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Natural disasters of 2015 (10 images)

Photos of some of the major natural disasters in 2015.



Earthquake in Nepal
Perhaps the most devastating natural disaster event of 2015 was the earthquake in Nepal. The 7.9 magnitude quake struck in April just outside of Nepal's capital Kathmandu. More than 9,000 people were reportedly killed by the quake. Many cultural sites were also destroyed. Above: A Nepalese man walks past the rubble of destroyed homes to reach an open space to rest in Bhaktapur, Nepal, April 26, 2015. Photo by Sanjog Manandhar/ UPI
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Water floods in Texas
President Obama declared a state of emergency in Texas in May after heavy rains covered the state with eight inches of water. Homes were wiped and 22 people died from the floods. Above: A vehicle is seen left stranded on Allen Parkway in Houston, Texas on May 27, 2015. Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/UPI
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Drought in California
Although the California drought has been a four-year long disaster, California governor Jerry Brown ordered mandatory water restrictions in 2015 for the first time ever after the entire state was declared to be in drought conditions. Above: A sign in the the front yard of a home in the Silver Lake section of Los Angeles urges conserving water on April 2, 2015. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
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Volcanic eruption in Chile
Chile's Calbuco volcano erupted in April 2015 for the first time in 54 years. The eruption caused about 6,000 local residents to evacuate the area. Dangers from volcanic eruptions include poor air quality and mudslides if rain shortly follows an eruption. Avobe: Chile's Calbuco volcano erupts on Wednesday April 22, 2015 as seen from Playa Venado, comuna Puerto Varas, X Región in Chile. The volcano erupted twice in a period of 24 hours, marking its first eruption since 1961. Photo by Nicolás Bergström/UPI


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