Rising Tides, Rising Risks: How Spain’s Devastating Floods Sound the Alarm on Climate Change

Floods in Spain, storms intensify as sea temperatures rise How to avoid disasters from becoming more serious due to climate change

6 hours ago

As of October 31st, flooding caused by torrential rains in Spain has killed at least 158 ​​people, making it the country’s worst-ever disaster. In the disaster-stricken areas, finding survivors is a race against time.

Authorities have described the recent heavy rains and flooding as “unprecedented.” The Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) said the town of Chiva, near Valencia, received the equivalent of a year’s worth of rain in eight hours.

Floods have a variety of causes, but warming due to climate change is increasing the possibility of abnormal rainfall.

Meteorological researchers say the recent heavy rains were likely caused by Gota Fria. Gota Fria is a natural weather phenomenon that occurs in Spain in autumn and winter when cold air flows over warm seawater in the Mediterranean Sea.

But as global temperatures rose, clouds were carrying more rain, scientists explained to the BBC.

Global temperatures have risen approximately 1.1 degrees since before the industrial development of the global economy began in earnest (1850-1900). Unless countries around the world significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, temperatures will continue to rise.

Dr Friederike Otto of Imperial College London, who leads an international group of scientists studying the effects of global warming, said: “There is no doubt that these explosive downpours have been exacerbated by climate change.” That’s it,” he said.

BBC Environment Editor Matt McGrath explains.