{"id":9579,"date":"2024-04-24T20:18:10","date_gmt":"2024-04-24T17:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/?p=9579"},"modified":"2024-04-24T20:18:10","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T17:18:10","slug":"asia-hard-hit-by-climate-weather-impacts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/asia-hard-hit-by-climate-weather-impacts","title":{"rendered":"Asia hard hit by climate-weather impacts"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-y-3 md:gap-y-5\">\n<div class=\"font-medium\">\n<div class=\"prose font-body text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-sm md:prose-base lg:prose-lg prose-headings:my-4.5 md:prose-headings:my-4.5 lg:prose-headings:my-4.5 prose-headings:text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-h2:text-lg prose-h2:font-semibold md:prose-h2:text-xl lg:prose-h2:text-2xl prose-h3:text-base prose-h3:font-bold md:prose-h3:text-lg lg:prose-h3:text-xl prose-h4:text-base prose-h4:font-semibold md:prose-h4:text-lg lg:prose-h4:text-lg lg:prose-h4:font-bold prose-h5:text-sm prose-h5:font-bold md:prose-h5:text-lg md:prose-h5:font-medium lg:prose-h5:text-lg lg:prose-h5:font-semibold prose-h6:text-sm prose-h6:font-medium prose-h6:uppercase md:prose-h6:text-lg md:prose-h6:font-medium lg:prose-h6:text-lg lg:prose-h6:font-medium prose-p:my-1 prose-p:text-sm md:prose-p:my-1.5 md:prose-p:text-base lg:prose-p:my-2 lg:prose-p:text-lg prose-ul:my-1 prose-ul:text-sm md:prose-ul:my-1.5 md:prose-ul:text-base lg:prose-ul:my-2 lg:prose-ul:text-lg prose-ul:list-outside prose-ul:list-disc prose-ul:marker:text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-ul:ltr:pl-8 md:prose-ul:ltr:pl-9.5 lg:prose-ul:ltr:pl-10.5 prose-ul:rtl:pr-8 md:prose-ul:rtl:pr-9.5 lg:prose-ul:rtl:pr-10.5 prose-ul:flex prose-ul:flex-col prose-ul:gap-2 prose-ol:my-1 prose-ol:text-sm md:prose-ol:my-1.5 md:prose-ol:text-base lg:prose-ol:my-2 lg:prose-ol:text-lg prose-ol:list-outside prose-ol:ltr:pl-8 md:prose-ol:ltr:pl-9.5 lg:prose-ol:ltr:pl-10.5 prose-ol:rtl:pr-8 md:prose-ol:rtl:pr-9.5 lg:prose-ol:rtl:pr-10.5 prose-ol:flex prose-ol:flex-col prose-ol:gap-2 prose-li:m-0 md:prose-li:m-0 lg:prose-li:m-0 prose-li:ltr:pl-2 md:prose-li:rtl:pr-2 md:prose-li:rtl:pl-0 prose-li:marker:text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-li:marker:ltr:mr-2 prose-li:marker:rtl:ml-2 prose-figure:my-1 md:prose-figure:my-1.5 lg:prose-figure:my-2 prose-img:my-0 md:prose-img:my-0 lg:prose-img:my-0 prose-figcaption:text-xs md:prose-figcaption:text-sm lg:prose-figcaption:text-base max-w-3xl\">\n<div class=\"clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item\">\n<p>Asia remained the world\u2019s most disaster-hit region from weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2023. Floods and storms caused the highest number of reported casualties and economic losses, whilst the impact of heatwaves became more severe, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-semibold text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg\">Key messages<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul class=\"m-0 p-0 list-disc\">\n<li>Long-term warming trend accelerates<\/li>\n<li>Asia is world\u2019s most disaster-prone region<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Researcher \u2013 Integrated Water Modeling and Assessment\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/researcher-integrated-water-modeling-and-assessment\">Water-related hazards are top threat<\/a>, but extreme heat is becoming more severe<\/li>\n<li>Melting glaciers threaten future <a title=\"New publication: Factors influencing community\u2019s adoption of domestic water conservation measures\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/new-publication-factors-influencing-communitys-adoption-of-domestic-water-conservation-measures\">water<\/a> security<\/li>\n<li>Sea surface temperatures and ocean heat <a title=\"Global energy-related CO2 emissions hit record high in 2023\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/global-energy-related-co2-emissions-hit-record-high-in-2023\">hit record<\/a> highs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-y-3 md:gap-y-5\">\n<article class=\"media media--type-image media--view-mode-featured-image\">\n<div class=\"rounded-lg overflow-hidden w-full\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-y-2 md:gap-y-5 lg:gap-y-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"prose font-body text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-sm md:prose-base lg:prose-lg prose-headings:my-4.5 md:prose-headings:my-4.5 lg:prose-headings:my-4.5 prose-headings:text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-h2:text-lg prose-h2:font-semibold