Torrential rain has battered large parts of Asia, including Vietnam, southern China, and South Korea, leading to multiple deaths and widespread destruction. According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting in Vietnam, the Phuc Than weather station recorded 206mm of rain in 24 hours from last Thursday into Friday. This caused homes to be swept away, power cuts, and destroyed 238 hectares (588 acres) of farmland.
Deadly Flash Floods in Vietnam
Flash flooding swept through the village of Muong Than in southern Vietnam early on Friday morning, causing the deaths of at least four people and leaving four others missing. Rescuers were seen recovering a body in Muong Than, as reported by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) via AFP/Getty Images. The heavy rains have severely impacted the region, with ongoing search and rescue operations.
Heavy Rainfall in South Korea
South Korea also experienced significant rainfall, with totals reaching almost 200mm. A station in Paju, just north of Seoul, recorded 192.5mm, leading to flooded homes and roads. The deluge has disrupted daily life and caused damage across the country.
Europe Suffers Prolonged Heatwave
Meanwhile, many European countries continue to endure a prolonged heatwave, driven by a southerly flow bringing hot air from Africa. A red weather warning was issued for southern Italy on Saturday, which remains in place. Temperatures are expected to exceed 40C in Palermo, Sicily, on Monday and Tuesday, more than 10C above the average. This plume of heat is expected to migrate westwards through this week into Spain, causing temperatures to soar above 40C across large parts of Spain, potentially even exceeding 45C.
Tropical Storms in the Pacific and Atlantic
In the eastern Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Elida developed last week, with peak recorded wind speeds of 70mph, just short of the 74mph required to reach a category 1 hurricane. Storm Elida will move northwards through this week and weaken without passing over any land. Another tropical storm, named Fausto, developed in the eastern Pacific on Sunday. It is expected to move westwards and develop into a category 2 hurricane later this week.
The western Atlantic has had a quiet tropical hurricane season, with no hurricanes and only one tropical storm, Storm Arthur. However, a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to develop into a tropical storm and move along the south coast of Louisiana and Texas. Once this system develops, it should be named Bertha. It is not expected to develop strong enough winds to become a hurricane, but it still poses a flooding risk to the south-east of the US.
