'Worst Flood' Hits Pakistan... Global Warming Greatly Increased Rainfall

Displaced people are loading household items onto rafts to escape the flood-affected area in Zafarabad, Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan. Zafarabad (Pakistan) = AP Associated Press [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] A study has found that abnormal weather phenomena around the globe increased the average rainfall during the monsoon season in Pakistan, which began in June, by 50%.

According to a report released on the 15th (local time) by 26 scientists from 9 countries belonging to the World Weather Attributes (WWA), a climate change research organization, the rise in global temperatures has amplified the scale of flood damage in Pakistan.

The scientists stated through simulations that if the Earth's temperature had not risen by about 1.1 degrees since the industrial era, Pakistan's average rainfall would have been significantly lower.

The report noted, "There is a very strong correlation between global climate change and increased rainfall," and added, "Pakistan must take measures to reduce its vulnerability to extreme weather."

Since June, Pakistan has suffered damage with one-third of its territory submerged due to heavy monsoon rains, resulting in 30 million displaced people.

The monsoon season occurs annually from June to September in India and Pakistan, playing a role in supplying water to lakes and crops. However, this year, the average rainfall increased compared to previous years, causing massive casualties.

Experts have pointed to global warming as the cause of the worst flood disaster in Pakistan's history. Friederike Otto, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science at the Grantham Institute in London, UK, emphasized, "It is difficult to quantify the impact of climate change on rainfall, but the influence of global warming is clear."

He stated, "The floods in Pakistan exactly match the climate predictions we have forecasted for years," warning, "As humans began releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, heavy rainfall dramatically increased in this region, and as temperatures rise, rainfall will increase even more."

The Pakistani government has also urged developed countries, which have contributed significantly to climate change, to pay compensation to Pakistan. Accordingly, financial support issues related to the Pakistan floods are expected to be a key topic at COP27 (the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), to be held in Egypt this November.

Foreign media have reported that at this COP27, there will be calls for wealthy developed countries to compensate for the damages in Pakistan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.