Early, Intense Rains Claim 400 Lives

Cyclone hits Pakistan, as the early rainy season grows fierce An early and intense start to the rainy season in South Asia has claimed at least 400 lives, and affected tens of thousands more. Tropical Cyclone Yemyin, which hit Pakistan this week, swamped dozens of villages, and killed at least 10. It's not unusual for the summer monsoons to start in June -- just as with the Atlantic hurricane season, the official start of the monsoon season is June 1. But the most intense rains typically come in July and August, according to NOAA. That makes these early intense -- and deadly -- storms odd, and perhaps ominous. For more, read this Reuters story.