On Sunday, December 17, 2023, Australian authorities issued a critical warning for thousands in north Queensland to move to higher ground due to the imminent threat of flooding from heavy rains.
A powerful atmospheric river has brought record-breaking rainfall to Washington and Oregon, causing widespread flooding and two fatalities as of December 5. The National Weather Service forecasts the storms to continue until December 7. Notable impacts include record river levels, such as the Stillaguamish River reaching a historic 6.50 m (21.34 feet), and extensive property damage across both states.
A major eruption at Mount Marapi in Indonesia on Sunday, December 3, 2023, has led to a confirmed death toll of 23. Rescuers, facing challenging conditions, found additional bodies near the eruption site. The volcano, remaining on high alert since 2011, unexpectedly erupted, impacting climbers and nearby villagers.
At least 47 people have been killed and 85 others injured in floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall in northern Tanzania, local officials said Sunday, December 3, 2023. The death toll is expected to rise.
A high-level eruption started at Indonesia’s Marapi volcano at 08:00 UTC on December 3, 2023. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red.
A powerful earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.6 hit near the coast of Mindanao, Philippines at 14:37 UTC on December 2, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 32.8 km (20.4 miles).
Munich woke up to a record-breaking snowfall of 50 cm (1.6 feet) on December 2, 2023, marking the city’s heaviest snowfall in two decades. The German Weather Service had previously issued Level 2 and Level 3 weather warnings for heavy snowfall in southern Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg, leading to significant disruptions in air travel and ground transportation.
Heavy rainfall continues affecting Kenya, causing widespread flooding. As of November 28, 2023, the floods have claimed at least 120 lives in 38 counties, with Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera Counties bearing the brunt of the disaster. The crisis has affected over 500 000 people and displaced almost 90 000 households (around 360 000 individuals). Key infrastructure, including parts of the Garissa-Nairobi Highway, is severely impacted, and authorities are monitoring the Tana River’s major dams. Forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall, exacerbating the already dire situation.
The ongoing Deyr rainy season continues to unleash devastating floods across Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa, wreaking havoc on an unprecedented scale. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) confirms that as of November 29, the crisis has affected 2 million people, displaced 746 000, and caused 96 deaths. The most severely impacted areas are in Somalia’s south-west, especially the Bay, Gedo, and Middle Juba regions.
Eastern Europe is still grappling with the aftermath of Storm Bettina, a severe snowstorm that rapidly intensified over the Black Sea and impacted the region on November 26 and 27, 2023. Ukraine has reported significant casualties, with at least five deaths and 19 injuries in the Odesa region. The storm has not only disrupted life in Ukraine but also inflicted damage and caused fatalities in neighboring countries such as Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Russia.
