Natural disasters are large-scale events caused by natural processes that can result in significant loss of life, property damage, and environmental disruption. These events are often unpredictable and can occur with devastating force.
Typhoon Yagi, one of the most powerful storms to hit the region in the last decade, slammed into Vietnam on Saturday after leaving destruction in its wake across southern China. The storm claimed the lives of two people and injured 92 others as it made landfall on the Chinese island of Hainan.
Severe floods that hit North Korea on July 27, 2024, have left an estimated 1,500 people either dead or missing, according to reports. The catastrophic flooding displaced 15,000 people and caused significant damage to 2,800 hectares (7,000 acres) of agricultural land.
Brazil is currently grappling with a severe heatwave, pushing temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above average, exacerbating the risk of wildfires raging across the country. This extreme weather event, classified as a “high severity” by weather trackers, is impacting several states, with the Central West region experiencing the most intense heat, reaching 35 to 40 degrees Celsius in cities like Belo Horizonte, Brasília, and Manaus.
The storm has already claimed the lives of 11 individuals, with many more still unaccounted for. The devastation has been widespread, with numerous communities experiencing severe flooding and landslides that have disrupted transportation, communication, and essential services.
As the winds howled and the skies darkened, the weather forecasters issued a dire warning – a derecho storm was on its way. For those unfamiliar with this term, a derecho is a rare and powerful weather phenomenon that deserves our attention and respect.
