Asia is warming at a rate twice as fast as the global average, with severe weather events increasingly affecting communities across the region. A report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Monday underscores the urgency of addressing climate change’s impacts, as temperatures continue to rise at an alarming pace.

Temperature Extremes Impacting Lives

According to the WMO, Asia's landmass, which covers vast areas, is warming significantly faster than its surrounding oceans. The report highlights that temperatures over land increase more rapidly than over water, contributing to the region’s accelerated warming. In 2024, countries like China broke monthly temperature records multiple times, with similar extremes observed across the continent. These rising temperatures have led to devastating weather events, from heatwaves to floods and droughts, which are taking a toll on both ecosystems and human lives.

“Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

The Water Crisis: Too Much and Too Little

Asia is also grappling with the dual challenges of excessive rainfall and prolonged droughts. In some regions, record-breaking rainfall caused severe flooding, such as in northern Kerala, India, where over 350 people died due to landslides. On the other hand, droughts—like the one in China in the summer of 2024—affected millions, damaging crops and water supplies. These contrasting weather patterns highlight the region's vulnerability to climate extremes and the urgent need for adaptive strategies.

The WMO report emphasizes the importance of developing better early warning systems and improving community resilience to deal with the unpredictable nature of climate change.

A Positive Example: Nepal’s Preparedness

One of the few bright spots in the report is Nepal, which has implemented successful early warning systems to mitigate the impact of flooding. In September 2024, Nepal experienced severe rainfall, resulting in deadly landslides and floods that claimed nearly 250 lives. However, the country’s preparedness measures, including timely evacuations and rapid response efforts, helped minimize casualties.

Ramesh Karki, Mayor of Barahakshetra, an affected municipality, commented, “This is the first time in 65 years that the flooding was this bad. We had zero casualties thanks to preparedness and rescue measures, but the damage was extensive.”

The WMO has been working with the Nepalese government to further strengthen these systems, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between national meteorological services and local authorities in saving lives and mitigating damage.