Berlin: A great flood in Germany and other parts of Western Europe have been described as “disaster”, “war zone” and “unprecedented”.
With more than 150 people dead and tolls still climb, many ask: how this happens and why is it very bad? “Air mass loaded with water has been blocked at high altitude by cold temperatures, which makes them stagnant for four days in this region,” Jean Jouzel, a climatologist and former Vice President of the inter-governmental panel on climate change (IPCC), told AFP.
Between 100 and 150 millimeters (four and six inches) rain fell between July 14 and 15, according to German weather services – the number that would usually be seen for two months.
Europe has been beaten repeatedly by severe flooding before, but this week has been “extraordinary in terms of the amount of water and violence” which with was disposed of, according to German hydrologist Kai Schroeter.
Many European politicians truly blame global warming for disasters, while AFD far from Germany has accused them of flooding “instrumental” to promote the climate protection agenda.
“We have not been able to say for sure that this event is related to global warming,” Schroeter told AFP, but “global warming makes events like this more likely”.
In technical terms, climate change means the earth becomes warmer so that more water evaporates, which “leads to a larger mass of water in the atmosphere”, increases the risk of intense rainfall, he said.
The IPCC also said global warming increased the possibility of extreme weather events.
The worst area has become near the small river or tributary without a flood defense that has quickly become overwhelmed by the volume of rain and blowing up their banks.
“Rhine was used for flooding” and the cities along it had built protection, unlike cities and villages along the small river of the area, Armin Laschet, head of North Rhine-Westphalia which was hit hard, said.
“When the river is slower and wider, water rises faster and there is more time to prepare,” said Schroeter Hidolog.
Local authorities arrived under fire in Germany because they did not immediately evacuate people.
“Forecasters …
issued warnings, but the warning is not considered serious and inadequate preparation,” said Hannah Clocke, a hydrological professor at the University of Reading England.
Some residents were also not aware of the risk of flooding such violence, with dozens found dead in their basements.
“Some victims underestimated the danger and did not follow the two basic rules during heavy rains.
First, avoid the basement where water penetrates.
Second, immediately turn off the electricity,” Armin Schuster, Chairman of BBK, a country agent who specializes in natural disasters, told Daily bild.
Some experts pointed to the danger of poor urban planning and the increasing number of concrete in the heart of the European territory which was very charged and densely populated.
The affected area has seen extraordinarily high rainfall in recent weeks, which means saturated land and is unable to absorb excess water.
When land is covered with man-made materials such as concrete, the land is less able to absorb water, increase the risk of flooding.
“Urbanization …
has played a role.
Is the victim high 40 years ago?” Jouzel asked.