What's happened
Storm Boris has unleashed unprecedented rainfall across Central Europe, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and widespread displacement. The storm's intensity is attributed to climate change, with record moisture levels exacerbating the flooding in countries like Poland, Romania, and Austria. Emergency responses are underway as communities brace for further impacts.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, 'These floods are a clear reminder of the growing threat of climate-induced extreme weather events,' highlighting the urgent need for adaptation strategies. The Japan Times notes that 'emergency preparation, infrastructure, and access to relief funds have led to vastly different outcomes,' emphasizing the disparities in response effectiveness. Axios reports that 'human-caused climate change is leading to more extreme precipitation events,' reinforcing the connection between climate change and the storm's intensity. The Guardian adds that 'the death toll from floods hinges on how well communities prepare for the rain,' pointing to the importance of proactive measures.
How we got here
Storm Boris formed from a clash of Arctic and warm air masses, leading to record rainfall in Central Europe. Climate change has intensified such weather events, making extreme precipitation more common. This storm follows a pattern of increasing severe weather linked to global warming.
More on these topics
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Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked East Alpine country in the southern part of Central Europe. It is composed of nine federated states, one of which is Vienna, Austria's capital and its largest city.
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Central Europe is the region comprising the central part of Europe. Central Europe occupies continuous territories that are otherwise sometimes considered parts of Western Europe, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe.
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Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It shares land borders with Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, and Moldova to the east and has its opening
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Friederike Elly Luise Otto is a German climatologist who as of January 2021 was Associate Director of the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford.