Latest news with #climateexperts
Gizmodo
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Gizmodo
Two People Die After Flash Floods Slam Northeast U.S.
At least two people died in New Jersey Monday amid flash floods sparked by extreme rain. The torrential downpour lashed vast swaths of the Northeast U.S. Monday, inundating New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Washington, D.C. metro area. Fast-rising waters stranded vehicles, shut down transit lines, and prompted water rescues across the region, just a week after flash floods killed more than 100 people in Texas; as of Monday evening, there were at least 185 reports of flooding across the U.S., The Washington Post reported. New York City experienced its second-wettest hour on record, after more than 2 inches of rain fell between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. ET, CNN reported. The latest deluge is just the latest point in a pattern of increased levels of rainfall this summer, particularly across the central and eastern U.S. Extreme rain is driven by high atmospheric moisture levels and unusually warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures, both of which are exacerbated by climate change. Climate experts have long warned that rising temperatures mean flash floods are likely to be more frequent and more severe, and communities in flood-prone areas will have to adapt to that reality even as the Trump administration rows back funding for disaster relief and climate preparedness. Flooding on the New Jersey Turnpike this evening, with nearly 9 inches of rain being recorded in parts of Union County over the last two hours.A state of emergency is in effect and a flash flood warning is in effect as well. — Shlomo Schorr (@OneJerseySchorr) July 14, 2025New Jersey appeared among the worst affected by Monday's storm: State Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency Monday evening, and local law enforcement began reporting flash flooding in Union County and the surrounding area at around 6:30 p.m. ET, with radar estimates showing rainfall totals exceeding 6 inches, according to New York Metro Weather. Flood conditions were especially severe in Central Jersey along the Route 22 corridor in Watchung, Plainfield, North Plainfield, and Somerville, reported. Many roads and transit lines were still closed as of Tuesday morning, Stamford Advocate reported. Emergency responders performed dozens of water rescues, particularly in Union County, where drivers became trapped in their vehicles as waters rose, according to CBS News. Dozens of flights at Newark Liberty International Airport were also canceled as of early Tuesday, The New York Times reported. In New York City, water surged into the subway system, with videos posted to social media showing water gushing onto platforms and into train cars. Several lines were disrupted, although most were back to their usual schedule as of Tuesday morning, according to the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Footage shows flooding at the 28th Street station in New York City on Monday night as slow-moving thunderstorms hit the Northeast. Flash flood warnings were issued for cities including New York City, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Newark, New Jersey, and Arlington, Virginia -… — Abrar Mirza (@AbrarMirza52) July 15, 2025In Pennsylvania, the town of Glen Mawr was forced to evacuate as extreme flash floods triggered multiple mudslides in the area, the Weather Channel reported. Mount Joy, in the southeast of the state, declared a disaster emergency after more than 7 inches of rain fell in less than five hours, according to the local fire department. Emergency responders made 16 water rescues throughout the state, NPR reported. The floods also created dangerous driving conditions on roadways in Virginia and Maryland. Petersburg and Colonial Heights, Virginia, recorded 2 to 3 inches of rain fall in less than two hours, prompting a flash flood warning late Monday, CNN reported. Roads became inundated in multiple Virginia towns, stranding or washing away vehicles as flood waters rose, according to Fox 5 D.C.. In Maryland, four people were rescued from floodwaters in northeast Baltimore, according to CBS News. New Jersey and New York City battered by heavy rain and flash floods: The Northeast has been significantly impacted by severe flooding and torrential rain, compelling #NewJersey Governor Phil Murphy to issue a state of emergency declaration. This adverse weather event has… — WATCHTOWER (@news_24_365) July 15, 2025The National Weather Service has forecast more rain, thunderstorms, and patches of flooding rain lingering over the Northeast through Thursday, July 17. Flood watches and warnings remain in effect for parts of Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., and New Jersey as of Tuesday morning.
