Fossil Fuels Exacerbated Deadly Storms

Climate change intensified the recent catastrophic rainfall in Southeast Asia, according to a rapid assessment by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research network.

The heavy rainfall caused flooding that claimed the lives of at least 1,600 people.

Although monsoon rains are normal in the region, rainfall has become increasingly intense. Historical weather observations show an increasing trend in heavy rainfall over recent decades.

‘The combination of heavy monsoon rains and climate change is deadly,’ says Sarah Kew, climate scientist and lead author of the study, in a comment.

The study shows that the sea surface temperature over the northern Indian Ocean was 0.2 degrees higher than the historical average for 1991–2020, which provided more heat and moisture to the storms. Without the warming from fossil fuels, temperatures would have been around one degree lower, according to the study.

The researchers also note that the damaging effects of the torrential rains were exacerbated by extensive deforestation and rapid urbanisation.

^{Cover photo: The floods in Sri Lanka and other countries at the end of November claimed the lives of around 1,600 people. Image from Peradeniya in the island nation. Photo: Eranga Jayawardene/AP/TT}