• Down To Earth

2,923 Killed in Daily Natural Disasters in India in Jan-Sept

Extreme weather events occurred in India daily from January to September, according to a latest report produced by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth (DTE). During these nine months, disasters like cold waves, cyclones and lightning to heavy rain, floods and landslides claimed 2,923 lives in the country. Near-daily disasters this year destroyed more than 1.84 million hectares of cropland and 80,563 houses and killed nearly 92,519 livestock. Named as ‘India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events’, the details of the report can be found here. Even the seemingly great amount of loss of lives and properties may be an underestimate, the report suggests, as data for each of the disaster events are not collated and the loss of public property and crops due to those events are not calculated. The days with extreme weather events were highest in Madhya Pradesh (HP) occurring every second day. In terms of loss of human lives, Bihar topped with 642 deaths, followed by Himachal Pradesh at 365 and Uttar Pradesh (UP) at 341. Punjab again reported the highest numbers of animal deaths at 63,649. HP also reported the highest number of damaged houses at 15,407. From January 1 to September 30, that is in 273 days, extreme weather events were reported in all states and union territories on 235 days, which is around 86%. The CSE/DTE report divided the nine months into three categories according to the seasons—winter (January-February), pre-monsoon (March-May) and monsoon (June-September). The summary of day-wise extreme weather events within the study period is portrayed in the figure below.

• Down To Earth

Extreme weather in 2023 claimed nearly 3,000 lives in India, reveals CSE report

In the first three quarters of 2023, India faced an onslaught of extreme weather events, resulting in nearly 3,000 fatalities, according to a recently published report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report, issued by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), outlined that India faced extreme weather on roughly 86% of the days from January to September 2023. It also said that as many as 2,923 people lost their lives, destruction spanning almost two million hectares of crops, the annihilation of 80,000 homes, and the demise of over 92,000 animals. However, the actual numbers might surpass these figures due to incomplete data collection, according to the CSE. CSE's Director-General, Sunita Narain, emphasized the report's significance, stating that the year's weather was the 'new normal' in a world grappling with escalating temperatures. Madhya Pradesh witnessed the highest number of extreme weather events, reaching 138, while Bihar faced the most significant loss of life at 642, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. In different regions, distinct impacts were felt. Kerala grappled with the most extreme weather days and deaths, while Telangana suffered immense agricultural losses. Uttar Pradesh, in the northwest, experienced the highest number of extreme weather days, alongside several other affected states. The eastern and northeastern regions faced their unique challenges, with Assam recording numerous extreme weather events and significant agricultural destruction. Nagaland witnessed extensive property damage. Moreover, the CSE highlighted specific months breaking weather records, emphasizing the significance of the patterns observed in January and February. Lightning and storms proved to be the most prevalent disasters, causing numerous casualties, particularly in Bihar. However, heavy rains, floods, and landslides resulted in substantial devastation, with over 1,900 casualties. Beyond these findings, another study revealed that over 80% of the Indian population resides in districts susceptible to climate-related risks, underscoring the widespread vulnerability to such weather upheavals.

• Down To Earth

232 lives lost in South India due to extreme weather events in first 9 months of 2023, says report

