MONSOONS 28-

GOOD FORTUNE AND CATASTROPHE 30-

THE ARRIVAL OF EL NIÑO 32-

THE EFFECTS OF EL NIÑO 34-

Surface Factors

A

mong meteorological

phenomena, rain plays a very

important role in the life of

humans. Its scarcity causes

serious problems, such as

droughts, lack of food, and an increase in

infant mortality. It is clear that an excess

of water, caused by overabundant rain or

the effects of gigantic waves, is also

cause for alarm and concern. In

Southwest Asia, there are frequent

typhoons and torrential rains during

which millions of people lose their

houses and must be relocated to more

secure areas; however, they still run the

risk of catching contagious diseases such

as malaria. The warm current of El Niño

also affects the lives and the economy of

millions of people.

LIVING WATER 20-

OCEAN CURRENTS 22-

AN OBSTACLE COURSE 24-

THE LAND AND THE OCEAN 26-

VIETNAM, DECEMBER 1991

The intense monsoon rains

caused severe flooding in vast

regions of Cambodia, Vietnam,

Laos, and Thailand.