Western U.S., inalerto tungkol sa flash flood
Nagpalabas ng alerto para sa western United States na nakararanas ng tagtuyot tungkol sa flash flood, kung saan inaasahan sa ilang lugar ang ulan na hanggang six inches (15 centimeters).
Ayon sa National Weather Service (NWS), “A significant heavy rainfall event could strike Arizona and New Mexico, leading to sudden inundations — especially in areas previously ravaged by wildfires. Very heavy rainfall is forecast for portions of Southeastern Arizona and Southwestern New Mexico today and Saturday. Average rainfall totals of 2-3 inches, with locally higher amounts approaching 5-6 inches, may lead to numerous instances of flash flooding. Complex terrain, slot canyons, arroyos, and burn scars are especially vulnerable.”
Higit 20 taon nang dumaranas ng tagtuyot ang western United States, na naging sanhi ng pagkaubos ng mga ilog at reservoirs at pagkatuyo ng kanayunan, subalit hindi rin makatutulong ang matinding mga pag-ulan.
Sinabi ni Chris Rasmussen, isang NWS metereologist sa Tucson, Arizona, “If the water all comes down over a very quick period of time, it’ll run off. It doesn’t get a chance to really soak into the ground, as you would like to see. It’s always nicer to have good, moderate amount of rains over a long period of time.”
Ang human activity, partikular ang paggamit ng fossil fuels sa nakalipas na siglo, ay naging sanhi ng pagtaas ng average na temperatura ng mundo.
Binago nito ang mga pattern ng panahon, na nagpalala sa mga tagtuyot sa ilang bahagi ng mundo, at nagpatindi sa mga bagyo sa ibang mga lugar.
© Agence France-Presse
