According to the ‘State of the Global Climate 2020’ released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Cyclone Amphan which made Landfall in the India-Bangladesh border in May 2020 caused Economic losses of ~ USD 14 Billion (~Rs. 1.5 Lakh Crore) to India. It was the costliest tropical cyclone on record for the North Indian Ocean.
i.Due to the cyclone around 2.4 Million People were displaced in India (mostly in West Bengal and Odisha) & 2.5 Million in Bangladesh.
ii.The report further stated that
- 2020 was one of the Three Warmest Years on Record (1st – 2016, 2nd – 2020 & 3rd 2019).
- The Global Average Temperature for 2020 was about 1.2 Degree Celsius (variation of +/- 0.1 °C) above the 1850–1900 baseline.
- Six years since 2015 have been the warmest on record. 2011-20 was the warmest decade on record.
iii.The interim report of the ‘State of the Global Climate 2020’ was released in December, 2020.
Key Points
i.With 30 named storms, the 2020 North Atlantic Hurricane season had its largest number of named storms on record.
ii.Monsoon – India recorded one of its two wettest monsoon seasons since 1994.
- The nationally-averaged rainfall for June to September was 9% above the Long-term average.
- It noted that Heavy rain, flooding and landslides affected the surrounding countries.
iii.It states that the Extreme Weather combined with COVID-19 dealt a Double blow for Millions of people in 2020.
iv.Pandemic-related economic slowdown has failed to mitigate climate change drivers and accelerating impacts.
v.Greenhouse Gases – The concentration of major greenhouse gases continued to increase despite temporary reduction in emissions in 2020 (due to Lockdown caused by COVID-19).
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
It is a specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for promoting International Cooperation on atmospheric science, climatology, hydrology and geophysics.
Recent Related News:
i.January 6, 2021, The ‘Statement on Climate of India during 2020’ issued by Climate Research and Services (CRS) of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India mentioned that 2020 was the 8th warmest year in India since nation-wide records commenced in 1901.
About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
President – Gerhard Adrian
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Members – 193 (187 Countries, 6 Member Territories)
