Flood waters on the outskirts of Beijing on July 28.
Flood waters on the outskirts of Beijing on July 28.Photographer: Jade Gao/Getty Images
Explainer

Why Extreme Rainfall Is Becoming More Frequent, and Deadlier

Torrential rains that triggered floods and landslides have killed hundreds of people and displaced millions across parts of Africa, Europe, Asia and the US in the past year.

The deluges overwhelmed even communities accustomed to extreme weather and showed the limitations of the early-warning systems and emergency protocols established in many countries to avoid major loss of life.