Latest news with #StateoftheClimateinAsia
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
Harsh climate claims over 2,000 lives in India in 2024: WMO climate report
Extreme natural events in 2024 claimed the lives of over 2,000 people in India, including over 450 from intense heat wave last summer, according to World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Temperatures shot up to nearly 50°C the previous summer, especially in northern India. The onset of monsoon (June-September) in India was normal in 2024 at 108 per cent of its climatological normal for the 1971–2020 period. However, heavy rainfall in Kerala's Wayanad caused landslides, killing over 350 people. Around 1,300 lost their lives due to lightning in various parts of the country, the WMO's State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report said on Monday. In the case of lightning, it claimed around 1,300 lives in various parts of the country. This includes the deaths of 72 people on July 10 due to bad weather conditions, coupled with lightning, in various parts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. Asia's average temperature in 2024 was about 1.04°C above the 1991–2020 average, ranking as the warmest or second-warmest year on record, with widespread and prolonged heat wave. The warming trend between 1991–2024 was almost double compared to the 1961–1990 period, the report stated. Asia is the continent with the largest land mass extending to the Arctic and is warming more than twice as fast as the global average because 'the temperature increase over land is larger than the temperature increase over the ocean,' the report said. The entire oceanic area of Asia experienced surface ocean warming over recent decades, with particularly rapid rates of sea-surface temperature (SST) increase observed in the northern Arabian Sea and Pacific Ocean portion of the region. The area-averaged time series indicates average SST warming at a rate of 0.24 °C per decade, which is nearly double the global mean rate of 0.13°C per decade. The area-averaged SST for 2024 was the highest on record (1982–2024). Variations in SST alter the transfer of energy, momentum and gases between the ocean and the atmosphere. SSTs influence weather and climate patterns, such as extreme rainfall patterns in Indonesia and India, the Asian summer monsoon, wildfire activity and sea-ice variability. During 2024, four tropical cyclones formed over the north Indian Ocean. Three of them formed over the Bay of Bengal (Remal, Dana, Fengal), and one over the Arabian Sea (Asna). Severe cyclonic storm Remal made a landfall near the Mongla and Khepupara coasts in Bangladesh and West Bengal on May 26, 2024. In Bangladesh, the highest recorded wind speed was 111 km/h on May 27, and the storm surge, accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall, caused flooding of up to 2.5 m in the coastal districts. Cyclonic storm Asna developed in August over the Arabian Sea, which is a rare occurrence – it has only happened three times since 1891. The storm's impact on Oman included rough wave heights ranging from 3 to 5 metres, it said. In 2024, the mean rainfall over most of the Asian summer monsoon region was above normal. Northeast Asia and South Asia were particularly impacted by the enhanced intensity of the East Asian summer monsoon and Indian summer monsoon, respectively.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Asia warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, wreaking a heavy toll on the region's economies: WMO
Representational image NEW DELHI: Asia is currently warming nearly twice as fast as the global average with the 1991–2024 trend almost double that of 1961–1990, fuelling more extreme weather and wreaking a heavy toll on the region's economies and ecosystems, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Monday. It said that the year 2024 with recording rise of 1.04 degree C of temperature above the 1991–2020 average was the warmest or second warmest year on record with widespread and prolonged heat waves, and flagged the multiple extreme weather events that hit India last year, including rains-linked landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district that killed more than 350 people and lightning that claimed around 1300 lives across various parts of the country. The WMO's State of the Climate in Asia report noted that many parts of the region experienced extreme heat events in 2024 with several parts of India experiencing 'intense heatwaves', leading to more than 450 deaths across the country. It also highlighted that 23 out of 24 glaciers in the high-mountain Asia region (centred on the Tibetan Plateau) showed continued mass loss during 2023/2024. 'Reduced winter snowfall and extreme summer heat in the central Himalayas (most of Nepal, Tibet Autonomous Region in China and Sikkim in India) and most of the Tian Shan (the mountain range shared by China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan) intensified mass loss for most glaciers,' it said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Adidas Three Shorts With 60% Discount, Limited Stock Available Original Adidas Shop Now Undo Mass loss for most glaciers in the region is quite worrying as 10 of Asia's largest rivers - including the Indus, Brahmaputra, and Ganges - originate in the Hindu Kush Himalayas. Since these rivers provide water for a quarter of the world's population, such a huge loss may impact water availability in the future if the warming trend continues. 'The State of the Climate in Asia report highlights the changes in key climate indicators such as surface temperature, glacier mass and sea level, which will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region. Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll,' said WMO secretary-general Celeste Saulo. Asia is the continent with the largest land mass extending to the Arctic and is warming more than twice as fast as the global average because the temperature increase over land is larger than the temperature increase over the ocean. 'In 2024, most of the ocean area of Asia was affected by marine heatwaves of strong, severe, or extreme intensity – the largest extent since records began in 1993,' said the report.
