Asia is reeling from deadly cyclones and relentless monsoon rains, described by the WMO as "like a tsunami" 🌊.
Why It's So Intense
Clare Nullis, spokesperson for the WMO, says the "combination of monsoon-related rainfall and tropical cyclone activity" has created a rare, high-impact event—especially close to the Equator.
On-the-Ground Toll
- Indonesia: 604 dead, 464 missing, 2,600 injured. Around 1.5 million people affected and 570,000 displaced.
- Vietnam: Battered for weeks, historic sites and beach resorts flooded. Central Vietnam logged a staggering 1,739 mm of rain in 24 hours—potentially a new hemisphere record.
- Sri Lanka: Cyclone Ditwah hit the east coast, affecting 1.4 million people, including 275,000 children. UNICEF warns damage to homes, clean water and schools is turning this into a fast-moving humanitarian crisis.
UN Response
UN Secretary-General António Guterres offered condolences and confirmed the UN stands ready to support relief efforts in all affected countries.
Climate Change Connection
Nullis warns that warming temperatures allow air to hold more moisture, leading to heavier downpours. "That's the law of physics," she says, adding that extreme rainfall is set to become more common.
Reference(s):
'Like a tsunami': Deadly cyclones and monsoon rains strike Asia
cgtn.com
