Weather tracker: Heavy monsoon rain leaves many dead in Pakistan
Rivers overflowed their banks, significantly flooding low-lying areas of Punjab. Though several of the deaths were attributed to drowning, most were the result of building collapses. A number of deaths were reportedly from electrocution. This latest deluge takes the death toll from this year's monsoon, which began in late June, to almost 180, more than half of which are children. Owing to its large low-lying regions, Pakistan is among the countries most endangered by the climate crisis, with significant flooding events becoming more common in recent years.
Meanwhile torrential rain also led to flash flooding in the US states of New York and New Jersey this week. In New Jersey, where a state of emergency was declared, more than 150mm of rain fell within a few hours, flooding several major roads and killing two people whose car was swept away. New York City recorded its second-highest hourly rainfall ever, after 50mm fell within just half an hour, with water dramatically pouring into the subway systems.
Nepal recently experienced flooding of a different kind, after a 'glacial lake outburst'. As temperatures rose through the spring, a glacier 21 miles (35km) upstream of the Tibetan border began to melt, eventually forming a lake atop the glacier, which had grown to 638,000 sq metres by early July. Then on 8 July, subsidence of the glacier allowed drainage of the water, which subsequently tore downstream across the Tibetan landscape and into Nepal's Rasuwa district. This 'Himalayan tsunami' caused flooding that was metres deep in places, damaged several key pieces of infrastructure and killed at least seven people.
Such glacial lake outbursts have increased in recent years, as rapid warming of the Himalayan climate has increased the number of unstable high-altitude glacial lakes and put communities at lower elevations at increased risk of unpredictable flash flooding.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Rain and thunder warning for Devon and Cornwall brought forward
A yellow weather warning for heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms in Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly has been brought forward by the Met Office. The updated yellow warning is now expected between 18:00 BST on Saturday until 21:00 on original warning was in place from 12:00 on Sunday until 03:00 on Met Office said 30 to 50 mm (1.18 to 1.97 inches) of rain may fall in a few hours and there was a small chance that a few spots could see 75 mm (2.95 inches) or more. The Met Office said there was a small chance of power cuts, flooding and loss of services to homes and added: "Outbreaks of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected to affect south-west England from Saturday evening."Further heavy showers and thunderstorms will break out in places across the warning area through the course of Sunday."
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
UK braced for thunderstorms with risk of flood damage
Yellow weather warnings have been extended to much of the UK as thunderstorms threaten to cause flooding and disruption this weekend. The Met Office has issued four yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms, with fast water risking a danger to life in some areas. Warnings for south-west England, Northern Ireland and Scotland have been put in place alongside one already issued for large parts of northern, eastern and southern England, and will be in place from 6pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday. The office says there is a slight chance of power cuts and a loss of other services to some homes and businesses, as well as flooding, building damage, travel disruption and road closures. There is also a small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life for parts of the country including Cornwall and south-west Wales, central and east England. Some places could see up to 75mm of rain in just a few hours and heavy showers are expected to continue until Wednesday. The Environment Agency has also put in place 27 flood alerts for the next five days, with surface water flooding impacts possible across much of England on Saturday and isolated river flooding impacts possible albeit unexpected. The agency said impacts were possible across parts of south-west England from Sunday until Monday. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 16 flood alerts for most of the country. This follows the amber weather warning which was issued for parts of the UK up until 11am on Saturday morning warning of dangerous thunderstorms. Andy Page, the Met Office's chief meteorologist, said: 'The intense rainfall could lead to surface water flooding as well as frequent lightning and hail too. 'The situation is evolving, and warnings may be changed or added. 'This weekend is expected to be busy on the roads as more schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays, so it's important people keep up-to-date with the very latest forecast. 'There will be spells of more pleasant weather in parts of the UK through the weekend, with some sunny spells in between systems as they move through.' In south-west England on Saturday, some areas could see up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours, and up to 75mm for some areas while in central and east England, up to 30mm of rain could fall in less than an hour and scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms may develop across Saturday afternoon. In Northern Ireland, from Derry down to Tyrone, scattered showers will turn heavier with the chance of a few thunderstorms and up to 20mm of rain in an hour in some places. Showers are expected to ease towards the evening. Scotland will see areas of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms arriving from the south during Saturday afternoon. Some places will see persistent rain building up particularly on south-east facing areas of high ground, and up to 75mm of rain could fall in just a few hours. Despite the rain, temperatures will remain in the high 20Cs across the weekend before dropping slightly towards the beginning of next week.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Mapped: Where thunderstorms are set to hit the UK as amber weather warnings issued
Large swathes of the country are expected to be hit by thunderstorms over the weekend as yellow and amber weather warnings come into place. People in almost all of England and some of Scotland to prepare for heavy downpours over the coming days. The Met Office has warned parts of southern England are set to be battered by torrential rain on Saturday which could cause 'significant' flooding and a danger to life. An amber warning for thunderstorms has been issued for between 4am and 11am spanning major towns and cities including London, Brighton, Portsmouth, Chelmsford, St Albans and Cambridge. Forecasters have warned of sudden flooding in roads and homes with some more remote communities at risk of being cut off, while delays to train and bus services are also likely. The warning area includes London, which is particularly susceptible to surface water issues during thunderstorms due to the high proportion of impermeable surfaces. Within this area, 20-40mm of rain could fall in an hour, with up to 70-100mm accumulating in just a few hours. It is one of several weather warnings for thunderstorms issued across the country. On Saturday, two yellow warnings will be in place alongside the more severe amber alert. Most of England will be covered by a yellow warning from midnight to 9pm. Eastern Scotland is also facing a yellow warning from 4pm until midday on Sunday. A further warning for the south west of England will also come into place ad midday on Sunday and remain until 3am on Monday. Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Andy Page, said: 'Intense rainfall will impact parts of the UK as thunderstorms move in from France. A range of severe weather warnings have been issued, including an Amber warning covering southeast England and London. The intense rainfall could lead to surface water flooding as well as frequent lightning and hail too. 'The situation is evolving, and warnings may be changed or added. This weekend is expected to be busy on the roads as more schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays, so it's important people keep up-to-date with the very latest forecast. There will be spells of more pleasant weather in parts of the UK through the weekend, with some sunny spells in between systems as they move through.' Met Office forecasters warn that spray and flooding could lead to difficulties for drivers, possible road closures, and the risk that some communities may become cut off as a result. Damage to homes and businesses is also possible from adverse weather conditions. On Sunday, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue, moving northwards throughout the day. Next week is expected to continue to have unsettled weather, with a mixture of showers and thunderstorms and sunshine. Temperatures will be warm depending on the sunshine and conditions may settle by mid-week with showers still in the east. It comes as Southern Water has become the latest company to bring in a hosepipe ban, to protect rare chalk stream habitat, as England battles exceptionally dry weather. The company said restrictions on hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools or washing cars would come in for households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from Monday. It is the latest announcement by water companies bringing in hosepipe bans in response to the driest start to the year since 1976 for England. Rainfall across England was 20 per cent less than the long-term average for June, which was also the hottest on record for the country, with two heatwaves driving unusually high demand for water, the Environment Agency has said. Drought was declared in East and West Midlands on Tuesday, with the region joining swathes of northern England in being impacted by the lack of rainfall.
