Rise in ocean temperatures is expected to produce more rain and highly intense storm surges of water in the next 50 to 100 years. This is likely to impact the entire Atlantic coast and adjoining areas.
Future storms are likely to bring 180 per cent more rain than what was observed during Superstorm Sandy. These figures are based on simulation models and are an estimate. Although most of the rain will settle in open waters, the storm surges over shores are likely to be monumental in scale and devastation.
If future storms really will be far more powerful, then their impact on life and property will also be huge. Recently, we talked about an exhaustive study which analyzed the impact of extreme weather conditions on global crops. The study used data from 2,800 disasters between 1964 and 2007 to conclude how different extreme weather events affected crop turnout and global economy.
Storms in the Atlantic and Caribbean are likely to generate forces 50 to 160 per cent more damaging than Superstorm Sandy. The resulting storm surges along ocean shorelines will be capable of drowning major cities. An estimate claims that if global temperatures rise by 4 degrees Celsius, India’s coastline may be wiped out in future. Thus, in a way, an unprecedented rise in global temperatures is an immediate threat for coastal communities across the world.
(Featured Image Credit: express.co.uk)