Scientific Study Links Climate Change to Intensification of Cyclone Chido
A recent study by Imperial College London has determined that climate change has intensified Cyclone Chido, which devastated Mayotte. The cyclone, classified as Category 4, was 40 percent more likely in today’s warmer climate compared to pre-industrial times. Increased wind speeds and severity correlate with rising global temperatures, contributing to heightened cyclone intensity and frequency of extreme weather events.
Recent research from Imperial College London indicates that climate change significantly intensified Cyclone Chido, which impacted Mayotte, an Indian Ocean archipelago. The study suggests that cyclones with Chido’s intensity are now 40 percent more likely than in pre-industrial times due to global warming. Cyclone Chido, classified as a Category 4 storm, was the most destructive cyclone in Mayotte in nearly 90 years, causing major infrastructural damage and posing a grave risk to a population already living in precarious conditions.
The cyclone’s winds were assessed to be 3 miles per second faster than what would have been expected in a cooler climate, leading to an elevation of its classification from Category 3 to Category 4. Although France’s meteorological authorities have refrained from explicitly linking Chido’s strength to climate change, they acknowledge that rising ocean temperatures attributed to human activity are exacerbating storm intensity. This phenomenon is a manifestation of a broader trend in increasing extreme weather events correlated with global warming, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.
Climate change, driven largely by human activity and the burning of fossil fuels, is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in escalating the severity of tropical storms. As global temperatures rise, so too does the capacity of the atmosphere to hold water vapor, directly contributing to more intense and unpredictable weather patterns. Scientific assessments, such as those conducted by Imperial College London, utilize advanced simulation models to better understand and articulate the impact of climate warming on storm behavior, notably in regions vulnerable to cyclones.
The analysis presented in this study underscores the critical need for ongoing research into the links between climate change and tropical cyclone intensity. Subsequently, heightened awareness and preparedness for the impacts of climate change are essential, particularly in high-risk regions like Mayotte. As global warming progresses, it is imperative that communities maintain vigilance and adapt to the increasing likelihood of severe weather events such as Cyclone Chido.
Original Source: www.france24.com
