69 h. ago Japan moves to evacuate millions of people as torrential rain triggers flooding and landslides

Streets and neighbourhoods in Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu submerged under about a metre of water

Events

3 d. ago Shock footage of China floods from above: At least 15 are dead and dozens missing after waters tore through

Floods in northern China have destroyed homes, broken roads and left dozens of people still missing after days of torrential downpour caused chaos.

Events

5 d. ago The Guardian view on Israel’s Gaza takeover plan: a destructive act that must be stopped | Editorial

Benjamin Netanyahu has embarked on an operation that guarantees fresh miseries and will solve absolutely nothingIsrael’s planned takeover of Gaza would be an act of destructive futility. It would solve absolutely nothing. It will merely pile fresh military, humanitarian and political problems on to the mounds of those already created in the conflict. It will make every human agony worse, not better. Governments around the world must do whatever they can – the US above all – to stop it.There is still time. The plan announced on Friday is for an operation to take military control of Gaza City, home to a million displaced Palestinians. They will be forcibly evacuated, yet again, to the southern Gaza Strip over the coming weeks. Aid distribution is certain to be a secondary consideration, logistically challenging and woefully inadequate for a population where malnutrition is already severe. The threat to life in Gaza, including to the remaining Israeli hostages captured on 7 Octobe...

Politics

5 d. ago Weather tracker: heavy rainfall across India, Japan and Hong Kong causes widespread disruption

Hong Kong hit by 350mm of rain in 24 hours, while mountainous state of Uttarakhand badly affected by landslides and floodingLarge parts of Asia have been especially wet this week and the heavy rain is forecast to continue into next week. Hong Kong issued four black rainstorm warnings – the most times this warning has been issued in a single week.The worst of the rainfall was on 5 August, with more than 350mm in 24 hours, the highest daily rainfall recorded in August since 1884. This caused widespread disruption on roads and flights. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Black storm warning paralyses Hong Kong as torrential rain triggers floods and landslides

Second black rainstorm in six hours forces closure of schools, courts and most public services

Events

1 week ago Putin 'seeks urgent talks' with Trump as Russia and China hold huge war games event

Footage has emerged of Russian and Chinese military units having a run out in a chilling display of strength to the West in the Sea of Japan, as Trump moves nuclear submarines 'closer to Russia'

Politics

3 w. ago South Korea flood death toll rises to 18 as southern regions battered by record rain

More than 14,000 people have evacuated and damage has been reported in 15 cities and provinces

Events

3 w. ago South Korea rains: week’s death toll rises to 14 with more missing

Northern parts of the country hit on Sunday morning, according to authorities, after some of the heaviest hourly rainfall on recordAt least two people were killed and more are missing in heavy downpours in South Korea, officials said, amid heavy rain, flooding and landslides, bringing the death toll to 14 from torrential rains that have lashed the country for a week.Close to 170mm of rain hit the resort town of Gapyeong county in Gyeonggi province, 70km east of Seoul, early on Sunday, said disaster authorities, after a landslide engulfed houses and flooding swept away vehicles during a period of heavy rainfall. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Death toll grows from torrential rains in South Korea with thousands unable to return home

Four people have died and two are missing after four days of heavy rain as authorities warn of landslides and floodingTorrential rains that lashed South Korea for a fourth day on Saturday kept nearly 3,000 people from returning to their homes, as the death toll reached four people.Rain is forecast to last until Monday in some areas, as officials urged extreme caution against the risk of landslides and flooding, with warnings issued across most of the country. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago Weather tracker: Heavy monsoon rain leaves many dead in Pakistan

Low-lying areas of Punjab province hit by significant flooding after rivers overflow their banksThe south-west monsoon continued a deadly streak in Pakistan this week, with torrential rain on Wednesday killing at least 63 people. After beginning life as showers and thunderstorms in north-west India this week, a more organised area of low pressure developed, merging showers into a larger area of heavy rain as they moved into the Pakistani province of Punjab. This rain tracked roughly north across Punjab on Tuesday night and into Wednesday, hitting several major cities including Lahore and the capital, Islamabad. The greatest rainfall was in the city of Chakwal, which recorded 423mm (16.6in), more than double the July average.Rivers overflowed their banks, significantly flooding low-lying areas of Punjab. Though several of the deaths were attributed to drowning, most were the result of building collapses. A number of deaths were reportedly from electrocution. This latest deluge takes ...

Events