Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment and Ecology, Topic: Global Warning and Climate Change, Issue: Impact of South-East Asia Cyclones.
Context:
A new World Weather Attribution (WWA) study finds that climate change, deforestation, and rapid urbanisation significantly magnified the impact of recent Cyclone Ditwah and Senyar in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Key Takeaways:
Key Findings of the Study:
- Rising global temperatures have intensified rainfall associated with tropical cyclones.
- The world has already warmed by about 1.3°C since the mid-1800s, increasing atmospheric moisture.
- For every 1°C rise, the atmosphere can hold ~7% more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall.
- Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) during the cyclones were ~0.2°C higher than the 1991–2020 average, adding energy to storms and enhancing precipitation.
Evidence from Affected Regions:
- Sri Lanka:
- Five-day heavy rainfall events are now 28–160% more intense.
- Rainfall-linked landslides during Cyclone Ditwah killed 600+ people.
- Forest cover declined from ~90% (1900) to ~20% (2002).
- Malacca Strait region:
- Extreme rainfall probability increased from 9% to 50% during Cyclone Senyar.
- Indonesia (Sumatra):
- Lost ~25% of forest cover (1991–2020), weakening natural flood barriers.
- Floods and landslides intensified after deforestation.
- Economic impact:
- Indonesia suffered losses of $4.13 billion.
- Sri Lanka lost $6–7 billion (~3% of GDP) and over 137,000 acres of farmland were damaged.
Way Forward:
- Reforestation & watershed restoration in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
- Strict regulation of plantation expansion on steep slopes (Sumatra-type regions).
- Climate-resilient urban planning: No-build zones along rivers and Stormwater retention basins.
- Improve early-warning systems
- Integrate climate attribution science into policy planning.
- Promote nature-based solutions such as mangroves and forest restoration.
The study shows that climate change, deforestation, and unplanned urbanisation together turned intense rainfall into a major disaster across Southeast Asia. Building climate-resilient infrastructure and restoring natural ecosystems is essential to reduce future risks.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/cyclones-ditwah-senyar-10418543
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