The destructive storm of climate change is looming over Asia

"The torrential rains that have battered South and Southeast Asia in recent weeks have once again highlighted the region's vulnerability to the climate crisis. Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka have experienced a series of floods and landslides that have already left 1,300 people dead and 1,000 missing. A succession of three tropical cyclones, coinciding with the monsoon season, has brought rainfall levels unseen in decades, devastating basic infrastructure and forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes."

"Millions of those affected now face shortages of drinking water, power outages, and the uncertainty of whether they will ever be able to return to their homes. Experts categorically state that climate change is driving unprecedented weather events in Asia, the region of the world most vulnerable to flash floods, which in turn is overwhelming the response capacity of governments. However, other factors have also intensified the impact of these floods, such as deforestation, deficiencies in protection systems, and a lack of funding to improve emergency preparedness."

"Asia is warming almost twice as fast as the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Furthermore, a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that as temperatures continue to rise, the southern and southeastern parts of the continent will experience more intense rainfall and a significant increase in flooding in monsoon areas. These analysts predict that coastal cities in the region will see significant increases in average annual economic losses due to flooding."

South and Southeast Asia have suffered deadly floods and landslides across Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, with 1,300 dead and 1,000 missing. Three successive tropical cyclones during the monsoon produced rainfall levels not seen in decades, destroying infrastructure and displacing hundreds of thousands. Millions face drinking water shortages, power outages, and uncertain prospects of returning home. Climate change is driving unprecedented weather and Asia is particularly vulnerable to flash floods, overwhelming government response capacity. Compounding factors include deforestation, weak protection systems, and insufficient funding for emergency preparedness. Warming nearly twice the global average will increase intense monsoon rainfall and coastal economic losses.

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