SOUTH ASIAN FLOODS

The Monsoons have brought with them heavier and more continual rain than usual this year, with particular effect on Northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh. It seems that the poorest people are the worst affected.

 

Monsoon winds blow north-easterly for one half of the year, and from the south-west for the other half South-westerly winds bring the heavy rains from June to Sept. Winds arrive in southern India six weeks before the north west.Annual rainfall varies considerably. BBC Online.

The Indian subcontinent is not alone in experiencing freak weather conditions, and the suspicion is that they may be related to global warming. The BBC observes:

The importance of monsoon forecasting can therefore not be underestimated. Computer models of the monsoon are becoming more complex and increasingly accurate. However, the impact that global warming may have on the monsoon is not yet fully understood.

Scientific research will have to be increased in this area to determine these effects, which may have important implications for the economy, health and agriculture, not only in southern Asia, but across the whole planet.

My impression that when disaster strikes, especially given its extent, and due to the limitations of government resources, it is every person, or group, for themselves. India, and I may be wrong, does not seem to have the same culture of government that exists in China. And I wonder how minimal government, however attractive it may seem, equips any society to deal with disasters.

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The observation about different attitudes to government was in part inspired by Tom Peters’ paean to Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore, with it’s accomplishment of soft and hard organizational attributes.

Update: 07/08/2007

As perhaps  might have been predicted the rain keeps falling, the rivers and dams rising and overflowing their banks, with greater numbers of displaced people and rising risks of disease. The time is fast approaching when substantial international aid and assistance may be needed. ABC News Online provides further details.

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