Asia experienced highest impact of natural disasters in 2023: Report
Asia experienced the highest impact of natural disasters in 2023, with a total of 79 extreme weather events affecting over nine million people and causing more than 2,000 deaths, according to a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The study revealed that floods and storms were the primary hydrometeorological hazards. The "State of the Climate in Asia 2023" report released on Tuesday showed that flooding was responsible for over half of disaster-related fatalities.
Storms accounted for more than 15% of disaster-related deaths
Storms accounted for more than 15% of the disaster-related deaths in Asia in 2023, as per the WMO report. In terms of economic damage and the number of people affected, storms were identified as the most destructive weather events. The total number of disaster events reported in Asia was nearly identical to that of 2022, but fewer individuals were affected compared to the devastating Pakistan floods that impacted over 30 million people alone.
Rate of warming in Asia has nearly doubled: Report
The report highlighted that the rate of warming in Asia has nearly doubled since the period from 1961 to 1990, surpassing the global average. Saulo, WMO's Secretary-General, described these findings as a wake-up call. "Many countries in the region experienced their hottest year on record in 2023," she said. She further emphasized that climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, deeply affecting societies and economies.
110 deaths due to heatstroke in April, June
India faced severe heatwaves, floods due to heavy rainfall, glacial lake outbursts, and tropical cyclones in 2023. The report noted that severe heatwaves led to approximately 110 deaths from heatstroke in April and June of the same year. Later, in August 2023, flooding incidents resulted in 25 fatalities and widespread damage to infrastructure and agriculture in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Six tropical cyclones hit Indian sub-continent in 2023
The Indian sub-continent witnessed six tropical cyclones in 2023, slightly above the average of 5.4 cyclones, originating from the North Indian Ocean. The extremely severe cyclonic storm Mocha made landfall along Myanmar's Rakhine Coast on May 14, claiming 156 lives. Furthermore, a "significant glacial lake outburst flood" occurred at South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim on October 4 last year, causing a breach in the Chungthang dam downstream on the Teesta River and resulting in over 40 deaths.