The south peninsular region of India reported its warmest June on record in 2023, according to a report on extreme weather events in India during the first nine months of this year. Highlighting an urgent need for action to prevent extreme weather events in India, the Centre for Science and Environment — a public interest research and advocacy organisation — and Down To Earth magazine released the report “India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events”. The report said that, in India, 235 out of the 273 days from 1 January to 30 September this year witnessed extreme weather events, and the south peninsular region witnessed extreme weather events on 143 days. Kerala witnessed 64 such days, which claimed 56 lives — the highest in South India. The report also said that Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of days (138) with extreme weather events and Bihar saw the highest number of human deaths at 642, followed by Himachal Pradesh (365 deaths) and Uttar Pradesh (341 deaths). Himachal Pradesh reported the highest number of damaged houses (15,407) and Punjab reported the highest number of animal deaths (63,649) during the aforementioned period. Extreme weather events in the South The report showed that India experienced extreme weather events on around 86 percent of the days from 1 January to 30 September. Extreme weather events in South India. Extreme weather events in South India. “These events claimed 2,923 human lives, affected 1.84 million hectares of crop area, damaged 80,563 houses, and killed over 92,519 animals,” the report said. According to the report, 2,755 deaths were recorded during the same period in 2022. The events claimed 232 human lives, damaged 93,077.43 hectares of crop area and 20,035 houses, and killed 1,053 animals in South India. In this period, Kerala witnessed the highest number of days with extreme weather events and the deaths related to this, with 67 days of extreme weather events and 60 deaths during the analysed period. In the same period, the highest area of crops affected was in Telangana, with 62,811.43 hectares. The state also witnessed the largest number of animal deaths due to extreme weather conditions: 645. The most number of houses damaged was in Karnataka: 11, 917. The south peninsula also recorded its eighth hottest day temperature in January since 1901. Occurrence of the events The India Meteorological Department (IMD), classifies lightning and thunderstorms, heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall, landslides, floods, coldwaves, heatwaves, cyclones, snowfall, dust and sandstorms, squalls, hailstorms, and gales as extreme weather events. India experienced lightning and storms on 176 of the 273 days, and they claimed 711 human lives. In the south, Telangana witnessed the highest number of days with lightning and storms — 21 — which claimed 10 human lives. India experienced heavy rains, floods, and landslides on 132 days during the period, and they claimed 1,903 human lives. Kerala witnessed 64 such days that claimed 56 lives — the highest in South India. In the same period, Andhra Pradesh had 22 days with heatwaves, with the country recording a total of 49 days with 201 deaths. South India did not record any deaths due to heatwaves. Only a total of six cold waves were recorded in the south, with four in Karnataka and two in Telangana, while the country recorded a total of 21 such spells. According to the report, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) declared that 2023 was on track to be the warmest year on record globally, with a greater-than-99-percent likelihood. The IMD has reported that India in 2023 saw its warmest-ever August and September in 122 years. The report said it was “an attempt to build an evidence base on the frequency and expanding geography of extreme weather events in India.” It added: “This is extremely important as currently fragmented data on extreme weather events is publicly available and fails to provide the overall picture.”

• Down To Earth

3,000 lives lost in India’s 2023 extreme weather toll

A stark climate study published on Wednesday reveals that nearly 3,000 people have lost their lives due to extreme weather disasters that relentlessly struck India almost every day in the first nine months of this year. The report, “India 2023: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events,” conducted by the climate advocacy group Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth magazine, highlights the relentless nature of weather disasters, ranging from heat and cold waves, cyclones, lightning, heavy rain, floods, and landslides. The disasters “hit the country with tenacious and frightening regularity,” according to the report. “These disasters have claimed 2,923 human lives,” said the study, warning that the “more alarming” is the fact that “in all probability, these calculations could be an underestimation.” “Data for each event is not collated, nor are losses of public property or agriculture calculated.” The impact extends beyond the loss of lives, affecting 1.84 million hectares of crop area, destroying over 80,000 houses, and causing the death of more than 92,000 livestock, according to the study. The study claims that its findings provide evidence based on the frequency and expanding geography of extreme weather events in the country of 1.4 billion people. “The country has witnessed…the new abnormal in a warming world,” said CSE head Sunita Narain. The report notes that January 2023 was slightly warmer than average, but February set records as the warmest in 122 years. The country experienced its sixth driest February and its driest August this year. “Disaster-wise, lightning and storms were the most frequent. On 176 out of 273 days, they killed 711 people. Most of them died in Bihar. But the maximum havoc was wreaked by a combination of heavy rains, floods, and landslides due to which over 1,900 people lost their lives,” said the report. The report indicates that 2023 was more devastating compared to 2022. “The impact of extreme weather events has been worse and been felt across the country in 2023, compared to” fewer places last year, said Kiran Pandey, one of the authors of the report. Narain said what the report found “is the watermark of climate change.” “It is not about a single event, but about the increased frequency of such events,” she said. “An extreme event that we used to witness once every 100 years, has now begun to occur every five years or even less. This is breaking the back of our poorest, who are the worst affected and fast losing their capacities to cope.”

• Down To Earth

Extreme weather events in first 9 months of 2023 killed 3000 people in India: Report

A report released on Wednesday by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that India faced frequent extreme weather events during the first nine months of 2023, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths. The country experienced extreme weather on 86 per cent of days from January to September 2023, causing extensive damage, including the loss of crops, homes, and animal lives. The CSE emphasized that the actual numbers could be higher due to incomplete data collection. The report, titled "India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events," aims to establish evidence of the increasing frequency and geographic spread of such events in the country.

