The report “Asia’s Climate Status 2023,” recently released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), reveals that no other region on Earth has experienced as many climate-related disasters as Asia.
The report also indicates that all types of disasters, such as heatwaves, floods, and storms, are intensifying globally, but the situation is especially severe in Asia, where temperatures are rising faster than the global average due to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
“Climate change exacerbates the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, profoundly impacting society, the economy, and, most importantly, human lives and the environment we inhabit. The conclusions of this report are worth reflecting on,” said Andrea Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of WMO.
People cleaning up debris after Super Typhoon Mocha hit Rakhine State, Myanmar in May 2023 (Photo: Getty).
The WMO report states that many countries in Asia set temperature records last year. This is not surprising as 2023 has been noted as the hottest year on record. Heatwaves spread across China, South Asian, and Southeast Asian countries, affecting at least one-third of the global population last year.
In India alone, extreme heatwaves from April to June resulted in the deaths of at least 110 people. The actual death toll from high temperatures in India is believed to be higher due to many unreported cases.
In 2023, 79 water-related disasters occurred in Asian countries, mostly floods and storms, affecting millions and resulting in at least 2,000 fatalities. In India, Pakistan, and Nepal, severe flooding and storms killed at least 600 people between June and August of last year.
According to the WMO report, sea surface temperatures reached record highs across Asia last year. Additionally, as glaciers melt and oceans expand, rising sea levels make coastal communities more vulnerable to flooding.
The WMO states that the warming of Earth increases the amount of moisture in the air due to accelerated evaporation, which can lead to heavier rainfall and increased intensity. Tropical storms can also draw additional energy in the form of heat from warming oceans, enhancing their strength.
In May 2023, Super Typhoon Mocha, the strongest tropical storm to form in the Bay of Bengal in the past decade, swept through India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, causing at least 156 fatalities.
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Secretary-General of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, stated that without early warning systems, many more lives could have been lost due to Super Typhoon Mocha.
“Better preparedness has saved thousands of lives. The United Nations aims to ensure that by the end of 2027, everyone worldwide can receive early warnings before catastrophic natural events,” Armida shared.
In addition to some economically strong nations, poorer and developing countries in Asia often take much longer to recover after facing large-scale disasters that cause severe damage.
Moreover, these poorer nations also lack early warning systems for disasters, leaving their populations more vulnerable each time they face natural calamities.
“Developing countries in Asia are bearing the brunt of climate-related disadvantages without sufficient means to combat predictable disasters and the worsening impacts of climate change,” environmental activist Harjeet Singh stated.
“International solidarity and financial support from wealthy nations are essential to help these countries build resilience and effectively respond to the severe impacts of climate change,” Harjeet Singh added.
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