Extreme weather events are wreaking havoc around the globe, with wildfires in California, a hurricane threatening Louisiana, drought and wildfires in the Amazon, flooding in Nigeria, and a deadly typhoon hitting Vietnam. Typhoon Yagi caused at least 155 fatalities in northern Vietnam due to flash flooding that destroyed homes and left many missing, especially in Lao Cai province, known for the popular tourism spot of Sapa. Experts attribute the increasing strength of storms like Yagi to climate change.
In the U.S., residents in Louisiana braced for Hurricane Francine, stocking up on supplies and securing their homes as forecasters warned of high winds and potential widespread flooding. The storm was heading towards a vulnerable coastal region still recovering from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021.
Elsewhere, wildfires are raging across the American West, with states like Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada affected. California is battling major blazes in the San Gabriel mountains, threatening tens of thousands of homes and prompting evacuations. In Nigeria, a dam collapse led to severe flooding, displacing residents and even releasing dangerous reptiles from a zoo into nearby communities.
Brazil is shrouded in smoke from Amazon wildfires, impacting millions in cities like Sao Paulo and Brasilia. The wildfires coincided with Brazil facing its worst drought on record. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s plan to complete a road through the rainforest has drawn criticism for potentially exacerbating deforestation. Suely Araújo, a public policy coordinator, emphasized the interconnectedness of forests and water, cautioning against actions that could hasten destruction in the Amazon.
The Associated Press covers climate and environmental news with support from various private foundations and maintains editorial independence.
