By: Noha Rahhal
2023 is not over yet; yet, it has proven, unfortunately, to be a memorable historic record of natural catastrophes. Here is a look at some of the worst natural catastrophes of 2023.
Morocco Earthquake (September 2023)
An 11.5-mile-deep earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 hit the southwest of Marrakech, leading to the destruction of tiny villages in the High Atlas Mountains. The earthquake was felt in other cities and towns across Morocco, such as Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, and Agadir. The earthquake led to the displacement of around 500,000 people.
This earthquake has been reported to be the strongest to hit Morocco in at least 120 years. Hundreds of aftershocks have been recorded, with the highest being a 5.9 magnitude, whereas around 59,000 homes were damaged, and 19,000 homes were destroyed.
.png)
Daniel Storm (Libya – September 2023)
After battering Greece and other European countries, Daniel storm hit Libya causing further floods. Once it reached the northeastern region of Libya, Daniel developed into a medicane; a term derived from the combination of the words "Mediterranean" and "hurricane”, referring to a storm in the Mediterranean that develops characteristics similar to those seen in tropical cyclones.
Daniel storm dropped around 8 months of rain on the northeastern region of Libya, resulting in the collapse of two dams. Derna, a city in the eastern region of Libya and home to around 100,000 people was severely hit. According to the Libyan Ministry of Civil Aviation, 25% of the city disappeared.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 4,352 people lost their lives and more than 8,000 are still missing as of 31 October. More than 43,400 people have been internally displaced, leaving 7,000 families stranded.
Hurricane Otis (Mexico – October 2023)
The hurricane hit the Pacific coast of Mexico, five miles south of Acapulco. Otis has been reported to be the strongest storm to hit the Eastern Pacific coast. In less than 12 hours, what started as a tropical storm rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm with an increased strength from 70mph to 165mph that finally led to landfall.
According to OCHA, an estimated 273,844 houses have suffered damage and 50,000 destroyed, which could represent up to 200,000 people left without a home.
Turkey-Syria Earthquake (February 2023)
In February, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the southern region of Turkey near the northern borders of Syria. Although Turkey is known to be an earthquake-prone region where the most catastrophic earthquake took place in 1939, this year’s catastrophe has been reported to be the most devastating earthquake to batter the country in more than 20 years.
Right after the first earthquake, and specifically, nine hours later, another 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the southwestern region of Turkey. Around 56,000 people in Turkey and Syria were reported dead, including aid workers.
Cyclone Mocha (Myanmar & Bangladesh – May 2023)
Mocha was one of the strongest storms that struck the region between Myanmar’s Kyaukpyu township and Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Wind gusts were estimated to be over 134 miles per hour equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic. At least 145 people met their fate as a result of the cyclone, including 117 from the Rohingya minority. However, the figure is thought to be much higher, as there were no official reports of the deaths in Bangladesh.
China Floods (July and August 2023)
Beijing experienced the heaviest rainfall in 140 years, with incessant rain that exceeded 60% of the city’s typical annual rain in just 83 hours. As August unfolded with the infamous monsoon season, the entire country faced flooding, especially 16 cities and provinces in northeastern China, with immense consequences resulting in the demolishment of the infrastructure of the northern region in China, leading to the evacuation of more than 880,000 people, whereas 4 million people were affected.
References