Waqar Naved
In the last month, we’ve witnessed a dramatic rise in extreme weather events like urban floods and powerful winds that have caused significant destruction. These events highlight the growing unpredictability of our climate and the urgent need for improved infrastructure and disaster readiness around the world.
Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and powerful. In the United States, hurricanes have wreaked havoc, while Europe has faced unprecedented rainfall. For instance, in France, two regions, Ardeche and Lozere, experienced a staggering 700 millimeters of rain in just 48 hours. To put that into perspective, Paris receives about 641 millimeters in an entire year. The impact in these regions was severe, with villages swept away and infrastructures heavily damaged.
This disaster was deemed the worst flood France has faced in 40 years. Emergency services conducted over 2,300 operations, saving numerous lives amidst submerged roads and halted railway services between Lyon and Saint-Etienne. Despite the challenges, French authorities tested a new alert system that sent text messages to residents urging caution and limiting travel. As the rain subsided and red alerts were lifted, the toll rose to at least 41 confirmed deaths, with further rain and potential flooding still looming.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the United States is working to recover from one of the most devastating hurricane seasons remembered. Hurricane Milton struck as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing winds exceeding 140 mph. Its destructive force resulted in widespread flooding, destroyed homes, and left millions without electricity. The total damage from Milton is estimated in the tens of billions of dollars, affecting agriculture and leaving communities in Florida and Louisiana struggling to recover.
These examples underscore a troubling reality: even developed nations like the U.S. are vulnerable to extreme weather. The strain on emergency services and the sheer scale of destruction reveal that no country is immune to climate risks. This raises important questions about how poorer, developing countries manage such catastrophes.
Take Pakistan, for instance. The country struggles with inadequate infrastructure, overcrowded cities, and a government facing challenges like economic instability and political unrest. In 2022, devastating floods displaced millions and submerged vast areas, showing just how unprepared the country was for such disasters.
Paradoxically, poorer nations often lack the resources and technology to respond effectively to extreme events. Emergency services are underfunded, and their infrastructure is weak, complicating evacuation efforts in densely populated urban areas. These regions feel the impacts of climate change most acutely yet lack the means to adapt or shield their populations from future events. Recovery from such disasters can take years, trapping millions in cycles of poverty and displacement.
The global outlook is similarly bleak. In Libya, catastrophic floods caused by the failure of two dams earlier this year resulted in thousands of lives lost and entire cities destroyed. In South Asia, monsoon seasons have increasingly displaced people and devastated essential food crops across Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India.
These extreme weather occurrences are a clear sign that climate change is here and affecting us now. Urban areas in low-lying regions face heightened risks of flooding and other disasters. For underdeveloped nations, already struggling with limited resources, these weather events can result in devastating human costs and long-lasting economic damage.
While wealthier nations may have advanced technology and systems to mitigate some impacts, there is an urgent need for more support for poorer countries. Investments in preparedness, water management, and robust infrastructure are critical to protecting regions that will face the brunt of future disasters.
The floods in France, the destruction left by Hurricane Milton in the United States, and the crises in developing nations are stark reminders of the new reality we must confront regarding our global environment. Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change, and no nation can afford to remain passive. The time to act is now.
The writer is an expert on climate change and sustainable development and the founder of the Clifton Urban Forest.
