August 2000 Disasters

Updated September 9, 2022 | Infoplease Staff

• early August, northeastern India, northern Bangladesh, southern Bhutan: Torrential rains causing flash floods left about 300 dead and more than three million homeless.
• Aug. 12, Barents Sea: Russian nuclear submarine Kursk sank to bottom of Barents Sea following an explosion; 118 dead.
• Aug. 19, nr. Carlsbad, N.M.: An explosion of a natural gas pipeline killed 11 people and carved out a crater 86 ft. long, 46 ft. wide, and 20 ft. deep.
• Aug. 22–23, Andhra Pradesh, India: Heavy rains and flash flooding left 120 dead and nearly 100,000 homeless in the southern Indian state.
• Aug. 23, Taiwan: At least 11 people died in the wake of Typhoon Bilis, which cut a path 373 mi. (600 km) wide with winds gusting up to 200 mph (320 km/h).
• Aug. 23, off Bahrain: Gulf Air jet crashed into the Persian Gulf, killing all 143 aboard.

See also Major Earthquakes Around the World 2000

See also Recent Volcanic Activity