NEPAL
A second major earthquake struck on 12 May east of Kathmandu. The 7.3 magnitude quake caused further destruction to buildings and homes damaged by last month's quake. The death toll from the two quakes stands at over 8,580 with over 16,800 injured, according to the Nepali Ministry of Home Affairs.
A total of 216 displacement sites were identified across 11 districts. Shelter, drinking water and resumption of livelihood activities are reported as the priority needs.
Access remains a critical issue, especially as aftershocks continue to generate landslides. The coming monsoon is expected to aggravate road conditions, further hampering relief efforts.
INDIA
Following the second major earthquake in Nepal on 12 May, 23 people were killed and 190 injured with over 700 buildings damaged, across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal States. The National Disaster Response Force was on alert and State-level authorities were responding as needed.
MYANMAR, BANGLADESH, THAILAND, INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA
According to the latest estimates, up to 6,000 people from Myanmar and Bangladesh remain stranded on boats in the Andaman Sea off Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. There are growing humanitarian concerns about the situation of those on board. More boats are expected to arrive in the coming days. 6,000 people stranded A meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean will be hosted by the Thai government on 29 May in Bangkok. Senior officials from countries which are most affected will be invited to the meeting. Representatives from concerned international organizations will also participate in the meeting as observers.
NORTH-WEST PACIFIC
Typhoon Dolphin tracked north of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on Fri 15 May, bringing torrential rain, dangerous seas and damaging winds. The typhoon unroofed several houses and downed power poles and trees in Rota island (Northern Marianas), while hundreds of people remain in shelters in Guam. Typhoon Dolphin is expected to track to the east of Japan over the coming days.
INDONESIA
On 12 May, Mt. Karangetang in North Sulawesi erupted, spewing volcanic ash, hot clouds and lava in the surrounding area, damaging houses and agricultural fields. Approximately 454 families are displaced. The local authorities (BPBD) have requested affected families not to return to their homes as the volcano’s condition remains unstable. Plans to relocate communities living within the danger zone is being discussed with the provincial government.
PACIFIC
Meteorological agencies declared El Niño conditions exist over the Pacific region, with moderate or stronger conditions likely to persist until early 2016, potentially exceeding impacts of the major El Niño in 1997/98.
Long-lasting severe drought conditions over Micronesia, Melanesia and parts of Polynesia are likely. Rainfall deviations from average could be extreme. In PNG, for example, below normal rainfall is expected in parts of the southern region before extending to the highlands during the second half of 2015.
During a Pacific El Niño event there is a higher risk of more, and more severe, tropical cyclones. Impacts on the biosphere are expected, such as coral bleaching and large-scale movements of marine life.