India Grapples with Extreme Heat, Floods, and Glacier Disaster in 2023: WMO Report

A recent report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) highlights India’s significant struggles with extreme weather events in 2023. The nation faced severe heat waves, devastating floods, and a glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF), contributing to a challenging year for its residents.

In April and May, a prolonged heatwave gripped much of South-East Asia, reaching as far as Bangladesh, Eastern India, and southern China. This heatwave brought record-breaking temperatures and resulted in about 110 reported fatalities due to heatstroke in India alone.

Floods and storms caused extensive casualties and economic losses throughout the region. The impact of heatwaves intensified, with India experiencing its warmest March on record and unusually dry spring seasons, accelerating the onset of summer temperatures.

The scorching heat severely affected India’s wheat crop yields, prompting the government to reconsider plans to supplement the global wheat supply impacted by the conflict in Ukraine.

The annual mean near-surface temperature over Asia in 2023 was the second highest on record, indicating a significant warming trend. Floods remained a primary concern, causing the greatest number of fatalities and highlighting the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

Extreme weather events, including cyclones and heavy rainfall, led to widespread destruction and numerous fatalities across India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Experts attribute the increasing severity of heatwaves to climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for global action to mitigate its impact.

Amidst these challenges, experts advocate for enhanced disaster preparedness and effective adaptation strategies. They stress the importance of financial and technological support from wealthier nations to aid India in responding to climate-related crises and safeguarding lives and livelihoods.