Wednesday, 12 February 2014

TODAY'S UPDATES FROM WOOLWICH ONLINE


Who amongst us understands natures penal code? Despite human efforts at tracking and predicting nature, it never fails to surprise us when it chooses.

Early last year, Russian radar observers kept a round-the-clock watch over a meteor that was threatening to whizz past our dear earth at a closer-than-we-liked range. Ironically, several hours before the meteorite was due to entertain the russian, another came whizzing in, leaving a long trail of burning showers of hot debris behind, as it blasted in through the atmosphere before smashing through frozen ice into the riverbed.

By the time it was recovered several months later, what was the size of a double-decker bus, had been reduced to the size of three engine blocks moulded together.

By this time in 2009, our country was recovering from the effects natures call. Only in that year, it was massive snowfall that blanketed the entire country and lasted three days, due largely to unavailability of salt and the unpreparedness of the relevant agencies to respond as quickly as was needed.

Schools and offices were shut and school children ordered to stay at home as the transport network - buses and trains alike - grounded to a halt. No one was directly blameworthy for unpreparedness of the emergency services because that much snow had not fallen for about 20 years before that one.

Nor was there enough advance warning from the weatherman, all of which added to the relaxed attitude about the impending shutdown.

This year, just last month, it was North America that faced nature's wrath as the polar vortex's jet stream tilted inland and blanked Canada and large parts of the United States. Who would have thought that across the pond, we would be saved from snow, but visited with the worst recorded flooding for 250 years.

Thousands of homes have been flooded and occupants, disraught and disrupted, have been forced out.

Large parts of the country have already been submerged and the environment agency's warnings to expect more rainfall and more flooding in the coming days, remain in place. In fact, the agency warns citizens to expect up to a months rainfall in just the next three days years.

Current flood warnings from the Environment Agency says that thousands of homes may be flooded along the thames as more rainfall comes down to add to already saturated and flooded surfaces.

As Prime Minister David leads all relevant agencies in response to the flooding, some semblance of respite for victims of the flooding won't be farfetched even if it takes much longer to sort out.

When Woolwich Online went out to check for signs of flooding, it appears that residents of Woolwich do not have much to worry about, but since the Environment Agency's website gives regular updates on the flooding situation, those are not sure are advised to check with site regularly. It's a question of safety first.

With their permission, we displayed a Live Map icon that leads to the Environment Agency's website. Just click on the icon and it will take you straight in, and you can feel free to explore.

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Also today, our columnist Louisa Pawsey muses over the actual import of Valentines day. Curiously, the 36 year old has never received a Valentine Card in her life. This year, she says she has adopted a new attitude to the whole issue of Valentines Day.

The truth is, many of us have actually never received a valentine card either, but click on the icon with 'Musings Of A Single Girl In London', to read the Londoner's views on experience that can potentially encourage divergent behaviours in us.

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Often times, we say the same things but in disagreeable ways. Yet, each of us feel convinced to cling tenaciously to our own perspectives. Why?

This week, Benson Agoha introduces "Paradoxes Of Divergent Views" as he explores why, despite Europe's example, "Peace" have been elusive in our world, even though methods of fighting have evolved.

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And we have had complaints of people saying they tried to but was unable to contact us. If you have attempted to contact us by sending a letter through the post, it might have gone missing in transit.

If you have any message for us, please notify us by sending email through: onlinewoolwich@yahoo.co.uk or by sending a text message or phone call to +44(0)744 228 9202. We will then arrange to come and pick them up.

We apologise but we have been victims of mail and message thefts, interceptions and diversions. So please let us know and we will arrange collection.

Thank you so much for visiting our portal and please do have yourselves a lovely day - and to stay warm.

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