Impact of Climate Change on Cyclone Chido’s Severity in Mayotte

A recent study reveals that Climate Change has heightened the strength of Cyclone Chido, making it 40 percent more likely to occur in current conditions than in pre-industrial times. The storm, classified as a category four, was the most destructive cyclone to affect Mayotte in nearly a century, raising fears of a significant death toll and extensive damage to infrastructure.

Preliminary findings from scientists indicate that Climate Change has significantly intensified Cyclone Chido, which impacted the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte. Conducted by researchers at Imperial College London, the study suggests that cyclones of Chido’s magnitude have become 40 percent more likely due to the increasing temperatures attributed to climate change. As a category four storm, Chido inflicted considerable damage, particularly in Mayotte, where a substantial portion of the population resides in makeshift housing. The cyclone’s impact was noted as the most severe in 90 years, prompting fears of a rising death toll potentially reaching into the thousands.

Using advanced computational models to analyze the influence of global warming on tropical storms, the researchers found that wind speeds near Chido’s landfall were approximately three miles per second higher compared to pre-industrial conditions. The study underscored that Climate Change has increased the cyclone’s intensity from a Category 3 to a Category 4 storm. Although not conclusively linking Chido’s strength to global warming, France’s meteorological service acknowledged that elevated ocean temperatures, a consequence of anthropogenic climate change, contribute to heightened storm violence.

The study asserts that the current climate is approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than it was in pre-industrial times, which exacerbates extreme weather patterns. This additional heat allows warmer air to retain more moisture and increases ocean evaporation, factors which together amplify the conditions conducive to tropical storm development. These developments highlight the urgent need for addressing and mitigating the effects of Climate Change, as evidenced by the escalating intensity and frequency of severe weather events like Cyclone Chido.

The relationship between Climate Change and extreme weather phenomena has garnered significant attention in recent years. As global temperatures continue to rise, the likelihood and intensity of tropical storms—including cyclones—are increasingly being studied. Scientists have sought to establish connections between the warming climate, elevated ocean temperatures, and the potential for storms to become more severe and destructive. Prior to this research, the world has observed a trend of intensifying storms correlating with global warming, which has prompted ongoing investigations into the sustainability and adaptive capacities of vulnerable regions, particularly those like Mayotte that experience direct impacts from natural disasters.

In conclusion, the findings regarding Cyclone Chido serve as a crucial reminder of the implications of Climate Change on severe weather systems. With a notable increase in cyclone intensity and frequency linked to rising global temperatures, it becomes imperative for policy makers and communities alike to strengthen resilience against such natural disasters. This incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat the ongoing effects of Climate Change, aligning global efforts towards sustainability and disaster preparedness.

Original Source: www.france24.com