md:prose-h2:text-xl lg:prose-h2:text-2xl prose-h3:text-base prose-h3:font-bold md:prose-h3:text-lg lg:prose-h3:text-xl prose-h4:text-base prose-h4:font-semibold md:prose-h4:text-lg lg:prose-h4:text-lg lg:prose-h4:font-bold prose-h5:text-sm prose-h5:font-bold md:prose-h5:text-lg md:prose-h5:font-medium lg:prose-h5:text-lg lg:prose-h5:font-semibold prose-h6:text-sm prose-h6:font-medium prose-h6:uppercase md:prose-h6:text-lg md:prose-h6:font-medium lg:prose-h6:text-lg lg:prose-h6:font-medium prose-p:my-1 prose-p:text-sm md:prose-p:my-1.5 md:prose-p:text-base lg:prose-p:my-2 lg:prose-p:text-lg prose-ul:my-1 prose-ul:text-sm md:prose-ul:my-1.5 md:prose-ul:text-base lg:prose-ul:my-2 lg:prose-ul:text-lg prose-ul:list-outside prose-ul:list-disc prose-ul:marker:text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-ul:ltr:pl-8 md:prose-ul:ltr:pl-9.5 lg:prose-ul:ltr:pl-10.5 prose-ul:rtl:pr-8 md:prose-ul:rtl:pr-9.5 lg:prose-ul:rtl:pr-10.5 prose-ul:flex prose-ul:flex-col prose-ul:gap-2 prose-ol:my-1 prose-ol:text-sm md:prose-ol:my-1.5 md:prose-ol:text-base lg:prose-ol:my-2 lg:prose-ol:text-lg prose-ol:list-outside prose-ol:ltr:pl-8 md:prose-ol:ltr:pl-9.5 lg:prose-ol:ltr:pl-10.5 prose-ol:rtl:pr-8 md:prose-ol:rtl:pr-9.5 lg:prose-ol:rtl:pr-10.5 prose-ol:flex prose-ol:flex-col prose-ol:gap-2 prose-li:m-0 md:prose-li:m-0 lg:prose-li:m-0 prose-li:ltr:pl-2 md:prose-li:rtl:pr-2 md:prose-li:rtl:pl-0 prose-li:marker:text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-li:marker:ltr:mr-2 prose-li:marker:rtl:ml-2 prose-figure:my-1 md:prose-figure:my-1.5 lg:prose-figure:my-2 prose-img:my-0 md:prose-img:my-0 lg:prose-img:my-0 prose-figcaption:text-xs md:prose-figcaption:text-sm lg:prose-figcaption:text-base max-w-3xl\">\n<div class=\"clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item\">\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wmo.int\/publication-series\/state-of-climate-asia-2023\">State of the Climate in Asia 2023<\/a>\u00a0report highlighted the accelerating rate of key climate change indicators such as surface temperature, glacier retreat and sea level rise, which will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, sea-surface temperatures in the north-west Pacific Ocean were the highest on record. Even the Arctic <a title=\"Blue Marine Foundation \u2014 Ocean Awards\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/blue-marine-foundation-ocean-awards\">Ocean suffered a marine<\/a> heatwave.<\/p>\n<p>Asia is <a title=\"Balancing global warming mitigation with fiscal responsibility in nations\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/balancing-global-warming-mitigation-with-fiscal-responsibility-in-nations\">warming faster than the global<\/a> average. The warming trend has nearly doubled since the 1961\u20131990 period.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe report&#8217;s conclusions are sobering. Many countries in the region experienced their hottest <a title=\"2023: Warmest Year on Record\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/2023-warmest-year-on-record\">year on record in 2023<\/a>, along with a barrage of extreme conditions, from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms. <a title=\"Call for consultancy services: recruitment of experts to review and synthesise information on the nexus between climate change, forests and trees\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/call-for-consultancy-services-recruitment-of-experts-to-review-and-synthesise-information-on-the-nexus-between-climate-change-forests-and-trees\">Climate change<\/a> exacerbated the frequency and severity of such events, profoundly impacting societies, economies, and, most importantly, human lives and the environment that we live in,\u201d said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, a total of 79 disasters associated with hydro-meteorological hazard events were reported in Asia according to the Emergency Events Database. Of these, over 80% were related to flood and storm events, with more than 2 000 fatalities and nine million <a title=\"Conservation study of people\u2019s park complex may affect collective sale\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/conservation-study-of-peoples-park-complex-may-affect-collective-sale\">people directly affected<\/a>. Despite the growing health risks posed by extreme heat, heat-related mortality is frequently not reported.