Climate Change Linked to Severe Rainfall

Helene's Devastation
Climate Change Linked to Severe Rainfall

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, hit Florida on September 26, causing severe destruction.

Cities like Tampa and Cedar Key faced powerful winds and heavy rain, leading to floods and power outages.

Catastrophic damage in Cedar Key, Florida, after Hurricane Helene made landfall on Sep 26th 2024.

As the storm moved north, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee experienced record-breaking rainfall, with up to 15 inches (380 mm) in just 48 hours.

Climate change likely increased the rainfall by 50%, similar to how climate change intensified rainfall during Mumbai's 2005 floods.

What about Monsoon 2024 in India

In 2024, India experienced one of its heaviest monsoon seasons in recent years, with unprecedented flooding across several states. Key regions like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat faced severe floods due to extreme rainfall, with Himachal Pradesh recording over 300% above-normal rainfall in July.

Studies show that such events are 20 times more likely due to global warming, highlighting the need for India to strengthen its climate resilience too.

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