2M killed from extreme weather over past half-century – WMO

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) announced on Monday a report outlined shocking damages caused by extreme weather conditions. The report documents the period between 1970 and 2021, during which two million people died and $4.3 trillion in economic losses were incurred.

The WMO’s findings were issued during the quadrennial World Meteorological Congress, which opens on May 22.

The highest number of reported extreme weather incidents took place in Asia, where 3,612 disasters took place. The Asian continent alone accounts for 47 percent of all reported deaths worldwide, with 984.263 deaths.

In Africa, $43 billion of economic loss was reported to result from 1.839 disasters attributed to climate. Droughts accounted for 95 percent of reported deaths in Africa, estimated at 733.585 in total.

The report highlighted the astonishing fact that 90 percent of deaths recorded worldwide take place in developing countries. “The most vulnerable communities unfortunately bear the brunt of weather, climate, and water-related hazards,” said WMO Secretary-General, Petteri Taalas.

The agency emphasised the role of early warnings and coordinated disaster management in minimising human casualties. WMO’s Congress endorses the United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative, in an effort to address this issue.

Currently, only half of countries have early warning systems, especially in Africa and the least developed countries. António Guterres, UN Secretary General, stated it is targeted that all people become protected by early warning systems by 2027.