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYet again, in 2023, vulnerable countries were disproportionately impacted. For example, tropical cyclone Mocha, the strongest cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in the last decade, hit Bangladesh and Myanmar. Early warning and better preparedness saved thousands of lives,\u201d said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, <a title=\"Vacancy Announcement-Executive Secretary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/vacancy-announcement-executive-secretary\">Executive Secretary<\/a> of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which partnered in producing the report.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn this context, the State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report is an effort to bridge gaps between climate science and disaster risk through evidence-based policy <a title=\"Call for Proposals for Effective Inter-Regional Incubator for Youth\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/call-for-proposals-for-effective-inter-regional-incubator-for-youth\">proposals<\/a>. ESCAP and WMO, working in partnership, will continue to invest in raising climate ambition and accelerating the <a title=\"National Beekeeping Policy Implementation Strategy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/national-beekeeping-policy-implementation-strategy\">implementation of sound policy<\/a>, including bringing an early warning to all in the region so that no one is left behind as our climate change crisis continues to evolve,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Approximately 80% of WMO Members in the region provide climate services to support disaster risk reduction activities. However, less than 50% of Members provide <a title=\"Call for consultancy services: recruitment of experts to review and synthesise information on the nexus between climate change, forests and trees\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/call-for-consultancy-services-recruitment-of-experts-to-review-and-synthesise-information-on-the-nexus-between-climate-change-forests-and-trees\">climate projections and tailored products that are needed to inform<\/a> risk management and adaptation to and mitigation of climate change and its impacts, according to the report.<\/p>\n<p>The report, one of a series of WMO regional State of the Climate reports, was released during the 80th session of the Commission in Bangkok, Thailand. It is based on input from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, <a title=\"United Nations Places Climate \u2018Course Correction\u2019 on the Agenda for COP28 Negotiations\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/united-nations-places-climate-course-correction-on-the-agenda-for-cop28-negotiations\">United Nations partners and a network of climate<\/a> experts. It reflects WMO\u2019s commitment to prioritize regional initiatives and inform decision-making.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Temperatures<br \/>\n<\/strong>The annual mean near-surface temperature over Asia in 2023 was the second highest on record, 0.91 \u00b0C [0.84 \u00b0C\u20130.96 \u00b0C] above the 1991\u20132020 average and 1.87 \u00b0C [1.81 \u00b0C\u20131.92 \u00b0C] above the 1961\u20131990 average. Particularly high average temperatures were recorded from western Siberia to central Asia and from eastern <a title=\"China\u2019s Climate Misinformation: Nationalism Fuelling Concerns\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/chinas-climate-misinformation-nationalism-fuelling-concerns\">China<\/a> to Japan. Japan and Kazakhstan each had record warm years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Precipitation<br \/>\n<\/strong>In 2023, precipitation was below normal in large parts of the Turan Lowland (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan); the Hindu Kush (Afghanistan, Pakistan); the Himalayas; around the Ganges and lower course of the Brahmaputra Rivers (India and Bangladesh); the Arakan Mountains (Myanmar); and the lower course of the Mekong River. Southwest China suffered from a drought, with below-normal precipitation levels nearly every month of 2023, and the rains associated with the Indian Summer Monsoon were below average.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cryosphere<\/strong><br \/>\nThe High-Mountain Asia region is the high-elevation area centred on the Tibetan Plateau and contains the largest volume of ice outside of the polar regions, with glaciers covering an area of approximately 100 000 km2. Over the last several decades, most of these glaciers have been retreating, and at an accelerating rate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"prose font-body text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-sm md:prose-base lg:prose-lg prose-headings:my-4.5 md:prose-headings:my-4.5 lg:prose-headings:my-4.5 prose-headings:text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-h2:text-lg