Western Digital did not suffer a less severe disaster than its competitors who also have facilities in Bangkok.

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"This may be the most severe natural disaster that we've faced in this country, " says Carol North, a psychiatrist at Washington University School of Medicine.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The disaster has had a severe impact on local industries, contaminating farm produce including vegetables, dairy products, fish, mushrooms and green tea.

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Mr Orban also said there would be "very severe" consequences for those to blame for the disaster.

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It will also encourage the population to remain in place, and may even attract others to the area, leaving them all vulnerable to the next natural disaster, which is as likely to be a severe drought as further flooding.

ECONOMIST: Letters

In a court filing before the hearing, attorneys for BP and the Justice Department argued that the plea agreement imposes "severe corporate punishment" and will deter BP and other deep-water drilling companies from allowing another disaster to occur.

NPR: Judge OKs $4B BP Oil Spill Criminal Settlement