• Down To Earth

India face natural disasters almost everyday due to extreme weather events: Study

India has been experiencing a series of extreme weather events throughout 2023, with each season bringing its own set of challenges, according to a comprehensive report released today by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). India faced extreme weather events on a staggering 235 out of 273 days from January 1 to September 30, 2023, marking an 86% occurrence rate throughout the first nine months of the year. Record-breaking temperatures, widespread heavy rainfall, and subsequent floods resulted in a significant loss of life and livestock across various regions. The alarming frequency and intensity of these events highlight the evolving abnormality in a world undergoing rapid warming. A 2020 report from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction underscores a global surge in disasters over the past two decades. The report, titled “India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events,” unveils a grim reality marked by 2,923 human lives lost, affecting 1.84 million hectares of crop area, obliterating over 80,563 houses, and claiming the lives of approximately 92,519 livestock. India faces daily weather extremes The winter months of January and February were warmer than average, with temperatures reaching 1.86ºC and 1.36ºC above average respectively. These months also saw a significant rainfall deficit, with January and February recording 13% and 68% less rainfall than usual. Extreme weather events occurred on 28 of the 59 winter days, affecting 21 states and Union Territories (UTs). The monsoon season (June-September) began late but covered the entire country by June 30, 15 days earlier than normal. Despite some heavy rainfall in August and September, the overall deficit was six per cent, making it a near-normal monsoon year for India. However, extreme weather events were reported on all 122 days during the season, claiming over 2,594 human lives and damaging 0.81 million hectares of crop area and 80,563 houses. raditionally, extreme weather events were considered one-in-a-lifetime events. However, the frequency of these events has increased significantly, with events that used to occur once every 100 years now happening every five years or less. This increase in frequency is severely impacting the poorest populations, who are losing their capacity to cope with these recurring and frequent events. In the past nine months, all types of extreme weather have been reported across all 36 states and UTs, claiming 711 lives. Every day of the three months of monsoon showed heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall in some parts of the country, leading to widespread flood devastation. For instance, vast parts of Himachal Pradesh were submerged, resulting in loss of lives, homes, and sources of livelihood. India’s extreme weather events: A regional breakdown Madhya Pradesh topped the list with the highest number of extreme weather events, reporting a staggering 138 incidents. However, the highest death toll was in Bihar, with 642 fatalities, followed by Himachal Pradesh (365 deaths) and Uttar Pradesh (341 deaths). Punjab recorded the highest number of animal deaths, while Himachal Pradesh reported the most housing damage due to extreme weather events.

• Down To Earth

Extreme weather events occurred nearly every day in India during first nine months of this year: Report

India witnessed extreme weather events almost daily in the first nine months of this year, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The study revealed that the country experienced extreme weather on 86% of days from January to September 2023. The report documented 2,923 deaths, destruction of almost two million hectares of crops, 80,000 homes, and the loss of over 92,000 animals. However, the actual numbers may be higher due to incomplete data collection. The report, titled “India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events,” aimed to establish an evidence base on the frequency and expanding geography of extreme weather events in the country. The CSE director general, Sunita Narain, stated that what India experienced in 2023 is the new “abnormal” in a warming world. The study highlighted that lightning and storms were the most common disasters, occurring on 176 out of 273 days and claiming 711 lives. Most deaths occurred in Bihar. The most significant devastation resulted from heavy rains, floods, and landslides, causing over 1,900 casualties. The research also revealed regional variations, with different states facing distinct challenges, such as Madhya Pradesh reporting the highest number of extreme weather events, while Bihar had the highest number of deaths. The CSE emphasized the urgency of climate action, given the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events in India.

