The Great Flood and the Great Drought
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A family tries to reach a relief camp in the worst flooding to hit Northern Karnataka in 60 years.
More than 150 people have died in floods that hit Northern Karnataka in India over the weekend. More than a million people have been displaced by the floods, while close to 40,000 remain stranded.
The Met department estimates some 25 centimeters of rain fell in the area in the past 48 hours. The unusual bit is that this summer, the region also saw one of the most severe droughts. This is the clearest example of the unpredictable impacts of climate change in India so far.
Relief efforts could cost as much as Rs 10,000 crore. The airforce has sent in supply aircraft and helicopters. Local police and the navy have sent in boats and hovercraft. Several companies of Army soldiers have also been deployed in the rescue effort.