NDTV
7 hours ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Asia Warming Twice As Fast As Global Average: Report
New Delhi: Asia, the largest continent in the world with around 60 per cent of the global population, is now warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, according to a report released on Monday. The sea surface in Asia is also warming at nearly double the global average over the past decades, said the World Meteorological Organization's "State of the Climate in Asia in 2024" report. "In the two most recent subperiods (1961-1990 and 1991-2024), Asia, the continent with the largest land mass, extending to the Arctic, has warmed faster than the global land and ocean average," the report said. In 2024, the average temperature in Asia was about 1.04 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average, making it either the warmest or second warmest year on record, depending on the dataset. Many parts of the region saw extreme heat events this year. Prolonged heatwaves hit East Asia from April to November. Japan, the Republic of Korea and China broke monthly average temperature records repeatedly. India reported nearly 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths due to extreme heat in 2024. Sea levels rose faster than the global average on both the Pacific and Indian Ocean sides of Asia, increasing risks for low-lying coastal areas, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said. Reduced winter snowfall and extreme summer heat severely affected glaciers. In the central Himalayas and Tian Shan, 23 out of 24 glaciers lost mass. This has increased the risk of disasters like glacial lake outburst floods and landslides and poses a long-term threat to water security. Extreme rainfall caused severe damage and heavy loss of life in several countries, while tropical cyclones brought destruction. Droughts caused major economic and agricultural losses. "The State of the Climate in Asia report highlights the changes in key climate indicators such as surface temperature, glacier mass and sea level, which will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region. Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Director General Pema Gyamtsho said, "Given Asia's population and economic exposure to the impacts of temperature rise, it is an injustice that the devastating consequences of inaction on climate goals are hitting some of the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems on Earth." He said this is the last decade of action on preserving essential planetary resources, including our glaciers.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Asia warming twice as fast as global average: WMO
Asia faces rapid warming, double the global average. Sea surface temperatures are also rising quickly. Extreme heatwaves impacted East Asia. India reported many heatstroke cases and deaths. Sea levels rose faster, threatening coastal areas. Glaciers in the Himalayas and Tian Shan are melting, increasing disaster risks. Extreme rainfall and droughts caused damage. Climate change impacts Asia's societies, economies, and ecosystems. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Asia, the largest continent in the world with around 60 per cent of the global population, is now warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, according to a report released on sea surface in Asia is also warming at nearly double the global average over the past decades, said the World Meteorological Organization 's "State of the Climate in Asia in 2024" report."In the two most recent subperiods (1961-1990 and 1991-2024), Asia, the continent with the largest land mass, extending to the Arctic, has warmed faster than the global land and ocean average," the report 2024, the average temperature in Asia was about 1.04 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average, making it either the warmest or second warmest year on record, depending on the parts of the region saw extreme heat events this heatwaves hit East Asia from April to November. Japan, the Republic of Korea and China broke monthly average temperature records reported nearly 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths due to extreme heat in levels rose faster than the global average on both the Pacific and Indian Ocean sides of Asia, increasing risks for low-lying coastal areas, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) winter snowfall and extreme summer heat severely affected the central Himalayas and Tian Shan, 23 out of 24 glaciers lost mass. This has increased the risk of disasters like glacial lake outburst floods and landslides and poses a long-term threat to water rainfall caused severe damage and heavy loss of life in several countries, while tropical cyclones brought destruction. Droughts caused major economic and agricultural losses."The State of the Climate in Asia report highlights the changes in key climate indicators such as surface temperature, glacier mass and sea level, which will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region. Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Director General Pema Gyamtsho said, "Given Asia's population and economic exposure to the impacts of temperature rise, it is an injustice that the devastating consequences of inaction on climate goals are hitting some of the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems on Earth."He said this is the last decade of action on preserving essential planetary resources, including our glaciers.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Asia is warming at twice the global average: WMO report