• Down To Earth

India saw extreme weather almost daily in first 9 months this year: Report

India experienced extreme weather events almost every day in the first nine months of this year which led to nearly 3,000 deaths, according to a report released on Wednesday. Published by the independent think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the report said the climate-vulnerable country had extreme weather on 86 per cent of days from January to September 2023. The CSE said 2,923 people died, almost two million hectares of crops were ruined, 80,000 homes were destroyed and more than 92,000 animals were killed. But these numbers might be even higher because not all the data is collected, it said. "'India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events' attempts to build an evidence base on the frequency and expanding geography of extreme weather events in the country. As this assessment clearly shows, what the country has witnessed so far in 2023 is the new 'abnormal' in a warming world," said the CSE director general Sunita Narain. Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of extreme weather events at 138. However, the largest number of deaths occurred in Bihar (642), followed by Himachal Pradesh (365) and Uttar Pradesh (341). Punjab recorded the highest number of animal deaths while Himachal Pradesh reported the most damaged houses due to extreme weather events. In the southern region, Kerala saw the highest count of extreme weather days (67) and deaths (60). Telangana suffered maximum effect on crop area (over 62,000 hectares). The state also witnessed high animal casualties (645). Karnataka faced severe destruction, with over 11,000 houses demolished. In northwest India, Uttar Pradesh had the most extreme weather days at 113. Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan were also significantly affected. In the eastern and northeastern regions, Assam registered maximum extreme weather events (102), with the state losing 159 livestock and over 48,000 hectares of crops devastated. Nagaland saw over 1,900 houses destroyed.

• Down To Earth

India saw extreme weather disaster almost every day in first 9 months this year: CSE

India has witnessed an extreme weather disaster almost every day of the first nine months of this year -- from heat and cold waves, cyclones and lightning to heavy rain, floods and landslides, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said. Between January 1 and September 30, such events hit the country with tenacious and frightening regularity and impact on 86 per cent of the days. These disasters have claimed 2,923 human lives; impacted 1.84 million hectare (mha) of crop area; destroyed over 80,000 houses; and killed more than 92,000 livestock. What's more alarming is that in all probability, these calculations could be an underestimation -- because data for each event is not collated nor are losses of public property or agriculture calculated. These statistics are part of CSE's and Down To Earth magazine's new pre-COP28 assessment of extreme weather events in India in 2023, which was released here in an online media briefing on Tuesday. "India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events attempts to build an evidence base on the frequency and expanding geography of extreme weather events in the country. As this assessment clearly shows, what the country has witnessed so far in 2023 is the new 'abnormal' in a warming world," said CSE director general Sunita Narain while releasing the assessment report. What does the report say? India experienced extreme weather events on 235 of the 273 days -- a little over 86 per cent of the days -- from January 1 to September 30. Madhya Pradesh was the state with the highest number of such events -- 138. But the maximum number of people killed were in Bihar -- 642 -- followed by Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh: 365 and 341, respectively. Punjab witnessed the maximum number of animal deaths, while Himachal Pradesh had the highest number of damaged houses. In the southern region, Kerala recorded the maximum number of extreme weather days (67) and deaths (60). Telangana recorded the biggest affected crop area: over 62,000 hectare (ha); the state also had high animal deaths in this region (645). With over 11,000 houses destroyed, Karnataka suffered the most on this score. In India's northwest, Uttar Pradesh had the most extreme weather days at 113. Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan all fared badly as well. In the east and northeast, 102 events put Assam at the top of the table; the state also lost 159 livestock and over 48,000 ha of its crop area was devastated. In Nagaland, over 1,900 houses were destroyed. While January remained slightly warmer than average, February exceeded all previous records to become the warmest in 122 years. India also experienced its sixth driest February and its driest August in 122 years. Kiran Pandey, programme director, environmental resources unit, CSE, and one of the writers of this report says: "The report has a section on comparative analysis, which indicates that 2023 has seen more devastation compared to 2022. For instance, the impact of extreme weather events has been worse and been felt across the whole country in 2023 -- all 36 states and Union territories have been affected this year, compared to 34 last year. The extent of cropped area that has suffered damages has widened -- it was limited to 15 states last year; this year, 20 states are affected."

• Down To Earth

Los eventos extremos golpean a la India con "regularidad tenaz y aterradora"

