Unprecedented water disaster causes global climate crisis - Unprecedented water disaster causes global climate crisis

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The water cycle crisis -

When water evaporates from the Earth, it rises, condenses, and then comes back to us in the form of rain or snow - or at least it is supposed to. This process of precipitation, which we have always relied on to sustain us with fresh water, is no longer working as it should. This is the first time this has happened in human history and the results are already devastating. With water shortages increasing across the globe, things are only set to get worse. As a result, experts have issued a warning for this to be a wake-up call to improve the management of natural resources and get the water cycle back to its natural rhythm.

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Melting borders in Europe -

Glaciers in the Alps are melting at an alarming rate, meaning Italy and Switzerland are redrawing the border between the two countries, which is defined by glaciers and snow fields. Switzerland's glaciers lost 4% of their volume in 2023, second only to the record-breaking 6% loss in 2022.

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Blizzards in the US -

Several thousand homes were left without electricity when a powerful blizzard hit the Sierra Nevada Mountains in March. This resulted in the closure of Interstate 80 in Northern California and the closure of ski resorts. In January, blizzards, thunderstorms, and heavy rain affected the eastern part of the US, from Texas to New England.

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Typhoons in Japan -

Typhoon Khanun and Lan lashed the island country with heavy rains in August 2023. Over 900 flights were canceled and 240,000 residents were advised to take precautionary measures. Tens of thousands of homes were left without power in the wake of this phenomenon.

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Monsoon in Pakistan - Record-breaking monsoon rains submerged a third of the country between June and October in 2022. The floods killed 1,739 people, 647 of them children. More than 33 million people were affected, with at least four million hectares (9.8 million acres) of diverse agricultural land destroyed. Pakistan produces less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it ranks consistently in the top 10 countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, demonstrating how the climate disaster will unfairly unravel and giving an eerie preview to the rest of the world.

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Torrential rains in Australia -

Sydney experienced heavy rains resulting in flash flooding on June 8 this year, according to Reuters. Due to the dangerous flooding, authorities received 297 calls from residents seeking assistance, and 13 rescues were carried out in 24 hours.

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Spring snowstorm in Colorado -

In less than 24 hours, Denver went from having 90°F (32°C) to 57°F (0°C) weather, causing a snowstorm in the middle of May, 2022. The shocking weather change knocked down trees around the city and saw power go out.

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Heat wave hits Antarctica -

An unusual heat wave has gripped Antarctica this August, with temperatures rising up to 50°F (10°C) in some parts. The eastern regions have recorded the most abnormal increase in temperature, about minus 13 to minus 22°F (minus 25°C to minus 30°C) when the usual around this of the year is minus 58 to minus 76°F (minus 48.8 to minus 60°C). The risk of a catastrophic rise in sea levels looms large if such aberrations become the new normal.

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Water levels in Lake Mead reached a record low -

Lake Mead, North America’s largest artificial reservoir, shrunk to about 30% of its capacity in 2022. The reservoir is a major source of water for Arizona, Nevada, and California, as well as part of Mexico, serving nearly 25 million people and huge agricultural areas.

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Record-breaking cold weather in Brazil -

In June 2022, the south of the tropical country experienced record-breaking cold weather, threatening the lives of the homeless. São Paulo saw thermometers hit 43°F (6.6°C), while the southern state of Santa Catarina recorded temperatures under 35°F (2°C).

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Southern France records high temperatures in spring -

Several southern French towns sizzled in record high temperatures in May 2021. Towns such as Toulouse and Montélimar set records of between 92 and 96°F (33 and 36°C).

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Fires in Oregon -

July 2021 saw one of the largest blazes in Oregon’s history. More than 2,000 firefighters tackled wildfires, which took more than a month to contain.

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Tropical cyclone hit Mozambique -

The death toll rose to at least 50 people after tropical cyclone Gombe pummeled Mozambique in March 2022. A year later, Cyclone Freddy was even more devastating, affecting 1 million people. The cyclone brought a year's rainfall in a short span of four weeks, wreaking havoc in the southern part of the country. In March 2024, tropical storm Fillipo damaged 8,000 houses, 146 schools, several health centers, and many roads. The region has seen a rise in deadly cyclones over the years, which scientists believe is a result of the Indian Ocean getting warmer, fueling the strength of the cyclones.

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Deadly storm Malik hit Northern Europe -

Also known as "Nadia" in Germany, the deadly storm forced public transportation to stop and major bridges to shut down across Northern Europe in January 2022.

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Deadly storm Malik hit Northern Europe -

The storm brought on hurricane-level winds and floods, and at least 130,000 homes in England lost power. Several people were killed, and Berlin declared an emergency order for residents to stay home.

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Cyclone Seroja reached Western Australia -

In April 2021, 160 people died in Indonesia after a tropical cyclone hit several islands, displacing 22,000. It reached Western Australia days after, damaging several cities.

