According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), India has witnessed 573 disasters related to extreme weather, climate, and water events between 1970 and 2021. These disasters resulted in 1,38,377 death and caused economic losses amounting to USD 18.3 billion.
- According to the data from the Annual Statement on Climate of India, issued by the India Meteorological Department, India recorded 2,227 human casualties due to extreme weather events in 2022.
Note:
These new findings were issued for the quadrennial World Meteorological Congress(19th session) held from 22 May to 2 June 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.
- A high-level dialogue on accelerating and scaling up action to ensure that early warning services reach everyone on Earth by the end of 2027 was held during the event.
- The United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative (EW4All) is one of the top strategic priorities due to be endorsed by the World Meteorological Congress.
Overview- Global:
i.Around 11,778 disasters were reported across the globe between 1970 and 2021. These disasters caused 20,87,229 deaths and USD 4.3 trillion in economic losses.
- More than 90% of the reported deaths across the globe occurred in developing countries.
ii.Due to the implementation of multi-hazard early warning systems, the mortality from weather, climate and water-related extremes has been decreasing over the last 50 years.
iii.The Economic losses attributed to weather, climate and water extremes continue to increase.
- More than 90% of the reported deaths across the globe occurred in developing countries.
- 60% of economic losses due to weather-, climate- and water-related disasters were reported for developed economies.
- Europe accounted for 8% of reported deaths worldwide and Extreme temperatures were the leading cause of reported deaths.
Overview – Asia:
Around 3612 disasters attributed to weather, climate and water extremes were reported between 1970 and 2021. This resulted in 9,84,263 deaths in Asia, around 47% of all reported deaths worldwide and incurred USD 1.4 trillion in economic losses which is around 33% of all reported losses worldwide.
- Tropical cyclones were the leading cause of reported deaths in Asia and floods were the leading cause of economic losses.
- Bangladesh has the highest death toll in Asia with 5,20,758 deaths due to 281 events.
Africa: In Africa, 1,839 disasters caused 7,33,585 deaths and USD 43 billion in economic losses. Droughts caused 95% of the reported deaths. Tropical cyclone Idai in March 2019 was the costliest event that occurred in Africa (USD 2.1 billion).
Additional info:
The WMO study highlighted that the risk will increase significantly under the warming climate and variability in the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
- ENSO is a periodic fluctuation in sea surface temperature (El Niño) and the air pressure of the overlying atmosphere (Southern Oscillation) across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- El Nino – warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
WMO is a UN Agency dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Secretary-General– Prof. Petteri Taalas
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
