Human-Induced Climate Change Intensified Nepal Floods, Scientists Confirm
A recent analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) reveals that the floods in Nepal that resulted in over 240 deaths were intensified by human-caused climate change, with rainfall being 10 percent more intense. The report stresses the importance of limiting development in flood-prone areas and improving early warning systems to mitigate future disasters, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like Kathmandu. The research underscores increasing climatic threats faced by Asia due to ongoing climate change.
A recent analysis by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) team of scientists concluded that the severe floods that struck Nepal in late September, resulting in over 240 fatalities, were exacerbated by human-induced climate change, which increased rainfall intensity by approximately 10 percent. The study revealed that exceptional rainfall occurred over three days starting September 26, with some regions recording over 320 mm of rain within a single day. This dramatic weather event led to significant destruction, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley, which had not experienced such flooding previously. The report underscores the critical need for Nepal to impose restrictions on development in vulnerable low-lying areas to protect against future flood disasters. Kathmandu, which has grown rapidly around the Bagmati River, has been identified as a key area at risk due to inadequate urban planning in flood-prone regions. The researchers emphasized that enhancing early warning systems and emergency responses is essential to mitigate future impacts. Furthermore, they noted that further climate change will only worsen such weather patterns, leading to even more devastating floods unless there is a global shift away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources. The study, conducted by a collaborative group of 20 researchers from various international universities and meteorological organizations, highlights that the frequency of extreme weather influenced by climate change is expected to increase across Asia. ”If the atmosphere wasn’t overloaded with fossil fuel emissions, these floods would have been less intense, less destructive and less deadly,” commented Mariam Zachariah from the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College, London.
The floods in Nepal were driven by an unprecedented three-day deluge that has been linked to human-induced climate change. The increase in climate-related extreme weather, such as intense rainfall, poses significant risks to rapidly developing urban areas like Kathmandu. The relationship between climate change and extreme weather events is a growing concern, particularly for countries in Asia, which are increasingly susceptible to disastrous conditions resulting from environmental changes. The WWA, an international coalition of scientists, aims to clarify the connections between climate change and severe weather occurrences, providing critical insights for policymakers and communities at risk.
The findings of the WWA reconnect the devastating floods in Nepal to human-induced climate change, emphasizing the necessity for more stringent urban planning and enhanced disaster preparedness. As severe weather events are expected to intensify with ongoing climate change, proactive measures are imperative to safeguard vulnerable communities from future catastrophes. The continuing threat posed by climate change necessitates urgent global action to transition to renewable energy sources to mitigate these critical risks.
Original Source: www.theweek.in
