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via MichaelMoore.com:




August 11th, 2010 11:03 AM
Pakistan floods shows threat from warmer world-scientists

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By David Fogarty and Augustine Anthony


SINGAPORE/ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Floods that have devastated Pakistan could be a sign of the future as climate change brings greater extremes of weather to the region.

While climate scientists say single flooding events can't be directly blamed on global warming, more intense droughts and floods could be in the forecast for the future.

And for Pakistan's 160 million people, many already facing regular droughts and floods, that could cost more lives and threaten cotton, wheat and rice crops and infrastructure.

It could also add to the security challenges in what is already one of the world's poorest and volatile nations that is battling Islamic militancy. The government has been heavily criticised over its poor response to the crisis.

Scientists say Pakistan could also suffer in the long-term from declining amounts of meltwater from glaciers feeding the Indus River, which is nation's life-blood.

For the current floods, rainfall of about 400 millimetres (16 inches) in mountainous areas in the far north of Pakistan and adjoining parts of Afghanistan between July 28 and 29 triggered a torrent of water down the Indus and Kabul Rivers.

"That was a record," said Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, director-general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latest-news/pakistan-floods-shows-threat-warmer-world-scientists