WMO State of the Climate in Asia 2024 Report

WMO State of the Climate in Asia 2024 Report

Why in News? 

Recently, the WMO released its State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report. The report warns about rising sea levels, glacier loss, and extreme weather. It highlights the urgent need for action to protect lives, especially in vulnerable countries like India.

Key Findings from the WMO State of the Climate in Asia 2024 Report

• Asia’s Accelerated Warming: Asia witnessed a rate of warming in 2024 that was nearly double the global trend. The warming trend for 1991–2024 is almost double that of 1961–1990. This rise put 2024 among the warmest years on record in the region.
• Sea Surface Temperatures: Sea surface temperatures across Asian waters touched unprecedented levels during the same year. The regional decadal warming rate is nearly double the global average.
• Sea-Level Rise: Sea levels around the Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts rose faster than the global average. Coastal cities and islands faced growing risks of flooding and erosion.
  • The Indo-Pacific sea-level rise trend exceeded global averages by 10%. 
  • This threatens coastal metropolises like Mumbai, Kolkata, Shanghai, and Bangkok due to frequent flooding and infrastructure damage.
• Glacier Retreat in High Mountains: From October 2023 to September 2024, 23 of 24 monitored glaciers in High Mountain Asia lost mass. Urumqi Glacier No. 1 recorded its lowest mass balance since 1959 at –1.815 m water equivalent. Glacier melt has intensified due to reduced snowfall in winter and extreme summer heat.
• Marine Heatwaves: A massive marine heatwave spread across about 40 million square kilometers in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, roughly five times larger than Australia. This heatwave resulted in coral bleaching and disrupted marine life.
• Heatwaves on Land: Prolonged and intense heat waves struck much of Asia. South and Southeast Asia saw record temperatures, with Singapore hitting 37.0 °C in May 2024—matching a national high set in 1983.
• Tropical Cyclones: Tropical Cyclone Yagi devastated parts of Southeast Asia in 2024. 
  • This unusual ocean warming event led to major climate disruptions in countries like Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and China.
• Floods and Heavy Rains: Central Asia went through its most severe flooding in seven decades, causing large-scale impacts.
  • In the UAE, over 259 mm of rain fell within 24 hours—marking one of the region’s severest deluges since 1949.
• China’s Severe Drought: By September, drought in China affected 4.76 million people. It damaged 335,200 hectares of farmland and caused an estimated ¥2.89 billion in direct losses.
• Floods in Nepal: In September, extremely heavy rainfall triggered serious flooding across several regions of Nepal. The disaster claimed at least 246 lives and caused the loss of over ₹12.85 billion. However, early warning systems helped more than 130,000 people.
• ENSO Cycles: An El Niño event in summer 2023 ended with neutral conditions. Yet this shift influenced rainfall and temperature patterns across Asia.

WMO Recommendations for Climate Resilience

• Strengthening Early Warning Systems

• • • WMO recommends that countries develop strong early warning systems that reach everyone. 
    • The organization advises that early alerts must be localized, timely, and accessible to every community, especially in rural and mountainous areas.
    • Modern technology can help issue these warnings quickly. 

• Closing the Climate Data Gap

• • • WMO urges governments to fill the Climate Data Gap by enhancing national meteorological services, training skilled professionals, and ensuring consistent observation.
    • The report suggests using satellite data, drones, and AI tools to monitor remote regions like the Himalayas or Pacific islands.  
  • Prioritizing Health in Climate Planning
    • WMO has urged nations to monitor climate-linked diseases, upgrade hospital preparedness for extreme heat, and train medical professionals in climate response.
    • WMO also calls for heat action plans, especially in crowded cities like Delhi or Bangkok, where temperatures are rising sharply.

• Building Resilient Infrastructure

• • WMO recommends updating buildings, roads, and energy systems to withstand climate shocks, designing structures that stay safe during floods, storms, or extreme heat.
  • Governments should adopt climate-smart construction standards and invest in nature-based solutions like urban forests and wetlands.

India’s Climate Landscape: Key Trends and Ongoing Challenges

• Heatwaves in 2024:

• • • India endured a record-breaking heatwave from May 2024. Churu in Rajasthan recorded 50.5 °C, the highest in eight years, while Delhi suffered with nighttime temperatures above 35 °C.
    • This heatwave led to over 219 deaths and 40,000 hospital admissions.
    • The India–Pakistan heat wave of April 2025 triggered highs over 44 °C in Delhi and Rajasthan.

• Monsoon Flooding:

• • • The 2024 monsoon battered multiple states from May to September.
    • Assam and nearby regions saw 109 fatalities and 1.3 million displaced.
    • African-like deluges also struck Kerala, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Tripura.
    • In Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, 290 mm of rain in a day triggered massive floods, killing 35 and disrupting 270,000 people.

• Glacial Loss:

• • • About 67% of Himalayan glaciers melted between 1962 and the last decade.
    • Glacial retreat reduced river flow in Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus basins.
    • This loss puts water security and farming at risk for hundreds of millions.

• Agriculture Struggles:

• • • Heatwaves in April 2025 damaged wheat, mango, and lychee during harvest.
    • Climate volatility cost India billions in agriculture GDP and lowered farm yields.
    • Erratic monsoon rains increased flood and drought risk in crop zones.

• Urban Heat:

• • • Concrete and asphalt trap heat, raising city temperatures by 2‑10 °C above rural areas .
    • Mumbai saw more frequent intense downpours, fueled by sea-warmed moisture and urban heating.

• Groundwater Decline:

• • Groundwater extraction has exceeded recharge rates, especially in northwestern India.
  • Major river basins like Kaveri and Krishna already face water scarcity by 2025.

Government of India’s Climate Action and Adaptation Measures

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):

• • • India laid out its climate framework through the National Action Plan on Climate Change, introduced back in 2008.
    • This plan is a long-term framework for both mitigation and adaptation. 
    • The plan originally launched with eight core missions, such as the National Solar Mission, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, and National Water Mission. 
    • The government has expanded the scope of these missions by aligning them with India’s updated climate targets under the Paris Agreement.

• State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs):

• • • Indian states follow their own customized plans known as State Action Plans on Climate Change.
    • Maharashtra’s climate plan prioritizes urban flood management and drought preparedness, while Himachal Pradesh focuses on forest protection and glacier monitoring. 
    • As of 2024, over 30 Indian states and union territories have submitted revised SAPCCs integrating climate data and risk mapping.

• Updated Climate Pledges:

• • • India submitted its revised climate commitments, or NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), to the UN in August 2022. 
    • As per updated goals, India aims to bring down its emissions intensity by 45 percent by the year 2030, using 2005 as the baseline.
    • The country also pledged to have 50% of its electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. 

• Disaster Preparedness:

• • • To reduce disaster losses, India has enhanced its early warning systems through the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
    • The Heat Action Plan (HAP) framework has been adopted by over 130 cities, helping them prepare for extreme heat. 

• Sustainable Agriculture Programs:

• • • The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) helps farmers adapt to changing rainfall and temperature patterns. 
    • Through soil health cards, climate-resilient seeds, and micro-irrigation, the government supports farmers in reducing risks.
    • By 2023, over 200 climate-smart villages were developed under pilot schemes. 

• International Climate Leadership:

• • The International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India, works with over 100 countries to promote solar technology. 
  • In 2022, India introduced the LiFE campaign to promote environment-friendly living and daily sustainable choices.