**Many wealthy people are little more than
janitors of their possessions.**
Frank Lloyd Wright
LARGEST QUAKES so far today -
5.1 TONGA
Yesterday, 12/1/13 -
5.1 SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS
5.3 SULAWESI, INDONESIA
5.7 SOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS
5.0 KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION
5.4 ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE
TROPICAL STORMS -
Current tropical storms - maps and details.
No current tropical storms.
SEVERE RAIN STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES -
+ Landslide rips apart roads in southern Italy - Video (0:31)
Malaysia - The situation in flood-hit Pahang has worsened, with more than 20,000 people evacuated to relief centres and a man and his son feared to have drowned. The two, were moving their belongings to a boat at about 8.30pm in Sungai Isap when they fell into the floodwaters. "The search-and-rescue team is looking for the victims."
At as 10pm, 22,395 people had been moved to relief centres in the state. Lipis became the sixth district to be affected by the floods when 11 people were evacuated to a relief centre. Kuantan remains the worst-hit district, with 14,044 evacuees at 46 relief centres. Rompin had 4,144 evacuees at 13 relief centres, Pekan had 3,061 at 13 centres, Maran had 1,005 at seven centres and Jerantut had 130 at four centres," said a spokesman of the Pahang police flood operations room. Meanwhile, JOHOR saw the number of its flood evacuees rise to 8,705 last night, up from 8,250 in the evening. (photos)
+ Large swathes of the UK are braced for a storm bringing with it gale-force winds, possible travel disruption and the risk of some coastal flooding. Worst hit will be Scotland, where 80mph winds are expected, and the north and east of England. Communities on England's east coast are being told to prepare for THE MOST SERIOUS TIDAL SURGE FOR 30 YEARS. The Thames Barrier Is due to close on Thursday night to protect London from floods. Most at risk is the North Sea coast from Northumberland to the Thames Estuary.
The combination of high tides, gale-force winds, large waves and a tidal surge would bring a risk of significant coastal flooding. In some places sea levels could be as high as those during the devastating floods of 1953 - although flood defences built since then meant many parts of the country were now better protected.
Other areas and services affected include:
A major traffic route into Leeds City Centre will be closed on Thursday because of fears that a nearby skyscraper may generate FREAK WINDS.
Network Rail is warning travellers to expect delays in Scotland and northern and eastern England.
Scotrail says at least 20 routes will be out of service, and all other routes will not run until 07:00 GMT.
This warning indicates likely travel delays from road and rail closures, power cuts and damage to properties.
London and south-east England, Grampian, north-west England, Northern Ireland, Wales and West Midlands have been placed under a yellow warning. This tells people in the area to be aware of the possibility of severe weather and to expect some disruption to their activities and travel plans.
Forecasters say snow is likely to fall in the north of Scotland on Thursday, up to 5cm deep on low ground with 20cm possible on higher ground.
A major traffic route into Leeds city centre will be closed on Thursday following warnings of high winds. The road is the main route into the city from the south and is used every morning by thousands of vehicles. It passes the city's tallest building - the Bridgewater Place tower - which a coroner ruled this week can influence wind conditions. She recommended the junction beneath it should be shut to all road users when wind speeds reach 45mph or more.
Network Rail has already warned customers in Scotland and parts of north and eastern England to expect delays. Conditions across the UK are expected to have improved by the weekend.
Indonesia - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency has called on Jakartans to be prepared for strong winds and flooding in certain areas in line with the forecast of extreme weather. The agency was prepared to face the expected conditions and residents should remain alert.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency and other foreign institutions predicted that rainfall in Indonesia, including in Greater Jakarta, would range from 200 millimeter per month to 400 mm per month. “However, there will be daily extreme rain in particular areas in the capital.” There could be rainfall of up to 340 mm per day, which could lead to flooding as drainage and rivers in the capital city could not accommodate that much rain.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency in cooperation with the city administration and the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology will also 'CARRY OUT WEATHER MODIFICATIONS TO RELOCATE CLOUDS', a move aimed at mitigating disasters and reducing material losses caused by flooding. Based on historical data, the peak of the rainy season will fall in January and February.
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