Drought, fires, and record temperatures: Has the eastern Mediterranean basin become an active natural disaster zone?

Arab Weather - The eastern Mediterranean basin has witnessed a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events since the beginning of this summer, with unprecedented heat waves affecting some countries, as happened in southern Turkey after a record-breaking temperature of 50.5°C was recorded in the south of the country.

Drought, fires, and record heat

Several countries in the eastern Mediterranean basin have recently experienced successive heat waves, perhaps the most intense of which occurred in the northeastern Arabian Peninsula. Iraq recorded the highest temperature in the world for two consecutive days, with temperatures exceeding 50°C at Basra International Airport amid extremely hot conditions.

Amid the region's soaring temperatures, widespread forest fires have erupted in Syria. A wave of blazes has hit the Syrian coastal region amid drought caused by the lack of rainfall during the past rainy season, exacerbating the situation and fueling the fires.

Türkiye also witnessed forest fires in several regions, including Bursa, with the unprecedented high temperatures during July having a significant impact.

Low rainfall in winter and high temperatures in summer... Are we witnessing a climate shift that will place the region among what are known as "hotspots for natural disasters"?

Arab Weather experts say that global warming, caused by climate change, is having a significant impact on the region's winter and summer seasons, placing the eastern Mediterranean basin among what are known as "hotspots for natural disasters." Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicate that the eastern Mediterranean is heating up at a rate higher than the global average, evident in the lack of rainfall in winter and the significant rise in temperatures in summer.

This affects the behavior of the atmosphere, particularly during the winter seasons. This is evident in the changing location and strength of the jet stream, which impacts the paths of low-pressure systems, causing them to follow unusual paths, reducing their access to the region. This impacts seasonal rainfall rates, dam recharge, and groundwater, increasing the risk of soil drought during the summer months.

During the summer, this affects the increased concentration of subtropical highs and hot air masses over the region, which leads to the trapping of hot air for long periods and increases the dryness of the air and soil.

Arab Weather experts add that maximum efforts must be made to address the impact of climate change on the region, given the local and human factors that exacerbate the climate crisis in the region. These factors include deforestation and urban expansion, which impact the ecological balance, as well as excessive consumption of groundwater and mismanagement of water resources, in addition to the lack of preparedness to combat fires and the absence of early warning systems.