Displaying items by tag: Monsoon

The village of Bishnoi in northern Pakistan has been devastated by a sudden flash flood, leaving entire homes buried beneath rocks and debris. On 15 August, torrential rains triggered a surge of water that swept through the village, destroying nearly every house. Locals described the scene as catastrophic, with families trapped under stones and crops flattened across the valley. Rescue operations continue with limited equipment, as survivors search desperately for missing loved ones. The area has suffered over 300 deaths, making it the hardest-hit region in Pakistan’s monsoon season, which has claimed more than 500 lives nationwide; there have also been many deaths in India and Nepal. Climate experts warn that melting glaciers, accelerated by global warming, are worsening the impact of heavy rains and landslides. Amid tragedy, there were moments of heroism, such as a school principal in the Swat valley who ordered the evacuation of 900 children only minutes before floods destroyed the building. In Bishnoi, families mourn as relief and recovery efforts continue.

Flooding and landslides caused by relentless rains have devastated northeastern India, with at least 44 people confirmed dead. Assam state has seen twelve deaths from flooding and five from landslides, with nearly 1,500 villages and over 617,000 people impacted. In Arunachal Pradesh, twelve deaths have been reported, while Sikkim has faced deadly landslides, killing two soldiers and a porter. The Indian Army is conducting tireless search and rescue operations in treacherous conditions, seeking six missing individuals amid unstable terrain and high altitudes. Other northeastern states are also reporting casualties as the disaster unfolds. Narendra Modi has assured support for affected regions, contacting local officials and promising relief. The scale of the disaster highlights the vulnerability of remote areas to extreme weather and the immense burden placed on rescue personnel. As the death toll rises, national and regional leaders face growing pressure to manage the crisis and protect vulnerable communities.

Massive floods in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh have killed dozens and affected millions. Heavy rains have caused many major rivers to overflow, leading to large-scale devastation. In Nepal, floods have killed more than forty people and damaged key infrastructure. In Assam, India, 66 people have died, and 2.4 million are affected. Bangladesh has reported eight deaths: the overflowing Brahmaputra has inundated a quarter of the districts in the country. Floods and landslides are not uncommon during South Asia's monsoon season, when it receives up to 90% of its annual rainfall; but experts say the issue has worsened in recent years due to climate change. Large-scale rescue operations are under way, with authorities directing thousands to shelters while sending food and supplies to those who are stranded.

The annual monsoons in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sierra Leone have caused hundreds of deaths, while thousands have fled flash floods and mudslides. In Nepal’s southern plains, the home to much of its agriculture, huge swathes of land and 48,000 homes have been totally submerged by floods. Pray for those stranded on higher ground taking shelter in sheds, unable to move until the water recedes. Pray for the Bangladesh troops shoring up embankments, in places where such severe flooding has not been seen for thirty years. Authorities suggest the flooding is man-made, caused by the dams built on the India-Nepal border. Pray also for those grieving for the many hundreds who were killed by mudslides and floods in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. Many were buried alive as they slept. Pray for governments and NGOs as they work to support those who have lost not only homes but paddy fields, vegetable plantations, and fish farms. See: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/17/africa/sierra-leone-mudslide/index.html