951
Climate change is leading to catastrophic floods, which are the biggest threat to deserts. Also, the port cities of the Middle East and North Africa will become victims of the devastating effects of floods due to increased soil erosion in coastal areas. This is confirmed by the results of a study conducted in the city of Derna, Libya, where a natural disaster occurred last year with more than 11,3 deaths. Scientists claim that increased soil erosion contributed to such consequences.
Drought regions are now particularly vulnerable. In addition, with climate change, the frequency of extreme weather conditions is increasing. In recent decades, the Sahara has become the scene of a dangerous combination of droughts and coastal downpours. This is caused by droughts and changes in the marine microclimate in the Eastern Mediterranean due to global warming. As a result, the two exerted pressure on the eroded soil, creating dangerous mudflows that even destroyed dams.
The consequences of the devastating floods in Derna show that the main cause of these natural disasters is not so much drought as excessive rainfall combined with the collapse of dams. Contaminated water worsened the situation, increasing the destructive effect. Scientists warn that similar scenarios could happen in densely populated areas of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
There are other risk factors for the region as well, which include stronger storms and growing urban populations. Researchers and analysts warn that due to climate change, the Middle East will become uninhabitable, bringing great problems for local and neighboring communities.
