By The Sampadak Express
Asia is heating up at nearly double the global average, placing its population, ecosystems, and economies at heightened risk, according to the latest report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) titled “State of the Climate in Asia in 2024.”
The report highlights that Asia the world’s largest and most populous continent is experiencing accelerated warming trends, with average temperatures in 2024 measuring 1.04°C above the 1991–2020 average. This marks 2024 as either the warmest or second-warmest year on record for the region.
Rising Heat and Record-Breaking Temperatures
WMO data shows that East Asia endured prolonged and intense heatwaves from April through November. Countries like Japan, China, and South Korea repeatedly broke monthly temperature records. In India, the extreme heat led to nearly 48,000 reported cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths this year alone.
Oceans and Glaciers Under ThreatAsia’s sea surface temperatures have also risen at nearly double the global rate. Sea level rise on both the Pacific and Indian Ocean fronts has outpaced the global average, increasing the vulnerability of low-lying coastal areas to flooding and erosion.
Glacial melt has accelerated across the continent, especially in the central Himalayas and Tian Shan ranges, where 23 out of 24 monitored glaciers lost mass. The decline in snowfall and intensifying summer heat are increasing the risks of glacial lake outburst floods and landslides posing severe threats to long-term water security for millions.
Climate Extremes on the Rise
Asia faced a wave of climate-related disasters in 2024, including extreme rainfall events that triggered deadly floods, powerful tropical cyclones, and severe droughts that damaged agriculture and caused major economic losses.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll. Changes in temperature, glacier mass, and sea levels will have major repercussions for societies, economies, and ecosystems.”
A Call for Urgent Action
Echoing the WMO’s warning, Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), called for immediate action. “Given Asia’s population and economic exposure to rising temperatures, it is an injustice that the most vulnerable communities are facing the brunt of global inaction,” he said. “This is the final decade to act to preserve our essential planetary resources, especially our glaciers.”
The WMO’s findings underline the growing climate emergency in Asia, reinforcing the need for urgent international cooperation and climate resilience strategies to safeguard the region’s future.
