Asia faces a humanitarian crisis due to floods and cyclones
The Asian continent is going through a critical situation due to intense monsoon rains, the passage of various cyclones, and severe flooding. According to recent reports, more than 50 people have lost their lives and millions have had to leave their homes in nations such as China, India, the Philippines, and Burma.
The meteorological landscape has been complicated by the influence of cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Dolphin, in addition to multiple tropical storms. These phenomena have caused rivers to overflow and landslides that have kept communication routes collapsed in the most affected areas.
Impact in figures and affected regions
- Burma: 23 deaths have been recorded and hundreds of people have been rescued by boat after being trapped in their homes.
- Philippines: The official report adds 21 deaths and nearly four million citizens affected by climate instability.
- India: Seven fatalities have been recorded and a total of 1.2 million people have been affected.
- China: In the eastern region, the remnants of storm Dolphin forced the evacuation of 1.6 million people across 10 provinces, including Henan and Shandong.
Additionally, in Japan, Tropical Storm Chan-hom caused damage to electrical infrastructure, affecting about 20,000 homes, while in Laos, localized flooding has been reported in four provinces, including its capital, Vientiane.
The monsoon, which usually develops between June and September, has shown greater intensity this year, increasing the vulnerability of regions to landslides and disruptions in the supply of basic services.
The threat of the El Niño phenomenon
Meteorology experts warn that Asia is under the influence of the El Niño phenomenon, which has caused unusual warming in the Pacific waters. This climate event is expected to reach its peak between October and December, with a projection to extend until the spring of 2027.
Specialized studies suggest that the cyclone season will be especially active, which has led the region’s governments to take preventive measures, such as the suspension of in-person classes in thousands of schools and the constant activation of emergency protocols to safeguard the lives of citizens.
