In recent days, Southeast Asia has suffered devastating floods. Extreme weather phenomena continue to increase and increase the toll. But why is the continent particularly affected by these impressive floods? We tell you more.

Southeast Asia is currently being hit by extreme weather conditions. Landslides caused by heavy rains and cyclones have caused more than 1,160 dead and hundreds of missing in several countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia.

Asia’s brutal climate

Southeast Asia is subject to the monsoon. This is a intense rainy season in humid period. But this year, conditions have seriously worsened. In some areas, record accumulations were observed. For example, in southern Thailandmore than 335 mm of rain in 24 hours were noted. This is a historic level. Added to this is the occurrence of tropical cycloneslike the recent Cyclone Ditwahwhich poured downpours of water on the Sri Lanka and other areas, causing flash floods and deadly landslides.

This cocktail of monsoon, extreme rains and cyclones creates climatic events of rare violence. This makes floods much more unpredictable and destructive than in the past. Climate change only amplifies this phenomenon, because warmer atmosphere holds more moisturethus favoring torrential rains.

Also read: 5 territories threatened by global warming

Asia is particularly exposed

One of the major reasons why floods are so destructive in Asia is that the very geography of the continent. Asia has vast deltaslike that of Mekong or that of Ganges-Brahmaputra. There are also many low plains bordering the sea. These areas are extremely vulnerable to rising water levels.

In these areas, rivers easily overflow when the rains are too heavy. Seawater can then penetrate land under the effect of high tides or coastal storms. When in addition the ground becomes saturated by successive rains, it can no longer absorb water. The flood quickly spreads over a large area and often makes impressive phenomena.

What’s happening right now?

Since the end of November, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent have been hit by unprecedented floods: in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysiatorrential rains. A situation fueled by the monsoon, tropical cyclones (notably Cyclone Ditwah) and rare weather phenomena. The continent is the victim of exceptional floods, landslides and massive destruction.

To date, the toll is extremely heavy: more than 1,100 dead are already confirmed across the region. In Indonesia for example, the island of Sumatra is particularly affected. The authorities report at least 604 deathshundreds of missing, and approximately 1.5 million people affected. In several provinces, entire villages were submerged, bridges and roads washed away, isolating entire communities.

Faced with the scale of the damage, governments deployed army, helicopters and ships for rescue and evacuation operations. But the destroyed roads and collapsed bridges complicate the delivery of aid. This is partly what makes the humanitarian situation critical. The populations are, for some, without access to drinking water, food and healthcare.