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Australia bushfires flare as heatwave brings renewed misery

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Bushfires flared in southern Australia on Thursday as a heatwave expected to bring renewed misery set in, and officials warned some areas are “just at the beginning” of the devastating crisis.

Soldiers went door-to-door advising residents to leave the South Australian town of Parndana on Kangaroo Island after a large blaze bore down on the area, with temperatures there soaring to 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

That came less than 24 hours after police evacuated the picturesque island’s Vivonne Bay community, which by Thursday afternoon was also being threatened by fires that were expected to burn for days to come.

“The conditions are such that it is continuing to present a significant risk to the firefighters who are working hard to control the fires, and to anyone else in the vicinity,” Country Fire Service chief Mark Jones said.

In neighbouring Victoria state, officials extended a “state of disaster” declaration for a further 48 hours ahead of scorching temperatures that were due to set in Friday, further stoking massive fires.

“It’s a very dangerous and dynamic situation that will confront us over the next 12, 24 and 36 hours,” Victoria Emergency Management commissioner Andrew Crisp said.

The catastrophic bushfires have killed at least 26 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and scorched some eight million hectares (80,000 square kilometres) — an area the size of the island of Ireland.

Scientists say the drought-fuelled blazes are being worsened by climate change, which is increasing the length and intensity of Australia’s fire season.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews warned residents to brace for further devastation in what has already been a months-long crisis.

“We’re just at the beginning of what will be a really, really challenging summer,” he said.

‘Extreme’ danger

Despite cooler weather and rainfall providing some relief in some bushfire-affected areas this week, almost 150 fires were still burning in worst-hit New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, the huge continent’s most populated regions.

Vast tracts of the states are facing “severe” fire danger Friday, with some areas expected to experience “extreme” conditions.

“Don’t get complacent with the rain that we’ve seen,” Victoria police minister Lisa Neville said.

“These fires are absolutely still moving, still growing in our landscape and they pose significant risk to communities.”

Firefighters have been taking advantage of this week’s milder weather as they race to contain bushfires ahead of Friday.

They have been clearing vegetation and carrying out controlled burns in an effort to protect areas like the coastal town of Eden, where a large bushfire is burning to the south.

“It only takes a spark to get a fire burning, and that’s our concern for tomorrow,” Rural Fire Service superintendent John Cullen told a local council briefing.

The Rural Fire Service said a helicopter pilot who had been waterbombing a fire in the area ditched his aircraft into a dam Thursday afternoon, managing to free himself and swim to shore.

Hottest ever year

In some burnt-out areas people have turned to the painful task of rebuilding their homes and lives, with the process expected to take years.

NSW announced Thursday it would spend Aus$1.2 billion (US$680 million) on restoring infrastructure in fire-ravaged areas. That comes on top of a separate Aus$2 billion ($1.4 billion) national recovery fund earmarked to help devastated communities.

“We are always standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those who have been impacted by the devastating fires, this catastrophe which has come to New South Wales and we are stepping up to make sure we provide that support,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

The bushfire toll has not been limited to human losses — the blazes have also wreaked wide-ranging environmental damage.

University of Sydney scientists estimate one billion animals have been killed in the fires. The figure includes mammals, birds and reptiles, but not frogs, insects or invertebrates.

Bushfire smoke has shrouded Australia’s major cities in toxic haze for weeks, causing major public health concerns.

The smoke has also travelled more than 12,000 kilometres (7,400 miles) to Brazil and Argentina, according to weather authorities there.

Australia experienced its driest and hottest year on record in 2019, with its highest average maximum temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius (107.4 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded in mid-December.

– AFP

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Environment

Hurricane Milton ravages central Florida, sparking tornadoes and power outages

Hurricane Milton hit Florida on 9 October, making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane. It caused widespread destruction, tornadoes, and power outages affecting nearly two million people. The storm’s impacts are felt across the state, including flash floods, damaged homes, and evacuation efforts.

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Hurricane Milton swept across central Florida on 10 October, after making landfall on the state’s west coast the previous evening, causing extensive damage with strong winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes.

The storm initially struck near Siesta Key on 9 October at approximately 8.30 pm EDT (8.30 am Singapore time on 10 October), with winds reaching 195 km/h, classifying it as a Category 3 hurricane, according to the US National Hurricane Centre.

