Cyclone Chido, recently striking Mayotte, was intensified by climate change, according to a study by Imperial College London. The cyclone, classified as Category 4, is noted as the most destructive storm to hit the region in nearly a century, with its intensity now estimated to be 40% more likely due to global warming. The study indicates significant increases in wind speeds, linking human-induced climate change to stronger and more frequent tropical storms.
Climate change has significantly intensified Cyclone Chido, which struck the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte on December 14, 2024. According to a preliminary study conducted by scientists from Imperial College London, the likelihood of cyclones of Chido’s intensity is now 40 percent higher than in pre-industrial times. This catastrophic cyclone is regarded as the most destructive storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century, affecting the poorest French overseas territory and devastating makeshift housing where approximately one-third of the population resides. Classified as a Category 4 storm, Cyclone Chido has raised concerns regarding a potential death toll that could reach into the thousands, although the full extent of the disaster is still being assessed.
The researchers utilized advanced computer modeling to analyze the impacts of global warming on wind speed and the intensity of tropical storms like Chido. The study revealed that wind speeds in the region where Chido made landfall are now approximately 4.8 km per second faster than they were prior to the significant combustion of fossil fuels. The study concludes that climate change has elevated the strength of storms like Chido from a Category 3 to a Category 4 level. While France’s weather service has refrained from directly linking Chido’s intensity to climate change, it acknowledges that human-induced climate change has resulted in more powerful storms, primarily due to warmer ocean conditions.
The climatic changes that have occurred over the past century indicate that the global environment has warmed by around 1.3 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial period. This rise in temperature has contributed to more frequent and intense weather phenomena, as warmer air accommodates more water vapor, leading to increased evaporation from oceans. Such conditions create a more conducive environment for the development of tropical storms, amplifying their potential for devastation.
The occurrence of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte serves as a striking example of how climate change is affecting the frequency and intensity of tropical storms. Historically, the region has experienced relatively mild storm activity, but as global temperatures rise due to persistent greenhouse gas emissions, scientists have observed a shift towards more severe weather patterns. With studies indicating a definitive link between climate change and the escalation of storm intensity, the situation in Mayotte underscores the urgent need for comprehensive climate action and disaster preparedness efforts in vulnerable areas.
In conclusion, Cyclone Chido’s unprecedented strength has underscored the urgent implications of climate change on tropical storms. The research from Imperial College London highlights a stark increase in cyclone intensity and frequency in the context of rising global temperatures, suggesting that communities must prepare for increasingly severe weather events. As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, the focus on mitigation and adaptation strategies becomes more critical to safeguard vulnerable regions.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
