Severe rain and floods kill more than 900 in Pakistan

Pakistan is passing through a crisis. It witnessed severe rains and flooding this summer. The country’s Minister for Climate Change told a section of the media that Pakistan needs international assistance. It is a "humanitarian disaster" and thousands have no shelter and food. The communication lines have broken and people do not have the basic amenities. The death toll has crossed 900 and the dead include 326 children. Heavy monsoon rains and floods since June have affected more than 2.3 million people in the country. This is as per the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA. It reveals at least 95,350 homes are destroyed. Most affected regions are the southeastern province of Sindh and the southwestern province of Balochistan. Over 900 killed by Pakistan monsoon rains and floods, including 326 children. Apart from loss of livestock, nearly 1,864 miles of roads and 129 bridges are damaged. These have cut off access to many flood-affected areas.

The governmental National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan wants international funding for flood relief, rehabilitation, and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. Sherry Rehman, Minister for Climate Change, spoke at the NDMA briefing. She compared the situation to record flooding in 2010. She also mentioned about the "unprecedented humanitarian disaster" in parts of Balochistan and the Sindh region. The forecast is of more heavy rain and floods. Schools in Balochistan and Sindh will remain closed in anticipation of a fresh spell of monsoon rain expected towards the end of the week. China indicated that it would provide emergency humanitarian aid to Pakistan. These would include tents apart from cash. Monsoon rains are not new to Pakistan but this year was an exception. About 15 inches of rain poured down in the course of a few hours in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi. This July was the wettest in three decades.

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Floods in Seoul take lives, paralyzes the city – another instance of climate crisis

Torrential rainfall led to floods and landslides as Seoul witnessed death of at least nine persons. Forecasters cautioned about more rain to come. Three died when they were trapped in a flooded semi-basement. Many others suffered injuries and whereabouts of at least seven more are not known. Record rainfall kills at least 9 in Seoul as water floods buildings, submerges cars. The authorities have evacuated hundreds of people and made available aid in the form of tents, blankets and other essentials. They have also launched cleanup and rescue operations. This is because of damages to houses, shops, retaining walls and other pieces of infrastructure.

The rainfall recorded was the highest since authorities began keeping records in 1907. Photos in social media showed people wading across roads up to their thighs in water. In parts of Seoul, there was blockage of drains. These led to travel problems in the streets and subway stations. The Seoul Metro suspended services in some portions because of the floods. Damages included crumbling of parts of pavement apart from damaged vehicles that were swept up by floodwater. Loss of power left many without power in some areas south of the Han River. Yoon Suk Yeol, president of South Korea sent condolences to the victims. He also assured about conducting an on-site inspection and work to prevent additional damage. He realized the need to review the disaster management system. This is necessary in view of increasing instances of climate crisis. Countries in East Asia are experiencing more intense rainfall. The summer monsoons could grow stronger and more unpredictable due to global warming. This is according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Parts of Japan also faced similar situation as parts of Hokkaido reporting floods with possibilities of flash floods and landslides.

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Harrowing times in Pakistan - more than 280 people killed in rain-related incidents since mid-June

Life in Pakistan is in tatters with hundreds of deaths in rain-related incidents since mid-June. The National Disaster Management Authority NDMA estimates loss of at least 282 lives with injuries to more than 200. Heavy downpours have lashed the country and the dead include nearly 160 women and children. The rains have damaged houses, bridges and business establishments across the country. Most of the damages and casualties were from Balochistan province. The death toll is 88 with more than 60 injured. The flash floods were triggered by the rains. Other casualties were 57 in the east Punjab province, 56 in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and 14 in other parts of the country.

The authorities have launched rescue and relief activities. They are providing basic amenities like food packets, tents, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, hygiene kits, blankets and tarpaulins to those affected by the rains and floods. Forecast of the Met department is more rains in the coming days. 282 killed, over 200 injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan It believes the monsoon spell would continue through the ongoing week. It has also cautioned about urban flooding and waterlogging apart from landslides in northern parts of the country. These could lead to travel hurdles.

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V Festival in Chelmsford could face tornadoes, hail and thunderstorms

The V Festival in Chelmsford could face weather problems because the Met Office has forecast that Britain could be hit by tornadoes, hail and thunderstorms this weekend as the country awaits a brief surge of heat from northern Europe.
Temperatures of up to 30C (86F) are expected in London tomorrow, while Norwich should enjoy 28C (82F) and Birmingham could see 26C (79F).
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 21 August 2015.

But heavy rain is likely to become widespread through the weekend, especially in the North West, with severe thunderstorms possible.
And the warm temperatures are due to clash with cooler air tomorrow morning - which could even cause a tornado, forecasters said.
Of course, Music fans arrived at V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex and will be hoping for plenty of sunshine over the weekend. Revelers were carrying sleeping bags and tents as they arrived ready to camp out for a weekend of music at V Festival. Warnings have been given that temperatures could hit around 27C at the V Festival site in Chelmsford.
However, thunderstorms could wreak havoc later in the night. (Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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