Global rise in temperatures wreaks havoc on the water cycle

Jan. 7 () –

Last 2024 was another year of record temperatures, which drove the global water cycle to new climatic extremes and contributed to ferocious floods and crippling droughts.

The Global Water Monitor 2024 Report, involving an international team of researchers and led by ANU (Australian National University) Professor Albert van Dijk, found that rising temperatures are changing the way water moves around the planet, “wreaking havoc” on the water cycle.

“Rising sea surface temperatures intensified tropical cyclones and droughts in the Amazon Basin and southern Africa. Global warming also contributed to heavier rainfall and slower-moving storms, as evidenced by flooding. sudden deadly events in Europe, Asia and Brazil,” said in a statement Professor van Dijk.

FOURTH WARMEST CONSECUTIVE YEAR

In 2024, around four billion people in 111 countrieshalf of the world’s population, experienced their warmest year yet. Professor van Dijk stated that air temperatures over the earth in 2024 were 1.2 degrees Celsius warmer than at the beginning of the century, and about 2.2 degrees Celsius higher than at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

“In 2024, Earth experienced its warmest year on record, for the fourth year in a row. Water systems around the world took the brunt,” he said.

“2024 was a year of extremes, but it was not an isolated event. It is part of a worsening trend with more intense floods, prolonged droughts and unprecedented extremes,” he added.

The most damaging water-related disasters in 2024 included flash floods, river floods, droughts, tropical cyclones and landslides. Water-related disasters killed more than 8,700 peopledisplaced 40 million people and caused economic losses exceeding $550 billion.

“From historic droughts to catastrophic floods, these extreme events affect lives, livelihoods and entire ecosystems. “In Afghanistan and Pakistan, widespread flash flooding occurred in the form of torrential rain events which caused the death of more than 1,000 people“said Professor van Dijk.

“In Brazil, catastrophic flooding caused more than 80 deaths and the region recorded more than 300 millimeters of rain.

“We have seen that rainfall records are being broken with increasing regularity. For example, in 2024 monthly rainfall records were reached 27% more frequently than at the beginning of this century, while daily rainfall records Precipitation was achieved with a 52% higher frequency. All-time lows were 38% more frequent, so we are seeing worse extremes on both sides.

“In southern China, the Yangtze and Pearl rivers flooded cities and towns, displacing tens of thousands of people and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in crop damage.

“In Bangladesh in August, heavy monsoon rains and the release of dams caused widespread river flooding. More than 5.8 million people were affected and at least one million tonnes of rice was destroyed. In Spain, more than 500 millimeters of rain fell in eight hours in late October, causing deadly flash floods.”

While some parts of the world suffered major flooding in 2024, others suffered a devastating drought.

“In the Amazon Basin, one of the most important ecosystems on Earth, record low river levels cut off transportation routes and disrupted hydroelectric power generation. Wildfires sparked by hot, dry weather burned more than 52,000 square kilometers in September alone, releasing huge amounts of greenhouse gases“said Professor van Dijk.

“In southern Africa, a severe drought reduced maize production by more than 50 percent, leaving 30 million people facing food shortages. Farmers were forced to cull livestock when pastures dried out. The drought also reduced hydroelectric power production, causing widespread blackouts.

“We need to prepare and adapt to inevitably more severe extreme events. This can mean stronger defenses against floods, development of more drought-resistant food production and water supplies, and better early warning systems. Water is our most important resource. important, and its extremes (both floods and droughts) are among the greatest threats we face,” he explained.

The research team used data from thousands of ground stations and satellites orbiting the Earth to provide near real-time information on critical water variables such as precipitation, soil moisture, river flows and flooding.