As per the United Nations report on Tuesday, Asia was the most disaster-prone region globally in 2023 due to weather and climate risks. The primary causes of deaths and economic losses were storms and floods.

Last year, record highs were reached worldwide, with Asia warming at a particularly quick rate, according to the UN’s weather and climate organisation.

As glaciers melt and endanger the region’s future water security, the World Meteorological Organisation reported that heatwaves in Asia were growing increasingly intense.

In the Hindu Kush mountain range in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as the Himalayas, precipitation levels were below average.

Almost every month of the year saw precipitation levels below average in southwest China, which was experiencing a drought.

Out of the Polar Regions, the High-Mountain Asia region, located on the Tibetan Plateau, has the greatest amount of ice.

Asian temperatures last year were almost two degrees Celsius higher than the 1961–1990 average, according to the WMO, which stated that the region is warming more quickly than the rest of the world.

Celeste Saulo, head of WMO, said in a statement that the report’s findings are “sobering.”

“2023, a plethora of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, floods, and storms, hit many countries in the region, making it the hottest year ever recorded.The frequency and intensity of these occurrences were increased by climate change, which had a significant negative influence on businesses, communities, and—most importantly—our environment.

Significant consequences for the region’s economy, ecosystems, and cultures will result from the rapid acceleration of major climate change indicators like sea level rise, glacier retreat, and surface temperature, according to the State of the Climate in Asia 2023 assessment.

“In 2023, weather, climate, and water-related hazards continued to make Asia the world’s most disaster-prone region,” according to the WMO.

2023 saw the second-highest annual mean near-surface temperature over Asia on record, 1.87 C over the 1961-1990 average and 0.91 C above the 1991-2020 average.

From eastern China to Japan, as well as from western Siberia to central Asia, exceptionally high average temperatures were noted, the research stated, with Japan experiencing its hottest summer ever.

Many of these glaciers have been retreating for a number of decades, and they are retreating faster now, according to the WMO, which reported that last year 20 of the 22 glaciers in the region that were being monitored showed ongoing mass loss.

The northwest Pacific Ocean saw the highest sea surface temperatures ever recorded in 2023, according to the analysis.

In Asia last year, there were reports of 79 disasters linked to weather-related water dangers. With over 2,000 fatalities and nine million people directly impacted, floods and storms accounted for more than 80% of them.

In 2023, floods accounted for a significant portion of all reported deaths, according to the WMO, which also highlighted Asia’s ongoing high susceptibility to natural disasters.

On September 7, a typhoon caused Hong Kong to record the largest amount of rainfall in history—158.1 millimetres in an hour. Records go back to 1884.

According to the WMO, improved, customised information for officials tasked with lowering the risks of disasters was urgently needed from national weather agencies throughout the region.

“We have to make sure that our plans and actions reflect the urgency of the moment,” Saulo declared.

It is essential—rather than just a choice—to cut greenhouse gas emissions and adjust to the changing climate.

Maryam Nawaz, the chief minister of Punjab, opened “Meri Awaz, Maryam Nawaz,” the nation’s first virtual women’s police station, on Monday. Its goal is to prioritise resolving any issues that women experience, including harassment.

On the chief minister’s special orders, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) constructed the virtual women police station.

CM Maryam emphasised during the opening that with the creation of the virtual women police station, women would no longer need to visit police stations needlessly.

With the help of the Punjab Police app, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority website, the live chat function of the women safety app, the video call tool, and 15 calls, women can confide in each other and discuss their issues completely confidentially and trustingly—all without disclosing their identities or addresses.

According to the CM, women will receive direction and support from the virtual women police station during every step of filing a FIR and going through the legal system.

Additionally, 100 contemporary emergency panic 15 buttons have been erected throughout Lahore per the chief minister’s special directives. By hitting these panic buttons, which are stationed at colleges and universities, markets, crosswalks, and bazaars, you can instantly contact the PSCA.

Additionally, Maryam introduced “CM Maryam Nawaz Free Wi-Fi” at over 50 Lahore places.

Here in Islamabad, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi touched down at the Allama Iqbal International Airport early on Tuesday.

The Iranian president was greeted upon arrival at the Lahore airport by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. They were joined by Information Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari and Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

In attendance were the chief secretary, IG Punjab, Chaudhry Shafey Hussain, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Khawaja Salman Rafique, and Bilal Yasin, the provincial ministers. The President was given a guard of honor by a well-groomed contingent of Punjab Rangers.

Upon the arrival of the Iranian President, hoardings and banners greeting him were placed along city roads. President Raisi immediately proceeded to Mazar-e-Iqbal upon his arrival in Lahore and placed a floral wreath on the grave of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet of the East.

Despite Israel’s ongoing atrocities, the Iranian president praised Pakistan for standing by Gaza and its people.

He claimed that Allama Iqbal gave Muslims throughout fresh direction. Speaking on the Gaza War, he added that the supreme leader was certain that Israel would lose and the Palestinian people would win.

He declared that he felt at home and was having a great time while visiting Pakistan. He declared that he was going to speak to the Pakistani people.

In addition to Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, and Minar-e-Pakistan, the Iranian president will be visiting Lahore. The chief minister has scheduled a luncheon at Governor House to honor the president of Iran.

Once the foreign dignitary meets with Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman, he will depart for Karachi. Chief Minister of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, will greet him when he gets to Karachi. Later on, Raisi would interact with the business community after visiting Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi.

holiday in the area

The Iranian president is visiting both of the country’s capital cities, Karachi and Lahore, hence the provincial governments of Sindh and Punjab have proclaimed local holidays there.

Private and public schools, colleges, and universities will be closed today, per the administration’s statement. In honor of the occasion, all public and private offices will be closed.