Storm Darragh impacted the U.K. and Ireland with destructive winds, causing widespread power outages and fatalities. Concurrently, severe flooding in Thailand and Malaysia has resulted in numerous deaths, displacing tens of thousands. Experts emphasize the need for better planning and infrastructure to mitigate such climate-related disasters.
In the wake of Storm Darragh, the United Kingdom and Ireland faced significant disruptions, with hundreds of thousands enduring power outages due to strong winds reaching up to 154 kilometers per hour (96 miles per hour). This storm, the fourth named storm of the 2024-25 European windstorm season, prompted the issuance of multiple flood warnings as regions still recovering from the aftermath of Storm Bert were once again threatened. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives when trees collapsed onto vehicles amid the inclement weather.
The U.K.’s national weather service, the Met Office, issued an unusual red weather warning for Storm Darragh, signifying a risk to life. Consequently, travel across flight and rail systems was severely disrupted. Emma Pinchbeck, the chief executive of the government’s independent climate advisory body, addressed the need for improved planning for extreme weather events, stating, “We’re off track against where we should be.” She highlighted necessary considerations such as the adequacy of flood defences and the location of housing developments.
Simultaneously, Thailand and Malaysia experienced their own devastating flooding caused by monsoon rains, which resulted in the deaths of at least 29 individuals in Thailand and six in Malaysia. The deluge rendered tens of thousands homeless, forcing many into evacuation centers, with educational institutions and health facilities also closing their doors. Rescue efforts focused on the hardest hit southern provinces in Thailand, where the cabinet approved increased flood relief funds.
Pianporn Deetes from the International Rivers NGO stated that human interference, particularly through deforestation and dam construction, significantly exacerbates flooding in Thailand. Concurrently, Malaysia’s east coast suffered five consecutive days of rain, amounting to the average rainfall for six months. The agricultural sector faces catastrophic losses, with extensive farmland under water and damages estimated at nearly 1 billion ringgit ($226 million), which constitutes a fraction of the country’s $3 billion losses over the past four years linked to climate change-induced extreme weather events.
In light of the damages, the Malaysian government is exploring options for assistance to affected farmers and prioritizing repairs to essential infrastructure such as schools and hospitals.
The impact of climate change continues to be felt globally, with severe weather events like storms and floods becoming more frequent and intense. In this context, the 2024-25 European windstorm season has already seen its fourth named storm, Storm Darragh, drastically affecting the U.K. and Ireland. At the same time, the monsoon season in Southeast Asia has been particularly harsh this year, with Thailand and Malaysia grappling with unprecedented rainfall and flooding, which demands immediate attention and remediation efforts from governments.
The recent weather events in both the U.K. and Ireland, as well as in Southeast Asia, underline the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure and preparedness to combat increasingly severe weather phenomena triggered by climate change. Storm Darragh’s devastation highlights the shortcomings in planning for extreme weather in the U.K., while the flooding disasters in Thailand and Malaysia reveal the urgent need for immediate aid and long-term solutions to mitigate future occurrences. Governments must act swiftly to provide necessary assistance to affected populations and invest in resilient infrastructure to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
