Asia worst hit by disasters in 2023: WMO: 24 April 2024

Key Highlights of the Report (Climate Disaster Profile):

Report Title: “State of the Climate in Asia 2023”
Rapid Warming: Asia has warmed faster than the global average, with the warming trend nearly doubling since the 1961-1990 period.
Consequences of Climate Change: Key indicators such as surface temperatures, glacier retreat, and sea level rise will significantly impact Asia’s economy and ecosystems.
Heatwaves in India: Severe heat waves in April and June led to approximately 110 reported fatalities due to heatstroke in India alone.
Record-High Temperatures: In August 2023, India experienced record-high monthly mean temperatures and exceptional rainfall deficits, potentially linked to El Niño.

About World Meteorological Organisation (WMO):

1873: International Meteorological Organization (IMO) established
1950I: The WMO was founded in 1950 as the UN’s specialized agency for meteorology, operational hydrology, and related geophysical sciences.
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
It boasts a membership of 187 countries.
Major Programmes:
- World Weather Watch: Utilizes satellites and telecommunication networks to monitor weather conditions across land and sea.
- World Climate Programme: Monitors climate change, including global warming trends.
- Atmospheric Research and Environment Programme: Focuses on promoting research into issues like ozone depletion.

Why in news:

In 2023, Asia faced the highest number of disasters globally, according to a recently released report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).