prose-h2:font-semibold md:prose-h2:text-xl lg:prose-h2:text-2xl prose-h3:text-base prose-h3:font-bold md:prose-h3:text-lg lg:prose-h3:text-xl prose-h4:text-base prose-h4:font-semibold md:prose-h4:text-lg lg:prose-h4:text-lg lg:prose-h4:font-bold prose-h5:text-sm prose-h5:font-bold md:prose-h5:text-lg md:prose-h5:font-medium lg:prose-h5:text-lg lg:prose-h5:font-semibold prose-h6:text-sm prose-h6:font-medium prose-h6:uppercase md:prose-h6:text-lg md:prose-h6:font-medium lg:prose-h6:text-lg lg:prose-h6:font-medium prose-p:my-1 prose-p:text-sm md:prose-p:my-1.5 md:prose-p:text-base lg:prose-p:my-2 lg:prose-p:text-lg prose-ul:my-1 prose-ul:text-sm md:prose-ul:my-1.5 md:prose-ul:text-base lg:prose-ul:my-2 lg:prose-ul:text-lg prose-ul:list-outside prose-ul:list-disc prose-ul:marker:text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-ul:ltr:pl-8 md:prose-ul:ltr:pl-9.5 lg:prose-ul:ltr:pl-10.5 prose-ul:rtl:pr-8 md:prose-ul:rtl:pr-9.5 lg:prose-ul:rtl:pr-10.5 prose-ul:flex prose-ul:flex-col prose-ul:gap-2 prose-ol:my-1 prose-ol:text-sm md:prose-ol:my-1.5 md:prose-ol:text-base lg:prose-ol:my-2 lg:prose-ol:text-lg prose-ol:list-outside prose-ol:ltr:pl-8 md:prose-ol:ltr:pl-9.5 lg:prose-ol:ltr:pl-10.5 prose-ol:rtl:pr-8 md:prose-ol:rtl:pr-9.5 lg:prose-ol:rtl:pr-10.5 prose-ol:flex prose-ol:flex-col prose-ol:gap-2 prose-li:m-0 md:prose-li:m-0 lg:prose-li:m-0 prose-li:ltr:pl-2 md:prose-li:rtl:pr-2 md:prose-li:rtl:pl-0 prose-li:marker:text-wmo-blue-gray-900 prose-li:marker:ltr:mr-2 prose-li:marker:rtl:ml-2 prose-figure:my-1 md:prose-figure:my-1.5 lg:prose-figure:my-2 prose-img:my-0 md:prose-img:my-0 lg:prose-img:my-0 prose-figcaption:text-xs md:prose-figcaption:text-sm lg:prose-figcaption:text-base max-w-3xl\">\n<div class=\"clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-additional-technical-info field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item\">\n<p>Twenty out of 22 observed glaciers in the High <a title=\"New publication: Inequitable Gains and Losses from Conservation in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/new-publication-inequitable-gains-and-losses-from-conservation-in-a-global-biodiversity-hotspot\">Mountain Asia region showed continued mass loss<\/a>. Record-breaking high temperature and dry conditions in the East Himalaya and most of the Tien Shan exacerbated mass loss for most glaciers. During the period 2022\u20132023, Urumqi Glacier No. 1, in Eastern Tien Shan, recorded its second highest negative mass balance since measurements began in 1959.<\/p>\n<p>Permafrost is <a title=\"Junior Research Scientist in Forest soil science\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/junior-research-scientist-in-forest-soil-science\">soil<\/a> that continuously remains below 0 \u00b0C for two or more years and is a distinctive feature of high-latitude and high-altitude environments. Monitoring carried out by the Russian Federal <a title=\"Call for consultancy services on strengthening capacity for policy change to improve REDD+ implementation and integration in Africa: capitalizing on best practices and lessons learnt in an evolving environment\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/call-for-consultancy-services-on-strengthening-capacity-for-policy-change-to-improve-redd-implementation-and-integration-in-africa-capitalizing-on-best-practices-and-lessons-learnt-in-an-evolving-en\">Service<\/a> for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring indicates that the most rapid thawing of permafrost is in the European north, the Polar Urals, and the western regions of Western Siberia. This is due to the continuing increase in air temperatures in the high latitudes of the Arctic.<\/p>\n<article class=\"media media--type-image media--view-mode-embed\">\n<div class=\"rounded-lg overflow-hidden w-full\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-y-2 md:gap-y-5 lg:gap-y-1\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-y-1 text-wmo-blue-gray-900 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base items-start\">\n<div>Cumulative mass balance (in metres water equivalent (m w.e.)) of four reference glaciers in the High Mountain Asia region and the average mass balance for the global reference glaciers.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong><a title=\"Protecting the ocean: 5 essential reads on invasive species, overfishing and other threats to sea life\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/protecting-the-ocean-5-essential-reads-on-invasive-species-overfishing-and-other-threats-to-sea-life\">Sea surface temperatures and ocean<\/a> heat<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>The sea surface in the areas of the Kuroshio current system (west side of the North Pacific Ocean basin), the Arabian Sea, the Southern Barents Sea, the Southern Kara Sea, and the South-Eastern Laptev Sea is warming more than three times faster than the globally averaged sea surface temperature.