquake leaves 2000+ dead, untold damages
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck Morocco late Friday night, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The catastrophic event claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people, with the toll expected to rise as rescuers grappled with challenging conditions to reach remote mountain villages and hard-hit areas. This seismic catastrophe marked the most significant earthquake…
- Phuket News
Phuket remembers anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami
Today marks the anniversary of one of the deadliest natural disasters ever to befall mankind. The Indian Ocean Tsunami, also known as The Boxing Day Tsunami, struck Phuket and the surrounding areas at 10am on December 26, 2004. In the province and neighbouring provinces, religious ceremonies were held today to mark the 18th anniversary of the deadly tsunami. Religious ceremonies…
- World News
Search for the missing continues as South Africa floods claim 443 lives
The search continues for dozens of people still missing following floods in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The death toll has now risen to 443 after heavy rains caused devastating floods and mudslides. According to a Reuters report, thousands have been left homeless, while homes have lost power and water. One of the country’s busiest ports, Durban, has had…
- World News
At least 53 dead after tropical storm Megi hit the Philippines
At least 53 people have died in landslides and floods after tropical storm Megi hit the Philippines last weekend. Rescue crews are still looking for survivors in the aftermath and the death toll is expected to climb as the rescuers discover more bodies and move into more remote areas. The storm caused landslides and floods which buried people alive and…
- World News
Powerful earthquake strikes near the Phillippines main island
A powerful earthquake struck just off the Philippines’ main island of Luzon, today. There was no reported damage or injuries, says the US Geological Survey and officials. The earthquake registered at a deep, 5.7 magnitude and hit near the Batangas province around midnight, Thailand time. Locals in Manila say there were woken up when their houses started shaking. The USGS…
- Northern Thailand News
More than 3,000 houses affected by severe flooding in Chaiyaphum
Over 3,000 houses across 23 villages in the northeastern Thai province of Chaiyaphum have been affected by what is considered the most severe flooding in a century. Kittipong Thamsoparat, the Tambon Ban Phet Municipality mayor, says a massive volume of water has surged into the Bamnet Narong district by way of the nearby Thep Sathit district in Chaiyaphum, as well…
- Northern Thailand News
Landslide in Chaiyaphum partially destroys temple isolation centre while patients are away
10 people who were isolating at a temple in the northeastern Thai province of Chaiyaphum returned from getting Covid tests yesterday to discover the temple they had been isolating in had been struck by a landslide while they were out. Rocks, dirt and other debris had propelled down the hillside and partially destroyed the monastery that was being used as…
- World News
Major earthquake near Acapulco, Mexico kills 1
A major earthquake shook the southwestern Mexican beach town Acapulco, yesterday. The earthquake has killed at least 1 person after a post fell on him. There were also rockfalls that damaged buildings, and power outages across several states as a result of the earthquake, says local officials. The earthquake, or temblor, had a magnitude of 7.0, which Michigan Tech estimates…
- Environment News
Indian landslide kills 9, injures 3
Yesterday, 9 people died and 3 were injured after their car was struck by falling boulders in Himachal Pradesh, a northern Indian state. The landslide also sent rocks crashing down on a bridge that crossed the Bapsa river Jairam Thakur, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh characterised the incident as “heart wrenching”. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers his “heartfelt…
- World News
LATEST: European flooding death toll exceeds 170
The flood that was dubbed the “flood of death“, has now claimed over 170 lives. 143 people have reportedly died in Germany and 27 in Belgium due to flooding. The flooding’s toll on Belgium has resulted in the Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, declaring July 20 a national day of mourning. The PM says the floods might be the most…
- World News
UPDATE: Germany hammered by floods, 93 dead; nearby countries also affected
The death toll in Germany has risen from 59 people to 93. Emergency responders are still looking for hundreds of missing people. Belgium also reports that they now have 12 dead, up from the 9 reported dead earlier today. Political leaders have asserted that climate change is to blame. Meanwhile, scientists had warned that such a catastrophic event could happen.…
- World News
2 dead and 20 missing in Japanese landslide, rescuers continue to search for survivors
“The first thing that struck me was the sound of the ground rumbling” 2 people are dead and about 20 are stilling missing after a landslide in the hot spring resort of Atami in central Japan, which is southwest of Tokyo. 10 people have been rescued so far. The massive mudslide happened in the seaside town of Atami around 10.30am…
