Energy Transition

It’s not just Texas and Florida: 50 million people worldwide faced floods in the past month

Flooding in Assam, India in August.
Flooding in Assam, India in August.
Image: Reuters/Anuwar Hazarika
By
Johnny Simon
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The last few weeks have seen massive floods drench several corners of the world, upending the lives of tens of millions of people.

Across India and Bangladesh, deluges during the region’s monsoon season affected more than 40 million people, and are blamed for more than a thousand deaths. In North America and the Caribbean, a series of hurricanes over two weeks inundated areas from Texas to South Carolina with high water. And this week, the Philippines is being drenched and battered by Cyclone Maring.

The photos below, shot around the world between late August and early September, reveal a disturbingly common reality that may affect even more people in the future. Experts predict that some storms are likely to become even more fearsome, frequent and destructive with climate change.

An airal view shows flooding and damage after hurricane Irma passed over Providenciales on the Turks and Caicos Islands, Sept. 11.
An airal view shows flooding and damage after hurricane Irma passed over Providenciales on the Turks and Caicos Islands, Sept. 11.
Image: Cpl Darren Legg RLC/Ministry of Defence/Reuters
Pedestrians walk by a flooded car on a street as Tropical Storm Irma hits Charleston, on Sept. 11
Pedestrians walk by a flooded car on a street as Tropical Storm Irma hits Charleston, on Sept. 11
Image: AP Photo/Mic Smith
A resident swims beside a swollen creek as floodwaters continue to rise due to Tropical Depression Maring in Manila, Philippines on Sept. 12.
A resident swims beside a swollen creek as floodwaters continue to rise due to Tropical Depression Maring in Manila, Philippines on Sept. 12.
Image: AP Photo/Aaron Favila
A rescue boat checks the banks of a swollen river in Manila, Philippines on Sept. 12.
A rescue boat checks the banks of a swollen river in Manila, Philippines on Sept. 12.
Image: AP Photo/Aaron Favila
An aerial view of Jacksonville, Fla., on Sept. 11.
An aerial view of Jacksonville, Fla., on Sept. 11.
Image: DroneBase via AP
Alyssa Delarosa, left, and Javier Gomez, right, walk down a street that was flooded after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Immokalee, Florida on Sept. 12.
Alyssa Delarosa, left, and Javier Gomez, right, walk down a street that was flooded after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Immokalee, Florida on Sept. 12.
Image: Reuters/Stephen Yang
People are rescued from a flooded village in Motihari, Bihar State, India on Aug, 23.
People are rescued from a flooded village in Motihari, Bihar State, India on Aug, 23.
Image: Reuters/Cathal McNaughton
A passenger bus moves through a water-logged road during rains in Mumbai, India on Aug. 29.
A passenger bus moves through a water-logged road during rains in Mumbai, India on Aug. 29.
Image: Reuters/Shailesh Andrade
A truck is seen turned over as Hurricane Irma passes through in Miami in Sept. 10.
A truck is seen turned over as Hurricane Irma passes through in Miami in Sept. 10.
Image: Reuters/Carlos Barria
People wade through a flooded street in Havana, Cuba on Sept. 10.
People wade through a flooded street in Havana, Cuba on Sept. 10.
Image: Reuters
Residents wade with their belongings through flood waters brought by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, Texas on Aug. 30.
Residents wade with their belongings through flood waters brought by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, Texas on Aug. 30.
Image: Reuters/Adrees Latif
Houses are seen partially submerged in flood waters caused by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston on Aug. 30.
Houses are seen partially submerged in flood waters caused by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston on Aug. 30.
Image: Reuters/Adrees Latif
Houses are seen partially submerged in flood waters caused by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston on Aug. 30.
Houses are seen partially submerged in flood waters caused by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston on Aug. 30.
Image: Reuters/Adrees Latif
Waves crash against the seafront boulevard El Malecon in Havana, Cuba on Sept. 9.
Waves crash against the seafront boulevard El Malecon in Havana, Cuba on Sept. 9.
Image: Reuters
A man takes a picture of floodwaters in Las Pinas, Philippines on Sept. 12.
A man takes a picture of floodwaters in Las Pinas, Philippines on Sept. 12.
Image: Reuters/Erik De Castro
Residents wade along floodwaters in Quezon City, Luzon island, Philippines on Sept 12.
Residents wade along floodwaters in Quezon City, Luzon island, Philippines on Sept 12.
Image: Reuters/Dondi Tawatao
A partially flooded road is pictured in Las Pinas, Luzon island, Philippines, Sept. 12.
A partially flooded road is pictured in Las Pinas, Luzon island, Philippines, Sept. 12.
Image: Reuters/Erik De Castro