US EditionClimate change worsened rains and floods which killed dozens in southern Africa, study shows
Researchers found human-caused climate change increased rainfall intensity by about 40%, causing floods that killed over 100 and displaced 300,000 in southern Africa, study says.
- On Thursday, World Weather Attribution researchers said human-caused climate change worsened torrential rains that caused severe flooding in southern Africa, killing more than 100 and displacing over 300 000.
- Amid a La Niña episode, scientists note some locations recorded two to three days' seasonal rain, overwhelming capacity, while Mozambique downstream of nine international rivers faced worsened streamflow damage.
- Researchers noted World Weather Attribution used peer-reviewed methods but warned most models come from climate modelling centres in the U.S., Europe and Asia, urging African-focused models to improve regional understanding.
- Authorities in Mpumalanga province ordered immediate evacuations as a full dam threatened flooded communities, while many homes, businesses, roads and bridges were submerged with damage expected to take weeks to months to repair.
- Looking ahead, researchers say the rare magnitude signals more violent downpours, Izidine Pinto links a 40% rainfall intensity rise to fossil fuel burning, urging Africa-focused climate models and better preparedness.
16 Articles
16 Articles
La Niña, Climate change, high exposure and vulnerability combined led to devastating floods in parts of Southern Africa – World Weather Attribution
Since late December 2025, severe flooding has affected large parts of Mozambique, Eswatini, northeastern South Africa and Zimbabwe, killing more than 200 people (Al Jazeera, 2026), destroying more than 173,000 acres of crops (Sky News, 2026) and causing further widespread humanitarian and socioeconomic impacts in the affected countries. In Mozambique, more than 75,000 people across six provinces have been affected, with the number rising rapidly…
Climate change and La Niña made ‘devastating’ southern African floods more intense
“Exceptionally heavy” rainfall that led to deadly flooding across southern Africa in recent weeks was made more intense by a combination of climate change and La Niña. This is according to a rapid attribution study by the World Weather Attribution service. From late December 2025 to early January, south-eastern Africa was hit hard by intense downpours that resulted in more than a year’s… Source
Exceptional rains during the year killed at least 200 people in the south of the African continent. Hundreds of thousands were affected, as well as large plant roots are, pastagens and infrastructure. Read more (01/29/2026)
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