Deadly European Floods Signal Growing Climate Threat, Scientists Warn

The devastating floods that swept through central Europe recently, leaving at least 24 dead and causing billions in damage, provide a grim preview of the escalating impacts of climate change, according to scientists.

The unprecedented rainfall, triggered by Storm Boris, affected countries including Poland, Austria, and Italy. Experts say the storm’s intensity was significantly amplified by global warming, making such events more frequent and severe in the future.

A report from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group found that climate change made the extreme downpours twice as likely and increased their intensity by 7%. The group warned that without urgent climate action, Europe—already the world’s fastest-warming continent—could face more destructive storms as global temperatures rise.

While the flood was well-forecasted, helping to mitigate the loss of life, the damage to infrastructure has been severe. European authorities have pledged €10 billion for emergency repairs, underscoring the financial toll that climate-driven disasters are placing on societies.

As temperatures continue to rise, the risk of intense rainfall and flooding will grow, experts say, unless stronger climate measures are taken. With current warming levels at about 1.3°C, the likelihood of storms like Boris could increase by 50% if global temperatures rise by 2°C. This scenario could materialize by the mid-21st century without more aggressive efforts to curb fossil fuel emissions.

With input from Reuters, BBC, and the Guardian.