Severe flooding has devastated Sri Lanka, forcing families from their homes as the country braces for further damage from continued heavy rainfall. The disaster is part of a wider pattern of extreme weather across Asia and beyond, which has also left Iran parched by historic drought and brought an unseasonal deep freeze to parts of the United States.
Catastrophic Flooding Across South and South-East Asia
The immediate crisis is centred on Sri Lanka, where relentless torrential rain has triggered flash floods and landslides. The death toll there neared 200 on Sunday, with hundreds more people reported missing. Forecasters warn that more heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days, likely causing further destruction.
This tragedy is not isolated. It forms part of a broader climatic catastrophe affecting millions across southern Asia. The extreme conditions have been linked to a rare cluster of tropical cyclones. Cyclone Senyar struck Indonesia and Thailand, while Cyclone Ditwah has been responsible for the severe rainfall and subsequent flooding in Sri Lanka.
The overall human cost is staggering. In Indonesia, more than 300 people have been killed, and in Thailand, the death toll stands at 160. Hundreds remain missing across the region. Parts of North Sumatra in Indonesia recorded a colossal 800mm of rainfall over just four days. The cumulative impact has resulted in more than 1,300 deaths across south and south-east Asia, a number authorities fear will rise.
Drought and Deep Freeze: A Global Weather Dichotomy
While Asia battles inundation, other regions face starkly different extremes. Iran is grappling with one of its most severe droughts in nearly 60 years of records. After six consecutive years of drought, critical water shortages have forced a halt to electricity production at the Karkheh dam hydroelectric power station. In the capital, Tehran, residents are struggling with government-mandated reductions in water pressure.
On the other side of the globe, winter has returned with a vengeance to much of the United States. A significant cold snap is bringing temperatures widely 10°C (50°F) below normal across the Midwest and eastern areas. Parts of Michigan are forecast to receive up to a foot of snow this weekend, with widespread snowfall expected across the north-east.
This disruptive weather is due to a 'lake effect' snow phenomenon. Cold air blowing from Canada over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes picks up moisture, creating intense bands of snowfall downwind. States like Ohio, New York, Illinois, and Michigan are most affected, with the conditions causing severe disruption to Thanksgiving travel plans.
A Rising Toll and an Uncertain Forecast
The convergence of these events underscores the volatile and powerful nature of global weather systems. From submerged villages in Sri Lanka to snowbound cities in the US and drought-stricken landscapes in Iran, communities worldwide are confronting severe environmental challenges. With more rain forecast for Sri Lanka and the full impact of the Asian monsoon still unfolding, the focus remains on rescue efforts and providing aid to the millions affected by these concurrent disasters.
