Global weather extremes are taking a toll on communities around the world as wildfires, droughts, and floods spread pain and disruption.
Chile Battles Devastating Wildfires
In Chile, firefighters are confronting massive forest fires fueled by hot and dry conditions. In the city of Viña del Mar, a well-known botanical garden founded in 1931 was destroyed. Several neighborhoods on the city’s eastern edge were engulfed by flames and smoke, trapping residents in their homes. Camila Lange, seven months pregnant, sat with her husband and dog in what used to be their home, reflecting the widespread loss in the central coastal area where hundreds of homes have been destroyed and at least 112 people have lost their lives.
California Faces Severe Flooding
In the United States, California is enduring the second of back-to-back moisture-packed atmospheric rivers. Southern California has been hit with mudslides and flooding, affecting roadways and leaving about 1.4 million people in the Los Angeles area without power. The National Weather Service reported up to 23 centimeters of rain by Monday, with more expected. In Northern California, the storm caused street inundations and brought down trees and power lines across the San Francisco Bay Area, with winds reaching over 96 kilometers per hour in some areas.
Spain Struggles with Record Drought
Spain is grappling with a severe drought, causing residents to search for drinking water. The northeast region of Catalonia declared a drought emergency on Thursday, with reservoirs serving 6 million people, including Barcelona’s population, dropping below 16 percent capacity—a historic low.
Caribbean Sea Sponges Offer Climate Insights
Scientists studying Caribbean sea sponges, some of which can live for centuries, suggest that the world may have warmed more than generally believed since pre-industrial times. These sponges serve as historical records, offering insights into long-term climate patterns.
Reference(s):
Wildfire, drought, flooding spread pain of weather extremes globally
cgtn.com
