Parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia have been battered by strong winds and intense rainfall since Thursday. The devastation after the storm Boris is extensive, with several fatalities and significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
Several people have been found dead in the Galati region in southeastern Romania.
We are once again facing the effects of climate change, which are becoming increasingly present on the European continent, with dramatic consequences, says the country's president Klaus Iohannis in a comment.
The risk is increasing
Research shows that extreme rainfall is expected to become more frequent and intense due to climate change in many parts of the world, including Europe. This is because warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air, creating conditions for more intense rainfall. However, the rainfall will vary naturally, just like in today's climate.
Large amounts of rain in a short time can lead to flooding. The severity of the flooding can be influenced to some extent by the extent to which cities and communities adapt through preventive measures, such as building barriers or reviewing their stormwater management.
In recent years, progress has been made in so-called attribution research, where experts can establish the causal link between climate change and extreme weather events more accurately. The international network World Weather Attribution, for example, has established that the devastating floods in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands in 2021 were directly linked to human impact on the climate.
"Unimaginable consequences"
Regarding the storm Boris, the forecasts beforehand indicated an increased likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall in the affected areas, which helped the authorities prepare, emphasizes Liz Stephens from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's Climate Centre.
Lessons have been learned from previous major European floods, but the forecast for some of the areas is for floods of unprecedented scale, she says in a comment.
History has taught us that people are often surprised by the seemingly unimaginable consequences of such events. In this part of Europe, climate change is known for its role in increasing the risk of flooding.
