Week of Devastating Rainfall Across Asia Claims Many Lives, Leaves Trail of Destruction
In India, torrential rains have resulted in 201 deaths and nearly 200 missing in Kerala. The heavy downpours unleashed torrents of mud and water, destroying bridges and flattening homes. Survivors are left with nothing as rescue efforts continue amid the destruction. Also, Monsoon downpours caused flash floods that killed 13 people in India’s Himalayan foothills, officials said Friday, with helicopters rescuing hundreds stranded near a renowned Hindu shrine
In China, at least 48 people have died, with 35 more missing due to severe flooding and mudslides linked to Typhoon Gaemi. The storm, which previously claimed lives in the Philippines and Taiwan, caused a mudslide in Hunan province that killed 15 individuals. The Ministry of Water Resources reported 25 major floods this year, the highest since records began in 1998.
Northeast China’s storms have also affected North Korea, where heavy rainfall flooded 4,100 homes and devastated 3,000 hectares of farmland. While state media did not confirm casualties, leader Kim Jong Un hinted at fatalities, criticizing public officials for inadequate disaster preparedness.
In Pakistan, record rainfall in Lahore has resulted in at least three deaths, adding to 99 fatalities from the previous month. With 353 millimeters (14 inches) falling in just hours, streets turned into rivers, impacting hospitals and residential areas.
