State Of The Climate In Asia 2021:
The State of the Climate in Asia 2021 report was published by the World Meteorological Organization and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Findings of the Report:
- Floods and storms accounted for 80% of the natural disasters that struck Asia in 2021.
- Asian countries incurred financial losses worth USD 35.6 billion in 2021 because of natural disasters.
- Flooding was the event with “by far the greatest impact in Asia in terms of fatalities and economic damage.”
- This showed that the economic impact of such disasters is on the rise compared to the average of the last twenty years.
- India suffered a total loss of USD 3.2 billion from flooding and the country faced heavy rains and flash floods during the monsoon season between June and September 2021.
- These events resulted in about 1,300 casualties and damaged crops and properties.
- The country was only second to China in the Asian continent in this regard.
- Similarly, storms also caused significant economic damage, especially in India (USD 4.4 billion), followed by China (USD 3 billion) and Japan (USD 2 billion).
- During 2021, India experienced five cyclonic storms (Tauktae, Yaas, Gulab, Shaheen, Jawad) with maximum sustained wind speeds of ≥ 34 knots.
- Additionally, in 2021, thunderstorms and lightning claimed around 800 lives in different parts of the country.
