Wednesday, 31. January 2007, 16:54:40
KNMI, warmest_January, Netherlands, Climate_Change
This month has been the warmest January in the Netherlands since temperatures were first measured in 1706, the Dutch meteorological institute KNMI said on Wednesday. The average temperature in January was about 7.1 degrees Celsius, 2.8 degrees more than the usual for the month and significantly exceeding a previous record of 6.2 degrees reached in 1921, 1975 and 1983, KNMI said in a statement. Last year was the warmest on record in the Netherlands, which the agency had linked to global warming. Dutch temperature records are among the oldest in the world. Methodical thermometer-based records began on a more global basis around 1850. KNMI officials have said that the 10 warmest years in the Netherlands occurred in the past 18 years, which was in line with rising global temperatures and was a sign of a warming planet. The KNMI's climate scenarios envisage more extreme weather such as heatwaves and storms in the Netherlands and northern Europe in the next few decades to 2040. Earlier this month, Europe was hit by a severe storm, the worst in years, with hurricane-force winds that cut a swathe from Britain via the Netherlands to Poland and killed about 50 people.bibberle
Thursday, 18. January 2007, 15:49:01
Orkan, Netherlands
force winds and heavy rains hit the Netherlands on Thursday, prompting travel warnings, school closures and forcing flight cancellations in what is expected to be the worst storm in years. Strong winds damaged the arched roof of Amsterdam's Central Station, with falling glass prompting authorities to ban passengers from platforms and stop trains from entering the station, a national rail service spokeswoman said. "Several lines have been closed from the west to the east. Amsterdam Central Station is totally closed, and we expect more lines to be closed in the course of the afternoon," the spokeswoman said. The weather also disrupted shipping at Rotterdam's port, Europe's busiest, and caused an oil spill at one of its terminals when a drifting container ship bumped into an oil jetty. "Such a storm has not been seen in our country for years," the Dutch meteorological office, KNMI, said in a statement. The agency issued a weather alarm, saying wind speed was likely to reach 130 kph later in the day and could easily cause damage. Authorities issued travel warnings and advised people not to drive their cars unless it was absolutely necessary. Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, one of Europe's largest air transport hubs, cancelled dozens of flights by noon as powerful winds forced it to close all but two runways. Portions of major roadways were also closed and more than 30 accidents were reported. Three people were injured when a construction crane fell in Utrecht, while the main post office in the town was shut because of falling roof tiles from neighbouring buildings, Dutch news agency ANP reported. Schoolchildren were sent home in the town of Almere as the wind threatened to blow away the roof of their school.
Thursday, 18. January 2007, 07:52:21
Maastricht, Chemical_Accident, Chlorine_Leak, Netherlands
...
A chlorine drum exploded in the Hotel L' Empereur in the Maastricht city centre on Wednesday morning injuring 15 people. Some 39 people reported breathing difficulties, 15 of whom were later treated in hospital. The victims suffered breathing problems, nausea and irritated eyes. Witnesses said there was no panic and emergency services arrived on the scene quickly. The fumes originated in the hotel cellar where a drum of chlorine exploded. The smell quickly spread throughout the hotel as well as a restaurant and café, which were also evacuated. Emergency services also sealed off the road in front of the hotel. The chlorine leak is said to have occurred as different chemicals mixed together during renovation works in the basement, where a swimming pool is being constructed. The fire brigade pumped the toxic fumes from the cellar to special drums which were later transported away. Maastricht Mayor Gerd Leers paid a visit to the hotel on Wednesday afternoon and spoke with victims who had reported breathing difficulties. He later met with the hospitalised victims.
WIDGETIZE