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Devastating Weather Events Hit Southeast Asia
Recent severe weather has wreaked havoc across Southeast Asia, with Indonesia’s largest island, Sumatra, facing particularly harsh conditions. Intense rainfall has resulted in flash floods and landslides, leading to significant destruction and loss of life. In the past week, at least twenty individuals have died in various incidents throughout North Sumatra, as multiple areas have been impacted by these natural disasters. Most recently, a landslide on Thursday morning claimed seven additional lives, burying vehicles, including a tourist bus, in mud, rocks, and debris along the primary route connecting the provincial capital, Medan, to its surrounding regions.
The aftermath of the landslide has left over ten people injured, necessitating their immediate transportation to medical facilities in Medan. Rescue operations are ongoing, with officials reporting that several vehicles remain trapped under the rubble. North Sumatra’s traffic director has indicated that it may take as long as two days to clear the affected areas and evacuate those in danger.
Seasonal Weather Patterns Contributing to Disasters
Indonesia is no stranger to flash floods and landslides, especially during the rainy season that spans from October to March each year. This is largely due to the monsoon circulations characteristic of the Asia-Australia region, which drive moist air from Asia towards Australia, resulting in increased precipitation across Indonesia. Influential climatic patterns, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, also play a significant role in determining rainfall variations. The impending La Niña phase could further exacerbate weather conditions, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events as cooler sea surface temperatures in the Pacific strengthen the easterly trade winds, funneling more moisture into the area.
Widespread Impact Across the Region
In the past few days, flash floods have also affected neighboring countries, including Malaysia and Thailand, exacerbated by the ongoing monsoon season. From Wednesday to Thursday, rainfall in southern Thailand and northern Malaysia exceeded 90mm (approximately 3.5 inches), with adjacent regions experiencing upwards of 50mm.
As of Thursday, Malaysia reported over 50,000 displaced individuals, with Kelantan and Terengganu being the hardest-hit states. Concurrently, Thailand faced challenges as more than 135,000 households reported disruptions due to flooding. Authorities across both nations are mobilizing to facilitate disaster relief and urgent evacuations. The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre has issued warnings about the potential for further heavy rainfall in the weeks ahead, raising alarms about additional flooding risks and potential disruptions to daily life.
Severe Conditions in Sri Lanka
In addition to the challenges faced in Malaysia and Thailand, Sri Lanka has experienced severe weather as well. A tropical depression in the south-west Bay of Bengal has resulted in strong winds and heavy rains, causing widespread flooding. A remarkable 100mm of rain fell within just 24 hours, leading to the tragic loss of twelve lives and leaving six children unaccounted for. Over 250,000 people have been compelled to evacuate their homes due to the storm’s aftermath. The India Meteorological Department has cautioned that this weather disturbance could intensify into a tropical storm, potentially impacting the region further by the weekend.
As Southeast Asia grapples with these devastating weather events, the urgent need for effective disaster preparedness and response strategies has never been more critical.
Source
www.theguardian.com