India To US To Japan, Rain And Floods Spread Devastation, Wreak Havoc Across The World

From devastating monsoon floods in India to deadly floods in Japan and flash floods in Spain, let us have a look at the damage caused by weather-related disasters worldwide.

Damaged Bhuntar Valley Bridge after a section was washed away in the swollen Beas river owing to incessant monsoon rainfall, in Kullu district, Monday, July 10, 2023. ( Image Source :PTI )

Over the past 50 years, weather-related disasters have surged, inflicting significant damage but fewer deaths, according to a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The study reveals that extreme weather events turbo-charged by man-made global warming have resulted in over two million deaths and economic losses amounting to $4.3 trillion. Reported disasters caused by extreme weather, climate, and water-related events have reached a staggering 11,778 between 1970 and 2021, leading to just over two million fatalities and $4.3 trillion in economic losses, the WMO report highlights.

In 2022, India experienced devastating monsoon floods, resulting in 2,035 deaths and an estimated loss of $4.2 billion, according to a report titled "2022 Disasters in Numbers" published on the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website, reliefweb.int.

Now with 2023, weather-related incidents are again at their height. From the East to the West of the globe, rain and floods have wreaked havoc leaving another trail of destruction and damage.

India: Northern Region Battered As Monsoon Rain Knocks Door

The national capital, Delhi, and several states in North India, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana, are grappling with continuous heavy monsoon rains. Rivers, including the Yamuna in Delhi, are overflowing, submerging roads and residential areas in knee-deep water. The unprecedented rainfall on Sunday has overwhelmed the civic infrastructure, causing significant disruption across the region.

Himachal Pradesh has issued a "red" alert for "extremely heavy rain" on Monday morning following heavy downpours that triggered landslides and caused damage to houses. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reported that 16 or 17 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents over the past two days.

In Uttarakhand, the Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for 11 districts in the state. Uttarakhand Police has urged people to avoid travelling to the hills unless necessary. According to the State Emergency Operation Center, Koti recorded the highest rainfall at 155 mm, followed by Bhagwanpur at 88 mm, Chakrata at 74.3 mm, Vikasnagar at 66.5 mm, Mussoorie at 60.2 mm, Purola at 60 mm, Haridwar at 57 mm, Kalsi at 55.5 mm, Mori at 53 mm, Barkot at 51 mm, Dhanaulti at 45 mm, and Laksar at 40 mm in the last 24 hours.

The Indian Army has conducted rescue operations, saving 910 students and 50 others from a private university in Punjab that was inundated by floodwaters due to heavy rains. The civil administration in Punjab and Haryana sought assistance from the Army for rescue operations, and the Flood Relief columns of the Army's Western Command were deployed to aid the affected areas in both states. A flood relief reconnaissance team has been dispatched to Rupnagar, Mohali (Punjab), and Panchkula (Haryana), according to an official statement released on Monday.

Notably, Punjab and Haryana have experienced continuous rainfall for the third consecutive day, causing widespread flooding. Authorities are working diligently to relocate affected residents to safer areas and mitigate the impact of the flooding.

The region continues to battle the deluge brought on by the relentless monsoon rains, with concerns about the potential for further damage and disruption. The situation remains critical as authorities strive to provide relief and ensure the safety of affected residents.

Japan: Torrential Rain Triggers Deadly Floods and Mudslides

Torrential rain in southwestern Japan has triggered severe floods and mudslides, leading to two confirmed deaths and at least six people reported missing, officials told the news agency AP on Monday. The downpour, which began over the weekend, caused extensive flooding along rivers, mudslides, road closures, disrupted train services, and water supply disruptions. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an emergency heavy rain warning for Fukuoka and Oita prefectures in Kyushu, urging residents in riverside and hillside areas to exercise maximum caution. More than 1.7 million residents in vulnerable regions were advised to seek shelter. On Monday, the emergency warning was downgraded to a regular warning.

Turkiye: Red Alerts Issued as Heavy Downpours Wreak Havoc

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) in Turkiye has declared red alerts in 16 provinces across the country as heavy downpours continue to wreak havoc. "We have issued warnings to 15 provinces and are closely monitoring them in collaboration with meteorology. Our team remains active 24/7," said AFAD President Yunus Sezer in a statement to the Daily Sabah. AFAD is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens during this challenging period. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) teams have been deployed to the affected regions with a total of 20 personnel and 8 vehicles. The Black Sea Region experienced severe floods and heavy rains on July 8-9. In response, IMM activated the "IMM Emergency and Disaster Response Plan," coordinating efforts with AFAD. A total of 20 vehicles and personnel were assigned to Ordu, Bartın, and Zonguldak provinces to support water drainage, channel opening, and improvement operations.

New York: Severe Storms Trigger Deadly Flooding

Severe storms have unleashed heavy rainfall, causing extensive flooding in New York's Hudson Valley, resulting in at least one fatality and significant damage. The downpour led to submerged roadways and prompted road closures on Sunday night, while the rest of the Northeast US braces for potentially punishing rains, as per AP.

The National Weather Service extended flash flood warnings into Connecticut, including Stamford and Greenwich, as the storm moved eastward. Forecasters predict that some areas could receive up to 5 inches of rain. In the Hudson Valley region, rescue teams are working to recover the body of a woman in her 30s who drowned while attempting to evacuate her home. Two others managed to escape. The full extent of the destruction caused by the slow-moving storm, which deposited over 4 inches of rain, will only be known after sunrise when residents and officials can assess the damage. Early estimates suggest that the storm has already incurred tens of millions of dollars in damages. 

Spain: Flash Floods Ravage Zaragoza, Prompting Rescues and Damage

Firefighters in Zaragoza, the capital of Spain's Aragón Region, carried out multiple high-water rescues after fierce flash floods swept through the city. The region experienced a series of storms on July 6, 2023, causing heavy rainfall and wreaking havoc across Teruel and Zaragoza Provinces. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) reported that Alcañiz in Teruel Province received 46 mm of rain within a few hours, with 27.6 mm falling in just 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Zaragoza's Valdespartera weather station recorded 54 mm of rainfall during the storm, with 19.6 mm in 10 minutes.