hey reader, this is RITIKA RAJ 

FROM CLASS X-B OF AMRITA VIDYALAYAM, SAKET

We all have been studying about natural disasters since early classes. but how can these competitive human beings stay behind under this criteria. We humans created a new topic for our science book known as MAN MADE DISASTERS, and played our role in harming the environment. 

Through the columns of this blog.I'll be stating the top 5 worst man made disasters of all time. 

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS... 

5. London’s Killer Fog

 London’s population was accustomed to seeing foggy, pollution laden air. In 1952 however, this pollution took a tragic turn. This winter, the weather was cold and led to the  burning of excess coal in the fireplaces to alleviate the chill. The smoke laced with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and soot, and left London encased in a black cloud of near total darkness and killed over 12,000 people.


4. The Al-Mishraq Fire

Another of the 10 worst man-made disasters of all time was the Al-Mishraq fire on June 24, 2003. This fire at an Iraqi sulfur plant burned for about a month releasing sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide can kill people by causing respiratory problems and also creates acid rain which destroys crops.


3. The Nuclear Power Plant Explosion in Chernobyl, Russia

On April 26th 1986,the Chernobyl Plant in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic had a major meltdown which resulted in the atmospheric release of radioactive material four hundred times more radioactive than Hiroshima. Since the accident there have been countless children with birth defects, a sickening increase of cancer sufferers and many other health issues as well. It is estimated that the disaster could result in nearly 100,000 fatal cancers, and the area won’t be safe for any activity, including farming for up to 200 years.

2. The Kuwait Oil Fires

The Gulf War oil spill is the largest oil spill in history making it one of the 10 worst man-made disasters of all time. In 1991, following the invasion of Kuwait, Hussein sent men in to blow up the Kuwait oil wells. They managed to set over 600 ablaze and these burned for over seven months. The oil spill that resulted from the fires caused considerable environmental damage.

1. The Destruction of the Aral Sea                         
                       

The Aral Sea was one of the four largest lakes at one point in time. However, in the 1960’s,the Soviet Union diverted the waters from the rivers that fed the lake to irrigation projects. The sea has now shrunk by 90 percent and the salt and sandstorms that the devastation created kill plant life and have negative consequences for hundreds of miles around.

                                                        

Man can have a devastating effect on the environment and the 10 worst man-made disasters of all time have had a negative effect on the environment for decades afterwards. Frequently these disasters are related to poor industrial oversight within developing countries. However, even with regulation a catastrophe can strike.