A World Meteorological Organization report explains that 79 disasters related to extreme events were recorded in Asia in 2023.
In 2023, Asia remained the macro-region of the world most affected by natural disasters related to weather events and the consequences of climate change. This is explained in a new report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which focuses precisely on the impacts of global warming on the Asian continent.
Temperatures in Asian seas: previous records shattered in 2023.
The study explains that year-over-year temperatures recorded on the surfaces of the Pacific Northwest Seas, in particular, have pulverized every record. With sea level rise similarly of concern. This caused a domino effect with consequences in many nations. Also because, considering not only the seas but also the landmasses, Asia is warming faster than the global average, with the rate of growth in average temperature doubling from 1961-1990.
79 disasters have affected 9 million people, killing 2,000.
According to data the Omm, a total of 79 disasters associated with hydro-meteorological problems were recorded in Asia in 2023. More than 80 percent of them were related to floods and storms. Overall, the number of deaths was more than 2,000. More generally, 9 million people were directly affected by such phenomena. In any case, these are estimates because, as the WMO itself explains, despite the rapid growth in health risks posed by exposure to extreme heat conditions, the resulting deaths are rarely accounted for. “The conclusions drawn from the report do not allow for optimism,” commented WMO Secretary General Celeste Saulo. Many countries on the continent experienced their hottest year on record in 2023, along with a deluge of extreme events, moving from droughts and heat waves to periods characterized by floods and storms. Climate change has exacerbated the frequency and intensity of these phenomena, with profound impacts on societies and economies, but most importantly on people’s lives.”