The year 2024 was the warmest year on record in Asia, with widespread and prolonged heatwaves, the World Meteorological Organisation's (WMO) State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report states. In 2024, heatwaves gripped a record area of the ocean, the report said. The global mean temperature in 2024 was the highest on record for the period 1850-2024, according to all six datasets that the WMO uses to monitor global mean temperature, beating the previous record of 1.45 °C set in 2023. Each of the years from 2015 to 2024 was one of the 10 warmest years on record, WMO Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo said. Sea surface temperatures were the highest on record, with Asia's sea surface decadal warming rate nearly double the global average. Sea level rise on the Pacific and Indian Ocean sides of Asia exceeded the global average, heightening risks for low-lying coastal areas, according to the report. Also Read | Missing climate disasters by focusing on global warming levels | Explained Out of the 24 glaciers in the central Himalayas and Tian Shan, 23 suffered mass loss, leading to an increase in hazards, including glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), and landslides, and long-term risks to water security. Whereas extreme rainfall wreaked havoc and heavy casualties in many countries in the region, and tropical cyclones left a trail of destruction, drought caused heavy economic and agricultural losses. 'The State of the Climate in Asia report highlights the changes in key climate indicators such as surface temperature, glacier mass and sea level, which will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region. Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll. The work of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and their partners is more important than ever to save lives and livelihoods,' Ms. Saulo said. In 2024, most of the ocean areas of Asia were affected by marine heatwaves of strong, severe, or extreme intensity — the largest extent since records began in 1993. The northern Indian Ocean and in the ocean area adjacent to Japan, the Yellow Sea, and East China Sea were especially affected. Also Read | Is global warming accelerating? The UAE recorded 259.5 mm of rainfall in 24 hours — one of the most extreme precipitation events since records began in 1949. Major landslides occurred in Wayanad district of northern Kerala on July 30, following extreme rainfall exceeding 500 mm in 48 hours, resulting in over 350 deaths. In late September 2024, record-breaking rainfall in Nepal triggered severe floods, killing at least 246 people; the damages exceeded Nepali rupees 12.85 billion. Also Read | Warming will cut yield of staple crops even post-adaptation: study Due to lightning, about 1,300 lives were lost across various parts of India. One particularly deadly lightning event killed 72 people on July 10 in northern India, affecting Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. On August 16, 2024 a significant GLOF originated in the Koshi region, the easternmost province of Nepal, triggering flash floods and mudslides that caused widespread displacement and damage. By August 19, reports indicated that more than 130 individuals had been displaced. The disaster resulted in the destruction of houses, schools, and health facilities in the Thame village in Nepal. Drought in China affected nearly 4.8 million people, damaged 335,200 hectares of crops, and led to estimated direct losses of Chinese yuan (CNY) 2.89 billion. Also Read | India's vital efforts to tackle air pollution could worsen warming 'The warming trend between 1991-2024 was almost double that during the 1961-1990 period. During 2024, three out of four cyclones formed over the Bay of Bengal (Remal, Dana, Fengal), and one formed over the Arabian Sea (Asna). Severe cyclonic storm Remal made landfall near the Mongla and Khepupara coasts in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, on May 26, 2024. In Bangladesh, the highest recorded wind speed was 111 km/h on May 27, and the storm surge, accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall, caused flooding of up to 2.5 m in the coastal districts,' Ms. Saulo said. Cyclonic storm Asna developed in August over the Arabian Sea, which is a rare occurrence as it has only happened three times since 1891. The storm's impact on Oman included rough wave heights ranging from three to five metres. Cyclonic storm Fengal tracked close to Sri Lanka before making landfall in India on November 30. In Sri Lanka, heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms and lightning triggered floods, landslides, and severe weather-related incidents. As of December 3, 2024 the Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre reported 18 fatalities, and approximately 5,000 people were displaced. More than 4,50,000 people were affected across the impacted areas, the WMO report said. Also Read | Glaciers lost 9 trillion tonnes of ice since 1975: U.N. Prolonged heatwaves affected East Asia from April to November 2024. Monthly average temperature records were broken one after another in Japan (April, July, and October), in the Republic of Korea (April, June, August, and September), and in China (April, May, August, September, and November). The national mean summer temperature in Japan equalled the hottest on record, matching the 2023 record at 1.76 °C above the 1991-2020 average. Several parts of India experienced intense heatwaves in 2024, leading to more than 450 deaths across the country. A two-week heatwave was recorded in the northwestern part of the Russian Federation, with temperature anomalies from 7 °C to 10 °C above normal. Also Read | China says 2024 was its hottest year on record Extreme high temperatures affected the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia in mid-June with temperatures reaching 49 °C. Thailand experienced an intense heatwave, particularly in the northeastern region from April 27 until May 2, 2024 when the maximum temperature exceeded 5 °C above the long-term average. In central Myanmar, a temperature of 48.2 °C was recorded at Chank on April 28, which set a new national maximum temperature record.
