Asia officially becomes the most natural disaster-prone region in the world

The report "State of Asia's Climate 2023" recently published by WMO shows that no region on Earth suffers from as many natural disasters related to climate, weather. as in Asia.

This report also points out that all kinds of natural disasters such as heat waves, floods, storms, etc. are becoming more and more intense around the world, but the problem is especially serious in Asia , where temperatures are rising. is warming faster than the global average due to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.

" Climate change worsens the frequency and severity of extreme weather events , deeply affecting society, the economy, and most importantly, human lives and the environment. we live in. The conclusions of this report are worth pondering ," said Ms. Andrea Celeste Saulo, Secretary General of WMO.

People are cleaning up the rubble after super storm Mocha landed in Rakhine state, Myanmar in May 2023 (Photo: Getty).

The WMO report said many countries in Asia set temperature records last year. This is not too surprising when 2023 is recorded as the hottest year in history. Heat waves spread across China and countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia, affecting at least a third of the global population last year.

In India alone, extreme heat waves lasting from April to June killed at least 110 people. The death toll due to rising temperatures in India is believed to be higher as many deaths go unreported.

In 2023, there will be 79 water-related disasters in Asian countries, the majority of which are floods and storms, affecting millions of Asians and killing at least 2,000 people. In India, Pakistan and Nepal, severe floods and storms killed at least 600 people between June and August last year.

According to the WMO report, sea surface temperatures reached record highs across Asia last year. Additionally, as glaciers melt and oceans expand, rising sea levels make coastal communities more vulnerable to flooding.

WMO says global warming increases the amount of moisture in the air through accelerated evaporation, which can lead to more intense and heavy rains. Tropical storms can also take on extra energy in the form of heat from warming oceans, increasing their intensity.

In May 2023, super storm Mocha, the strongest tropical storm to form in the Bay of Bengal in the past decade, swept through India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, also killing at least 156 people.

Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana - Secretary General of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific - said that without early warning systems, many more people could have died due to superannuation. Storm Mocha.

"Better preparedness has saved thousands of lives. The United Nations aims to ensure that by the end of 2027, everyone in the world can receive early warning against catastrophic natural events ", Ms. Armida shared.

In addition to some countries with strong economic potential, poor and developing countries in Asia often take a long time to recover after suffering large-scale natural disasters. cause serious damage.

In addition, poor countries also lack early disaster warning systems, causing people living in these countries to suffer more losses when faced with natural disasters.

" Developing countries in Asia are suffering from climate-related disadvantages without the means to combat foreseeable disasters and the worsening impacts of climate change " , environmental activist Harjeet Singh, shared.

"International solidarity and financial support from rich countries is essential to help these countries build resilience and respond effectively to the severe impacts of climate change." " , Harjeet Singh shared more.