As the hurricane continued eastward through Florida, it weakened to a Category 1 storm by early 10 October, with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h.

Despite this downgrade, the danger remained high, with severe rainfall and significant storm surges. The hurricane’s eye was about 75 km west-southwest of Cape Canaveral, which houses Nasa’s Space Force Station, at the time.

A flash flood emergency was declared for the Tampa Bay region, covering Tampa, St Petersburg, and Clearwater. The National Hurricane Centre reported that St Petersburg alone experienced 422 mm of rain on 9 October. Authorities warned that seawater could surge as high as 4 metres in certain areas, potentially inundating coastal communities.

Governor Ron DeSantis expressed hope that Tampa Bay would avoid the worst of the storm’s effects due to the timing of landfall before high tide.

However, Milton had already unleashed at least 19 tornadoes across the state, damaging numerous counties and destroying around 125 homes, including many mobile homes. “At this point, it’s too dangerous to evacuate safely, so you have to shelter in place and just hunker down,” Mr DeSantis said during a briefing following the storm’s landfall.

Tragically, at least two fatalities were reported at a retirement community in Fort Pierce on Florida’s eastern coast, following a suspected tornado, as cited by NBC News and St Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson.

The sheriff estimated that approximately 100 homes were destroyed by the tornadoes in the county, which saw about 17 touch down.

The hurricane caused significant power outages, leaving more than two million homes and businesses without electricity, according to data from PowerOutage.us. The storm was projected to move across Florida overnight before entering the Atlantic Ocean on 10 October, still maintaining hurricane strength.

The arrival of Hurricane Milton comes just two weeks after Hurricane Helene battered the southern United States, including Florida. State officials had already ordered the evacuation of up to two million residents ahead of Milton’s impact, with millions more remaining in its path. The cumulative damage from both hurricanes is expected to reach billions of dollars.

Florida’s recovery efforts were bolstered by federal support, with President Joe Biden being briefed on the situation by emergency response teams.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has mobilised significant resources, including millions of litres of water, meals, and personnel, to assist those affected by Milton, even as it continues recovery work following Hurricane Helene.

Governor DeSantis confirmed that 9,000 National Guard personnel and 50,000 utility workers were deployed to aid in clearing debris and restoring power. Search-and-rescue teams were on standby to begin operations as soon as conditions allowed. “It’s going to mean pretty much all the rescues are going to be done in the dark, in the middle of the night, but that’s fine. They’re going to do that,” he added.

Despite these efforts, the damage from Hurricane Milton remains severe. High waves nearing 8.5 metres were recorded offshore, while boats were beached in St Petersburg, adding to the destruction.

Many parts of Florida faced fuel shortages, with almost 25% of petrol stations running dry by the afternoon of 9 October as residents evacuated.

While the human toll is the most pressing concern, other local efforts included protecting animals at Tampa’s zoo, where staff sheltered African elephants, flamingos, and other species.

The zoo joined residents in bracing for the worst, highlighting the widespread impact of the hurricane.

Political Controversy Surrounding Federal Response

The hurricane’s approach has also intensified political disputes, particularly as the US prepares for elections.

President Biden condemned the spread of disinformation regarding the government’s hurricane response, describing it as an attempt to “undermine confidence” in rescue and recovery efforts.

Former President Donald Trump has been critical of the Biden administration’s handling of disaster relief, especially following the impact of Hurricane Helene.

Trump claimed that resources intended for disaster victims had been diverted to assist migrants, a claim which Fema has categorically denied, emphasising that no disaster relief funds were diverted for this purpose.

Fema noted that its Disaster Relief Fund remains separate from budgets designated for migrant assistance.

In a highly charged political climate, these statements have led to further scrutiny of the federal response. Nonetheless, Fema asserts that it has the resources necessary for immediate response and recovery operations following both hurricanes.

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Environment

Singapore launches 15-month biodiversity monitoring plan after oil spill

Researchers in Singapore have initiated a 15-month monitoring plan to assess the impact of the June 14 oil spill on intertidal biodiversity. The effort, led by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and involving several institutions, aims to understand the effects of the spill on marine life in affected coastal areas, including East Coast Park and Sentosa.

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Researchers in Singapore have embarked on a 15-month plan to study the environmental effects of the June 14 oil spill on intertidal areas, aiming to understand its impact on biodiversity.

