At this time of the year, when most countries are suffering from flash flooding, South Africa is struggling with floods on one-hand and forest fires on the other. Unusual environment conditions propelled the forest fires to spread fast, engulfing many places. And flash flooding at several parts has made things worse for the South Africans. The severe change in climatic conditions in this part of the continent has devoured and displaced several people.
Dry weather conditions in one part and rains pounding on the other say the entire story in the gold rich African kingdom. High temperature, strong winds and parched weather conditions are the forbearers of forest fires, risking biotic life, especially the ones in Kruger National Park.
It is rainy season in the country, despite this, the region is witnessing forest fires, as due to the Mediterranean climate in the west, the leaves are rendered parched, making them the hotspots to trigger fires. Forest fires in the country have a disastrous impact on the bushveld grasslands and the baobabs.
Improper disaster management measures have added to the trouble of flood affected populace in South Africa. Also, landlocked Swaziland, parts of Europe and Canary Islands are under threat from bushfires that have killed thousands of people, animals and birds. Several have been rendered homeless.
The present weather conditions need urgent attention from the world community. At a time, when global warming is posing serious questions, still unanswered, such a climatic scenario signals nothing less than a catastrophe.
Image
Via: Reuters