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Record-breaking snowfall in Madrid -

In the first weeks of 2021, storm Filomena brought record-breaking levels of snow to Madrid in 50 years. The heavy snowstorm brought the city to a standstill.

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Flooding in China -

More than 300 people died when China’s Henan province experienced severe rainfall and flooding in July 2021. Twelve people lost their lives in a Zhengzhou metro train when water leaked through the carriage’s doors. Over the years, the situation has only worsened. By mid-2024, China had experienced 20 floods with more than 10,000 individuals evacuated to safety and 40,000 residents affected.

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Tornado outbreaks in Kentucky -

Kentucky experienced the most tornado outbreaks in US history in 2021. More than 30 tornadoes hit Kentucky and seven other states, claiming the lives of at least 90 people, and leaving thousands homeless.

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Wildfires in Greece -

Huge wildfires ravaged large regions of Southern Europe in August 2021, claiming lives in Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Greece’s second-largest island, Evia, was even evacuated. The summer of 2023 was particularly devastating. There were hundreds of wildfires, including the largest single wildfire recorded in the EU since 2000 which occurred at Dadia National Park. In June 2024,  more than 40 wildfires erupted in a single day, leading to evacuations of many areas around Athens.

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Saharan sand took over Europe -

Dust from the Sahara drifted into Europe, covering the Iberian Peninsula in an ominous orange glow. Known in Spain as calima, it occurs when a burst of dusty, warm wind forms during sandstorms in the Sahara, and then moves north.

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A heat dome in the Pacific Northwest -

The Pacific Northwest faced soaring temperatures in 2021, causing extreme heat in the region. The meteorological phenomenon led to evacuations across several states.

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Flooding in New South Wales, Australia -

In March 2021, Sydney and New South Wales residents felt the effects of extreme flooding. Residents were urged to take care of both their physical and mental health. Thousands were evacuated from their homes.

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Hurricane Ida in the American South -

More than one million homes and businesses were left without power in Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Ida struck on August 29, 2021. Ida hit with maximum sustained winds of 150mph. A year later, in September 2022, Hurricane Ian devasted the state of Florida, causing 150 deaths and damages in excess of US$112 billion.

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India's scorching heatwaves -

India is bearing the brunt of climate change with an increase in heatwave-related incidents. It has recorded up to 1,000 deaths per year between 2008 and 2019. Several parts of the country suffer extreme heatwaves in the summer. On May 29, 2024, the hottest temperature in Indian history was recorded in Delhi's Mungeshpur area. It was reportedly 126°F, or 52.3°C. 

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Record temperatures in Moscow -

In 2021, as temperatures reached 93°F (34.8℃) in Moscow, it became the absolute record for any day in June. The record heat wave was also recorded in cities like Vologda and Petrozavodsk.

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Severe cold in the US -

In early February 2022, the Northeast was pounded with snow and ice. From New Mexico to New England, the freezing cold front buried countless neighborhoods under snow. In January, Arctic storms created blizzard-like conditions in the northeastern regions while resulting in several inches of snow in the southern part of the US. 

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Malaysia hit by major floods -

In January 2022, more than 125,000 people had to evacuate as heavy rain caused massive floods in Malaysia. The country's annual monsoon season usually brings a lot of rain, but this time the country faced an unusually heavy rainfall.

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Storm Christoph hit the UK -

North Wales and North West England faced one of the wettest periods on record in 2021, with residents having to evacuate their homes due to the floods. Once storm Christoph cleared, significant snowfall also led to travel disruption with icy conditions and road closures.

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Storm Megi hit the Philippines -

The first big storm of 2022 ravaged the Philippines, especially the city of Baybay. Landslides from the relentless rain killed at least 123 people. About 139,000 were affected by the storm.

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Storm Izzy left the Southeast without power -

In January 2022, storm Izzy brought on freezing temperatures, high winds, and snow to the southeast region of the US. Some 100,000 people were left without power.

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Monsoon floods in India and Nepal -

Several Nepalese regions and two Indian states were hit by heavy late monsoon rains in October 2021. The deadly floods took the lives of more than 180 people.

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Alabama had the most tornado warnings in the US -

In 2022, the southern state endured floods, hail storms, and dangerous winds. And on top of that, it had the most tornado warnings out of all the states.

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Dust storms in China -

China reported the worst dust storm in a decade in 2021, which canceled flights and shut down schools. The minuscule particles could cause health risks if drawn deep into the lungs. In 2023, Beijing and the northeastern regions of China experienced four dust storms in a single month, leading to a record rise in particulate matter levels.

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Cyclone Ana in Fiji -

In January 2021, cyclone Ana swept over Fiji. The cyclone caused more than 10,000 people to take refuge in 318 evacuation centers across the country. 

Sources: (People) (The Week) (France 24) (The Atlantic) (Reuters) (CNN) (AP) (BBC)

See also: Incredible images of bad weather seen from space

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Cyclone Ana in Fiji -

In January 2021, cyclone Ana swept over Fiji. The cyclone caused more than 10,000 people to take refuge in 318 evacuation centers across the country.

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