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Climate change worsened rains and floods which killed dozens in southern Africa, study shows

Human-caused climate change increased rainfall intensity by 40%, worsening floods worsened by La Niña, killing over 100 and displacing 300,000 in southern Africa, study finds.

  • 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.
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Al Jazeera broke the news in Qatar on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
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