Heavy rains and flooding affecting several Asian countries by Laura Gilchrist
A combination of heavy summer rains and Typhoon Bilis has led to flooding and landslides across several Asian countries.
China has suffered particularly badly from Typhoon Bilis, which hit the south of the country a week ago. The flooding and landslides triggered by the torrential rain from Bilis has reportedly swept away over 200,000 houses and displaced nearly 3 million people. At least 200 people have lost their lives and around a further 150 are still missing.
Both North and South Korea are also suffering from flooding and landslides. North Korea has reportedly seen some of its heaviest rainfall for years, which has washed away entire villages in some remote areas. In South Korea, at least 29 people have lost their lives and another 32 are still missing.
In Japan, as much as 500 millimetres (20 inches) of rain has drenched western and central parts of the country, with another 200 mm (8 in) expected by Saturday. The flooding and mudslides have caused at least 14 deaths and injured around 37 others, and eight remain unaccounted for.
Forecasters in Taiwan and China are now monitoring the next typhoon, Kaemi, which is currently in the Philippine Sea with winds speeds approaching 100 mph (160 km/h). Kaemi, which is Korean for ‘ant’, is gaining strength as it heads northwestwards towards Taiwan. The current forecast suggests Kaemi could reach Taiwan by Tuesday. In that time however the forecast track is likely to change, so the typhoon is also being closely watched by the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan.
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