Agencia EFE Actualizado 29/11/2023 20:38 Eventos meteorológicos extremos golpean a la India con Inundaciones en Nueva Delhi, India, el pasado mes de Julio de 2023EFE Eventos meteorológicos extremos como súbitas inundaciones, potentes tormentas eléctricas u olas de calor golpean a la India con una "regularidad tenaz y aterradora" y causaron casi 3.000 muertes en los primeros nueve meses del año, alertó este miércoles 29 de noviembre de 2023 el Centro de Ciencia y Medio Ambiente (CSE) del país asiático. La India y Pakistán quedan sumidos en una nube de contaminación del aire La India y Pakistán quedan sumidos en una nube de contaminación del aire Leer más La India sufrió algún tipo de fenómeno extremo el 86 % de los días entre enero y septiembre pasados, más que los registrados en el mismo periodo del año anterior, según el CSE. Este organismo y la revista Down To Earth, en un informe que analiza datos oficiales y reportes de los medios de comunicación, concluyeron que "lo que el país ha presenciado hasta ahora en 2023 es la nueva 'anormalidad' en un mundo que se calienta". (Los invitamos también a leer: Tras 17 días atrapados en túnel, en India rescatan con éxito a 41 trabajadores) En concreto, estos desastres meteorológicos provocaron 2.923 muertos y afectaron a 1,84 millones de hectáreas de cultivos, además de destruir decenas de miles de hogares y matar a 92.000 cabezas de ganado, según el documento. Los mayores culpables de la pérdida de vidas humanas son las tormentas acompañadas de relámpagos, con 711 muertes en su mayoría en el estado norteño de Bihar. La contaminación del aire obliga a cerrar negocios y escuelas en el oeste de Pakistán Contaminación del aire obliga a cerrar negocios y escuelas en el oeste de Pakistán Leer más Solo el pasado lunes, las autoridades del estado occidental de Gujarat informaron del fallecimiento de al menos 20 personas a causa de unas intensas lluvias acompañadas por tormentas eléctricas y granizo. Las inundaciones súbitas y deslizamientos de tierra mataron a más de 1.900 personas, afirmó el informe. Pero los efectos del cambio climático se dejan sentir también en otros ámbitos, con el febrero más caluroso y el agosto más seco en 122 años. Según uno de los expertos del CSE, Kiran Pandey, el informe "indica que 2023 ha sido más devastador que 2022", con un mayor impacto y una mayor extensión de los fenómenos meteorológicos extremos el presente año. (También les puede interesar: La temporada de bodas preocupa a India por la fuga de dinero al extranjero) La directora general del CSE, Sunita Narain, indicó por su parte que los efectos del cambio climático implican que "un acontecimiento extremo que solíamos presenciar una vez cada 100 años, ahora ha empezado a ocurrir cada cinco años, o incluso menos". La advertencia llega justo antes de que empiece el próximo jueves la COP28, la conferencia sobre el cambio climático de Naciones Unidas que este año tiene lugar en Dubái, en la que la India pretende servir de puente entre los países desarrollados y el sur global para acelerar la acción climática.

• Climate Change and Green Economy

Science-wise: COP28 Begins, Can First-Ever Global Stocktake Be Decisive Moment for Climate Action?

In 2015, 196 nations signed on a landmark agreement in Paris committing to slash greenhouse gas emissions to prevent the climate crisis from spiraling out of control. They promised to limit the global rise in temperatures to well below 2℃ above pre-industrial levels, while making efforts to hold it to 1.5℃. Eight years later, the world has already warmed by 1℃ with devastating impacts globally. The IPCC is certain that the current climate action goals are not ambitious enough to prevent an overshoot of 1.5℃ in the near term. Even with successful implementation of current goals, the world is projected to emit a staggering 51.6 Gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030, studies show. But if we are to still keep the 2℃ goal within reach, emissions will have to be slashed by 43% by 2030 keeping 2019 as the baseline. Developed economies will need to reach Net Zero by 2050, climate finance will have to be made available for vulnerable countries and governments will need to ratchet up their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Therefore, COP28 comes at a crucial juncture, when the world leaders must act. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to attend the summit on Friday to underline India’s commitment to climate action. This is significant especially after India’s G20 Presidency succeeded in securing a commitment from the big economies to pursue efforts to triple renewable energy goals by 2030 – a key target of COP28. PIVOTAL MOMENT TO REFLECT AND ACT As COP28 begins in UAE, it will be that decisive moment in history when governments will conclude the biggest-ever assessment of what we have done or have not done to prevent the climate crisis so far. “GST is important because it is not just a litany of what has not happened, but framing of what must happen. It is revisiting the Paris Agreement to strengthen climate action and make it more equitable. That is the big hope, that we can move forward in a way, that all countries move forward together," said Sunita Narain, DG, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

• Down To Earth

Eventos meteorológicos extremos golpean a la India con "regularidad tenaz y aterradora"

