The strongest storm in Asia this year, Typhoon Yagi, has caused devastation in northern Vietnam, killing at least 127 people and injuring hundreds. With wind speeds reaching over 200 km/h, the typhoon has now been downgraded to a tropical depression but continues to pose a threat as it moves west. Before reaching Vietnam, Yagi caused destruction in Hainan and the Philippines, leaving dozens dead and many missing.
Scientists believe that the increasing strength of storms in East and Southeast Asia may be fueled by warmer oceans due to climate change. Hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones all form in tropical waters near the equator, using warm, moist air as fuel to create high wind speeds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.
Research suggests that climate change is making tropical cyclones stronger and longer-lasting, with warmer ocean waters providing more energy for storms to intensify. This has led to an increase in extreme rainfall and the likelihood of major hurricanes making landfall. Rising sea levels are also exacerbating the impact of storm surges on coastal communities.
A recent study found that tropical cyclones in Southeast Asia are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly, and lingering longer over land. While the frequency of tropical cyclones may not increase significantly, the intensity of these storms is expected to rise as the planet continues to warm. As communities in Asia and around the world face the devastating consequences of these powerful cyclones, the need to address climate change becomes even more urgent.
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