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The flooded streets after heavy rainfall in Dubai are the talk of the town nowadays. People are shocked to see the horrible sight of cars floating in floodwater. Do you think a similar incident could happen again in other places around the world? Yes, of course, and the next victim could be your own country. Never assume you are in a safe zone, as history is not in your favor.
Yes, we are talking about the natural hazards that have left the worst impacts mainly on three countries in Asia, including India. The other two are Pakistan and Yemen.
The latest report by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has highlighted the extreme climat events in 2023 and revealed the solid reasons behind them.
Asia remained the world's most disaster-hit region from weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2023. Floods and storms caused the highest number of reported casualties and economic losses, whilst the impact of heatwaves became more severe, according to a new report from the WMO.
Extreme Precipitation
In 2023, flood and storm events accounted for over 80% of reported hydrometeorological hazards in Asia, as per EM-DAT data. Specifically, floods emerged as the primary cause of death in reported incidents, surpassing other hazards by a significant margin.
Floods stood out as the leading natural hazard event causing the highest number of fatalities in India, Yemen, and Pakistan. This underscores the persistent vulnerability of Asia to such events, particularly floods.
India witnessed severe heatwaves in April and June, resulting in approximately 110 reported fatalities due to heatstroke. A significant and prolonged heatwave affected a vast area of South-East Asia from April to May, reaching as far as Bangladesh and Eastern India in the west and southern China in the north, with temperatures reaching record-breaking levels.
Furthermore, numerous extreme precipitation events occurred in 2023. From June to August, several floods and storm events led to over 600 reported deaths across India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Yemen also experienced heavy rainfall, resulting in widespread flooding.
United Arab Emirates witnessed heavy rainfall led to flooding in Saudi Arabia in November 2023.
Impact of tropical cyclones
In 2023, a total of 17 named tropical cyclones developed over the western North Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, which was below the average count. However, significant impacts were still felt, with countries like China, Japan, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea experiencing major effects and unprecedented rainfall.
In the North Indian Ocean basin, the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha made landfall along the Rakhine Coast in Myanmar on 14 May, leading to widespread destruction and 156 reported deaths.
On 7 September, the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters recorded an hourly rainfall total of 158.1 mm, marking the highest figure since records began in 1884, triggered by a typhoon. Additionally, several stations in Vietnam witnessed record-breaking daily rainfall amounts in October.
During August and early September 2023, the far eastern region of the Russian Federation faced catastrophic flooding, constituting one of the largest disasters in recent decades and affecting approximately 40,000 hectares of rural land.
In 2023, numerous parts of Asia encountered extreme heat events. Japan saw its hottest summer on record, while China experienced 14 high temperature events during the summer, with around 70% of national meteorological stations recording temperatures exceeding 40℃ and 16 stations breaking their temperature records.
What are the Key Factors
The 2023 State of the Climate in Asia report underscored the accelerating pace of critical climate change indicators, including surface temperature, glacier retreat, and sea level rise. These trends are expected to have significant ramifications for societies, economies, and ecosystems across the region.
In 2023, sea-surface temperatures in the northwest Pacific Ocean reached unprecedented levels, while even the Arctic Ocean experienced a marine heatwave.
Asia is undergoing warming at a rate surpassing the global average, with the warming trend nearly doubling since the 1961-1990 period.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo remarked, "The report's findings are alarming. Numerous countries in the region encountered their highest temperatures on record in 2023, amidst a barrage of extreme conditions ranging from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms. Climate change has exacerbated the frequency and severity of such events, profoundly impacting societies, economies, and, most importantly, human lives and the environment in which we reside."
79 disasters in 2023
In 2023, the Emergency Events Database reported a total of 79 disasters linked to hydro-meteorological hazards in Asia. Among these, over 80% were attributed to flood and storm events, resulting in more than 2,000 fatalities and directly affecting nine million people. Despite the escalating health threats posed by extreme heat, instances of heat-related mortality often go unreported.
"Once again, in 2023, vulnerable nations bore the brunt of the impact disproportionately. For instance, tropical cyclone Mocha, the most powerful cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in the past decade, struck Bangladesh and Myanmar. Timely warnings and improved preparedness efforts saved thousands of lives," stated Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), a partner in the report's production.
"In light of these challenges, the State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report aims to bridge the gap between climate science and disaster risk management through evidence-based policy recommendations. ESCAP and WMO, in collaboration, remain committed to enhancing climate ambition and expediting the implementation of robust policies, including ensuring universal access to early warning systems across the region. This ensures that no one is left behind as our climate crisis continues to unfold," she added.
