In July 2023, more than 50 people were killed in Pakistan. Likewise, over a dozen of people in North Eastern state of Assam had to flee their homes and sought refuge in makeshift relief camps. The reason was not conflict or terror attack. But the people in both countries were severely affected by the incessant rainfall driven by climate change.
South Asia is home to over 675 million people representing roughly 8.5% world’s population and making it the third populous regions in Asia. The South Asia is endowed with mountainous countries like Nepal and at the same time it has island nations such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives. It has major river system from Hindu Kush and Himalayan regions flowing through which irrigates these countries boosting agricultural productivity. Majority of these countries populations rely on agriculture for their subsistence though tourism is an integral part of their economy.
But many South Asian nations have been facing the impact of climate change in recent decades. There are reports of glacial lake outburst in mountainous countries like Nepal due to rise in temperature. On the other hand, the rise of sea level has posed severe threat to the people of island nations including Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Every year, the flood and inundation causes huge damages to life and property of people living in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Nepal is already grappling with climate change crises facing complex disasters beyond its previous experience and capacity to manage. The glaring example is the unprecedented rainfall between 24 and 27 September, 2024 that devastated the country capital- Kathmandu. The country capital experienced record breaking rainfall with more than 300 mm recorded in some parts of the Kathamandu valley. What was very astonished was that Kathmandu witnessed incessant rainfall during September which almost marks the end of monsoon season in the country.
During the flood, more than 228 lives were lost and many went missing. Likewise, over a dozen hydropower projects generating over 1000 MW were damaged. In addition, there has been damaged to road, settlements and other infrastructures. The experts blamed the record breaking rainfall driven by climate change. They also argued that uncontrolled and haphazard human activities have triggered climate change endangering the lives and properties.
Not far away, the climate changed induced disaster has wreaked havoc in India as well. A study conducted by IPE Global and Esri India in 2024 says that over 84% of Indian districts are susceptible to extreme heat waves with 70% of these districts also experiencing increased frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events. The study also found that India’s monsoon season are increasingly characterized by extended summer like conditions except on non-rainy days. This shift has significant implications on public health, agriculture and infrastructure.
The island nation Sri Lanka has similar story to tell. As a climate change hotspot, the island nation experience frequent, extreme weather conditions including floods, landslides, drought causing considerable economic setbacks. The countries main export crop, tea, bears the brunt of these weather conditions. Spread over 200,000 hectares in the mountainous region, the tea plantation are exposed to harsh and extreme weather pattern changes caused by climate change affecting the productivity and quality of the tea harvest.
The pisciculture related business has also been facing the brunt of these extremes conditions. As marine ecosystem is affected by the uncontrolled and haphazard human activities, it has impacted fish population in rivers leading to decline in production due to change in water temperature, habitat availability and other factors. These changes can disrupt fish growth, reproduction and overall survival. What is very worrisome is the fact that the island nation which already reels under economic crises has been struggling to cope with challenges posed by the climate change.
In 2021, the UN’S Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said some 21 percent of people in South Asia faced severe food insecurity- a percent rise from 2020. In the same year, the region had the highest under nourished people in the world- 300 billion. We do not need a rocket scientist to explain what the causes of such problems are. The answer to this question is very simple. The climate change resulting into draught, floods, landslides, extreme weather condition resulting into decline in agriculture productivity.
Why this region is so prone to climate change. Similarly, what has been the collective efforts so far to tackle the menace triggered by climate change. These are issues of big concern. But sadly they are seldom discussed with high emphasis.
Many says that there are not just one factor but the combination of several factors. To start with the diverse topography with coupled with poverty and dense population have been perceived as key factor making it susceptible to climate change. Moreover, the region populations’ reliance on monsoon- fed agriculture is yet another factor that trigger climate change. It is reported that about 70% of South Asians live in rural areas and account for 70% of the poor. Most of the poor depend on agriculture for their subsistence. The unorganized urbanization and rampant destruction of forest in the veil of development can be attributed as the critical factor for increased climate change and its impact in the region. South Asia is home to some of the fastest growing cities in the world. The drought, heavy dependence on natural resources for livelihoods and geographic features further exacerbate these vulnerabilities.
In sum up, high population densities, a large concentration of poverty and climate variability have all combined to make South Asia vulnerable to climate change and consequences arising from it.
References
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/8/what-makes-south-asia-so-vulnerable-to-climate-change
- 2. https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/the-era-of-climate-crisis-in-nepal-a-call-for-urgent-action/
- 3. https://www.indiatoday.in/environment/story/how-climate-change-has-exposed-india-to-extreme-heat-and-rain-2577831-2024-08-06
- 4. https://www.preventionweb.net/news/building-communities-are-resilient-disaster-risks-and-climate-change-effects
- 5. https://lib.icimod.org/records/3s0pc-ebz86
