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Climate Change: Extreme temperature to flood and drought, human neglect change the face of world

From India's delayed monsoon withdrawal to Brazil's current drought situation, unchecked climate change can lead to unthinkable damage to this planet.

Hritika Mitra Written By: Hritika Mitra @MitraHritika New Delhi Updated on: October 22, 2022 22:31 IST
Homes are surrounded by floodwaters in Sohbat Pur city, a
Image Source : AP Homes are surrounded by floodwaters in Sohbat Pur city, a district of Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province, Aug. 29, 2022.

Climate change is getting more hazardous each passing year with its repercussions posing a threat to not just humans but all kinds of life on Earth. This year was no different as several countries across the world saw extreme weather conditions.

From India's delayed monsoon withdrawal to Brazil's current drought situation, unchecked climate change can lead to unthinkable damage to this planet.

What is climate change? 

United Nations describes climate change as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle or man-made due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

India Tv - A man walks by boats on dry land in an area impacted by the drought near the Solimões River, in Tefe, Amazonas state, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.

Image Source : APA man walks by boats on dry land in an area impacted by the drought near the Solimões River, in Tefe, Amazonas state, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.

Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.

Here is a list of countries that are currently facing extreme weather changes due to global warming. 

Delhi's unusual October rains 

Beginning with our own country, Delhi witnessed monsoon till as late as October this year. The rainfall recorded in the national capital stood at 128.2 mm. This is the highest rainfall that the country has recorded in the month of October since 1956. Many experts consider global warming to be the reason behind the unusual change in weather. 

India Tv - A man uses an umbrella to shield himself from rain.

Image Source : PTIA man uses an umbrella to shield himself from rain.

Meanwhile, the 128.2 mm of rain that the city received is also the fourth-highest amount of rain the city has ever seen in October. This month last year, the national capital received 122.5 mm of rainfall. October 2020, 2018, and 2017 saw no rain in the city, while October 2019 saw 47.3 mm of rainfall.

India Tv - Commuters wade through the waterlogged Delhi-Gurugram Expressway and its service road after rainfall, in Gurugram

Image Source : PTICommuters wade through the waterlogged Delhi-Gurugram Expressway and its service road after rainfall, in Gurugram

The change in Delhi's weather system had impacted some neighbuoring states, namely, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan. 

READ | Delhi weather update: Heavy rains lash national capital; more downpour on forecast over weekend

Floods ravage everyday life in Pakistan 

Pakistan was also gripped by the woes of climate change. Many regions across the cash-strapped nation saw extreme rainfall which led to the river Indus destroying its banks and leading to flash floods. The Sindh province remained the worst-hit region followed by Balochistan.

India Tv - Victims of heavy flooding from monsoon rains carry relief aid through flood water in the Qambar Shahdadkot district of Sindh Province, Pakistan, Sept. 9, 2022.

Image Source : APVictims of heavy flooding from monsoon rains carry relief aid through flood water in the Qambar Shahdadkot district of Sindh Province, Pakistan, Sept. 9, 2022.

33 million people were affected while more than 1500 fatalities were recorded due to the ravaging floods that began in June and went on till September. Close to 2 million homes were damaged or washed away by the floods.  Many experts say that the flooding was made worse by climate change. 

India Tv - Villagers with their belongings cross a flooded area on a boat, in Dadu, a district of southern Sindh province, Pakistan, Sept. 23, 2022.

Image Source : APVillagers with their belongings cross a flooded area on a boat, in Dadu, a district of southern Sindh province, Pakistan, Sept. 23, 2022.

Pakistan is currently facing the risk of waterborne diseases due to the destruction of its health facilities, lack of sanitation facilities, limited access to safe drinking water, low medicine stocks to name a few. Malnutrition is another headache of the nation with the United Nations suggesting 7 million women and children are without any access to food. 

