Asia Most Disaster-Prone Region in 2022

• 31 Jul 2023

On 27^th July, 2023, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a report which highlights that Asia is the world's most disaster-prone region, facing 81 weather-, climate-, and water-related disasters in 2022, affecting millions of people and causing significant economic damage.

Key Points:

• Increased Extreme Weather Events: The report reveals that Asia experienced an increase in extreme weather events in 2022, with the mean temperature being significantly higher than the long-term average.
• This resulted in devastating droughts, floods, heatwaves, and monsoon rainfalls across the continent.
• Impact on Agriculture and Economy: The rising frequency and severity of extreme weather events have particularly impacted the agriculture sector in Asia, accounting for over 25% of damage and losses related to climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and tropical storms.
• Notable Disasters in China and Pakistan: China experienced its highest-ever recorded temperature of 52 degrees Celsius, while Pakistan suffered from severe floods and monsoon rainfalls, affecting millions of people and causing substantial economic losses.
• Drought in China's Yangtze River Basin: China's southwest region, specifically the Yangtze River Basin, faced the worst drought in six decades in 2022, leading to significant economic losses of approximately $7.6 billion.
• Floods and Landslides in Pakistan and India: Pakistan witnessed urban and flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods, affecting over 33 million people and causing more than 1,730 fatalities.
• India experienced heavy rainfall, leading to multiple landslides and floods, resulting in over 2,000 deaths and affecting 1.3 million people.
• Glaciers Melting and Sea Surface Warming: Climate change has led to significant mass losses in glaciers in the High Mountain Asia region, centered on the Tibetan Plateau.
• Additionally, sea surface temperatures in the north-western Arabian Sea, Philippine Sea, and seas east of Japan have warmed at rates three times faster than the global average.