A preliminary study from Imperial College London reveals that climate change played a significant role in intensifying Cyclone Chido, increasing its likelihood and strength compared to historical conditions. The cyclone wreaked havoc on Mayotte, marking the most severe storm to hit the region in 90 years, leading to destruction and concerns regarding a potential high death toll.
Recent investigations by scientists from Imperial College London reveal that climate change significantly intensified Cyclone Chido as it approached Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. Their analysis indicates that cyclones of Chido’s magnitude are now 40 percent more likely to occur in the current climate, compared to pre-industrial times. Notably, Cyclone Chido was the most devastating cyclone to strike the region in nearly a century. Classified as a category four storm, Chido destroyed numerous makeshift homes in France’s impoverished overseas territory, raising concerns about a potentially high death toll.
Utilizing advanced computer modeling techniques to simulate tropical cyclones, researchers were able to estimate the influence of global warming on wind speed and cyclone intensity. Their findings suggest that wind speeds in the vicinity where Chido made landfall have increased by approximately three miles per second when compared to climate conditions before widespread fossil fuel consumption began. The study concluded that climate change heightened Cyclone Chido’s strength, elevating it from a Category 3 to a Category 4 cyclone. Though France’s weather service has not definitively linked Chido’s intensity to global warming, they acknowledge that elevated ocean temperatures, resultant from human activity, have led to more severe storms.
Chido’s catastrophic impact on Mayotte is primarily attributed to its trajectory over the island. With the climate now approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than in pre-industrial times, scientists assert that this increase has resulted in more frequent and chaotic weather occurrences. Warmer air has a higher capacity to retain water vapor, while warmer oceans enhance evaporation, thereby creating ideal conditions for the development and intensification of tropical storms.
The relationship between climate change and the severity of tropical storms has garnered considerable attention from the scientific community. Khado of the growing frequency and intensity of severe weather events due to climate change has been established through various studies. As ocean temperatures rise and atmospheric conditions shift, scientists are exploring the specific links between anthropogenic climate change and individual cyclones, particularly in vulnerable regions, such as Mayotte.
In conclusion, research conducted by Imperial College London underscores the critical role of climate change in intensifying Cyclone Chido. With cyclones of similar strength becoming increasingly likely in a warmer climate, the implications for regions such as Mayotte are alarming. Continued investigation into the relationship between global warming and tropical storms is essential to better understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems and communities.
Original Source: www.france24.com
