Scientists said on Tuesday (15) that Europe faced the largest flood last year since 2013, when 30 % of the continent’s network reached large floods.
The floods killed at least 335 people in Europe in 2024 and were affected by more than 410,000 people, which is the Copernicus climate service service from European Union The World weather organization in a joint report on the European climate.
Western Europe was the most affected, as it was 2024 in the ten years in the region since 1950.
Storms and floods are the most extremist climate events in Europe, causing damage to more than 18 billion euros last year.
Global, 2024 was the hottest year in the world since the beginning of the recordsAs well as the hottest for Europe – the continent that heats the most planet.
The planet is now about 1.3 degrees Celsius more warm than it was in pre -industry times, mainly due to the change of a human climate.
“Every additional part of the temperature increases matters because it emphasizes the risks to our lives, economies and the planet,” said Saul’s Secretary -General.
The report highlighted the positive points, including the fact that renewable energy sources produced 45 % of Europe’s energy in 2024, while most European cities have continuous plans to better adapt to climate change.
But climate extremism has been recorded throughout the continent.
Southeast Europe had recorded the longest heat wave ever, with a total of 13 days, while Scandinavian ice rivers decreased at the highest recorded rates, and heat stress increased throughout the continent.
Most Eastern Europe was infected with the absence of rain and drought, While the floods destroy Western Europe.
Nearly a third of the river network in Europe exceeded the “high” flood of floods, while 12 % exceeded the levels of “severe” floods by 2024.
like The devastating floods in Valencia, in late OctoberThey were responsible for most of the missing lives and the economic damage caused by floods in Europe, where 232 were killed in the disaster.
In September, the storm Boris threw the most powerful rain in Central Europe in countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Slovakia.
Scientists emphasized that climate change made these rain more likely, as the warmer atmosphere can maintain more water, which leads to heavy rains.
Water vapor in the atmosphere reached a historical record in 2024.
Other factors that affect the floods include river management and urban planning, which determine whether homes and infrastructure will be established in areas exposed to floods.