Biometeorology is the study of the role of climate on plants, animals and humans.
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The threats of climate change to plants, animals and people in Africa mean that the continent is an excellent place for biometeorological research.
Flooded houses in Buzi, Mozambique after tropical cyclone Idai struck.
INGC (Mozambique) & FATHUM
Tropical cyclones Idai and Kenneth have shown how important it is to integrate local information and resources with global scale forecasts and support.
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Warmer oceans are contributing to more frequent tropical cyclones.
Women and girls are at high risk of sexual exploitation in disaster situations.
Andre Catueira/EPA-EFE
Women in disaster zones are frequently targeted by sexual predators who take advantage of their vulnerability.
An aerial view of the damage from flood waters after tropical cyclone Idai made landfall in Mozambique’s Sofala province.
EPA/ Emidio Jozine
The spate of high intensity tropical cyclones making landfall in Southern Africa has been tied to very warm sea surface temperatures.
Diseases like cholera are among the many health crises Cyclone Idai has created.
Flickr/ Climate Centre
Cyclone Idai hit poor countries the hardest and shows why disaster resilience is a necessity.
British air force and aid workers offloading supplies in Mozambique.
CPL Tim Laurence: MOD/Crown Copyright
The international community responded quickly to Cyclone Idai as the African Union dragged its feet.
Flood waters cover large tracts of land in Mozambique after cyclone Idai made landfall. Rapidly rising floodwaters have cut off thousands of families from aid organizations.
(World Food Programme via AP)
Climate change is making hurricanes more destructive, and may have boosted the intensity of cyclone Idai that hit Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi.
People leaving their homes in the flooded section of Praia Nova, Beira, Mozambique in the wake of tropical cyclone Idai.
Denis Onyodi/ IFRC handout
The recent storms provide a grim reminder of the prospect of future tropical cyclones in a region under continued threat from climate change.