In late November, climatologist Fredrin Tangan noted the unusual simultaneous formation of three tropical cyclones across Asia, reminiscent of the disaster movie “The Day After Tomorrow.” While not the strongest storms of the year, their presence highlighted troubling weather patterns. One cyclone near the equator off Indonesia was particularly unusual, as storms typically do not form in that region due to weak rotational forces. Another cyclone impacted Sri Lanka, an area unaccustomed to such phenomena, while a third intensified flooding across Vietnam and the Philippines.
These storms caused severe flooding, leading to over 1,700 deaths and leaving many missing. The scale of destruction shocked the region, even though it is familiar with monsoon rains. Experts linked this disaster to a combination of unusual weather systems and climate change effects. The cyclones were expected to cause continued rain, exacerbating the situation in already saturated regions.
Multiple factors contributed to the disaster, including La Niña and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole, which heighten rainfall patterns. Historical environmental degradation, such as deforestation and corruption in flood management, worsened the situation in affected areas. The article emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change and improving infrastructure to better cope with such extreme weather events. As funding inadequacies persist, the region remains vulnerable, with more rain and potential storms predicted in the coming days.
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