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>In 2023, the area-averaged sea surface temperature anomalies were the <a title=\"July Poised to Be World\u2019s Warmest Month on Record\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/july-poised-to-be-worlds-warmest-month-on-record\">warmest on record<\/a> in the North-west Pacific Ocean. The Barents Sea is identified as a <a title=\"Adapting to a Warming World: Climate Change Predictions\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/adapting-to-a-warming-world-climate-change-predictions\">climate change hotspot because ocean surface warming<\/a> has a major impact on sea-ice cover, and there is a feedback mechanism in which loss of sea-ice in turn enhances ocean warming because darker sea surfaces can absorb more solar energy than the highly reflective sea-ice.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Ocean Reporting Network\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/ocean-reporting-network\">Warming of the upper-ocean<\/a> (0 m\u2013700 m) is particularly strong in the North-Western Arabian Sea, the Philippine Sea and the seas east of Japan, more than three times faster than the global average.<\/p>\n<p>Marine heatwaves &#8211; prolonged periods of extreme heat that affect the ocean &#8211; occurred in a large area of the Arctic Ocean, in the Eastern Arabian Sea and the Northern Pacific, and lasted three to five months.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Extreme events<br \/>\n<\/strong>In 2023, over 80% of reported hydrometeorological hazards in Asia were flood and storm events, according to EM-DAT data. Specifically, floods were the leading cause of death in reported events in 2023 by a substantial margin. In India, Yemen, and Pakistan, floods were the <a title=\"CBD Events Discuss Inclusive Wealth, Nature-based Climate Solutions\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/cbd-events-discuss-inclusive-wealth-nature-based-climate-solutions\">natural hazard event<\/a> which caused the greatest number of fatalities, highlighting the continuing high level of vulnerability of Asia to natural hazard events, especially floods.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, a total of 17 named tropical cyclones formed over the western North Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. This was below average but there were still major impacts and record-breaking rainfall in countries including China, Japan, the Philippines and Republic of Korea.<\/p>\n<p>In the North Indian Ocean basin, Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha made landfall along the Rakhine Coast in Myanmar on 14 May, causing widespread destruction and 156 reported deaths.<\/p>\n<p>Several extreme precipitation events took place in 2023. In June, July and August, several floods and storm events resulted in more than 600 reported deaths across India, Pakistan, and Nepal.<\/p>\n<p>The Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters recorded an hourly rainfall total of 158.1 mm on 7 September, the highest since records began in 1884, as a result of a typhoon. Several stations in Vietnam observed record-breaking daily rainfall amounts in October.<\/p>\n<p>Heavy rainfall led to flooding in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in November.<\/p>\n<p>Yemen also suffered heavy rainfall and resulting widespread flooding.<\/p>\n<p>In August and early September 2023, the far eastern part of the Russian Federation suffered catastrophic flooding in one of the largest disasters in recent decades, affecting about 40 000 hectares of <a title=\"Capacity building on forest conservation and management of water sources in mount Lugala and mount Mosi village land forest reserves in Iringa Rural District (2013-2015).\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/research\/capacity-building-on-forest-conservation-and-management-of-water-sources-in-mount-lugala-and-mount-mosi-village-land-forest-reserves-in-iringa-rural-district-2013-2015\">rural land<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Many parts of Asia experienced extreme <a title=\"2023 Heat Events Break Records, Not Rare Anymore\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/2023-heat-events-break-records-not-rare-anymore\">heat events<\/a> in 2023. Japan experienced its hottest summer on record. China experienced 14 high temperature events in summer, with about 70% of national meteorological stations exceeding 40\u2103 and 16 stations breaking their temperature records.