Heavy rains that caused Europe floods ‘up to nine times’ more likely due to climate crisis

The deadly floods in Western Europe in July were caused by heavy rainfall that is now up to 9 times more likely to happen because of global warming, according to a study by the World Weather Attribution group.

Climate change also increased the intensity of the rainfall by 3-19 percent compared to when the climate was 1.2 degrees Celsius cooler in the late 19th century, the report says.

Two days of record-shattering rain and subsequent river floods in parts of Germany and Belgium killed more than 220 people and destroyed homes, businesses and infrastructure.