Scientists: Climate change worsened Eastern Africa drought

Nairobi, April 23 (BNA) An international team of climate scientists has concluded that the ongoing drought in East Africa has been exacerbated by human-induced climate change, which made it more likely to occur in the first place.

The report Thursday came from World Weather Attribution, a group that seeks to determine whether certain extreme weather events have been affected by climate change.

Nineteen scientists from seven countries have assessed how climate change is affecting precipitation in the region, according to the Associated Press.

“Climate change has caused less rainfall in the region,” said Joyce Kimutai, chief meteorologist at the Kenya Meteorological Department. Climate change has made drought exceptional.

Scientists analyzed historical weather data, including changes in the two main rainfall patterns in the region along with simulations of computer models dating back to the 19th century.

They found that the long rainy season – from March to May – was drier and the short rainy season – usually from October to December – became wetter due to climate change.

The report also said that a “significant increase” in evapotranspiration from soil and vegetation due to warming temperatures has exacerbated the severity of the drought.

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