CHR News Desk | New Delhi
Asia endured the brunt of weather, climate, and water-related disasters in 2023, solidifying its position as the world’s most disaster-affected region, according to a report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Tuesday.
Titled “State of the Climate in Asia 2023,” the report follows closely on the heels of a similar study focusing on Europe, published by the WMO the day before. It highlights an alarming acceleration in climate change indicators across Asia, including rising surface temperatures, glacier retreat, and sea level rise.
Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the WMO, described the report’s findings as sobering. “Many countries in the region experienced their hottest year on record in 2023, coupled with a barrage of extreme conditions ranging from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms,” she stated, emphasizing the profound impact on societies, economies, and human lives.
The warming trend in Asia has outpaced the global average, nearly doubling since 1960–1990. This has led to increased casualties and economic losses from floods, storms, and more severe heatwaves. Sea-surface temperatures in the northwest Pacific Ocean reached record highs in 2023, with even the Arctic Ocean experiencing a marine heatwave. Areas such as the Arabian Sea, the southern Kara Sea, and the southeastern Laptev Sea are warming at rates three times faster than the global average.
Sea levels continued to rise globally, with Asia experiencing rates higher than the global mean from 1993 to 2023. The continent witnessed 79 water hazard-related disasters in 2023, with over 80% attributed to floods and storms, resulting in over 2,000 fatalities and affecting nine million people directly.
The year 2023 saw extreme heat across many parts of Asia, with the annual mean near-surface temperature ranking as the second highest on record. Japan and Kazakhstan experienced record warm years, while precipitation levels were below normal in several regions, leading to drought conditions in Southwest China and below-average rainfall in Myanmar and parts of India and Bangladesh.
Glacier retreat and receding permafrost are also concerning trends in Asia. The High-Mountain Asia region, home to vast glaciers, has seen most glaciers retreating over the last few decades due to record-breaking temperatures and dry conditions. Permafrost, crucial for stabilizing soil, is thawing rapidly in regions like the Polar Urals and western Siberia.
In addition to these challenges, severe dust storms, lightning, extreme cold waves, and thick smog have affected millions across Asia. The report underscores the urgent need for a robust early warning and disaster risk reduction system to mitigate these impacts.
From 1970 to 2021, Asia accounted for 47% of all reported deaths caused by natural disasters worldwide, with tropical cyclones being the leading cause. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), stressed the importance of early warning systems in saving lives and preventing future economic crises exacerbated by climate change.
“ESCAP and WMO, working in partnership, will continue to invest in raising climate ambition and accelerating the implementation of sound policy, including bringing early warning to all in the region,” Alisjahbana affirmed, emphasizing the commitment to leaving no one behind in the face of the evolving climate change crisis.
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