The national plan was announced by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on 8 October 2024, during a marine science workshop held at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

This initiative will involve multiple local institutions, including the National Parks Board (NParks), St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, and the National Institute of Education (NIE).

The research team will focus on monitoring the impact of the oil spill on various intertidal areas, which include East Coast Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, and Sentosa.

Additionally, the study will incorporate data from beaches not directly affected by the spill, such as those at Changi Beach Park and Coney Island Park. According to NParks, this approach will enable researchers to compare data and isolate the specific impact of the oil spill on marine life.

Focus on Intertidal Biodiversity

The research involves collecting and analysing sediment samples from both affected and unaffected coastal areas.

Dr Tan Koh Siang, a principal research fellow at NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI), highlighted the importance of the study, noting that the oil spill’s impact could range from smothering tiny organisms to disrupting their physiological functions due to exposure to toxic chemicals.

“These [organisms] have not really been looked at, so we are interested to see what effects the oil has on these communities that are not visually obvious,” Dr Tan said.

The process will include sieving sediment samples to identify and count various invertebrates, such as small crustaceans, worms, and molluscs. These data will provide insights into the community structure of these organisms, forming a baseline for future studies on environmental changes and the resilience of Singapore’s coastal ecosystems.

Details of the Oil Spill

The June 14 oil spill occurred when the Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima collided with the stationary bunker vessel Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal.

The incident resulted in the release of approximately 400 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil into the sea.

The spill subsequently spread to several biodiversity-rich areas along Singapore’s southern coast, including Sentosa, Labrador Nature Reserve, the Southern Islands, and East Coast Park. By 16 June, the oil was sighted off the coast of Changi as well.

The spill coincided with a marine heatwave, which had led to a bleaching event affecting about 40% of hard corals in the shallow waters of the Southern Islands.

This overlap between the oil spill and environmental stressors like increased sea-surface temperatures has made monitoring efforts more crucial, as the long-term impact on local marine life could be compounded.

Extended Monitoring and Marine Environment Sensing Network

In addition to sediment sampling, researchers plan to leverage existing research initiatives, such as the Marine Environment Sensing Network (MESN).

This project involves deploying research buoys that monitor seawater conditions, including temperature, salinity, acidity levels, and nutrient concentrations.

Currently, one buoy is deployed off St John’s Island, with plans to install two more in the coming months.

Dr Jani Tanzil, facility director of St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, noted that this data would help in understanding environmental changes and could differentiate between the ecological impacts of the oil spill and other disturbances like the heatwave.

Minister for National Development Desmond Lee at a marine science workshop held at the National University of Singapore (NUS)

Government Response and Recovery Efforts

Minister Desmond Lee emphasized the need for sustained monitoring efforts to assess both the immediate and longer-term effects of the oil spill.

“While there’s been no significant impact on our marine biodiversity observed thus far, there could be a time lag between the incidence of the oil spill and its effect on biodiversity… We need to continue to monitor the impact, and the recovery, of our marine habitats,” he said.

The data from this monitoring phase will inform potential mitigation and restoration strategies, helping to protect biodiversity-rich areas along Singapore’s coastlines. These efforts will be vital in guiding the recovery of affected ecosystems and ensuring that similar incidents are managed effectively in the future.

Clean-Up Operations 

In the weeks following the spill, Singapore undertook extensive clean-up efforts.

On 3 September 2024, Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, shared an update on Instagram, stating, “I am happy to share that we have completed our clean-up at public spaces from the effects of the oil spill that happened on 14th June. 800 cleaning personnel, 2,300 volunteers, 3,750 tonnes of debris later, we have completed the task for cleaning, ahead of schedule! 💪”

In August 2024, Dennis Tan Lip Fong, Member of Parliament for Hougang SMC, inquired about the status of beach and coastal clean-up operations during a parliamentary session. Minister Grace Fu provided an update, stating that the clean-up is progressing well, with some beaches reopening for activities. The first phase of the operation has concluded, while the second phase focuses on areas with oil trapped deeper in the sand and more challenging spots like rock bunds and breakwaters. Volunteer efforts are also being mobilised to accelerate the reopening of beaches, with the clean-up expected to complete within a month.

However, when pressed for details on clean-up costs and the financial impact on local businesses, Minister Grace Fu noted that the government has yet to finalise expense calculations. She added that the immediate focus remains on completing the clean-up operations and restoring normalcy to affected coastal areas.

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