Torrential rains have triggered floods and landslides across parts of southern Asia, killing around 600 people.

I am writing from the middle of a West Coast catastrophe, where four states are confronting what officials describe as the worst U.S. disaster in nearly two decades as everything west of Interstate 5 seems to burn.

The country is grappling with one of its worst weather disasters in recent years. Torrential rains and landslides have so far claimed more than 40 lives, left 14 others missing, and displaced thousands more across 17 districts.

More than 30 hours after the blaze began at Wang Fuk Court, there was still a sense that it is far from under control.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), stated that the police and tri-forces are actively reaching affected areas to rescue people impacted by the preva