South Asia faces severe climate challenges, with rising temperatures, prolonged monsoons, and increased droughts. This region, home to over half of the world's population, has experienced numerous climate-related disasters affecting millions. Countries like India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives are particularly vulnerable, grappling with droughts, cyclones, and rising sea levels.
Examples of climate challenges include those within:
Afghanistan: Farmers are enduring severe droughts, making food scarcity a critical issue.
India and Bangladesh: Cyclones like Amphan have displaced millions.
Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka: Coastal areas face frequent cyclones and flash flooding.
Maldives: Rising sea levels threaten its very existence.
Bhutan and Nepal: Temperatures and droughts are intensifying.
An analysis of the Ministry of Home Affairs database reveals that from January 2000 to February 2022, approximately 29,310 climate-related disaster events occurred, resulting in the loss of 14,645 lives and 28,092 livestock, as well as the destruction and damage of 800,000 structures, including bridges, roads, hospitals, hydropower plants, and schools. Additionally, temperature increases in Nepal are outpacing the global average, with projections indicating a rise of 1.2°C to 4.2°C by the 2080s. In response to these escalating risks and vulnerabilities, technology is playing an increasingly vital role in Nepal. Notably, Nepal's early warning systems (EWS) have been effective in mitigating the risks associated with hydro-meteorological hazards. Both physical science and citizen science are key to the success of these systems. Physical science provides critical data on flood risks and initiates warnings, while citizen science aids in the dissemination and communication of EWS messages. It is important to recognize that South Asian countries face similar climate change threats. The severe floods in Pakistan in 2022, the floods in Himachal-Uttarakhand in India in 2022 and 2023, and the Melamchi and Mahakali floods in Nepal in 2021 underscore shared challenges that require coordinated solutions.
To combat these challenges further, the World Bank Group (WBG) has initiated the South Asia Climate Change Roadmap, focusing on three key areas:
1. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Land Use through supporting transitions in agriculture, food, water, and land to be more climate-resilient.
2. Decarbonising the Energy Sector by promoting renewable energy while ensuring universal access to electricity.
3. Building Climate-Resilient Cities, courtesy of developing low-carbon and resilient urban infrastructures.
Luckily, there have been an abundance of success stories paved due to the invaluable initiative:
For example, as a leader in coastal resilience, Bangladesh has significantly reduced storm casualties through systematic investments in cyclone preparedness. With WBG support, it has rehabilitated extensive sea embankments and constructed numerous cyclone shelters and access roads. In a similar way, in Sri Lanka, Colombo's wetlands are being revitalised to prevent flooding through the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project, which integrates engineering and environmental science, while in India, Kerala's Resilient Kerala Program aims to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience across various sectors, including health, water resources, agriculture, and roads.
Moreover, delivering effective climate action requires strengthening resilience systems and financial frameworks. The WBG emphasises greening the financial sector and scaling up both public and private finance to support climate-smart transitions. This involves making climate considerations central to financial decisions and translating strategies into actionable investment plans. The future outlook remains positive, as the WBG's ongoing efforts highlight the potential for scalable solutions and innovations in climate resilience. By sharing successful strategies and encouraging regional cooperation, South Asia can advance towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. South Asia's battle against climate change is multifaceted, involving community-based solutions, large-scale infrastructure projects, and financial reforms. The WBG's initiatives showcase the region's potential to overcome climate challenges through resilience and innovation, setting a precedent for other vulnerable areas worldwide.
