How did climate change affect Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka?

Climate change intensified the heavy rainfall associated with Cyclone Ditwah, leading to more severe flooding and devastation in Sri Lanka.

What is the link between deforestation and Asian floods?

Deforestation reduces the land's ability to absorb rainwater, worsening flood impacts and increasing the risk of landslides and debris in affected areas.

What is the World Weather Attribution finding on Asian storms?

The World Weather Attribution consortium found that human-caused global heating has significantly increased the intensity of heavy rainfall episodes during cyclones in Asia.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Asia's Alarming New Reality: Climate Fuels Deadly Floods

Asia's Alarming New Reality: Climate Fuels Deadly Floods

11 Dec

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Summary

Climate change intensified heavy rainfall, increasing flood intensity by up to 160%.
Cyclone Ditwah and Senyar caused over 1,750 deaths and widespread devastation.
Deforestation and development in floodplains worsened disaster impacts in Asia.

Asia's Alarming New Reality: Climate Fuels Deadly Floods

Deadly cyclones and severe flooding in Asia, which resulted in over 1,750 fatalities, are increasingly linked to the climate crisis. Scientists have determined that human-caused global warming has significantly intensified rainfall, with evidence showing a 28-160% increase in the intensity of heavy rain episodes in areas affected by Cyclone Senyar. Sri Lanka experienced a 9-50% increase in heavy rain intensity.

These events, including Cyclone Ditwah striking Sri Lanka and Cyclone Senyar impacting Sumatra and Malaysia, represent some of the deadliest weather-related disasters in recent history. The analysis by World Weather Attribution underscores that while monsoons are normal, the escalating intensity of these storms is not. Experts attribute this to warmer air holding more moisture, a direct consequence of the 1.3C global warming observed to date.