State of the Climate in Asia 2024 Report

State of the Climate in Asia 2024 Report : Recently, the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report revealed that Asia experienced one of its warmest years on record, with average temperatures rising by 1.04°C above the 30-year norm.

• Key Findings: The warming trend from 1991–2024 is nearly double that of the 1961–1990 period.

o Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average.

o 29 tropical cyclones occurred across the region.

o Marine heatwaves reached a record extent of 15 million sq. km, especially severe in: Northern Indian Ocean, Japan, Yellow and East China Seas.

o 23 out of 24 glaciers in High Mountain Asia (Himalayas, Karakoram, Pamir, Hindu Kush) lost mass.

• Impact on India: Among the countries most affected by the regional climate shifts in 2024.

o Over 450 deaths due to extreme heatwaves with temperatures reaching 45–50°C.

o Cyclone Remal, Fengal, Dana made landfall in India, killing around 90 people

o Cyclone Asna, from the Arabian Sea, caused flooding in Gujarat and resulted in 50 deaths

o Reduced winter snowfall and extreme summer heat accelerated glacier melting.

• About WMO: An intergovernmental organization with 192 Member States and Territories, including India (HQ: Geneva, Switzerland)

o It evolved from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was established after the 1873 Vienna International Meteorological Congress.

o formally established with the ratification of the WMO Convention on 23rd March 1950.

o It serves as the specialized agency of the United Nations for: Meteorology (weather and climate), Operational hydrology and  Related geophysical sciences