News about floods: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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In the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, at least 14 people have died from lightning strikes amid monsoon rains. The region has recorded 62 landslides, with residential houses and farmland flooded. The authorities declared a high level of danger, restricted tourist access to hill resorts, and introduced a special movement regime for residents.
Otabek YusupovThe board of the UN Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, at its first extraordinary meeting, agreed to reserve $20 million for Nepal, which was hit by August floods. This is the fund's first allocation, but the money still needs to be approved under Nepal's application, and the amount is less than 0.5% of the $4.78 billion recovery estimate.
Sevara AzamovaThe International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned that from October to December, around 874,319 people in Somalia could be displaced due to floods — 92% of that number attributable specifically to flooding. The organization has secured only 14.4% of the required $16.62 million.
Javlon TursunovStorm 'Adam', caused by the DANA phenomenon, dumped up to 700 litres of rain per square metre on the Valencia region within 24 hours. Five people died, and some residents were evacuated by air. Unlike the 2024 disaster that claimed 200 lives, mobile phone warnings were sent out in advance this time. Scientists link the intensification of such downpours to climate change.
Javlon TursunovHeavy rains caused by Mediterranean cyclone Adam hit southeastern France. In Istres, a 75-year-old man swept away by flooding was found dead; in Upper Corsica, a passenger of an SUV washed away by the Fium'orbo river is missing. Roads and neighborhoods are flooded, dozens of people evacuated, transport disrupted.
Javlon TursunovThe exceptionally strong El Niño of 2026 is causing droughts, floods and threats to food security worldwide. In Argentina, trails to the Iguazu Falls are closed; in El Salvador, livestock is suffering; in Sudan, drought has affected more than half of the territory. British and Japanese meteorologists call the phenomenon a record one, NOAA has not yet declared a record but forecasts it will exceed the 1982 level.
Sevara AzamovaAfter floods in Catalonia, Spain, that claimed at least two lives, Euronews explains 'rain gardens' — sunken flower beds with moisture-loving native plants that absorb surface runoff, filter pollutants, and protect basements and foundations. The outlet provides step-by-step recommendations on placement, construction, plant selection, and maintenance.
Madina UsmonovaTorrential rains caused severe flooding on Spain's eastern coast, primarily in Valencia and Alicante. At least four people died, and more than 400–450 people were rescued. Authorities imposed restrictions in around 100 municipalities, most of which were lifted by Monday.
Aziz KarimovMexico's National Civil Protection Coordination urged residents of seven states in the country's south and southeast to take precautions due to heavy rains, floods and landslides caused by cold front No. 2. Evacuations are underway in the southern part of the state of Veracruz with the support of federal forces.
Otabek YusupovThe DANA system 'Adam' brought record rainfall to Spain's Mediterranean coast. A lockdown regime was declared in Valencia and Alicante, thousands of people were evacuated, and at least five died. Authorities deployed ES-Alert, helicopters and the Civil Guard.
Otabek YusupovUNOPS head Jorge Moreira da Silva urged the international community to help Nepal recover from the August floods that killed more than 1,400 people. He stressed that a country with minimal CO2 emissions should not bear the burden alone.
Otabek YusupovThe 'sponge city' concept, developed in China in the early 2000s, involves absorbing, retaining and reusing rainwater through green spaces and permeable surfaces. European cities including Malmö, Rotterdam and Copenhagen are already applying similar solutions, and the European Commission is promoting them in the 2025 Water Resilience Strategy. Experts warn: sponge cities are a powerful but not universal tool for protection against floods and drought.
Sardor QodirovPakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences in two languages — English and Turkish — over the floods in Istanbul, addressing them to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the families of the victims. He stated that Pakistan stands in solidarity with Türkiye and is ready to provide all possible assistance.
Otabek YusupovAfter the 2011 floods, Thailand expanded dikes and spillways to protect Bangkok, Ayutthaya and industrial zones along the Chao Phraya. Commercial centers are protected, but low-lying villages that serve as floodwater release zones are flooded every year. Residents raise their houses on stilts at their own expense for 100,000 to a million baht, an environmentalist proposed a 'flood-free living tax,' and authorities are building a €700 million bypass canal by 2030.
Otabek Yusupov
