Exceptionally heavy monsoon rainfall has caused severe flooding and landslides across parts of Asia. The situation is particularly serious in north-eastern India.

In the state of Assam, more than 60 people have already lost their lives. Hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes. In many places, there was barely any time to escape: the Brahmaputra and its tributaries burst their banks, submerging entire villages in a matter of moments.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan and South Korea are also grappling with the aftermath of the floods. People have been evacuated, while roads and buildings have been severely damaged.

The fact that heavy rainfall can become increasingly intense is also linked to climate change. Warmer air holds more moisture – and can increase the potential for intense downpours.

At a local level, deforestation, blocked drainage channels, sediment build-up in rivers and ageing flood defences further exacerbate the situation.

Further flooding is likely in the coming days, particularly in parts of India. And in many parts of South-East Asia, too, conditions will remain very wet.