Hawai‘i has had more than its share of rainfall in recent months….including some records earlier this fall. But it’s a different level of damage from the rains that have continued to pound southern India this week—resulting in catastrophic conditions. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
Over the past three weeks, nearly 300 people have been killed by floods swamping India’s Tamil Nadu state. Soldiers and sailors are out in the streets this week—evacuating thousands of residents. They’re working with emergency teams to fight what India’s Meteorological Department calls the worst flooding to hit the region in a hundred years.
Especially hard hit is the capital city of the state: Chennai…formerly known as Madras. India’s fourth-largest city, it’s a major port and a key hub for manufacturing—especially for India’s auto sector. Ford and Hyundai shut down their factories this week. Authorities closed the international airport on Wednesday…and it won’t be back in operation until Sunday at the earliest. Trains have been disrupted, electricity and phone service cut off to many areas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to the city on Thursday - blaming the record rainfall and flooding on global warming. Weather specialists say a strong el nino this year is a factor in the heavy rains. But from editorial pages to social media posts, the city government is getting slammed for approving massive construction projects - often near rivers in the low-lying city and frequently without sufficient drainage plans.
