BHUSH FIRES IN AUSTRALIA
The fires in Australia
began in September. In addition to the fatalities, they have so far destroyed
more than 1,300 homes, as well as millions of acres of bushland. Meteorologists
say a climate system in the Indian Ocean, known as the dipole, is the main
driver behind the extreme heat in Australia. The weather conditions are the
results of the formation of pyrocumulonimbus clouds which may become a more
frequent occurrence for Australians
The bushfires ravaging
Australia are generating so much heat that they are creating their own weather
systems including dry lighting storms and fire tornadoes “A fire-generated
thunderstorm has formed over the Currowan fire on the northern edge of the fire
near Nowra. This is a very dangerous situation. Monitor the conditions around
you and take appropriate action,” the RFS said on social media.The weather
conditions are the results of the formation of pyrocumulonimbus clouds. They
have been recorded all over the world but as the global climate changes, they
may become a more frequent occurrence for Australians, the country's Climate
Council said in a 2019 report.
The pyrocumulonimbus
clouds are essentially a thunderstorm that forms from the smoke plume of a fire
as intense heat from the fire causes air to rise rapidly, drawing in cooler
air, according to information from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.As the
cloud climbs and then cools in the low temperatures of the upper atmosphere,
the collisions of ice particles in the higher parts of the cloud build up an
electrical charge, which can be released as lightning.These can cause dangerous
and unpredictable changes in fire behaviour, making them harder to fight as
well as causing lightning strikes that could ignite new fires.The rising air
also spurs intense updrafts that suck in so much air that strong winds develop,
causing a fire to burn hotter and spread further.
Australian Prime
Minister Scott Morrison on Friday called off his visit to India later this
month due to the devastating bushfire crisis in his country. News of the visit
being called off came after Morrison and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi
held a telephone conversation earlier in the day.
Massive fires have been
ripping through swathes of the Australia’s south-east for weeks with fire
fighters and volunteers struggling to bring them under control. The fires have
killed at least 20 people and stranded holidaymakers, according to news reports.A
person familiar with the developments on Friday said Morrison had cancelled his
13-16 January visit as a consequence.A statement from Modi’s office said the
two prime ministers had a telephonic conversation earlier on Friday during
which the Indian prime minister “conveyed his heartfelt condolences" for
the damage to life and property in Australia due to severe and prolonged
bushfires.
“Expressing his
satisfaction at the progress in bilateral relations in recent years, Prime
Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to strengthen its strategic
partnership with Australia. He stated that to this end, he looked forward to
welcoming the Prime Minister of Australia in India on a State Visit at early
mutual convenience," the statement said.Australian authorities on Thursday
declared a state of emergency and forced evacuation of residents, tourists and
closure of roads in the bushfire zones in the states of New South Wales and
Victoria.Last month, Morrison had attracted public ire when he was reported to
be holidaying in Hawaii when the bush fires started ravaging the countryside.
He had to cut short his holiday and return home, news reports said.According to
Indian and Australian officials, the two countries were expected to boost their
security cooperation with both sides inking a logistics agreement that would
facilitate visits by Indian naval ships to Australian ports.
Australian churches are
praying for rain due to the extreme bush fires ravaging New South Wales.Churches
in the area are aiding emergency crews who are battling the blazes. Churches
such as Ebenezer Uniting Church, and Seventh-day Adventist churches have set up
a fund to aid churches assisting those caught in the fire, and the Disaster
Recovery Chaplaincy Network hosted a day of prayer on December 1. We pray for
safety. We pray for rain.Many churches are including the fires as a topic in
their holiday prayers.
"Despite living in
a drought-ravaged land, a land deeply impacted this year by bushfires, we have
in Jesus a sure sign that God loves us, cares for us, is with us, is alongside
of us, wants to know us, wants to be in relationship with us and promises us a glorious
future," Anglican bishop Mark Calder says in his Christmas message."We
pray for all those involved in helping with the fires. We pray for those who
have lost their homes," Ebenezer Church says. "We pray for safety for
all. We pray for rain."
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