Sunday, August 19, 2007

Weekend Photo Upload: Athens in Fire

This was a terrific week for Athens, for many reasons. The roads are almost like a desert and hardly there are any cars because of summer vacations. People used to enjoy their vacation in the island.

Another unfortunate incident took place this Thursday, in the Hills of Athens. A fire broke out and almost the whole forest and few houses burnt. However the fire did not came to main city, it caused significant damage. Athenians are bit scared. There were same incident months back. Due to global warming this is the hottest summer in the history of Europe. The previous hottest was 1997, but the average temperature of this year is more than 1 degree this time than 1997. In Greece it almost touched 50C, thanks to low humidity the suffering and casualties are less. But fire bloke out in many places.



This picture is taken in mobile from my desk in office and this is the normal view .


We went to the forest a day before, took the following pictures. The last one is taken in a special way. Can anyone guess how this one is taken?

This was taken keeping my sun-glass in front of the Camera Lens.

Updated 25th August 2007.

OH my GOD!! Fire again, I read the comment of GMG and opened my windows and its horrible, sky is covered by the smoke and the color of sunlight changed. We still can smell the fire from our balcony.Phone line is not working, it was a massive massive fire caused 41 lives. Check CNN today. and some more photos. (not by me as I was sleeping the whole morning) .

Global Warming is in action. we are slowly leading to a big disaster. This summer was a warning of it. Massive flood in Indian sub-continent, Fires in Greece, Heat wave across the Europe, high temperature, unpredictable seasonal changes etc are final knocking in our doors, but very small initiatives have been taken so far.

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11 comments:

Cuckoo said...

That was a big fire. Hope there wasn't any casualty.

No guess. :)

Ananda Niyogi said...

Going by the graduated colour tint in the photo, I am guessing it must have been taken by placing your sunshades in front of the lens...

Anonymous said...

So the temperatures there are now just like India only. It is a very sight indeed and we are perhaps not doing anything to stop global warming and at this rate, to lose the natural beauty of nature, it will take not time at all...I am still guessing how you have taken the third shot but I will go with Ananda's guess or maybe any other special lens...but whatever it is a beautiful shot!

GMG said...

Thanks for your visit and comment to my blog.
Amazingly, I’m taking a holiday in Greece, provided the fires allow me to (heard today that the highway from the Airport to Athens has been closed due to a fire). So, I won't be able to post and comment till mid-September. Meanwhile I leave you in Bali at Blogtrotter. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

wooo hoooooo wat a super shot!!
i think that pic was taken by ur wife riding donkey :)

Anonymous said...

one more thing.
im sooo sorry about that temperature!!
cant imagine almost touching 50C..
please take ice & water and stay cool pijush-chan!!

Pijush said...

@Ananda has guessed it perfect; it was taken keeping my sun-glass in front of the Camera Lens. Well done Ananda. I have posted my photo as a hint.

@Cuckoo, its really a big fire, I have not feel before in my lifetime. We were bit worried, But they manage to extinguish it nicely.

@Kalyan, we are slowly leading to a big disaster. This summer was a warning of it. Massive flood in Indian sub-continent, Fires in Greece, Heat wave across the Europe, high temperature, unpredictable seasonal changes etc are final knocking in our doors, but you are right, very small initiatives have been taken so far.

@GMG, Thanks for coming here. Yes its annoying everyone. Glad you are here and just drop me a comment if you need any information. /What a lovely place you have been, Bali is truly amazing.

@Niki-Chan, come on, my wife in a Donkey!!! When I told her, she told I am a donkey and all my friend :-) I guess you are talking about MY picture. Take care.

OH my GOD!! Fire again, I read the comment of GMG and opened my windows and its horrible, sky is covered by the smoke and the color of sunlight changed. Phone line is not working, it was a massive massive fire caused 41 lives. Check CNN today.

Mridula said...

They are talking about this fire being deliberate and some involvement of land mafia. Never thought there would be this kind of troubles in the paradise.

Pijush said...

Yes Mridula, it’s the fact. 180 fired in one day can not be a coincidence. It was done deliberately. Initially they thought about terrorist attack and even they suspected political oppositions. But now the fact is revealed. People have huge land where they can not build any construction as it is natural forests (according to Greek Law). But the law also tells, once the forest is burnt out, it can be used for constructing houses. That’s why they have done it, can you imagine!!! Now that fire has engulfed major section of Peloponnese , a part of Greece. Fortunately the historical site of Olympia is safe along with its museums.

Sigma said...

This is really unfortunate. But I am surprised, that although we see these kind of temperatures in Rajasthan, specially in the western side, there are not so many fires there (or perhaps we dont hear baout them ? )

No guesses ... unfortunately I read the answer first.

And I guess instead of "Athenians are bit scary", you meant "Athenians are bit scared" .... both are bit different ;-)

Pijush said...

@Sigma, after the investigation it is revealed that the fires were not because of global warming, but was done purposely. Thanks for the correction.