Extreme Weather: Flooding, fires, ice and heat grip parts of the world

World
Europe

01:36

Fierce flooding, wildfires and massive ice, extreme weather is gripping parts of the world, resulting in a large number of deaths. Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes. Jim Spellman reports.

In Laos, hundreds are reported missing and thousands forced to flee their homes after flooding destroyed a hydroelectric dam. In neighboring Vietnam, floods have killed dozens.

LUONG VAN HUNG VIETNAM FLOOD EVACUEE "The floods came so quick and it gave us so little time to escape. Some managed to run to high ground but some got swept away in the floods."

In Sweden, a heat wave and drought have led to raging wildfires, while an unprecedented heatwave has gripped Japan. At least 65 have died of heatstroke - more than 20-thousand have been admitted to the hospital.

JAPANESE RESIDENT "The weather has never been this hot. It's too hot this year. I just want to stay indoors with my air conditioner."

In California, fast spreading wildfires have popped up across the state. One fire is threatening the Yosemite National Park.

ERIK SCOTT LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT "We used to call this 'the new normal' for this increased frequency of wildfires. However, now it's just 'normal'. This is what we're dealing with."

In Greenland, an 11-million ton iceberg has floated next to this fishing village. If it breaks apart, it could cause a tsunami and flood the town.

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON DC "It's difficult to relate any individual weather events to global warming, but scientists say man-made global climate change is contributing to an increase in extreme weather events. Jim Spellman, CGTN, Washington."