News Climate

Intense drought or flash floods can shock the global economy

Rainfall extremes affect manufacturing and services more than agriculture, a study suggests

a kayaker paddles down a street as it rains in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

Heavy rains, like those that caused severe flooding in Old Town Alexandria, Va., on October 29, 2021, can disrupt the global economy.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images Plus

By Carolyn Gramling

- More than 2 years ago

Extremes in rainfall — whether intense drought or flash floods — can catastrophically slow the global economy, researchers report in the Jan.