Asia is heating nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving extreme weather events, ocean warming, and glacier loss that are taking a heavy toll on its societies and economies, according to the State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Record Heat and Deadly Heatwaves Grip the Continent
In 2024, the average temperature anomaly across Asia was 1.04°C above the 1991–2020 average, making it either the warmest or second warmest year on record, depending on datasets. Countries such as Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, China, and India recorded exceptional heat. Myanmar hit a national temperature record of 48.2°C, while India experienced prolonged heatwaves responsible for over 450 deaths.
East Asia faced months of abnormal heat stretching from April to November. Japan and South Korea broke monthly records repeatedly, while parts of northern Thailand saw temperatures exceed the long-term average by over 5°C.
Ocean Temperatures Soar, Raising Regional Sea Levels
Asia’s surrounding seas are warming at 0.24°C per decade—double the global average. In 2024 alone, nearly 15 million sq km of Asian ocean waters faced marine heatwaves of severe to extreme intensity. Sea-level rise in the Indian and Pacific Oceans exceeded global averages, threatening low-lying coasts with worsening floods and erosion.
Glaciers Shrinking Rapidly, Water Security at Risk
Asia’s high-mountain glaciers saw another year of severe mass loss. Of 24 observed glaciers, 23 lost ice mass in 2024, raising the risks of glacial lake floods and water shortages. The Urumqi Glacier No. 1 in the Tian Shan mountains recorded its worst ice loss since 1959.
The region, especially the Himalayas and Tian Shan, faces accelerating glacier retreat due to low snowfall and summer heat, endangering water supplies for millions.
Extreme Weather Disasters Multiply
2024 was marked by devastating climate-related disasters:
•Cyclone Yagi, the year’s strongest storm, left widespread destruction across Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, and China.
•In India’s Kerala state, landslides triggered by over 500 mm of rain killed more than 350 people in July.
•Kazakhstan and southern Russia faced historic floods, displacing 118,000 residents.
•UAE recorded 259.5 mm of rain in 24 hours—the heaviest since 1949.
•Nepal suffered deadly floods in September, killing at least 246 people and causing US $94 million in damage.
•Lightning strikes across India killed around 1,300 people; one event on July 10 alone claimed 72 lives across five states.
•Drought in China affected 4.8 million people and damaged over 335,000 hectares of crops, costing more than $400 million.
Urgent Need for Climate Action
The report concludes that Asia’s accelerating warming poses escalating risks, from deadly heatwaves to rising seas and water insecurity. WMO experts stress the need for urgent climate mitigation and adaptation efforts to manage the growing impacts on the region’s 4.7 billion people.