Asia remained the world’s most disaster-affected region in 2023 due to weather, climate and water-related hazards. Storms and floods have hit the hardest, a new report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Tuesday reveals.
Following close on the heels of the study of climate change in Europe, published by WMO on Monday, the State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report highlighted the accelerating rate of climate change across several indicators such as surface temperature, glacier retreat, sea level rise and more.
“The report’s conclusions are sobering. Many countries in the region experienced their hottest year on record in 2023, along with a barrage of extreme conditions, from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms,” said Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General.
Climate change has exacerbated the frequency and severity of such events that profoundly impact societies, economies, and, most importantly, human lives, she underscored.
Faster than average
With the warming trend almost doubling since the period from 1960–1990, Asia is heating up faster than the global average, with increased casualties and economic losses from floods, storms, and more severe heatwaves.
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In 2023, sea-surface temperatures in the northwest Pacific Ocean were the highest on record. Even the Arctic Ocean suffered a marine heatwave. In many areas of the region, including the Arabian Sea, the southern Kara Sea, and the southeastern Laptev Sea, the sea surface is warming more than three times faster than globally. The Barents Sea was identified by the report as a “climate change hotspot”.
Driven by thermal expansion and the melting of glaciers, ice caps and ice sheets, sea level continued to rise globally. However, in Asia, rates were higher than the global mean over 1993–2023.
Last year, the continent (just to vary the language) saw 79 water hazard-related disasters, with over 80 per cent linked to floods and storms, resulting in over 2,000 fatalities and affecting nine million people directly, according to the Emergency Events Database.
Temperatures up, precipitation down
Many parts of the region experienced extreme heat in 2023. Asia’s annual mean near-surface temperature ranked as the second highest on record with 0.91 °C above the 1991–2020 average. Particularly high temperatures were observed from western Siberia to central Asia, and from eastern China to Japan. Japan and Kazakhstan experienced a record warm year.
Meanwhile, the level of precipitation was below normal in large parts of the Turan Lowland (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan), the Hindu Kush (Afghanistan, Pakistan) and the Himalayas, as well as around the Ganges and lower course of the Brahmaputra Rivers (India and Bangladesh).
The Arakan Mountains in Myanmar and the lower course of the Mekong River areas have also seen less rainfall than usual, while Southwest China suffered from a drought, with below-normal precipitation levels nearly every month of 2023.
Despite overall lower precipitation, several extreme events occurred, such as heavy rainfall in Myanmar in May; floods and storms across India, Pakistan, and Nepal in June and July, and record hourly rainfall in Hong Kong in September, to name a few.
Retreating glaciers and receding permafrost
Home to the largest volume of ice outside of the polar regions, the High-Mountain Asia region with the Tibetan Plateau at its centre, has approximately 100,000 square kilometres of glaciers. Over the last several decades, most of those have been retreating, and at an accelerating rate. Twenty out of 22 observed glaciers continued losing mass, yielding to record-breaking high temperatures and dry conditions.
UN Nepal/Narendra Shrestha
Glaciers in the Everest region are melting at an unprecedented rate.
Permafrost – soil that continuously remains below 0 °C for two or more years – is also surrendering territories to the increasing air temperatures in the Arctic. The most rapid thawing of permafrost in Asia is observed in the Polar Urals and the western regions of Western Siberia.
Severe dust storms, lightning and thunders, waves of extreme cold and thick smog were also among extreme events that affected lives of millions across Asia.
Early warning for all
The report shows that from 1970 to 2021, there were 3,612 disasters attributed to weather, climate and water extremes, with 984,263 deaths and $1.4 trillion in economic losses. The region accounted for 47 per cent of all reported deaths worldwide, with tropical cyclones as the leading cause of reported deaths.
To mitigate these impacts, the WMO and its partners advocate for a strong early warning and disaster risk reduction system to save lives and prevent future economic crises exacerbated by climate change.
“Early warning and better preparedness saved thousands of lives,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which partnered in producing the report.
“ESCAP and WMO, working in partnership, will continue to invest in raising climate ambition and accelerating the implementation of sound policy, including bringing an early warning to all in the region so that no one is left behind as our climate change crisis continues to evolve,” she assured.
Simon Blake is an experienced journalist deeply interested in international affairs and global development. Having spent years reporting on humanitarian issues, he offers a unique perspective in his coverage of United Nations news.
Asia was hit the hardest by climate change and extreme weather in 2023. The World Meteorological Organization report reveals that storms and floods have had devastating impacts in the region. The accelerating rate of climate change in Asia, as highlighted in the State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report, is alarming. The increasing temperatures, glacier retreat, sea level rise, and extreme weather events are posing significant challenges. It is crucial for nations to come together to address these pressing issues and work towards sustainable solutions.
Asia has been hit the hardest by climate change and extreme weather, according to the recent WMO report. The findings are alarming, showing a significant increase in disasters caused by weather-related hazards. Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a pressing reality affecting millions of lives in the region. Action needs to be taken urgently to mitigate its impact and protect vulnerable communities.
It is alarming to see the devastating effects of climate change on Asia, with storms and floods wreaking havoc. This report underscores the urgent need for decisive global action to address these challenges and protect vulnerable communities.
“The report’s conclusions are sobering. Many countries in the region experienced their hottest year on record in 2023, along with a barrage of extreme conditions, from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms. Climate change has exacerbated the frequency and severity of such events that profoundly impact societies, economies, and, most importantly, human lives.”
Climate change is a pressing issue that should not be taken lightly. The devastating impact on Asia is a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action to mitigate its effects and protect our planet for future generations.
Isn’t it alarming that Asia is experiencing such rapid and severe climate change impacts? How are countries in the region preparing to mitigate these disasters?
It is indeed concerning to see the devastating effects of climate change in Asia. Countries in the region are taking steps to address these challenges through various measures such as investing in resilient infrastructure, enhancing early warning systems, and promoting sustainable practices. Collaborative efforts and global partnerships are crucial in tackling the escalating impacts of climate change and building climate resilience across Asia.
Asia’s climate is changing rapidly, and the consequences are dire. The recent report by WMO paints a grave picture of extreme weather events impacting lives and economies across the region. We must act swiftly to mitigate these effects before it’s too late.
Climate change is wreaking havoc in Asia, and the consequences are dire. The report highlights the alarming acceleration of climate change indicators, with countries in the region facing record-breaking heatwaves and extreme weather events. We need urgent action to mitigate these impacts and protect vulnerable communities.