Asia hit hardest by climate, weather disasters in 2023: UN
Asia was the world's most disaster-hit region from climate and weather hazards in last year, the United Nations said today, with floods and storms the chief cause of casualties and economic losses.
Last year witnessed record-breaking global temperatures, with Asia experiencing a notably rapid warming trend, as reported by the UN's weather and climate agency. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that heatwaves in Asia were intensifying, posing severe threats to water security due to the accelerated melting of glaciers.
The WMO underscored that Asia's temperature surge surpassed the global average, soaring nearly two degrees Celsius above the 1961 to 1990 benchmark. Celeste Saulo, the head of WMO, expressed grave concern over the report's findings, emphasizing that numerous countries in the region marked their hottest year on record in 2023. The onslaught of extreme weather events, ranging from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms, was exacerbated by climate change, profoundly impacting societies, economies, and the environment.
The "State of the Climate in Asia 2023" report underscored the alarming acceleration of critical climate change indicators like surface temperature, glacier retreat, and sea level rise. These trends are anticipated to trigger significant repercussions for societies, economies, and ecosystems across the region.
Despite concerted efforts, Asia retained its unenviable status as the world's most disaster-prone region in 2023, as per the WMO assessment. Urgent action is imperative, with the WMO stressing the need for enhanced capabilities within national weather services across Asia to provide tailored information crucial for mitigating disaster risks effectively.
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