Prof. Jung Eun-Chu Shares Climate Expertise on BBC News Amid Surge in Extreme Weather Events
In the wake of Super Typhoon Ragasa’s devastating impact across the region, Prof. Jung Eun-Chu, climate scientist and typhoon expert, and Assistant Professor from the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), was invited by BBC News, one of the world’s largest broadcast news organizations, to share her insights on the intensifying typhoon season and the broader climate dynamics—at a time when the Asia-Pacific region is facing an alarming rise in extreme weather events.
In the interview, Prof. Chu discussed the recent impact of Typhoon Ragasa, which had displaced over two million people in southern China and brought severe flooding and storm surges to coastal areas. Although downgraded from a super typhoon to a severe storm, Ragasa continued to pose serious risks to Hong Kong and South China, with 50 temporary shelters in operation, 15 reported flood incidents, and more than 60 individuals receiving emergency treatment.
Prof. Chu explained that Hong Kong typically experiences around six typhoons annually, but Ragasa marked the ninth this season—well above the norm. She attributed this surge to natural climate variability, particularly the transition to La Niña conditions, which create warmer waters in the western Pacific and fuel tropical cyclone formation. However, she emphasized that climate change is amplifying storm intensity and rainfall, making such events more destructive and frequent.
She also warned of the dangers posed by storm surges coinciding with high tides, especially around 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., which could significantly escalate coastal damage. With Ragasa’s wind speeds still reaching 105 km/h and pressure at 948 millibars, she urged continued vigilance as the storm approached landfall in South China.
SEE commends Prof. Jung Eun-Chu for her timely and authoritative contribution to global climate dialogue. Her expertise not only informs public understanding but also reinforces the importance of climate resilience and preparedness in an era of escalating environmental challenges.
The full interview is available on BBC News.