GLOBAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

APRIL 2021

INDONESIA

At least 44 people have been killed and hundreds are reportedly missing after heavy rains struck Indonesian East Nusa Tenggara province, triggering floods and landslides (4^th). The worst-hit area is East Flores regency where heavy rains are expected to continue into the next week.

EUROPE

Winemakers in France fought frost with fire when a drop in temperatures threatened grape crops this week 97^th). After a week of record-breaking high temperatures as a warm spell spread across much of Europe, a cold front brought plummeting temperatures to those same areas, posing a significant danger to many French vineyards. Jean de Saint Venant, who owns a vineyard in the Loire Valley, lights bales of hay and straw on fire to create a smokescreen that, he said, is like "sunglasses for the vines." The layer of smoke protects the vines from sudden changes in temperature as the sun rises following a cold night and prevents a thaw from happening too quickly. Temperatures have dipped to record lows in some areas, and farmers have used every method they can to save their crops. Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie says he will declare an agricultural disaster. The deep frosts have destroyed buds on grapevines in the legendary vineyards of Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Languedoc and the Rhone valley.

HAITI

Torrential rains have been affecting Haiti since the 2nd, resulting in extensive damage and at least three fatalities (7^th). At least 149 homes have been damaged, with more than 1200 properties still submerged in floodwaters.

ASIA

Taiwan's worst drought in 56 years has dried up one of its most iconic lakes - but this has resulted in good news for at least one man (8^th). The man surnamed Chen claims he dropped his mobile phone while paddleboarding in the Sun Moon Lake a year ago . But last week, a worker contacted him to say the phone had been found - its case covered in dried mud. Mr Chen who says he could not sleep for excitement, added the phone worked thanks to its waterproof covering.

At least 11 people are dead and 102 injured in a violent storm that hit eastern China in the evening (30^th). Those killed were blown into the Yangtze River or hit by falling trees and electricity poles, officials said. Another 11 people were in a fishing boat that capsized. Two were rescued, but nine others are still missing. Local media reported that marble-sized hailstones fell on the coastal city of Nantong, while gales ripped the sides off buildings.

A heavy downpour caused flash flooding in Singapore, with up to 161.4 mm of rain recorded in the western region during 0425-0725 UTC (17^th). The amount was equivalent to 91 percent of the country's average April rainfall and is among the highest in 40 years. Prolonged rainfall on Saturday inundated the country, particularly the western and central areas. Singapore's National Water Agency had been issuing flood risk warnings for more than 20 areas, including Sime Darby Centre, Bukit Timah Canal and Ulu Pandan Canal.

UNITED STATES

Parts of north-central Texas were pounded by what is described as a "gorilla" hail due to its remarkable size, with some as large as a grapefruit (12^th). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hail reportedly accumulated up to 3 inches on the ground, particularly in Llano, where the largest hail fell. The storm caused havoc on properties, leaving many windows smashed and vehicles damaged. The National Weather Service received dozens of reports of large hail from a severe thunderstorm over parts of north-central Texas. The storm left smashed windshields and dented vehicles in its wake.

Severe hailstorms and tornadoes pounded the southern U.S. on these two days, leaving a trail of destruction (28^th-29^th). As a result, more than 28000 customers were without power in Texas alone, and damages across the region amounted to a billion dollars. A strong line of storms brought powerful hail, tornadoes, and flooding in the south. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) received a total of nine tornado reports from Oklahoma and Arkansas, as well as Missouri, Tennessee, and Illinois. Preliminary reports show damage to residential properties and snapped trees. In Texas, powerful supercell thunderstorms caused the National Weather Service to issue tornado warnings through early Thursday. More than 28 000 customers lost access to electricity that day. The system also brought hail up to 3 inches in diameter to San Antonio and Fort Worth. SPC received at least 100 reports of hail from Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, with the latter bearing the brunt of the extreme weather. Baseball-sized hail battered the state, particularly the Norman area, inflicting major damage to homes and businesses.

INDIAN OCEAN

Flash flooding spread through southeast Mauritius, damaging homes and leaving many people stranded on roads (16^th). Up to 408 mm of rain was registered in Plaisance during the 15th-16th, which is twice the average April rain for this location.

MIDDLE EAST

Intense hailstorms and heavy rain lashed parts of Saudi Arabia over the past couple of days, completely covering desert sand in Hail city and Asir region (17^th). Meteorologists at the Jordan-based ArabiaWeather network said that the intense hailstorm hit Hail when the temperature was around 28C. According to the Saudi National Centre for Meteorology, heavy thunderstorms and hailstorms, accompanied by snowfall, also took place in several cities in Asir, including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Tanuma and Al Namas.

AFRICA

At least 14 people have died while over 8000 have been displaced after heavy rains caused flash floods in Luanda Province, Angola (19^th. Widespread damage was also reported, with up over 1500 homes flooded. Drainage channels blocked by rubbish reportedly worsened the flooding situation.

TROPICAL

Tropical cyclone Seroja has ripped across a 1000 km stretch of Western Australia, leaving a trail of damage (11^th-12^th). The category three storm made landfall near the town of Kalbarri on Sunday with gusts of up to 170 km/h. The storm was later downgraded to a tropical depression, though strong winds continue to move south-east. Residents reported smashed houses, fallen trees and downed power lines. Weather authorities said Cyclone Seroja had maintained "uncommon" pace and strength throughout Sunday night, as it moved from Kalbarri and Geraldton on the coast, and inland across the state's Wheat Belt. Emergency services said about 70% of structures in Kalbarri, which is home to about 1500 people, were damaged by the cyclone. Several towns in the state's south-east remain under "red alert" on Monday, meaning residents were advised to take shelter, and thousands of homes were left without power.