Death toll hits 104 in Texas flash floods amid widespread devastation

TEXAS: The severe and devastating flash floods in the US state of Texas have caused devastation, with the death toll reaching 104 so far, while rescue teams are still busy searching for missing people.

According to the AFP news agency, dozens of people, including children, teenagers, and camp counselors, lost their lives in flash floods caused by heavy rains in central and southern Texas.

The highest number of deaths occurred in Kerr County, where the river water rose to 26 feet.

The all-girls youth camp called ‘Camp Mystic’ was the most affected, where 750 girls were present. The tragedy killed 27 girls and staff, and many are still missing. The Guadalupe River water reached the roofs of cabins and many girls were drowned in the flood while they slept.

US President Donald Trump has signed a major disaster declaration, describing the tragedy as a “100-year disaster” and has announced a visit to Texas on Friday.

State Governor Greg Abbott warned that more rain could bring increased risk and the death toll could rise.

The White House and government agencies have come under fire since the incident. Locals have questioned the lack of an effective warning system, while local mother Nicole Wilson has launched an online petition calling on the state to introduce a modern warning system.

Meteorologists say that natural disasters such as floods, heat waves and droughts are now more dangerous and frequent due to climate change.