WMO: Philippines among most affected by extreme weather in Asia

MANILA, Philippines — More people are killed or displaced by devastating rains and floods across Southeast Asia, with the Philippines among countries most affected, United Nations agencies warned.

Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam are among countries most affected by “a combination of monsoon-related rainfall and tropical cyclone activity,” World Meteorological Organization (WMO) spokesperson Clare Nullis said Tuesday.

Rising temperatures “increase the potential risk of more extreme rainfall because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture,” she noted.

Asia is highly vulnerable to floods, according to the WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia reports.

“The Asia-Pacific region faces the most intense and frequent tropical cyclone activity in the world,” said WMO secretary-general Celeste Saulo.

Record-breaking rainfall, storm surges and floods displace millions and cause billions of dollars in economic losses, she said.

Displacement has forced families into unsafe and overcrowded shelters, while flooding and damaged water systems are increasing the risks of disease outbreaks, UN Children’s Fund spokesman Ricardo Pires said.

The Philippines is still recovering from consecutive typhoons that struck in early November.