The WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report reveals accelerating sea-level rise in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal—exceeding global averages—alongside record ocean warming. This article explores the data, regional implications, and adaptation strategies, emphasizing India’s coastal vulnerabilities. (Rising Arabian Sea Levels)
1. Introduction: WMO Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal Report Highlights
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that sea levels in both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are rising faster than global averages—around 3.9 ± 0.4 mm/year and 4.0 ± 0.4 mm/year, compared to a global mean of 3.4 mm/year .The driver: thermal expansion, melting ice sheets, and ocean warming.
2. WMO Ocean Warming Trends Across the Northern Indian Ocean
– Sea surface temperature (SST) rise: Asia’s oceanic SSTs are increasing at 0.24 °C/decade, nearly double the global mean of 0.13 °C/decade .
– Marine heatwaves: In 2024, nearly 15 million km² of the northern Indian Ocean experienced marine heatwaves—an unprecedented area .
– Record warm year: 2024 ranked as the warmest or second warmest year in Asia, with ocean surface contributing significantly to the trend .
3. Sea-Level Rise Data Table– Rising Arabian Sea Levels
| Region | Rate (mm/year) | Margin of Error (± mm) |
| Global mean sea level | 3.4 | 0.3 |
| Arabian Sea (within 50 km coast) | 3.9 | 0.4 |
| Bay of Bengal (within 50 km coast) | 4.0 | 0.4 |
Source: WMO State of the Climate in Asia 2024 .
4. Key Impacts of Rising Seas & Warming Oceans
4.1 Coastal Threats in India
Low-lying regions face increased flooding and erosion risk.
Socioeconomic stress on fisheries, saltwater intrusion in agriculture, and infrastructure vulnerability .
4.2 Ocean Warming & Marine Ecology
Marine heatwaves affect coral reefs, fish migration, and regional marine biodiversity.
Accelerated ocean warming intensifies monsoon patterns, cyclones, and storm surges (wmo.int).
4.3 Glacier Melt & Water Security
Melting in the Himalayas and Tian Shan glaciers heightens flood risk (GLOFs) and changes downstream water availability .
5. Cyclones & Climate Change in the Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal
Climate change is intensifying cyclonic activity:
Arabian Sea cyclones are becoming stronger, longer, and increasingly landward—landfall duration rose from ~170 h (1982–2000) to ~367 h (2001–2021) .
Frequency and severity of storms like Nisarga and Tauktae have increased, damaging homes and agriculture (wmo.int).
Read For More …….. WMO 2024 Report .
Major Climate Drivers in 2024: Insights from the WMO Report
The global climate system is influenced by several natural phenomena known as climate drivers or climate patterns, which shape weather trends over periods ranging from a few days to multiple decades. The WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 highlights how these dynamic systems—particularly El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole, and the Asian Monsoon—significantly impacted regional weather in Asia throughout the year.
El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO): From Intensity to Neutrality
The strong El Niño event that began in the summer of 2023 gradually weakened and concluded by early spring 2024. From May onward, the Pacific Ocean transitioned into a neutral phase, meaning there was no active El Niño or La Niña condition during most of the year.
By the year’s end, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific dropped slightly below average, hinting at the emergence of a weak La Niña.
Despite its end, the earlier El Niño left a significant imprint on Asia’s 2024 weather:
Severe heatwaves and intense rainfall events occurred in East Asia, especially during the spring and summer.
The same system also contributed to extreme precipitation in parts of Western and South-West Asia, causing flash floods and infrastructure challenges in vulnerable regions.
Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): A Year of Near Neutrality
The Indian Ocean Dipole, a crucial driver of weather patterns across the Indian Ocean region, mostly remained in a neutral phase during 2024.
Typically, a positive IOD features:
Cooler-than-normal waters and suppressed rainfall in the southeastern Indian Ocean.
Warmer waters and enhanced convection (rainfall and cloud activity) in the western Indian Ocean.
In 2024, while the IOD showed signs of a brief negative phase toward the end of the year, this was short-lived and did not have a lasting climatic impact.
The Asian Monsoon 2024: Stronger than Usual
Asia experienced a robust monsoon season in 2024, with overall rainfall across the monsoon belt above the long-term average. This was especially evident in:
North-East Asia, where North China received 83% more rainfall than usual.
The Yangtze River basin, which recorded 51% above-normal rainfall during its rainy season.
The Republic of Korea, witnessing 33% more rainfall than average.
Parts of Japan, North-East China, and eastern Mongolia, which also faced extended wet periods.
Meanwhile, the Indian summer monsoon had a normal onset, with overall rainfall across India amounting to 108% of the climatological norm (1971–2020 average). This is classified within the “normal” rainfall category, yet it brought timely and beneficial rains to most agricultural regions of the country.
Summary of Key Climate Events in 2024
| Climate Driver | Status in 2024 | Regional Impacts |
| El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) | Ended early 2024; Neutral rest of year; Weak La Niña signs later | Heatwaves & heavy rainfall in East Asia, floods in Western Asia |
| Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) | Mostly Neutral; brief negative phase late 2024 | Minor impact, no sustained weather anomaly |
| Asian Summer Monsoon | Stronger-than-normal in many regions | Above-average rainfall in India, China, Korea, and surrounding areas |
6. Strategies & Recommendations
6.1 Strengthen Early Warning Systems
Enhance coastal meteorological services and real-time alerts to protect vulnerable populations .
6.2 Adapt Coastal Infrastructure
Promote resilient designs—sea walls, elevated zones, improved drainage—to cope with sea-level rise.
6.3 Ecological & Agricultural Safeguards
Adopt salt-tolerant crops, restore mangroves, and monitor freshwater intrusion to support rural livelihoods.
6.4 Regional Cooperation
WMO-recommended regional coordination for data sharing and consistent climate-service strategies.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why are sea levels rising faster in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal?
A: Local factors—thermal expansion, melting ice, regional warming rates—make sea levels near coasts rise faster than global averages
Q2: How does ocean warming affect cyclones in these regions?
A: Warmer sea surfaces fuel cyclones, making them stronger, longer-lasting, and more likely to impact inland areas .
Q3: What can India do to respond?
A: The WMO recommends robust coastal infrastructure, early detection systems, crop adaptation, and regional policy coordination.
Q1. What ended the El Niño event in 2024?
The El Niño that began in 2023 naturally weakened due to ocean-atmosphere interactions and transitioned to a neutral ENSO phase by early 2024, as per oceanic and atmospheric indicators.
Q2. Did India experience normal monsoon rainfall in 2024?
Yes, India’s monsoon onset was on time, and seasonal rainfall was 108% of the normal average, which falls within the ‘normal’ category for the country.
Q3. What is the Indian Ocean Dipole, and did it impact 2024 weather?
The IOD is a fluctuation of sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean. In 2024, it remained largely neutral, with limited influence on broader weather patterns.
Summary
The WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report reveals alarming trends: faster sea-level rise and rapid ocean warming in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Combined with stronger, longer cyclones, these threats demand urgent adaptation—from infrastructure resilience to smarter agriculture and regional forecasting systems.
References
- WMO report on sea-level rise in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal .
- WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 summary
- Study on tropical cyclone intensification & inland reach .
- Ocean warming trends & marine heatwaves in Asia (wmo.int)
- Times of India timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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