NEW DELHI: Torrential storms have ravaged South Asia since June, resulting in hundreds of deaths, as official data revealed on Tuesday. The monsoon season, known for its weather-related disasters, has seen severe flooding and landslides this year, exacerbated by climate change.
The storms have claimed at least 250 lives in India, 171 in Nepal, and 178 in Pakistan, according to official reports from each country.
Pakistan has reported 178 deaths since the beginning of the rains in July, with 92 of those being children. The collapse of homes has been a significant cause of death, as reported by the National Disaster Management Authority.
In the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warnings have been issued for potential glacial lake flooding due to rising temperatures and humidity.
India, which recently experienced its longest heatwave on record, is now grappling with intense rainstorms that have caused widespread flooding and landslides. In May and June, New Delhi saw temperatures reach a record 49.2°C (120.5°F), but this heat has now been replaced by relentless rains.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued warnings for “heavy rainfall” across southern and northeastern states. On Tuesday, rescue teams in Himachal Pradesh were searching for two missing individuals after nine people drowned when a surge of water swept through the Una district. Witnesses described seeing a car being carried away by the swollen river despite attempts to stop it.
In India alone, scores have died this month, following 200 fatalities in Kerala last month due to landslides that struck villages and tea plantations.
In Nepal, the monsoon rains have resulted in 171 deaths since mid-June, with 109 attributed to landslides. Other fatalities have been caused by flooding and lightning. Rescue efforts are ongoing in Chitwan district, where two buses were swept away by a river in July, killing around 50 people.
While the monsoon rains are crucial for cooling the summer heat, replenishing water supplies, and supporting agriculture, they also bring significant risks. India, the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, but it remains heavily dependent on coal for energy.
Pakistan, contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gases, is among the most vulnerable to climate change.
In 2022, catastrophic flooding submerged a third of the country, leading to over 1,700 deaths, displacing 33 million people, and destroying thousands of homes.
