Disasters

[edit] Timeline

Mount Tamboraon the island Sumbawa/Indonesia erupted in April 1815 with a rating of seven on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, making it the largest eruption since the Lake Taupo eruption in AD 181. The explosion was heard on Sumatra island (more than 2,000 km or 1,200 mi away). Heavy volcanic ash falls were observed as far away as on the islands Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, and Maluku islands. The death toll was at least 71,000 people (perhaps the most deadly eruption in history), of whom 11,000–12,000 were killed directly by the eruption; the often-cited figure of 92,000 people killed is believed to be an overestimate. The eruption created global climate anomalies; 1816 became known as the Year Without a Summer because of the effect on North American and European weather. Agricultural crops failed and livestock died in much of the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in the worst famine of the 19th century. See more details Wikipedia: Mount Tambora.

Montserrat: In July 1995, Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano erupted burying the island's capital, Plymouth, in more than 12 metres (39 ft) of mud, destroyed its airport and docking facilities, and rendered the southern half of the island uninhabitable. This forced more than half of the population to flee the island because they lacked housing. The devastation of the island’s economy and social life deeply affected the people many of whom are nominal Christians. Church life was seriously disrupted.

Hurricane Mitch in 1998 left millions destitute in Honduras and other Central American countries.

China Snow 2008. Massive snow storms affect over 100 million people (2% of the world's population, 10% of the population of China), causing massive transportation delays that strand hundreds of thousands of people.
Cyclone Nargis 2008 in Myanmar.
China Earthquake 2008 in Western China.
India: A heavy and incessant rainfall since June 16, 2008 has flooded many areas in the eastern states of Assam, Orissa and West Bengal leaving some 93 people dead and nearly 2.7 million people affected. Close to 1.3 million people have been devastated by the flooding in the state of Orissa. Worst-hit districts include Balasore, Bhadarak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj with more than 1,500 villages impacted. The state has requested the Indian Air Force to airdrop food and other essential items in some areas as they are cut-off by floodwaters. As of June 25, 2008, more than 1.5 million people have been displaced to relief camps set up by the government. The military is carrying out rescue operations in many of the affected areas and transporting people to higher ground and to the relief camps, according to Reuter. 23 June: "The flood situation in northern Orissa continues to remain grim until today. There are thousands of people marooned and awaiting relief. Drinking water and dry food dropping is extremely inadequate. ... The disaster management system in the country is so poor that it is beyond imagination." A Christian leader wrote.

Pray for the growth of God's Kingdom in areas hit by the devastating cyclone in Myanmar and earthquakes in China and many other places. Particularly remember those grieving the loss of families and homes, and for those reaching out to them with the compassion of Christ.