Climate Hazard Flip: Changes in Frequent Floods, Drought Bring Devastating Impacts on Communities

The latest report discovered the climate hazard clip, showing communities and areas at risk of frequent flooding and drought. The changing weather events can bring devastating impacts on communities, especially in poorer countries.

Climate change can significantly affect weather events, intensifying drought, wildfires, heatwaves and flooding. Frequent extreme weather events can devastate communities and countries, especially for areas without effective weather monitoring.

In addition, prolonged drought can happen due to climate change. The lack of rainfall and increasing dry vegetation can damage crops and unleash raging wildfires.

Changes in Frequent Floods, Drought

(Photo : by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
Pakistan drought. A recent report found that some countries have experienced a climate hazard flip, making extreme weather challenging for communities and countries.

The rapid change and frequency of flooding or drought can be challenging for communities to recover and prepare. As a result, understanding the climate pattern and extreme fluctuations will offer new insights for better mitigation planning.

In the new report, researchers, including from the University of Bristol and Cardiff University, explained that the climate hazard flip could harm people, particularly in poorer areas. The researchers observed the climate data and satellite imagery.

With areas encountering frequent extreme weather events, they are more likely vulnerable to drought and flooding conditions. Researchers highlighted that the unpredictable climate should require urgent climate adaptations to prevent potential damage to communities and cities.

According to Professor Michael Singer, they discovered that some locations have suffered from major shifts in climate. Professor Singer is also from Cardiff University's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and a co-lead researcher.

Researchers showed that some areas have experienced climate weather flip, including in Northern Ghana, Pakistan and Burkina Faso. With shifts in weather events, communities have less time to anticipate the effects of climate change.

For instance, the impacts of extreme drought can affect water supplies. The low water level can impact crops, wildlife, plants and human population. In a recent report, about 347 million children are exposed to water scarcity exacerbated by drought and climate change.

In parts of Ethiopia, the country experienced prolonged flooding. However, the recent data showed that the country suffered from severe drought.

The researchers looked into the frequency of drought and flooding in about six countries, including the following areas:

Mozambique
Ghana
Burkina
Faso
Uganda
Ethiopia
Pakistan.

Also Read: Climate Change-Induced Drought Impacts Global Water Security, New Report Shows

Ill-Equipped Communities and Risk of Extreme Weather Events

According to WaterAid, immediate climate adaptation is crucial for the COP28. Local residents are at risk if they are living in areas with reported climate hazard flips. Other than damage to crops, it can cause significant health problems.

As a result, climate protection is significant, including drought resistance. The community's resilience to drought and flooding will become helpful to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Did you know? According to reports, the warming trend on Earth is also a result of human activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.