Why Valencia’s floods are so catastrophic: Scientists blame climate change for heavy rains that led to one of Spain’s worst natural disasters ever
Spain is in the midst of one of its worst natural disasters on record, with horrific flash floods ravaging large parts of the country.
The floods turned Valencia’s streets into rivers and left hundreds of people trapped in their homes, with many even forced to climb trees, scale lampposts and desperately sprint to the top floors of buildings to escape.
Now scientists say this catastrophic event was fueled by climate change.
Dr. Friederike Otto, head of World Weather Attribution at the Center for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, said: ‘There is no doubt that these explosive downpours were amplified by climate change.
‘With every fraction of a degree of global warming, the atmosphere can retain more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall.
“These deadly floods are yet another reminder of how dangerous climate change has become at just 1.3°C of warming.
‘But last week the UN warned that we are on track to experience 3.1°C of warming by the end of the century.’
Dr. Jess Neumann, Associate Professor of Hydrology at the University of Reading, added: ‘The flash floods in Spain are another terrible reminder of the changing and more chaotic weather we are experiencing as a result of climate change.’
Spain is in the midst of one of its worst natural disasters on record, with horrific flash floods ravaging large parts of the country. The floods turned Valencia’s streets into rivers and left hundreds of people trapped in their homes
Many people in the city have even been forced to climb trees, scale lampposts and desperately sprint to the top floors of buildings to escape.
Studies have shown that the Mediterranean – home to more than 510 million people – is warming 20 percent faster than the global average
Research has shown that the Mediterranean region – where more than 510 million people live – is warming 20 percent faster than the global average.
This puts coastal areas at increased risk of disasters, including flooding and erosion.
Dr. Ernesto Rodríguez Camino, senior state meteorologist and member of the Spanish Meteorological Association, said: ‘What we know in general terms is that, in the context of climate change, this type of intense and exceptional, rare rainfall will become more and more frequent. more frequent and intense and therefore more destructive.’
The UN Environment Program calls the Mediterranean a ‘climate change hotspot’ where vulnerabilities are increasing.
“Water temperatures are expected to rise by 1.8°C to 3.5°C by 2100, with hotspots in Spain and the eastern Mediterranean,” the UN explains.
Worryingly, it’s not just increased rainfall that we have to worry about.
Professor Mark Smith, Professor of Water Science & Health at the University of Leeds, said: ‘As well as increased extreme rainfall, we are also seeing hotter summers, which can dry out soils and reduce their ability to absorb water.
‘This in turn amplifies the more direct effects of increased rainfall intensity as more of that water ends up in the rivers.
Many people in the city have even been forced to climb trees, scale lampposts and desperately sprint to the top floors of buildings to escape.
‘Flood warnings in this area have been a challenge for a long time.
‘Many streams and rivers are often dry for much of the year and a large proportion of annual rainfall can usually fall within a very short period.
‘When flash floods occur due to heavy rainfall, the tidal wave can move through the river basin at enormous speed.
‘This has been the case for centuries, but with increased extreme rainfall, new areas are shifting to risk zones.
The UN predicts that the Mediterranean will receive up to 20 percent more precipitation outside summer by 2080.
“These types of events, which used to occur for decades, are now becoming more frequent and their destructive potential is greater,” Dr. Camino explained.
The expert said the full extent of the link between climate change and these latest floods remains unclear.
‘Associating a particular event like this with climate change, i.e. asking the question whether, if we had not had climate change, we would have suffered an event like this, requires a posteriori research and can always be said in probabilistic terms, but not on the spot. ‘ he added.
Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years. However, nothing comes close to the devastation of the past two days
It is Spain’s worst flood disaster since 1996, when 87 people were killed and 180 injured in a flash flood near Biesca in the Pyrenees.
“This is something that will be analyzed and these very destructive or very violent cases will then lead to a lot of studies being done in the academic and research fields.
‘In the context of climate change, these types of events will become more frequent and intense.’
Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years, although nothing comes close to the devastation of the past two days.
It is Spain’s worst flood disaster since 1996, when 87 people were killed and 180 injured in a flash flood near Biesca in the Pyrenees.
Professor Liz Stephens, professor of climate risk and resilience at the University of Reading, said: ‘People should not die from these types of predicted weather events in countries where they have the resources to do better.
‘Although a red weather warning has been issued for the region with sufficient time for people to move out of the danger zone, a red weather warning alone does not indicate what the impact will be and what people should do.
“Climate scientists have been warning for years that climate change will lead to more intense rainfall, and the tragic consequences of this event show that we still have a long way to go to prepare for these types of events, and worse, in the future.”