In India and China, torrential rains have claimed over 250 lives in the past week. Three others lost their lives in Pakistan. North Korea near the Chinese border is experiencing widespread flooding, but there is no information on casualties.
This time of year is monsoon and typhoon season in Asia, and the impact of climate change has exacerbated these storms. Heavy rains have resulted in landslides and floods, causing destruction of crops, homes, and loss of lives.
Historical data reveals that China is experiencing more extremely hot days and intense rains more frequently. The China Meteorological Administration’s report last month predicts an increase in both over the next 30 years.
Governments have implemented disaster prevention plans to minimize the impact. Rescue teams are working to evacuate people ahead of storms and deliver relief supplies using helicopters in inaccessible areas. China has even employed drones for emergency communication in regions prone to heavy rainfall.
Despite these efforts, the tragic outcomes unfolding in Asia demonstrate that sometimes it is not enough.
India: 201 dead, nearly 200 missing
Heavy rains triggered mudslides and flooding in Kerala state, southern India, leading to the destruction of bridges and houses.
Hope of finding survivors is diminishing four days into the search. Bodies have been discovered up to 30 kilometers (20 miles) downstream from the main landslide site.
The region is renowned for its tea and cardamom estates, with many plantation workers residing in temporary shelters nearby. A shopkeeper lamented, “This was a very beautiful place. I used to visit here many times. … Now there is nothing left.”
China: 48 dead, 35 missing
Typhoon Gaemi resulted in over 30 deaths in the Philippines and 10 in Taiwan before moving to China as a tropical storm.
Inland Hunan province experienced heavy rainfall for several days, leading to a tragic mudslide at a homestay house, claiming 15 lives.
Additional fatalities were reported in the region due to landslides, and authorities confirmed 30 deaths in floods in Zixing city.
North Korea: Damage, but no information on deaths
Heavy rain from the tropical storm caused extensive damage in northeast China along the North Korean border, overflowing the Yalu River.
In North Korea, thousands of houses, farmland, and public infrastructure were flooded. Although no death toll was provided, Leader Kim Jong Un hinted at casualties, blaming officials for neglecting disaster prevention measures.
Military and government units in both countries conducted rescue operations, evacuating stranded residents and assessing the devastation.
Pakistan: 3 dead
Record rainfall in Lahore led to flooding and claimed three lives in Pakistan. This added to the 99 rain-related fatalities the previous month.
Some areas in Lahore recorded 353 millimeters of rain within a few hours, breaking decades-old records. The heavy rainfall even infiltrated hospital wards in the capital of Punjab province.
The victims included two children, highlighting the tragic consequences of the extreme weather.
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