Human-Induced Climate Change Intensifies Flooding in Nepal: A Scientific Analysis

A rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution has concluded that human-induced climate change intensified the rainfall that caused the recent floods in Nepal by about 10 percent. Over 240 people lost their lives due to the flooding, prompting calls for limitations on development in flood-prone areas. With increasing evidence of climate change effects across Asia, experts stress the urgency of addressing these risks to protect vulnerable populations.

A recent rapid analysis conducted by World Weather Attribution (WWA) has established that the catastrophic floods experienced in Nepal during late September were exacerbated by human-induced climate change, which intensified rainfall by approximately 10 percent. The devastating floods resulted in over 240 fatalities and extensive damage throughout the country, underscoring the imminent need for more stringent development regulations in vulnerable areas prone to flooding. The analysis is part of a collaborative effort among international scientists who assess the impact of climate change on extreme weather phenomena, including severe rainfall and floods. Following three consecutive days of unprecedented rainfall beginning on September 26, certain regions of central and eastern Nepal recorded more than 320 mm on September 28. This excessive precipitation culminated in significant floods and landslides, particularly affecting Kathmandu, where eyewitness accounts describe unprecedented flooding events. The WWA highlights the urgency of limiting construction in low-lying urban areas to mitigate future flood risks. Informing the findings, Mariam Zachariah from Imperial College London remarked, “If the atmosphere wasn’t overloaded with fossil fuel emissions, these floods would have been less intense, less destructive and less deadly.” Moreover, the study draws attention to the increasing vulnerability of Asian countries to heavy rainfall, showcasing similar climate change-driven flood patterns in nations such as India, China, Taiwan, and others this year. Roshan Jha from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, further emphasized, “Clearly, climate change is no longer a distant threat in Asia. With every fraction of a degree of warming, the atmosphere can potentially hold more moisture, leading to much heavier downpours, and catastrophic floods like these.”

The recent flood disaster in Nepal illuminates the acute risks posed by climate change, particularly in Asia where extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. With rapid urbanization and climatic shifts, nations like Nepal face heightened vulnerability to natural disasters. The collaborative study by WWA provides critical insights into how human activity, specifically fossil fuel emissions, contributes to the escalation of weather phenomena such as intense rainfall. Understanding the connection between climate change and extreme weather is imperative for developing effective strategies to safeguard communities in flood-prone areas.

In summary, the analysis by World Weather Attribution unequivocally attributes the catastrophic floods in Nepal to climate change, which intensified the rainfall and compounded the risks faced by the population. The findings highlight a pressing need for authorities to impose stricter development regulations in at-risk areas and enhance early warning systems to avert future disasters. The insights gained from this study not only underscore the urgency of addressing climate change but also serve as a warning for other regions similarly affected by extreme climatic events.

Original Source: theprint.in