NEWS|
Earthweek
15
by Steve Newman
Whale Rescue Volunteers, tourists and officials struggled to save more than 120 pilot whales that became stranded on a beach at the top of New Zealand's South Island when the tide went out. The whales initially beached themselves over a long stretch of coastline, but grouped together when the sea came back in. After keeping the marine mammals wet for hours in shallow water, the rescuers used brute force to eventually push them back out to sea. When some of the whales tried to swim back to shore, the rescuers formed a human chain to prevent their return.
-53
4.6
4.2
6.2
Mexican Chill
25W
Week Ending December 23, 2005
Earthquakes
Thousands of birds mysteriously died in central Malawi, sparking alarm that bird flu had arrived in the East African nation. Officials said sample tissues from the birds had been sent to South Africa for analysis. Much of Africa has been on alert with the arrival of wild birds from avian influenza-affected regions of Siberia and other parts of Asia. • Ethiopia calmed fears that avian influenza had arrived by announcing that tests of dead and sick birds recently found in the country showed the birds did not have the virus. The agriculture ministry said they had died of Newcastle disease, which is another deadly viral infection among birds but harmless to humans.
Temperatures
Lightning Deaths
61° 52° Low 38° 77
Daytime Tides for Wed through Sun:
Rain Gauge
Total Dec. Rain through 21st: 2.48" Atlantic Normal: 1.76" For the month: +0.72" Total 2005 rain: 45.80" Gulf Stream Normal: 48.52" For the Year: -2.73"
Average: Water: High
Monkey Refugees
Wed 11:59AM L
05:38PM H
11:57PM L
Thu
06:16AM H
1252PM L
06:31PM H
Fri
07:07AM H
01:43PM L
07:21PM H
Sat
07:58AM H
02:33PM L
08:11PM H
Sun
08:48AM H
03:21PM L
09:01PM H
Call toll free for Jeff’s daily forecast: 1-866-369-2228
www.connectsavannah.com
Australia's summer bushfire season began just before Christmas with fire crews working to contain blazes in the states of Victoria and New South Wales. One of the most serious wildfires erupted in a northern Sydney beach community, threatening a number of homes. New South Wales Rural Fire Service announced that no traditional Christmas beach barbecues would be permitted in
African Bird Deaths
Tropical Cyclones
1 2.28.05
Summer Fire Season
the state due to the fire danger posed by high temperatures and strong winds.
A sudden cold wave spreading across north07B ern Mexico killed six 6.4 children and forced airlines to suspend flights. The coun+112 0 Nullagine, try's health secretary warned that W. Australia the low temperatures could persist 3.9 in several northern states, including Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Sonora. He reminded residents in those areas that coldweather risks include hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be caused by faulty heating equipment. The cold front also Developing tropical depression produced snowfall in Mexico City, forcing 25W unleashed widespread the cancellation of nearly 200 international flooding over central parts of and domestic flights. the Philippines, killing at least 10 people. The disturbance briefly atA village in northern India's tained tropical storm strength before Jammu and Kashmir state has bringing heavy downpours to flood-weary been terrorized by scores of Vietnam. More than 60 people have permonkeys, which have forced ished and several major highways have some people to evacuate to surrounding been blocked by incessant rainfall in villages out of fear. “These monkeys strike Vietnam during most of December. • Cyclone-battered parts of southeastern when the male members of the family are not at home. We have appealed several India received additional heavy rainfall as times to the local administration for help, Tropical Cyclone 07B passed just offbut no one has come to our rescue so shore. far,” said Cheryai village resident Jugal Kishore. Other villagers say the simian The most deadly lightning marauders get into their houses, eat anystrike to hit northern Malawi in thing in sight and vandalize the rooms. recent memory killed 11 people Some of those who have evacuated to attending a holiday church other villages say the monkeys have folservice. The victims were among the 40 lowed them, and are now terrorizing their people in the Church of Central African new homes. ◗ Presbytery in Mzimba, about 190 miles north of the capital Lilongwe, when the electrical storm struck. A church
Connect Savannah
Shaking from a powerful magnitude 6.4 temblor, centered in eastern Indonesia between Sulawesi and the Moluccas islands, caused a brief panic on land. There were no reports of significant damage or injuries. • Earth movements were also felt in northeastern Japan, the Marlborough region of New Zealand, northwest Greece, the French Alps, southeastern New Mexico and along the Nebraska-South Dakota border.
Jeff Kirk
Toko, Siberia
3.3
2.9
spokesman said the 11 victims died on the spot while others suffered fractures, burns and other injuries. The country is currently in the height of the rainy season.
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