Arab News
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Arab News
Climate change makes South Asia's monsoon season more prone to floods, landslides and heavy rains
BENGALURU: Each year from June to September, a series of heavy rains known as monsoons, sweep through the Indian subcontinent, providing relief from heat, irrigating the country's farms and replenishing its rivers. However, as global heat increases, the rain is becoming more erratic and intense, creating the conditions for deadly floods. Nearly 1,300 people died in India throughout 2024 due to heavy rain and floods. Hundreds of rain-related deaths have already occurred this year in the South Asian region, which includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives and Nepal. Climate experts say the high temperatures and heavy rain are also contributing to the melting of glaciers in the mountainous Himalayan region, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides. MONSOON BECOMES MORE DANGEROUS The South Asian region has traditionally had two monsoon seasons. One typically lasts from June to September, with rains moving southwest to northeast. The other, from roughly October to December, moves in the opposite direction. But with more planet-warming gases in the air, the rain now only loosely follows this pattern. This is because the warmer air can hold more moisture from the Indian Ocean, and that rain then tends to get dumped all at once. It means the monsoon is punctuated with intense flooding and dry spells, rather than sustained rain throughout. 'We are witnessing a clear climatic shift in monsoon patterns across South Asia,' said Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune and author of several United Nations climate reports. Traditionally, people in India and neighboring countries excitedly awaited the monsoon rains, which would finally mean the end of summer heat. But attitudes are changing as disasters increase during the rainy seasons. 'The frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events are increasing, often overwhelming drainage infrastructure in urban areas and triggering flash floods,' Koll said. Higher temperatures and longer periods of drought are also making farming harder in South Asia, climate experts said. 'More than 60 percent of the people in South Asia are dependent on agriculture, and almost all of them are dependent on monsoon rainfall,' said Finu Shrestha, a climate scientist at Katmandu, Nepal-based International Center for Integrated Mountain Development. MOUNTAIN REGIONS SEE MORE GLACIAL LAKES OVERFLOWING A 2023 report by Shrestha's organization found that glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates across the Hindu Kush and Himalayan mountain ranges. The study found that at least 200 of the more than 2,000 glacial lakes in the region are at risk of overflowing, which can cause catastrophic damage downstream. Heavy monsoon rains can exacerbate the problem. 'A lot of the mountain areas tend to have more warming than the global average, resulting in more glaciers melting,' said Miriam Jackson, glaciologist at the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative. An October 2023 glacial lake overflow in the Indian state of Sikkim triggered flooding that killed 55 people and damaged bridges, buildings and a hydropower dam that was under construction. Heavy rainfall and increasing heat are leading to snow and ice avalanches, rockfalls and other events that can trigger the lakes to breach or overflow, Shrestha said. 'Even small glacial lakes are now breaching and causing damage,' she said. EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS CAN HELP Installing early warning systems and building in less risky areas can help reduce damage from heavy rains, climate experts say. 'If you know a flood is coming, then people can get to higher ground and there could be a sort of standard early warning system along a river that sends out a siren,' Jackson said, adding that social media and messaging applications can help people spread warnings to those downstream. Koll, the Pune-based scientist, said that rapid urbanization, shrinking floodplains and loss of natural drainage also exacerbate damage from heavy rains. Koll said that most government response currently comes after disasters, and there is a lack of long-term planning. 'In the future monsoon, extreme rains are projected to intensify further, in addition to sporadic water shortages. Hence, we need proactive, long-term strategies that combine science, policy, and community engagement,' he said. Jackson said the biggest issue, however, is to try to reduce emissions of planet-heating gases because there are limits to adapting to extreme weather. 'If we continue with, you know, business as usual, and we have the same kind of emissions, then the world is going to keep on getting warmer and there will be more intense rain and floods. At some point, we could go beyond the limits of adaptation,' she said.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Climate change makes South Asia's monsoon season more prone to floods, landslides and heavy rains
