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Sri Lanka Projects -> Asia Climate Digest -> January 2003 A look at climate, its impacts and outlook in Asia Updated January 2003 Highlights The El Niño event in the Eastern Pacific Ocean continues to be the dominating influence on global seasonal climate especially in the tropics. The Indian Ocean too has warmed up in a pattern reminiscent of other El Niño seasons. Rainfall in India and Indonesia has shown the typical drought patterns. The El Niño is projected to last for another six months. In Sri Lanka, heavy rainfall in the October to December period followed a drought as is typical of an El Niño. However, in the next four months the drought is predicted to be sustained. Table of Contents
A list of sources for climate impacts information can be found at the end of the Climate Digest impacts page. Hazards
India Drought-induced agricultural losses and a lack of water have been prompting some people from the state of Rajasthan to migrate to cities according to a BBC report. Several NGOs operating in the region, including "Save the Children" claim that the drought has led to food scarcity in spite of food distribution efforts by the government. Reports of hunger-related deaths have been denied by state government officials. December India The western state of Rajasthan continues to feel the effects of this year's failed monsoon season and extended drought. According to IFRC, as much as 75 percent of the crops in the state have been lost this year. About 4.8 million hectares of monsoon season crops, worth about 910 million dollars have been destroyed, and groundwater levels have fallen, leading to shortages of drinking water. Families in some locations have begun skipping meals or relying upon wild foods (IFRC). A 25 December report by the UN Disaster Management Team has also noted that the current rabi (winter season) crop is also in danger due to unseasonably cool weather and low soil moisture. This season, only 2,586,000 hectares were sown with rabi season crops compared to 6,097,000 hectares last year (UNDMT).
Pakistan Two-hundred villages in southeastern Pakistan are feeling the effects of 3 years of scarce rain. Millions of acres have remained uncultivated due to the lack of rain, and hundreds of livestock have either died or been infected with fatal diseases. Half of the wells in the area are now dry and another 20 percent have turned brackish. Approximately half of the population have abandoned their homes in search of food and water, many migrating to the Indus River belt. WFO announced in October that it would send food to the region. (The Dawn, The Dawn) Health
Taiwan In its worst dengue outbreak since World War II, Taiwan has called in the military to assist with mosquito control efforts. There have been 4464 confirmed cases of dengue fever, including 121 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever and 13 deaths. A health department spokesman attributed this year's warmer temperatures and abundant rainfall to the outbreak. (ProMED) December Bangladesh and India Anomalously cold air from Eastern Europe and northern Asia made its way into northern India and Bangladesh in mid-December. Thousands of people suffering from cold related diseases (e.g., cold, fevers, pneumonia, asthma, and respiratory complications) in the 15 affected districts of Bangladesh have approached medical centres for treatments. Many in the affected area had lost their homes in flooding earlier this year, making them more suseptible to the cold. (IFRC) The unusually cold weather is being blamed for the deaths of 187 people in Bangladesh. Temperatures have dropped to 6 degrees Celsius in some areas, and as low as 3 degrees Celsius in the northern region of this country that usually enjoys a tropical monsoon climate. (AFP, AFP, IFRC) The cold wave also hit areas in northern India. Temperatures near freezing killed atleast 185 people, mostly homeless. The eastern state of Bihar was most severely affected with 131 deaths, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 52 victims. (Disaster Relief) India A cold wave in India, with temperatures near freezing, has killed at least 185 people, mostly homeless. The eastern state of Bihar was most severely affected with 131 deaths, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 52 victims. (Disaster Relief, Reuters Health) Water Resources
China As an emergency measure, water from the Yellow River is being diverted to the northern coastal city of Tianjin in order to ease the local water shortage brought on by several years of drought. According to a story in the People's Daily, 350 million cubic meters or water will be transferred to Tianjin by February 2003. Climate
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Oceanic Conditions
Precipitation Map, Temperature Map. Precipitation forecast
Temperature forecast
Precipitation Map, Temperature Map. Precipitation forecast
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Health Informatics: Qualified Analysts in demand:Healthcare informatics is an integral component of healthcare delivery. Healthcare informatics analysts apply clinical and computing knowledge to build clinical informatics programs and incorporate analytics into an organization’s operations. Due to lack of staffing, mandates specific to IT in healthcare, as well as ”pay for performance measures,” the need for qualified healthcare analysts is urgent....Click here to read more Health Informatics: The Intersection of Health & IT Infographic: 50,000 health informatics professionals will be needed in the next 5-7 years with an expected 20% increase in jobs between 2010 and 2020. To address these gaps, health informatics professionals will play a growing role in the intersection of health and IT....Click here to read more - Masters in Health Informatics:In just a few short years, the field of health informatics has become integral to the delivery of quality care. Use of electronic medical record technology has evolved from a mandated requirement to an essential component of the clinical experience. Providers and patients alike have come to recognize and appreciate the value of digitizing healthcare data....Click here to read more Compiled by Lareef Zubair and Jia Fang in consultation with the Climate Digest Team, based on material in IRI Climate Digest and IRI Map Room, and forecasts produced by IRI . Feedback: is welcome as to shortcomings and request for additional material. Send e-mail to
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