Latest news with #flashFloods
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Weather tracker: China rainfall triggers flash floods and landslides
Southern China has been battered by heavy rainfall over the past week, triggering landslides and flash floods, especially in Guangdong and Guangxi. As of Saturday 24 May, at least four people had died and 17 were missing, adding to a toll of seven deaths from other recent events. More than 400 emergency personnel have been deployed to the region. Additional intense rainfall is forecast this week across south-western China, with more than 100mm expected in parts of Guizhou and Hunan on Tuesday, and totals possibly exceeding 80mm locally in Fuijan and 120mm in Zhejiang on Wednesday. Taiwan is also expected to have heavy rainfall this week as the weather system moves eastwards. New Zealand's South Island also faced torrential rain over the weekend, prompting weather warnings across the region. A front from the Tasman Sea brought heavy downpours and strong northerly and north-westerly winds, reaching gale force in exposed areas. Rainfall totals reached between 130-160mm in places on Sunday near the west coast, while significant totals were also recorded in Canterbury and Otago. The north-westerly winds brought moist air from the Tasman Sea, leading to heavy downpours after the air crossed the Southern Alps. The mountain range also heightened the winds, forcing air upwards to create turbulent and gusty conditions. Large parts of northern Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia have experienced extreme heat in recent days. A dome of very hot air, stretching from Libya through Saudi Arabia and into Pakistan, pushed surface temperatures into the high 40s Celsius across a wide region last week, with some parts even exceeding 50C. In south-western Iran, a weather station near the city of Ashajari recorded 50.6C last Friday, while temperatures above 50C were also observed in parts of Pakistan, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. While these regions are typically very hot at this time of year, temperatures of this magnitude are about 10-15C above the May average. In Iran, temperatures are approaching the country's all-time record of 53.7C, set in June 2017. Recent studies have found that the likelihood of such extreme heat in the Middle East has increased rapidly due to human-induced climate breakdown. According to a 2021 BBC analysis, the number of days during the 2010s with temperatures exceeding 50C had doubled compared with the 1980s, a trend expected to accelerate as global temperatures rise. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Over the weekend, temperatures began easing closer to average, and this slight cooling trend is set to continue through the following few days. Nevertheless, daytime highs in the low to mid 40s Celsius were still expected through this week.
Malay Mail
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
MetMalaysia issues alert on squall line storms bringing flash floods, strong winds
KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has advised the public to stay in a safe place should the squall line phenomenon occur. MetMalaysia said the phenomenon could cause heavy rain that may result in flash floods, accompanied by strong winds, thunder and lightning, as well as rough and choppy seas. 'The squall line is a group of active thunderstorm clouds that form a line at sea and move inland. It is dangerous to aviation and shipping operations and can cause damage to property and public facilities. 'Normally, it occurs during the current season, which is the Southwest Monsoon, and it often happens in the morning and evening in western Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak,' MetMalaysia posted on Facebook today. When this phenomenon occurs, the public is advised to stay in a safe place, avoid sea or beach activities, and move to higher ground if floods occur. Signs of a squall line include the formation of thick, towering banded clouds approaching from the sea, a sudden increase in wind speed turning into gale force, and a rapid drop in temperature. According to MetMalaysia, the length of a squall line can reach hundreds of kilometres, with a lifespan of up to several hours. — Bernama