BENGALURU, India (AP) — Each year from June to September, a series of heavy rains known as monsoons sweep through the Indian subcontinent, providing relief from heat, irrigating the country's farms and replenishing its rivers. However, as global heat increases, the rain is becoming more erratic and intense, creating the conditions for deadly floods. Nearly 1,300 people died in India throughout 2024 due to heavy rain and floods. Hundreds of rain-related deaths have already occurred this year in the South Asian region, which includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives and Nepal. Climate experts say the high temperatures and heavy rain are also contributing to the melting of glaciers in the mountainous Himalayan region, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides. Monsoon season becomes more dangerous The South Asian region has traditionally had two monsoon seasons. One typically lasts from June to September, with rains moving southwest to northeast. The other, from roughly October to December, moves in the opposite direction. But with more planet-warming gases in the air, the rain now only loosely follows this pattern. This is because the warmer air can hold more moisture from the Indian Ocean, and that rain then tends to get dumped all at once. It means the monsoon is punctuated with intense flooding and dry spells, rather than sustained rain throughout. 'We are witnessing a clear climatic shift in monsoon patterns across South Asia,' said Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune and author of several United Nations climate reports. Traditionally, people in India and neighboring countries excitedly awaited the monsoon rains, which would finally mean the end of summer heat. But attitudes are changing as disasters increase during the rainy seasons. 'The frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events are increasing, often overwhelming drainage infrastructure in urban areas and triggering flash floods,' Koll said. Higher temperatures and longer periods of drought are also making farming harder in South Asia, climate experts said. 'More than 60% of the people in South Asia are dependent on agriculture, and almost all of them are dependent on monsoon rainfall,' said Finu Shreshta, a climate scientist at Kathmandu, Nepal-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. Mountain regions are seeing more glacial lakes overflowing A 2023 report by Shreshta's organization found that glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates across the Hindu Kush and Himalayan mountain ranges. The study found that at least 200 of the more than 2,000 glacial lakes in the region are at risk of overflowing, which can cause catastrophic damage downstream. Heavy monsoon rains can exacerbate the problem. 'A lot of the mountain areas tend to have more warming than the global average, resulting in more glaciers melting,' said Miriam Jackson, glaciologist at the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative. An October 2023 glacial lake overflow in the Indian state of Sikkim triggered flooding that killed 55 people and damaged bridges, buildings and a hydropower dam that was under construction. Heavy rainfall and increasing heat are leading to snow and ice avalanches, rockfalls and other events that can trigger the lakes to breach or overflow, Shreshta said. 'Even small glacial lakes are now breaching and causing damage,' she said. Early warning systems and long-term planning can help Installing early warning systems and building in less risky areas can help reduce damage from heavy rains, climate experts say. 'If you know a flood is coming, then people can get to higher ground and there could be a sort of standard early warning system along a river that sends out a siren,' Jackson said, adding that social media and messaging applications can help people spread warnings to those downstream. Koll, the Pune-based scientist, said that rapid urbanization, shrinking floodplains and loss of natural drainage also exacerbate damage from heavy rains. Koll said that most government response currently comes after disasters, and there is a lack of long-term planning. 'In the future monsoon, extreme rains are projected to intensify further, in addition to sporadic water shortages. Hence, we need proactive, long-term strategies that combine science, policy, and community engagement,' he said. Jackson said the biggest issue, however, is to try to reduce emissions of planet-heating gases because there are limits to adapting to extreme weather. 'If we continue with, you know, business as usual, and we have the same kind of emissions, then the world is going to keep on getting warmer and there will be more intense rain and floods. At some point, we could go beyond the limits of adaptation,' she said. ___ Follow Sibi Arasu on X at @sibi123 ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
South China Morning Post
10-07-2025
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
South Asia's fatal floods caused by ‘extreme rainfall' linked to global warming
Each year from June to September, a series of heavy rains known as monsoons sweep through the Indian subcontinent, providing relief from heat, irrigating the country's farms and replenishing its rivers. However, as global heat increases, the rain is becoming more erratic and intense, creating the conditions for deadly floods. Climate experts say the high temperatures and heavy rain are also contributing to the melting of glaciers in the mountainous Himalayan region, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides. The South Asian region has traditionally had two monsoon seasons. One typically lasts from June to September, with rains moving southwest to northeast. The other, from roughly October to December, moves in the opposite direction. A taxi drives on a waterlogged street during heavy rain in Kolkata, India, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA But with more planet-warming gases in the air, the rain now only loosely follows this pattern. This is because the warmer air can hold more moisture from the Indian Ocean, and that rain then tends to get dumped all at once.
