Europe has faced floods the biggest floods last year since 2013, with 30% of the continent’s river network hit by significant floods, scientists said on Tuesday (15), while climate change caused by fossil fuels continued to cause torrential rainfall and other extreme climate events.
The floods killed at least 335 people in Europe in 2024 and affected more than 410,000, the copernicus climate change service and the world weather organization in a joint report on European climate reported.
Western Europe was the most affected, with 2024 in the ten most rainy years in the region since 1950.
Storms and floods are the most costly extreme climate events in Europe, causing damage to over 18 billion euros last year.
Globally, as well as the hottest for Europe – the continent that warms the most the planet.
The planet is now about 1.3 degree Celsius warmer than in pre-industrial times, mainly due to climate change caused by man.
“Each additional fraction of a degree of temperature increase matters because it emphasizes the risks to our lives, the economies and the planet,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saul.
The report highlighted positive points, including the fact that renewable energy sources produced a 45% record of Europe’s energy in 2024, while most European cities have ongoing plans to better adapt to climate change.
But climatic extremes were recorded throughout the continent.
Southeast Europe had its longer heat wave ever registered, totaling 13 days, while Scandinavia glaciers shrunk at the highest registered rates, and heat stress increased throughout the continent.
Much of Eastern Europe was hit by the lack of rain and drought ,.
Almost a third of Europe’s river network exceeded the “high” flood limit, while 12% exceeded “severe” flood levels by 2024.
The ones were responsible for most of the lost lives and economic damage caused by floods in Europe, with 232 killed in the disaster.
In September, the storm Boris dumped the strongest rain ever recorded in central Europe in countries such as Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and Slovakia.
Scientists have confirmed that climate change has made these rains more likely, as a warmer atmosphere can retain more water, resulting in heavy rains.
Atmospheric water vapor reached a historic record in 2024.
Other factors that influence floods include river management and urban planning, which determines whether houses and infrastructure will be built in areas prone to flooding.
