Over 1,000 dead, millions displaced: Floods wreack havoc across world in 2024

In 2024, floods were a frequent occurrence worldwide, taking various forms, from coastal flooding due to rising seas and storms to heavy rains overwhelming urban areas and melting snow causing rivers to overflow. (Photo/Reuters)

Floods claimed over 1,000 lives, displaced millions, and caused financial damages in the hundreds of billions. Recovery will take years for many, and numerous losses, like cars, belongings, and goods, are irreplaceable. (Photo/Reuters)

People used any available means—boats, tubs, or improvised rafts—to evacuate. They saved pets, cleaned their homes of mud, and dried books as children played in floodwaters, while the elderly mourned their lost homes. (Photo/Reuters)

In severe cases, scientists conducted quick studies to determine how much climate change intensified specific storms or rainfall events, often before floodwaters receded. (Photo/Reuters)

Of 16 extreme rainfall analyses conducted in 2024 by World Weather Attribution, 15 linked heavier or more likely rainfall to climate change, affecting areas from Spain to Kenya, Brazil, and the US. (Photo/Reuters)

Rising global temperatures, driven by human activities, increase atmospheric moisture, creating heavier, unevenly distributed precipitation. A 1.3°C temperature rise has led to about 10% more expected rainfall. (Photo/Reuters)

This year, global temperatures hit their highest in 125,000 years, surpassing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, with CO2 emissions at a record high. These effects will persist for decades. (Photo/Reuters)

Sea-level rise, driven by climate change, is making coastal flooding more frequent and severe, adding to the risks already posed by extreme weather events. (Photo/Reuters)