EarthOne Spotlight: When the Sky Gets a Little Too Generous
AsiaOne has opened a brand‑new EarthOne section to keep us laughing, crying, and learning about the planet. Below, we dive into the latest stormy drama that has left Indian cities in a ditch of rain and, yes, a few tragic casualties.
Bad Weather, Good Air Quality?
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that for the northwestern states—Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan—heavy showers should keep rolling until Tuesday. The old rulebook says the monsoon usually bows out around mid‑September, but nature decided to stick around and extend the party into mid‑October.
One quirky statistic: Sunday’s rain dumped a staggering 1293 % more than normal in parts of north‑west India, with Uttar Pradesh alone receiving around 22.5 mm of water. That’s enough to drown a small boat and make you reconsider your next pool‑party plans.
When Rain Turns Deadly (And Not Just “Wet”)
- In Uttar Pradesh, 18 people lost their lives in the past 24 hours—ranging from drowning to electrocution. The authorities swore that the waves and slick streets weren’t playing nice.
- New Delhi’s skyline has been grungy: a building collapse on Sunday killed three. Whether the rain was the culprit or just a fan‑fare remains unclear.
And Silent Blessings: Cleaner Air
While the streets turned into a fast‑flowing river, Delhi’s air quality took a breath of fresh oxygen—literally. The US Embassy’s air pollution monitor logged a 36 “Good” index early Monday. Sky‑heavy so the city’s smog effectively hit the reset button.
Beyond Delhi: City‑Wide Flood Fever
Not only the capital got soaked. Bengaluru, the tech hub in the south, and Gurugram’s business district, a stone’s throw from Delhi, were also hit by relentless rains, causing havoc for the local commuters.
Across Borders: Pakistan, Nepal & The Himalayas
- Pakistan faced an unprecedented deluge that left neighbors blaming climate change for turning “usual rains” into a marathon and assisting the melt‑rate of Himalayan glaciers.
- In Nepal, heavy showers sparked landslides and flash floods. A few foreign hikers and climbers are stuck on the ridges as October—which typically signals clear trekking waters—went on a detour into watery chaos.
Key Take‑aways
- Heavy rain has been relentless in India’s northwest through mid‑October.
- 18 casualties recorded in the past day, from drowning to building collapses.
- Positive side‑effect: Delhi’s air improved, thanks to nature’s drenching.
- Not just India—Pakistan and Nepal also grappling with floods that seem to echo climate shifts.
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