La Niña blamed for widespread floods

Meteorologists said the Pacific-based atmospheric phenomenon La Niña is causing the freak weather occurrences that have caused floods and landslides around the world, and warned that it will cause more damage in the first half of 2011, media outlets reported.

La Niña, the opposite of the drought-inducing El Niño, results in lower than average sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean causing heavy rains.

The Economist reported that a moderately strong La Niña began around the middle of last year, causing widespread floods in Australia, Philippines, Venezuela, Colombia, and Pakistan.

At least 369 people were killed by floods and landslides near Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil this week, according to Reuters. AFP reported that waters had cut off thousands from power or telephone contact. The Brazilian government has released $467 million in reconstruction funds for the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Australia's own floods have continued to pummel the state of Queensland and the country's third largest city, Brisbane, killing 15 people, and forcing thousands from their homes.

More than 15,000 properties in 50 Brisbane suburbs have been affected by floodwaters, with the cost for insurers predicted to stand at close to $1 billion, Reuters said.

Just before the New Year, heavy flooding also hit the Philippines. More than 40 people were killed and 1 million people have been affected by the disaster, and a total of 338,000 people had fled their homes.

BBC News said Wednesday, "The government has estimated the cost of the damage at more than $20 million."

Floods have also brought misery to Sri Lanka forcing more than 1 million people out of their homes, the government said Thursday as it began distributing emergency food, clothing and bedding, according to AFP.

At least 23 people have died during a week of monsoon floods, with the center and east of the island worst hit by rising water levels and mudslides.

The Economist pointed out that "further heavy rain may be expected in the north of South America and in south-east Africa in the next two months."

Agencies