WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 Report
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Environment
Source: WMO
Context: India’s eastern and western coastal regions are witnessing faster sea level rise than the global average, according to WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report, posing an increasing threat to livelihoods and infrastructure.
Summary WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 Report:
Key Trends in India:
• Sea Level Rise: Arabian Sea rising at 3.9 ± 0.4 mm/year and Bay of Bengal at 4.0 ± 0.4 mm/year, both surpassing global average of 3.4 mm/year, threatening coastal zones.
• Coastal Impact: Low-lying regions within 50 km of India’s coast face increasing submergence risk, endangering livelihoods and urban infrastructure.
• Glacial Retreat: 23 of 24 glaciers in the Central Himalayas are losing mass, accelerating flood risk from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
• Heatwaves: Over 450 deaths reported in 2024 due to prolonged and extreme heatwaves affecting multiple Indian states.
• Lightning: Lightning incidents claimed 1300 lives in 2024 and a single deadly event killed 72 people across five Indian states on July 10.
Trends in Asia:
• Warming Rate: Asia is heating at twice the global rate, amplifying regional climate impacts like droughts, floods, and storms.
• Heat Records: 2024 marked the second warmest year on record in Asia, with widespread, prolonged heatwaves across several countries.
• Natural Disasters: Increased frequency of landslides and floods, e.g., Kerala’s Wayanad landslide (350+ deaths after 500 mm rainfall in 48 hours).
• Glacial Lake Outburst: Glaciers in Himalayas and Tian Shan are melting rapidly, increasing GLOF events and downstream flooding risk.
Factors Influencing Sea Level Rise:
• Thermal Expansion: Rising ocean temperatures cause thermal expansion of water, pushing sea levels higher.
• Melting Ice Sheets: Accelerated melting of Greenland, Antarctic ice sheets, and global glaciers directly contributes to sea level rise.
• GHG Emissions: CO₂ and other greenhouse gases from fossil fuels drive global warming, fuelling further sea level rise.
• Ocean Currents Variability: Changes in regional ocean currents redistribute heat, affecting local patterns of sea level increase.
Consequences:
• For India:
• Coastal Erosion: Progressive erosion of coastlines threatens India’s eastern and western seaboards, affecting millions of residents. Livelihood Risks: Rising seas imperil fishing, agriculture, and tourism-based livelihoods in vulnerable coastal communities. Infrastructure Damage: Key ports, industrial hubs, homes, and urban infrastructure risk flooding or permanent damage. Migration: Increasing displacement of populations from coastal belts likely, triggering climate-induced migration.
• Coastal Erosion: Progressive erosion of coastlines threatens India’s eastern and western seaboards, affecting millions of residents.
• Livelihood Risks: Rising seas imperil fishing, agriculture, and tourism-based livelihoods in vulnerable coastal communities.
• Infrastructure Damage: Key ports, industrial hubs, homes, and urban infrastructure risk flooding or permanent damage.
• Migration: Increasing displacement of populations from coastal belts likely, triggering climate-induced migration.
• For Asia:
• Island Nations: Countries like the Maldives face existential threats from rising seas and coastal inundation. Urban Heat: Asian cities are seeing more frequent heatwaves, stressing public health and urban infrastructure. Agricultural Stress: Warming and erratic rainfall lead to crop yield failures, jeopardizing food security. Health Hazards: Heat-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue) are on the rise due to climate change.
• Island Nations: Countries like the Maldives face existential threats from rising seas and coastal inundation.
• Urban Heat: Asian cities are seeing more frequent heatwaves, stressing public health and urban infrastructure.
• Agricultural Stress: Warming and erratic rainfall lead to crop yield failures, jeopardizing food security.
• Health Hazards: Heat-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue) are on the rise due to climate change.
Case Study: Nepal
• Nepal’s glaciers in Central Himalayas lost significant mass in 2024, heightening flood risks.
• Increased GLOFs are threatening hydropower stations, roads, and mountain communities with devastating floods.
Recommended Measures:
• Coastal Zone Management: Develop resilient coastal infrastructure and restore mangroves to buffer sea level rise.
• Emission Reductions: Accelerate NDC targets and implement net-zero emissions pathways to mitigate warming.
• Early Warning Systems: Invest in climate monitoring, forecasting, and disaster early warning mechanisms.
• International Cooperation: Strengthen regional partnerships through UNFCCC and related climate adaptation frameworks.
• Local Capacity Building: Train communities in adaptive techniques and build local resilience to climate risks.
Conclusion:
The WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 underscores the urgent climate threat to India’s coasts. Policymakers must integrate robust mitigation and adaptation strategies to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems.