Heavy Rains Kill 13, Displace Millions in Northern China

Heavy rains have caused significant fatalities and damage across Karachi, Pakistan, and northern China, with at least 13 deaths reported in each region. In Karachi, the deaths resulted from incidents including wall collapses, electrocution, and drownings, with rescue teams actively searching for missing children in flood-affected areas. Meanwhile, northern China has faced severe flooding due to stalled East Asian monsoon rains since July, resulting in multiple deaths, missing persons, and extensive infrastructure challenges in regions such as Inner Mongolia and Bayannur. The recent downpour in Ordos dumped over 204 mm of rain in less than 24 hours, more than doubling the monthly average for August, complicating rescue efforts and straining flood defenses. Authorities in both countries are grappling with the increasing impact of climate change, which is intensifying extreme weather events, overwhelming aging flood defenses, displacing thousands, and causing substantial economic losses. Rescue operations continue amid ongoing rainfall forecasts, highlighting the urgent need for improved flood management and disaster preparedness in these vulnerable areas.