Al Arabiya
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Al Arabiya
Climate change makes South Asia's monsoon season more prone to floods, landslides and heavy rains
Each year from June to September a series of heavy rains known as monsoons sweep through the Indian subcontinent, providing relief from heat, irrigating the country's farms, and replenishing its rivers. However, as global heat increases, the rain is becoming more erratic and intense, creating the conditions for deadly floods. Nearly 1,300 people died in India throughout 2024 due to heavy rain and floods. Hundreds of rain-related deaths have already occurred this year in the South Asian region, which includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, and Nepal. Climate experts say the high temperatures and heavy rain are also contributing to the melting of glaciers in the mountainous Himalayan region, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides. The South Asian region has traditionally had two monsoon seasons. One typically lasts from June to September, with rains moving southwest to northeast. The other, from roughly October to December, moves in the opposite direction. But with more planet-warming gases in the air, the rain now only loosely follows this pattern. This is because the warmer air can hold more moisture from the Indian Ocean, and that rain then tends to get dumped all at once. It means the monsoon is punctuated with intense flooding and dry spells rather than sustained rain throughout. 'We are witnessing a clear climatic shift in monsoon patterns across South Asia,' said Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune and author of several United Nations climate reports. Traditionally, people in India and neighboring countries excitedly awaited the monsoon rains, which would finally mean the end of summer heat. But attitudes are changing as disasters increase during the rainy seasons. 'The frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events are increasing, often overwhelming drainage infrastructure in urban areas and triggering flash floods,' Koll said. Higher temperatures and longer periods of drought are also making farming harder in South Asia, climate experts said. 'More than 60 percent of the people in South Asia are dependent on agriculture and almost all of them are dependent on monsoon rainfall,' said Finu Shreshta, a climate scientist at Kathmandu Nepal-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. A 2023 report by Shreshta's organization found that glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates across the Hindu Kush and Himalayan mountain ranges. The study found that at least 200 of the more than 2,000 glacial lakes in the region are at risk of overflowing, which can cause catastrophic damage downstream. Heavy monsoon rains can exacerbate the problem. 'A lot of the mountain areas tend to have more warming than the global average, resulting in more glaciers melting,' said Miriam Jackson, glaciologist at the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative. An October 2023 glacial lake overflow in the Indian state of Sikkim triggered flooding that killed 55 people and damaged bridges, buildings, and a hydropower dam that was under construction. 'Heavy rainfall and increasing heat are leading to snow and ice avalanches, rockfalls, and other events that can trigger the lakes to breach or overflow,' Shreshta said. 'Even small glacial lakes are now breaching and causing damage,' she said. Installing early warning systems and building in less risky areas can help reduce damage from heavy rains, climate experts say. 'If you know a flood is coming, then people can get to higher ground and there could be a sort of standard early warning system along a river that sends out a siren,' Jackson said, adding that social media and messaging applications can help people spread warnings to those downstream. Koll, the Pune-based scientist, said that rapid urbanization, shrinking floodplains, and loss of natural drainage also exacerbate damage from heavy rains. Koll said that most government response currently comes after disasters and there is a lack of long-term planning. 'In the future, monsoon extreme rains are projected to intensify further, in addition to sporadic water shortages. Hence, we need proactive long-term strategies that combine science, policy, and community engagement,' he said. Jackson said the biggest issue, however, is to try to reduce emissions of planet-heating gases because there are limits to adapting to extreme weather. 'If we continue with, you know, business as usual and we have the same kind of emissions, then the world is going to keep on getting warmer and there will be more intense rain and floods. At some point, we could go beyond the limits of adaptation,' she said.
