Heavy rains over the weekend have caused severe flooding across central Europe, turning peaceful streams into raging rivers.
The floods have impacted countries from Austria to Romania, resulting in at least 15 deaths and widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure.
Scientists attribute this extreme weather to climate change, warning that rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall.
Sonia Seneviratne, a climate expert from ETH Zürich, explains that the heat from the Black and Mediterranean Seas, exacerbated by human activity, has led to increased water vapor, fueling the heavy downpours.
Helicopters rescue stranded citizens as extreme flooding devastates parts of Austria, Poland, and RomaniaWith global warming at 1.2°C, heavy precipitation events are now, on average, 8% more intense than they were in the past.
In Poland, the floods have collapsed bridges and destroyed homes, while in the Czech Republic, helicopters have been used to rescue citizens trapped by rising waters.
Austria has also seen casualties, with a firefighter reported dead during rescue operations. Even the capital, Vienna, home to Europe’s largest weather and climate conference, has been affected, with motorways flooded and metro lines closed.
Climate scientists are urging governments to take immediate action to prepare for such events by improving infrastructure, early warning systems, and support for those affected.
Friederike Otto, from the Grantham Institute, emphasized the need for a global shift away from fossil fuels to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the likelihood of further weather disasters.
The central European floods serve as another stark reminder that no country is immune to the growing threat of extreme weather.