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Top 10 climate-driven disasters of 2018

January 8, 2019 11:00 AM |

Wildfires-California-11 website

Image Credits –The Standard

Here is a list of 10 of the most destructive weather events of the year 2018, which were headed to such limits in extraordinary part by human initiated environmental change.

The warming pattern demonstrates a clear signal of the expansion in human outflows of greenhouse gases and the effect that they have on worldwide climate. What's more, as worldwide climate turns out to be increasingly extraordinary, world populations exposed to such phenomena also grow and increase vulnerability to dangerous weather extremes.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

California experienced one of the most dramatic fires in state's history this past year. The Camp fire in Northern California, is now the most destructive and deadly wildfire in California history and damage totaled to $12 million, 85 deaths, and destruction of 14,000 homes. This fire affected the Greater Los Angeles area with major impacts in cities such as Malibu.

HURRICANES FLORENCE AND MICHAEL

florence and michael web

Image Credits -The Independent

In 2018, the Hurricane season was more active than average in the North Atlantic with major hurricanes impacting affecting the United States - Florence and Michael. They claimed the lives of more than 50 people across the U.S., Honduras, and El Salvado.

EUROPE HEAT WAVE

Europe heath wave web

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Summer of 2018 will be recognized as one of the hottest, particularly in nations not acquainted with the serious warmth like United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, France or Czech Republic. High temperatures and dry climate ended the lives of thousands and caused widespread wildfires across many areas of the continent, with Greece experiencing the most devastating ones.

JAPAN FLOODS

japan floods web

Image Credits -Medium

Between the months of June and July Japan encountered the worst floods in years. The southwest segment of the country was the most influenced, with widespread flooding and landslides.

230 people died during the intense rain period which was then followed by an intense heat wave. In July, the nation was additionally affected by tropical storm Jebi, the most grounded tempest in 25 years.

EASTERN AUSTRALIA DROUGHT

East Australia drought web

Image Credits -AIIA

Numerous zones of Australia enrolled below normal precipitation between the initial ten months of 2018. The prolonged drought had a high toll on crops and livestock while causing various wildfires specially amid the initial three months of the year. Australia now looks at the tropical Pacific, as El Niño continues to intensify and will bring more dry-hot weather to the region this 2019.

ARGENTINA DROUGHT

Argentina drought web

Image Credits -Merco Press

Summer of 2017-18 (December to March) was devastating for many agricultural areas over the nation. The main affected crops where soya and corn, with millions in misfortunes. This was the most noticeably awful dry season Argentina experienced in 25 years.

CHINA FLOODS

China floods web

Image Credits -Youtube

During the start of July, the regions of Sichuan and Gansu in southeast China were influenced by continuous torrential rains. Flooding and landslides where normal together with the death toll. In August, obliterating super storm Rumbia arrived close to Shanghai causing major destruction.

KERALA, INDIA FLOODS

India-kerala-floods web

Image Credits -Times of India

Despite being used to the intense Monsoon rains, the Indian state of Kerala rainfall during summer months with the highest values in 80 years. In excess of 500 individuals lost their lives and in excess of a million were compelled to leave their homes.

CAPE TOWN DROUGHT

capetown drought web

Image Credits -Berea Mail

The beginning of 2018 brought the worst drought ever recorded to Cape Town, South Africa. Well below normal precipitation periods which occurred since 2015 caused potable water to run short, leading to extreme water restrictions in efforts to avoid "Day Zero".

SUPER TYPHOON MANGKHUT

super typhoon mang web

Image Credits -The Nation

A standout amongst the most extraordinary climate wonder of 2018 was super typhoon Mangkhut as it moved across the northern Philippines into Southeast China. A sum of 140 individuals lost their lives between the two nations. With winds of 285 kmph, this was the fourth most destructive storm in the history of Philippines.

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