US EditionClimate change worsened rains and floods which killed dozens in southern Africa, study shows
Human-caused climate change increased rainfall intensity by 40%, worsening floods that killed over 100 and displaced 300,000 in southern Africa, compounded by La Niña effects.
- World Weather Attribution released findings Thursday saying human-caused climate change worsened torrential rains that killed more than 100 and displaced over 300 000 across South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
- Scientists found the event was compounded by La Niña operating within a warmer atmosphere, but climate models struggled to quantify human impact due to lacking Africa-specific climate models and a 40% rainfall intensification.
- Data show some affected towns recorded about a year's rain in 10 days while others got season-level rainfall in two to three days, overwhelming transport infrastructure and delaying housing recovery by up to two months.
- The immediate fallout includes damage to housing and infrastructure estimated in millions, local businesses submerged in water, and Mpumalanga provincial authorities ordering evacuations as dam operators warn water may take weeks to recede.
- Researchers recommended developing Africa-focused climate models and noted Mozambique's location downstream of nine international rivers and floods 25 years ago, highlighting regional vulnerability.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Climate change fuelled southern Africa's catastrophic floods
In tonight's edition, extreme flooding in Southern Africa has submerged towns and killed at least 200 people as scientists say climate change will make supercharged rainfall more likely in the years to come. Also, healthcare fraud undermines Kenya's already fragile system. And it is a first in the history of Beninese cycling: at just 18, Georgette Vignonfodo is heading off the roads of Benin to take her journey up a gear with training in Switzer…
Climate change, La Niña fuelled southern Africa's catastrophic floods
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 29 - A \"perfect storm\" of climate change and cyclical La Niña weather patterns fuelled catastrophic flooding across southern Africa over the past month, killing 200 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others, a study showed on Thursday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The torrential rains in southern Africa are now 40% more intense than in the pre-industrial era, according to science. Human climate change is behind devastating floods that affect millions of people and hit particularly hard the most vulnerable communities. Between 10 and 19 January this year, areas of Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Eswatini received amounts of rain equivalent to what would normally fall in a whole year, but in just ten…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left, 42% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