Eventos meteorológicos extremos como súbitas inundaciones, potentes tormentas eléctricas u olas de calor golpean a la India con una "regularidad tenaz y aterradora" y causaron casi 3.000 muertes en los primeros nueve meses del año, alertó este miércoles el Centro de Ciencia y Medio Ambiente (CSE) del país asiático. La India sufrió algún tipo de fenómeno extremo el 86 % de los días entre enero y septiembre pasados, más que los registrados en el mismo periodo del año anterior, según el CSE. Este organismo y la revista Down To Earth, en un informe que analiza datos oficiales y reportes de los medios de comunicación, concluyeron que "lo que el país ha presenciado hasta ahora en 2023 es la nueva 'anormalidad' en un mundo que se calienta". En concreto, estos desastres meteorológicos provocaron 2.923 muertos y afectaron a 1,84 millones de hectáreas de cultivos, además de destruir decenas de miles de hogares y matar a 92.000 cabezas de ganado, según el documento. Los mayores culpables de la pérdida de vidas humanas son las tormentas acompañadas de relámpagos, con 711 muertes en su mayoría en el estado norteño de Bihar. Solo el pasado lunes, las autoridades del estado occidental de Gujarat informaron del fallecimiento de al menos 20 personas a causa de unas intensas lluvias acompañadas por tormentas eléctricas y granizo. Las inundaciones súbitas y deslizamientos de tierra mataron a más de 1.900 personas, afirmó el informe. Pero los efectos del cambio climático se dejan sentir también en otros ámbitos, con el febrero más caluroso y el agosto más seco en 122 años. Según uno de los expertos del CSE, Kiran Pandey, el informe "indica que 2023 ha sido más devastador que 2022", con un mayor impacto y una mayor extensión de los fenómenos meteorológicos extremos el presente año. La directora general del CSE, Sunita Narain, indicó por su parte que los efectos del cambio climático implican que "un acontecimiento extremo que solíamos presenciar una vez cada 100 años, ahora ha empezado a ocurrir cada cinco años, o incluso menos". La advertencia llega justo antes de que empiece el próximo jueves la COP28, la conferencia sobre el cambio climático de Naciones Unidas que este año tiene lugar en Dubái, en la que la India pretende servir de puente entre los países desarrollados y el sur global para acelerar la acción climática. EFE

• Down To Earth

इस साल और जालिम हुआ मौसम, पहाड़ी राज्यों पर आपदा का सितम

जलवायु परिवर्तन के कारण अकेले हिमाचल प्रदेश और पहाड़ी राज्य ही नहीं, देशभर में मौसम जालिम होता जा रहा है। बुधवार को जारी सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की ‘एक्सट्रीम वेदर रिपोर्ट 2023’ में खुलासा किया गया है कि इस साल पहले 9 महीनों में 86 प्रतिशत दिन खराब मौसम के रहे। बाढ़, लैंडस्लाइड और फ्लैश फ्लड ने 2,923 लोगों की जान ली और 20 लाख हेक्टेयर फसल बर्बाद हो गई। आपदाओं के कारण 80 हजार से अधिक घर नष्ट हो गए और करीब 92,000 पशुओं की भी जान चली गई। अकेले हिमाचल में इस प्राकृतिक आपदा ने 14 हजार घरों को तबाह किया है। सबसे ज्यादा 642 मौतें बिहार और फिर हिमाचल प्रदेश में 365 लोगों की मौत हुई। सीएसई ने यह रिपोर्ट भारतीय मौसम विभाग के आंकड़ों के आधार पर जारी की है।

• Down To Earth

Weather Forecast: खराब मौसम बना जी का जंजाल, सैंकड़ों जानवरों समेत हजारों लोगों की मौत

