The southwest monsoon has arrived in India earlier than expected, providing much-needed relief to areas experiencing heatwaves and floods. The timely entry of the monsoon is crucial for the country’s agriculture-dependent economy, boosting farm incomes and consumer demand. With above-normal rainfall predicted, the monsoon season holds the potential to mitigate food inflation and support economic growth.
Cyclone ‘Remal’ has left a trail of destruction in Mizoram, claiming 27 lives and causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with the State Disaster Response Force working alongside local authorities. Chief Minister Lalduhoma has announced an allocation of 15 crore from the State Disaster Relief Fund and ex-gratia payments for the deceased. Electricity and water supply have been disrupted due to damaged lines and pumps. The cyclone has also weakened and is now crossing Shillong and Jowai in Meghalaya. The Mizoram government has closed all offices and public sector units except those providing essential services and disaster management. Over 50 families have been relocated due to flooding, while around 150 houses have been demolished and roads blocked.
In the wake of increasing water pollution, droughts, and floods, experts will gather at the European Union’s Green Week event in Brussels to discuss the urgent need for water resilience. Hosted by Euronews science correspondent Jeremy Wilks, the debate will delve into critical issues including water quality, tensions between various water users, innovative solutions, and the role of nature and business in safeguarding our water resources. The expert panel will address the challenges and opportunities in shaping a sustainable water future, seeking to inspire collective action and drive policy change.
Afghanistan is reeling from devastating flash floods that have killed nearly 315 people and injured over 1,600. The floods have also caused widespread damage to homes, livestock, and infrastructure. The northern Baghlan province was one of the hardest hit, with over 300 people killed there alone. Aid agencies have warned of a widening humanitarian crisis as people struggle to cope with the aftermath of the floods.
Kenya has postponed the planned reopening of schools after heavy rains and floods have killed more than 200 people. President William Ruto cited the possibility of Cyclone Hidaya hitting the coastal areas and the rising water levels of dams and reservoirs. Schools will remain closed until the government announces new reopening dates. The floods have also displaced over 150,000 people, with some living in schools. The government has ordered people living near 178 dams and reservoirs to evacuate. The flooding has also affected neighboring countries such as Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Cyclone Hidaya is poised to strike Kenya and Tanzania, exacerbating the devastation caused by torrential rains in East Africa. Both nations have suffered tragic losses in the weeks leading up to the storm, with Kenya’s flooding claiming over 188 lives and displacing 165,000 people, while in Tanzania, floods and landslides have taken at least 155 lives. Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, awaits intense rainfall, strong winds, and ocean swells, while the Maasai Mara tourism industry has suffered with over 100 tourists stranded. Internationally, travel alerts have been issued by the US and UK. Global leaders have offered condolences and support amid the unfolding tragedy, which has been intensified by the El Niño phenomenon’s disruptions to global weather patterns.
A major avalanche has occurred in the Sarbal region of Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Monday. The avalanche, coinciding with intense rain and snowfall, has caused no injuries or financial damage as it impacted an uninhabited forest area in Sonamarg. Heavy rainfall has also triggered landslides across various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to road closures and disruption of normal life.
Devastating rains, hail, and hurricane-force winds have wreaked havoc in southern China, forcing the evacuation of an entire town in Guangdong province. The township of Jiangwan, with over 1,700 residents, was evacuated as floods surged, cutting off power and communications. The province has seen record-breaking rainfall, leading to mudslides, flooded homes, and destroyed bridges. The storms, attributed to El Nino and a subtropical high, have already claimed four lives and threaten to worsen the situation.
As extreme weather events become more prevalent due to climate change, health professionals are being urged to help their patients prepare and reduce the risks associated with these disasters. Simple and cost-effective measures like cleaning gutters, installing blinds in windows, and sharing resources on home protection can significantly mitigate the impacts of flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat.
Torrential rains have caused widespread flooding in Kenya, resulting in at least 32 deaths and two people missing. The heavy rainfall, which has been ongoing since mid-March, has affected over 103,500 people and submerged several neighborhoods in the capital city of Nairobi. Rescue operations are underway by the Kenyan Red Cross, who have assisted over 188 individuals since March.