READ | Pakistan floods impacted 16 million children, says United Nations

UK swelters under extreme heat waves 

The United Kingdom witnessed three heat waves this year with temperatures soaring as high as 40°C. This is highly unusual for a nation known for rain and mild temperatures. The UK generally records an average temperature between 12°C to 20°C in the summer season. 

India Tv - A police officer givers water to a British soldier wearing a traditional bearskin hat, on guard duty outside Buckingham Palace during hot weather in London.

Image Source : APA police officer givers water to a British soldier wearing a traditional bearskin hat, on guard duty outside Buckingham Palace during hot weather in London.

As the nation watched with a combination of horror and fascination, Met Office chief scientist Stephen Belcher said such temperatures in Britain were 'virtually impossible' without human-driven climate change. He warned that temperatures like this can be seen occurring 'every three years' if no serious action is taken to control carbon emissions. 

India Tv - A tourist uses a fan whilst standing in the hot sun whilst waiting to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, during hot weather in London.

Image Source : APA tourist uses a fan whilst standing in the hot sun whilst waiting to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, during hot weather in London.

The intense heat damaged the runway at London’s Luton airport, forcing it to shut down for several hours. Police said that the main road in eastern England had been distorted, leaving it looking like a 'skatepark'. 

READ | Britain: Several parts of nation officially declared as drought-hit amid heatwave

Floods bring Australia to a standstill

Australia, normally facing wildfire threats this time of the year, is currently reeling under the impact of floods. Around 34,000 homes could be isolated in Victoria state as flood emergency continues across parts of Australia’s southeast, an official said. 

India Tv - Cars slosh through a flooded road in Heathcote in Australia's Victoria State

Image Source : APCars slosh through a flooded road in Heathcote in Australia's Victoria State

Victoria is the worst-affected state with some towns experiencing the highest river peaks in decades. The states of New South Wales and Tasmania were also experiencing flooding in an emergency that began last week.

Experts have linked this extreme change in weather conditions to two factors - global warming and the La Niña weather pattern. Other climate drivers, including a positive Southern Annular Mode and negative Indian Ocean Dipole, have also aligned to bring above-average rainfall to eastern Australia.

India Tv - A woman is rescued from floodwater in Melbourne, Australia's suburb of Maribyrnong

Image Source : APA woman is rescued from floodwater in Melbourne, Australia's suburb of Maribyrnong

“It’s quite likely we’ll see a flood peak happen and waters recede, followed by another peak, as different river systems come together,” Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

READ |  Australia: About 230 whales stranded on Tasmania’s west coast; 'almost half' presumed dead

Brazil's Amazon faces severe drought

The Brazilian Amazon, that until a few months ago was dealing with deadly floods, is now battling a severe drought. Some areas are said to be facing the worst drought in decades. 

The less-than-usual rainfall during August and September in the region led to extremely low river water levels. Many waterways, such as lakes and creeks, have dried up, eliminating access to the Amazon River and thus to nearby cities, which function as commercial hubs.

India Tv - A woman walks in an area impacted by drought near the Solimões River, in Tefe, Amazonas state in Brazil.

Image Source : APA woman walks in an area impacted by drought near the Solimões River, in Tefe, Amazonas state in Brazil.

In the Sao Estevao community, the fishermen have postponed fishing pirarucu, the Amazon’s largest fish, because the boat to transport their catch to the city cannot dock. The legal fishing season runs until the end of November. If the water level doesn’t rise soon, the seven-family community will lose a significant source of income, fisherman Pedro Canizio da Silva said to the Associated Press. 

India Tv - A man walks in an area impacted by drought near the Solimões River, in Tefe, Amazonas state in Brazil.

Image Source : APA man walks in an area impacted by drought near the Solimões River, in Tefe, Amazonas state in Brazil.

Finally, it is up to the world leaders in the government as well as the private sector along with the diverse communities around the nation who can make policies and implement them to address the deeply disturbing issue of climate change. 

(With inputs from AP)

ALSO READ | Pakistan floods show that climate adaptation requires international support and regional co-op

ALSO READ | China and US, world's biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, spar over climate on Twitter

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