Asia’s monsoon rains are a mixed blessing. The heavy seasonal downpours are great for farmers, because crops need water to grow. In 1770, when India had no monsoons, 10 million people starved to death.
On the other hand, monsoons also cause floods. They can destroy crops, too. More important, they wash away whole neighborhoods and villages. In 2013, Northern India suffered the deadliest monsoon floods on record. About 5,700 people died.
Rainy weather remains a powerful force worldwide. On average, floods kill around 140 Americans each year.
