South Asia faced warmer temperatures and drier periods in August, even though heavy rains led to cross-border flooding and devastation.
Pakistan saw India release flood waters into the cross-border river of Sutlej, which runs from Indian Punjab into Pakistani Punjab. As a result, it caused Pakistan to evacuate over 100,000 people from low-lying areas located in the path of River Sutlej.
Pakistan continues to witness late monsoon showers in the northern parts of the country while a low flood prevails in lower Sutlej.
🛑این ڈی ایم اے ایڈوائزری:
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) September 2, 2023
ممکنہ خطرات کے تدارک کیلئے عوام کی پیشگی اطلاع و حفاظتی تدابیر کی تشہیراور حساس علاقوں کیجانب ٹریفک کی منظم نگرانی کی جائے. ہنگامی صورتحال سے نمٹنے کیلئے مشینری تیار رکھیں۔ نشیبی علاقوں میں رہائش پذیر لوگ کہ نقل مکانی کیلئے انتظامات کیے جائیں۔ pic.twitter.com/BubCjcUrCY
Meanwhile, in India, authorities said that mean temperatures recorded in August were among the highest ever for the month since national records were kept more than a century ago. They added that August was also drier than usual.
While India usually sees its annual monsoon cycle continue through August, dumping around 80 percent of the country's annual rainfall during the month.
Even though India saw heavy rains during August, which led to deadly floods in the country's north and west in August, officials said it was still well below the national average.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) said they recorded rains at an average of 161.7 millimetres (6.4 inches) in August, around 30.1 mm lower than the previous record set in 2005.
The IMD said lower precipitation contributed to the higher temperatures recorded in the country.
Further East, Japan said they had just experienced their hottest summer period since records started over a century ago in 1898.
Australia, which witnessed winters in this period since it is located south of the Equator, saw the warmest winter on record.
Australian authorities said they recorded an average temperature of 16.74 degrees Celsius from June to August.