Flooding triggered by days of torrential rain has forced the evacuation of 42 people in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region, local authorities said, as extreme weather patterns brought disruption across Asia. In Indonesia, drought conditions now affect nearly 24,000 people across 13 provinces, according to the national disaster agency, with the island of Java hardest hit.

In Russia, the Hydrometcentre warned that heavy downpours with thunderstorms and hail would persist across more than 20 regions, from the Komi Republic in the northwest to Krasnoyarsk and Tuva in Siberia. The Chelyabinsk region, where reservoirs have risen sharply, saw 14 residential plots flooded in the town of Verkhny Ufaley; six people remain in temporary shelters. Meteorologists said the rains, caused by a deep low-pressure system, would likely continue until 21 July, though local showers could follow. Perm, further west, recorded a month’s worth of rainfall in a single day earlier this week.

Indonesia’s disaster management agency (BNPB) reported 51 separate drought points, with Central Java accounting for 15 and West Java 13. More than 57,000 residents in Central Java alone face water shortages, and authorities have distributed over 1 million litres of clean water. The prolonged dry spell has also fuelled 37 forest and land fires across 16 districts in the province, burning 42 hectares since June. Officials are considering cloud-seeding operations but caution that suitable cloud cover is scarce. Coastal areas of Java are simultaneously threatened by tidal flooding, with high tides up to one metre expected in several regencies.

India’s meteorological department (IMD) forecast an active monsoon phase for eastern and northeastern states, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely in Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal and the northeastern states through the week. Thunderstorms with gusty winds are expected in Telangana and several other regions. In contrast, northwestern, central and southern parts of the country will see subdued rainfall, and heatwave conditions persist along the southeastern coast. Delhi is expected to receive heavy rain and thunderstorms from 16 to 22 July, offering respite from hot and humid weather. The country is running a rainfall deficit, with July precipitation projected to remain below the long-period average.

In the Gulf, the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology forecast a chance of rain and fog, with temperatures reaching 48°C inland. No severe weather warnings were issued. Across the affected regions of Russia, Indonesia and India, authorities continue to monitor conditions; no casualties have been reported from the flooding or fires so far.