HADR Institute Global Disaster Snapshot - Edition 018

Welcome to this new edition of the HADRI GDS (018), 31 July - 06 August 2023.

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This report includes analyses on:

1️⃣ South America | Temperatures soar in winter heatwave, 4th August.

2️⃣ Ethiopia | Government declares State of Emergency amidst violent outbreaks, 5th August.

3️⃣ Hawaii | El Niño conditions prompt calls for storm preparation, 05th August.

4️⃣ China | Three typhoons in three weeks cause flooding, displacement - 6th August.

1. South America | Winter heatwaves (4th August 23)

South America has been experiencing unprecedented high temperatures during its winter months. In Chile, the mountain town of Vicuna in the Coquimbo region reached a top of 37C, the Liceo Samuel Román Rojas weather station recorded 35.4C and Monte Patricia reached 31.5C. The Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires set a daily record for the beginning of August of 30.1C, more than 5 degrees above the previous daily record, and 12C warmer than its August average.

2. Ethiopia | State of Emergency declared (5th August 23)

The Ethiopian government has declared a state of emergency in the wake of escalating conflict between the military and local armed fighters in the Amhara region. Tensions have been high since the end of the war in the neighbouring Tigray region, following an attempt by federal authorities to disarm the region’s security forces and absorb them into the national army. In the event of prolonged conflict, it is possible that logistical issues to the delivery of humanitarian aid would arise.

3. Hawaii | Wildfires displace thousands (5th August 23)

64% of single-family homes on Oahu are without sufficient hurricane protections. The state is exploring nonprofit and volunteer programs to fortify homes against hurricanes, aiming to enhance the island's preparedness for future storms. It is highly likely that El Niño conditions will bring a significant weather event to the central Pacific. This places the state of Hawaii at heightened risk and it is assessed that insufficient preparation is in place to support the population.

4. China | Flooding after consecutive weeks of typhoon activity (6th August 23)

Over the past 3 weeks China has been struck by three typhoons and has experienced an unprecedented amount of rain, with Japan and the Philippines also similarly suffering. During the event of Typhoon Doksuri, Beijing recorded the heaviest rainfall it has seen in over 140 years. At least 20 people have been reported dead, and another 27 as missing. In the north-east city of Shulan, 15,000 people were forced to leave their homes. It is very likely that continued flooding and storms will cause destruction to large swarths of farmland and both commercial and residential infrastructure across China.

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