As the Earth warms, the El Nino phenomenon will repeat itself more often.
Haim Cohen
Heavy rains have caused flooding in northeastern India (above), while other parts of the country suffer from severe heat waves and drought (below)
"Haaretz" service
Scientists believe that the extreme weather around the world is caused by the weather phenomenon known as "El Niño" - the BBC reports. In recent days, at least 150 people have been killed in the storms that raged across Europe and Asia. On the other hand, in several regions of the USA and Southeast Asia, the worst droughts in years prevail.
The El Nino phenomenon, caused by the warming of the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, affects winds and rainfall around the world. When this phenomenon last happened, four years ago, the floods and severe drought conditions wreaked havoc in several developing countries in South America, Africa and East Asia.
Europe - In the last week, heavy rains fell across Europe and disrupted the summer vacation of many residents. On the Black Sea coast of Russia, more than 58 people have been killed so far and 1,500 people have been evacuated from their homes due to flooding. Seven people were killed in Romania, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, following flooding across Central and Eastern Europe.
Austria is suffering from the worst floods in a century. In Britain, people were evacuated from their flooded homes along the northeast coast of England. On the island of Capri, houses and a shopping center were submerged in mud following the heavy rains. Heavy rains hit Catalonia in Spain and the Balearic Islands.
Asia - Scientists warn that what happens in India is sometimes a prelude to weather conditions elsewhere. Extreme conditions are currently prevailing in India - in some parts of the country there were severe heat waves and drought, while in other parts of the country heavy rains hit. 700 people were killed in the rain-struck places, and millions were left homeless across eastern India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Other parts of Asia were also affected by the weather conditions. In recent days, heavy rains have caused floods and flooding and the death of 70 people in China.
North and South Korea were also affected by the weather conditions. 14 people were killed in South Korea. Vietnam is experiencing the worst drought in 27 years - only 25% of the annual rice crop was successfully absorbed and in some places only 3% of it was planted. On the other hand, there are floods in several parts of the north of the country.
USA - 26 countries are suffering from the worst drought in 50 years. It is estimated that the wheat harvest in these countries will be the lowest in 30 years. In addition, fires that broke out in the northwest of the USA consumed 18.4 million dunams of forests. According to scientists, as the Earth warms, the El Nino phenomenon will repeat itself more often.
