2023 South Asian floods

2023 South Asian floods
UN map of South Asia
DateMarch - August 2023
LocationBangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
CauseHeavy monsoon rains, tropical cyclones
Deaths2,309
Non-fatal injuries1,890
Missing135

Flooding affected parts of South Asia since March of 2023, killing many and destroying buildings.

Background

Monsoons hit South Asia every year, mostly between June and September. Every year, floods affect the Indian subcontinent, collapsing buildings and causing landslides. Climate change in South Asia has exacerbated these storms.[1]

Countries affected

Bangladesh

Main article: Cyclone Mocha

Cyclone Mocha destroyed 2,522 houses and damaged 10,469 others in May.[2] Three people died of indirect causes[3] and 12 others were injured.[4]

Flooding in August killed 57 people, left several missing, displaced around 45,000 residents and affected 1.2 million others, as well as damaging over 2,700 shelters.[5][6] Damage estimated by the government in Bandarban District was Tk7 billion (US$63.9 million), though the locals estimated the loss to be over Tk10 billion (US$91.4 million).[7]

India

Main articles: 2023 North India floods and Cyclone Biparjoy

In India, a total of 2,038 people were killed, 1,584 others were injured and 101 others were left missing due to flooding-related incidents between 1 April and 17 August. During this period, there were 518 deaths in Bihar, 330 more in Himachal Pradesh, 165 in Gujarat, 138 in Madhya Pradesh, 107 deaths each in Karnataka and Maharashtra, 90 more in Chhattisgarh and 75 in Uttarakhand.[8]

Twelve people were killed and 23 others were injured in Rajasthan by Cyclone Biparjoy after it hit in June. At least 4,600 villages were affected by the storm.[9]

Two people were killed by a landslide caused by flooding in Assam from 17 to 21 of June, which affected up to 100,000 residents in 20 districts.[10]

Since 24 June, at least 229 people were killed and 38 others were left missing by flooding in northern India due to monsoon rains, including 105 in July[11] and 81 more in August.[12]

Nepal

Since June, at least 38 people died and 33 others were left missing after floods across Nepal,[13] which damaged at least 283 homes.[14]

Pakistan

Main article: 2023 Pakistan floods

From March to July of 2023, at least 159 people were killed and 264 others were injured by floods in Pakistan, including 68 deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,[15][16][17] 52 in Punjab,[18] and 20 in Balochistan.[16][18]

Sri Lanka

Main article: Cyclone Mocha

Although the impact of Cyclone Mocha on Sri Lanka was significantly reduced by its landfall between Bangladesh and Myanmar, seven people were injured,[19] another was reported missing, and nearly 2,000 people were affected in Southern Sri Lanka due to the cyclonic storm's indirect influence.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Climate Change and Natural Disasters in South Asia - JK Policy Institute | Peace & Sustainable Development in J&K". 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022. IPCC reports indicate an increase in Arabian Sea cyclones during the pre and post-monsoon seasons as a response to the rapid ocean warming trends.
  2. ^ "কক্সবাজারে আড়াই হাজার ঘরবাড়ি সম্পূর্ণ বিধ্বস্ত: জেলা প্রশাসন". The Daily Star. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  3. ^ "মহেশখালীতে ঘূর্ণিঝড়ে ৩ লবণচাষির মৃত্যু". Bhorer Kagoj (in Bengali). 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Bangladesh, Myanmar brace as powerful Cyclone Mocha makes landfall". AP NEWS. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Death toll in Bangladesh floods climbs to 57". Anadolu Agency. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Thousands uprooted by floods in south-eastern Bangladesh". Islamic Relief. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  7. ^ Bandarban, S Basu Das (19 August 2023). "Bandarban flood causes 700C in damage, affects 20,000 families". The Dhaka Tribute. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  8. ^ "2038 dead due to floods, landslides, lightning since April 1". The Economic Times. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Cyclone Biparjoy to Impact 12 Districts in Rajasthan, Including Jodhpur, Udaipur | Weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  10. ^ "India – Over 100,000 Hit by Floods in 20 Districts of Assam". floodlist.com. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Record monsoon rains kill more than 100 people in northern India". The Los Angeles Times. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  12. ^ "81 dead in rain fury in Himachal, Uttarakhand, flash floods in Punjab, rescue efforts on". India Today. 17 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Landslides, floods kill 38 so far as monsoon rains lash Nepal". The Times of India. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  14. ^ "India – Over 100,000 Hit by Floods in 20 Districts of Assam". floodlist.com. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  15. ^ "2 weeks of monsoon rains in Pakistan have killed at least 55, including 8 children". Associated Press. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Pakistan – Deadly Floods in Balochistan Province". floodlist.com. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Pakistan – Flash Floods and Strong Winds Leave Over 20 Dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa". floodlist.com. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  18. ^ a b "86 Killed, 151 Injured In Pakistan Rain Fury: Report". NDTV. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  19. ^ "Cyclone Mocha: Nearly 2,000 affected in Sri Lanka". The Siasat Daily. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Effects of Cyclonic Storm 'Mocha' on Sri Lanka reduced". Sunday Observer. 16 May 2023. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.