Weather Forecast: भारत ने साल 2023 के पहले नौ महीनों में लगभग हर दिन Extreme मौसम की घटनाओं का अनुभव किया। बुधवार को जारी एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, मौसम की इस स्थिति के कारण लगभग 3,000 लोगों की मौत हुई। स्वतंत्र थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) द्वारा प्रकाशित रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि जलवायु के प्रति संवेदनशील देश में जनवरी से सितंबर 2023 तक 86 प्रतिशत दिनों में मौसम बेहद खराब था। करीब 3 हजार लोगों की हुई मौत सीएसई (CSE) ने आगे रिपोर्ट में कहा कि 2,923 लोग खराब मौसम की वजह से मारे गए, जबकि लगभग 20 लाख हेक्टेयर फसल बर्बाद हो गई, 80,000 घर नष्ट हो गए तो वहीं 92,000 से अधिक जानवर मारे गए। लेकिन ये संख्या और भी अधिक हो सकती है क्योंकि सारा डेटा एकत्र नहीं किया गया है। बिहार में हुई सबसे ज्यादा मौत सीएसई महानिदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने कहा, “भारत 2023 चरम मौसम की घटनाओं का आकलन’ देश में चरम मौसम की घटनाओं की आवृत्ति और विस्तारित भूगोल पर एक साक्ष्य आधार बनाने का प्रयास करता है। जैसा कि यह आकलन स्पष्ट रूप से दिखाता है, देश ने 2023 में अब तक जो देखा है वह नया है। मौसम 138 घटनाएं आई सामने जारी रिपोर्ट के अनुसार मध्य प्रदेश में सबसे अधिक 138 Extreme मौसम की घटनाओं की सूचना मिली। हालांकि, सबसे अधिक मौतें बिहार (642) में हुईं, इसके बाद हिमाचल प्रदेश (365) और उत्तर प्रदेश (341) का स्थान रहा। पंजाब में जानवरों की सबसे अधिक मौतें दर्ज की गईं, जबकि हिमाचल प्रदेश में मौसम की चरम घटनाओं के कारण सबसे अधिक मकान क्षतिग्रस्त हुए।

• Down To Earth

दुबई में आज से शुरू हो रही है COP28 समिट, जानिए क्या है यह और इसमें भारत की भूमिका क्यों है महत्वपूर्ण

नए सीएसई-डाउन टू अर्थ आकलन से पता चला है कि भारत ने इस साल के पहले नौ महीनों में लगभग हर दूसरे दिन एक चरम मौसम की घटना देखी. अतः देश को "लॉस और डैमेज फाइनेंस" पर विशेष जोर देने की जरूरत है. सीएसई ने अपनी एक रिपोर्ट में कहा, "जलवायु परिवर्तन के चल रहे और भविष्य के प्रभावों के कारण आर्थिक, गैर-आर्थिक और पारिस्थितिक नुकसान के अनुमान को हानि और क्षति (एल एंड डी) कहा जाता है."

• Climate Change and Green Economy

दुबई कॉप28: हानि और क्षति, जलवायु कार्रवाई और जीवाश्म ईंधन का चरणबद्ध होना प्रमुख मुद्दे

कल, यानी 30 नवंबर, से शुरू होने वाले जलवायु सम्मेलन (COP28) में पार्टियों द्वारा नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा को तीन गुना करने, ऊर्जा दक्षता में सुधार और मीथेन उत्सर्जन में कमी लाने का आह्वान करने की संभावना है। जलवायु परिवर्तन से प्रभावित देशों के लिए जलवायु वित्त में 4 बिलियन डॉलर की गिरावट आई है, ऐसा तब हुआ है जब विकसित देशों ने अपने योगदान को दोगुना करने का वादा किया है। पार्टियां या तो हानि और क्षति निधि पर की गई सिफारिशों को स्वीकार करेंगी या कॉप28 के दौरान उन पर फिर से बातचीत करेंगी। जलवायु परिवर्तन पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र फ्रेमवर्क के लिए पार्टियों का 28वां वार्षिक सम्मेलन कॉप28 (COP28) शुरू हो रहा है। इस दौरान देश और पार्टी ब्लॉक उन विषयों पर अपनी स्थिति का मूल्यांकन कर रहे हैं जो वैश्विक स्तर पर जलवायु कार्रवाई के भविष्य के संकेत दे सकते हैं। दुबई में 30 नवंबर से 12 दिसंबर के बीच होने वाली बैठक से पहले अमेरिका और चीन ने एक संयुक्त बयान जारी कर कई क्षेत्रों में सहयोग करने पर सहमति जताई। इन क्षेत्रों में कार्बन कैप्चर, उपयोग और भंडारण प्रौद्योगिकियों (सीसीयूएस) के विकास को आगे बढ़ाना, मीथेन और अन्य ग्रीनहाउस गैसों में कटौती और अर्थव्यवस्था-व्यापी उत्सर्जन को कम करने का वादा शामिल है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट में प्रोग्राम मैनेजर अवंतिका गोस्वामी का कहना है कि दुनिया के दो सबसे बड़े उत्सर्जकों का यह बयान बताता है कि वे इन मुद्दों – विशेष रूप से मीथेन – के बारे में कॉप 28 में बड़े पैमाने पर बात करना चाहते हैं।