Deadly disasters in Chile and California—wildfires ravaging Chile’s forested hills and record-breaking rains triggering floods and mudslides in Southern California—highlight the perilous intersection of climate change and the natural weather phenomenon El Niño. California faces an atmospheric river storm fueled by high Pacific Ocean temperatures, while Chile grapples with drought-fueled wildfires amidst a severe heat wave. Both events underscore the heightened risks of extreme weather events in a warming world. Climate scientists warn that while California has prepared for drought, it is ill-prepared for escalating flood risks. In Chile, a decade-long drought exacerbated by El Niño has led to unprecedented fires, worsened by the proximity of highly flammable tree plantations to urban areas. These disasters, driven by climate variables and El Niño, signal the urgent need for robust adaptation measures in the face of escalating climate-fueled crises.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/05/climate/california-floods-chile-wildfires-global-warming.html