<\/p>\n<p>In India, severe heatwaves in April and June resulted in about 110 reported fatalities due to heatstroke. A major and prolonged heatwave affected much of South-East Asia in April and May, extending as far west as Bangladesh and Eastern India, and north to southern China, with record-breaking temperatures.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Challenges and opportunities<\/strong><br \/>\nAccording to the WMO climate services checklist data, 82% of Member <a title=\"Consultancy services on assessment of forest planning and management in different forest types in selected African countries\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/consultancy-services-on-assessment-of-forest-planning-and-management-in-different-forest-types-in-selected-african-countries\">countries in the region provide data services<\/a> to support disaster risk reduction.<\/p>\n<p>However, currently less than 50% of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in the region provide tailored products for the disaster risk reduction <a title=\"Community rights and REDD+ in Indonesia\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/community-rights-and-redd-in-indonesia\">community<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, there is an urgent need to advance these efforts and provide more tailored support and services to address strategies and interventions to effectively <a title=\"Climate change mitigation: reducing emissions\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/climate-change-mitigation-reducing-emissions\">mitigate<\/a> rising disaster risks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-medium text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg\">\n<div class=\"clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-boilerplate field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item\">\n<p>The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the <a title=\"United Nations Development Programme \u2014 Pathfinder Award for Innovation in Nature Conservation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/united-nations-development-programme-pathfinder-award-for-innovation-in-nature-conservation\">United Nations<\/a> responsible for promoting international cooperation in atmospheric science and meteorology.<\/p>\n<p>WMO monitors weather, climate, and <a title=\"Area Water and Soil Resources Advisor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/area-water-and-soil-resources-advisor\">water resources<\/a> and provides support to its Members in forecasting and disaster mitigation. The organization is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and improving <a title=\"New publication\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/new-publication\">public<\/a> safety and well-being through its work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<div class=\"font-normal italic text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg\">For further information, please contact:<\/div>\n<ul class=\"m-0 p-0 list-disc\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"flex flex-wrap gap-1\"><span class=\"after:content-['|'] last:after:content-[''] last:after:ml-0 flex gap-1\">Clare Nullis<\/span><span class=\"after:content-['|'] last:after:content-[''] last:after:ml-0 flex gap-1\">WMO media officer<\/span><span class=\"after:content-['|'] last:after:content-[''] last:after:ml-0 flex gap-1\">cnullis@wmo.int<\/span><span class=\"after:content-['|'] last:after:content-[''] last:after:ml-0 flex gap-1\">+41 79 709 13 97<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"flex flex-wrap gap-1\"><span class=\"after:content-['|'] last:after:content-[''] last:after:ml-0 flex gap-1\">WMO Strategic Communication Office Media Contact<\/span><span class=\"after:content-['|'] last:after:content-[''] last:after:ml-0 flex gap-1\">media@wmo.int<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Asia remained the world\u2019s most disaster-hit region from weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2023. Floods and storms caused the highest number of reported casualties and economic losses, whilst the impact of heatwaves became more severe, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Key messages Long-term warming trend accelerates Asia is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9580,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9579"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9579\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9586,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9579\/revisions\/9586"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}