Global Heating Doubled Chances of Extreme Rain and Deadly Floods in Europe

A recent study has found that planet-heating pollution doubled the likelihood of the extreme rainfall that hit central Europe in September, leading to deadly floods across countries from Austria to Romania. Researchers from World Weather Attribution (WWA) revealed that global warming intensified the four days of rain, making it at least 7% stronger. This resulted in flood volumes that were twice as likely compared to a world without human-caused climate change.

Storm Boris stalled over the region and unleashed record-breaking rainfall, transforming calm streams into raging rivers. The floods devastated homes and claimed two dozen lives. However, researchers noted that improved flood defences and disaster-response measures helped reduce casualties compared to similar events in 1997 and 2002. They emphasized the need for better warning systems, flood defences, and a halt to rebuilding in flood-prone areas to prevent future disasters. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

Picture Credit: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock

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