Severe Thunderstorms Complicate Europe’s Intense Heatwave; Bangladesh Faces Deadly Flooding
- Thunderstorms during an extreme heatwave hit France, Germany, and Poland.
- Hailstones the size of golf balls caused damage in several areas, including vineyards and buildings.
- Bangladesh experiences deadly monsoon rains, with at least 53 people killed.
- Floodwaters inundate refugee settlements and cause travel disruptions.
Thunderstorms During Intense Heatwave Affect Europe
As parts of Europe experience an exceptional heatwave, severe thunderstorms have struck countries like France, Germany, and Poland. These storms are common during such weather conditions but this week's events have been notably extreme.
Hailstones with diameters ranging between 5cm to 7cm were reported in French villages around towns like Aubenas, Vals-les-Bains, and Lalevade-d’Ardèche. These hailstones caused significant damage, including breaking vehicle windscreens and impacting buildings and vineyards.
Accompanying the hail was heavy rainfall and strong winds, leading to localized flooding in several areas of France and Poland. In Wrocław, south-west Poland, roads and tram tracks had to be closed due to flooding, with strong winds causing trees to fall onto tram cables. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors and prepare for potential power outages.
Deadly Monsoon Flooding Hits Bangladesh
In Asia, heavy rainfall associated with the monsoon has caused devastating flooding in Bangladesh, resulting in at least 53 fatalities. The city of Dhaka and surrounding areas have been experiencing continuous rain for over a week, issuing severe warnings for potential flooding and landslides.
One particularly affected area was a school in Cox’s Bazar, where mudslides killed several students and their teacher last week. The Cox’s Bazar refugee settlement faced evacuation due to the severe conditions. Chattogram district recorded an exceptionally high 412.3mm of rain in a single day, which is the highest July rainfall in the past 42 years.
The flooding has affected approximately one million people and forced thousands into government shelters. Travel disruptions, power outages, and slower emergency response times have been reported due to knee-deep floodwaters. With further intense downpours forecast, the risks for flash flooding and landslides are expected to continue.
Source: The Guardian
Green News
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