All Natural disasters Articles

Full-year forecast revised upwards amid increased demand for earthquake-proof homes

US rental companies acted quickly to help those affected by the massive Hurricane Irene last week. With damage expected to reach US$10 billion in value and an estimated 5 million homes without electricity, there was enormous demand for temporary power as well as pumping capacity.

Japanese rental company Nikken said that around 13% of its fleet – 330000 items of equipment – is currently working on the clean-up following the March earthquake and tsunami.

Tower crane owners on the US Eastern seaboard are urged to ensure that their cranes are properly set to weather vane safely in light of Hurricane Irene forecast for this weekend (27 and 28 August)

The devastation caused by the March 11 earthquake off Japan's northeast coast will have huge consequences for the construction industry as its impacts begin to be understood and reconstruction work gets underway.

Aggreko is to establish a temporary 200 MW power plant in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami in the country.

Komatsu said it hoped to resume normal production levels in mid-April following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Japanese rental giant Kanamoto established a disaster task force on the day of the earthquake and tsunami and like its competitors is doing its best to help in the recovery efforts. All its staff in the affected areas are “alive and safe”.

Japan’s rental industry is working hard to provide back-up for the country’s rescue operations following the earthquake and tsunami last Friday but is being severely hampered by shortages of equipment and fuel.

Damage from the 11 March earthquake put at US$ 183 billion by both Barclays Capital and Credit Suisse. Reconstruction could cost US$ 61 billion over three years.

Aggreko said it is ready to help Japan in the aftermath of last Friday’s earthquake and tsunami.

Damage reported to several of Komatsu and Hitachi's factories in eastern Honshu. Exports may also be hampered by damage to ports.

Following the earthquake and tsunami, Access International is able to report that all the Japanese employees of Aichi and their families are uninjured although buildings have suffered minor damage.

Australia’s rental industry has been doing as much as it can to help in the aftermath of the devastating flooding in Queensland last week although many rental companies have themselves been badly impacted by the floods.

Thompson Pump has supplied as many as 100 pumps and associated equipment for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The World Bank has approved a US$ 65 million grant to support the recovery of Haiti’s infrastructure as well as re-establish basic state functions following January’s earthquake.

Development bank may re-direct funds from existing schemes and fast-track other decisions.

IDB study estimates the cost of Haiti's reconstruction following the January 12 earthquake could be as high as US$ 14 billion.

Abnormal Load Services (International) Ltd. in the UK has transported an unusual cargo for an art project aimed at raising awareness of connections between deforestation and climate change

Up to 100 workers feared dead following the collapse of a giant chimney under construction at the Balco power plant in Korba, India.