Climate Change Intensifies Cyclone Chido, Scientists Confirm

Climate change has intensified Cyclone Chido, marking it as the most destructive cyclone in Mayotte’s history, with scientists concluding that the phenomenon is 40 percent more likely now due to global warming. Wind speeds have ascended significantly since pre-industrial times, contributing to the cyclone’s destructive capability and raising concerns over the death toll and the impact on the local population.

A preliminary study from Imperial College London indicates that climate change has played a significant role in intensifying Cyclone Chido, which struck the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte. The cyclone has been labeled as the most destructive in the region’s history, classified as a category four storm, and is estimated to be 40 percent more likely due to the warmer climate of 2024 compared to pre-industrial times. The impact has raised concerns over the potential rise in the death toll and significant damages, particularly affecting the impoverished population residing in makeshift housing.

According to the assessment, the wind speeds in the area where Chido made landfall had increased by three miles per second as a result of climate change. This warming has stemmed from human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, leading to a climate that is 1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than before industrialization. While France’s weather service has refrained from definitively attributing Chido’s intensity to global warming, they note that warmer oceans, influenced by human-caused climate change, have contributed to the increased severity of storms. Furthermore, the capacity of warmer air to hold more water vapor and the enhanced evaporation from warmer oceans provides the ideal conditions for the formation of such tropical storms.

Cyclone Chido’s intensification is a stark reminder of the potential impacts of climate change on tropical weather events. Scientific studies, including the one conducted by Imperial College London, utilize advanced computer models to examine how global warming may affect storm frequency and intensity. The ongoing alterations in climate, primarily due to anthropogenic factors, create conditions that allow storms like Chido to develop with greater ferocity, posing severe risks to vulnerable populations and ecosystems. The statistical likelihood of such storms has increased in the context of a warming climate, making research imperative to understand the gravity of these changes.

In summary, the scientific study underscores the correlation between climate change and the intensity of Cyclone Chido, suggesting that the global warming crisis is firming its grip on the severity of tropical storms. As the world continues to grapple with rising temperatures, monitoring and understanding these fluctuations will be critical for forecasting future weather patterns and preparing for potential disasters. The findings raise alarm over the increasing threat posed by climate-induced extreme weather, compelling decisive action to mitigate its effects.

Original Source: www.france24.com