South Asia Climate Data Archive

Understanding Climate Change Across South Asia

Comprehensive climate data visualization and analysis for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Tracking temperature, precipitation, atmospheric changes, and environmental transformations from 1960 to present.

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Understanding Climate Change

Introduction to Climate Science

What is Climate Change?

IPCC Definition:"Climate change refers to a change of climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and that is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods."
UNFCCC Definition:"A change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods."

Researcher Perspectives: Climate change represents long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), which produces heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

South Asia, home to over 1.8 billion people, is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change impacts, facing rising temperatures, changing monsoon patterns, glacial melt, sea-level rise, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.

Climate Data Archive
Afghanistan - Pakistan - India
1960 - 2024

Afghanistan

Climate Data and Environmental Indicators | 1960-2024

Temperature

+1.8°C

Average temperature increase since 1960.

Rising Trend

Rainfall

-12%

Overall decrease in annual precipitation.

Decreasing

CO2 Level

415 ppm

CO₂ concentration levels.

Increasing

Glacier Melting

-25%

Glacier mass loss in Hindu Kush mountains.

Rapid Melt

Water Resources

-30%

Reduction in water availability per capita.

Critical

Heatwaves

+45°C

Maximum temperatures during heatwaves.

More Frequent

Pakistan

Climate Data and Environmental Indicators | 1960-2024

Temperature

+1.5°C

Average temperature rise since 1960.

Rising

Rainfall

+8%

Overall increase but highly erratic.

Variable

CO2 Level

418 ppm

CO₂ levels rising.

Increasing

Glacier Melting

-35%

Glacier retreat in Karakoram and Himalayas.

Critical

Water Resources

1000m³

Water availability per capita dropped to critical levels.

Critical

Heatwaves

+52°C

Record temperatures in Sindh and Punjab.

Deadly

India

Climate Data and Environmental Indicators | 1960-2024

Temperature

+1.3°C

Average temperature increase.

Rising

Rainfall

+10%

Monsoon rainfall increased but more erratic.

Erratic

CO2 Level

420 ppm

CO₂ concentration.

High

Glacier Melting

-40%

Himalayan glaciers retreating rapidly.

Alarmingly

Water Resources

-45%

Groundwater depletion in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan.

Crisis

Heatwaves

+50°C

Heatwave frequency up 8x since 1960.

Extreme
Data Visualization

Climate Trends Analysis

Comparative climate data visualization for South Asia (1960-2024)

Temperature Trends

Average temperature anomaly (°C) - Three Countries

Precipitation Patterns

Annual precipitation change (%) from baseline

Glacier Mass Balance

Glacier mass loss (gigatons per year)

Water Stress Index

Water availability per capita (cubic meters)

Geographic Visualization

South Asia Climate Regions

Geopolitical and climate zones across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India

South Asia Geopolitical Map

Key Climate Regions:

Afghanistan
Highlands & Arid Zones
Temp Rise: +1.8°C
Pakistan
Indus Basin & Mountains
Glacier Loss: -35%
India
Himalayas to Coastal Zones
Water Depletion: -45%

📍 Region: South Asia | Population: 1.8+ Billion | Climate Vulnerability: Extreme

Data and Research

Climate Data Resources

Open access platforms and databases for climate research

Official

IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

UN body assessing climate science. Provides comprehensive assessment reports on climate change impacts, adaptation, and mitigation. Primary source for global climate policy.

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Database

Climate Data Guide

Comprehensive guide to climate datasets, tools, and methodologies. Curated by NCAR and international partners.

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Platform

Climate Watch

World Resources Institute platform tracking climate commitments, emissions, and progress toward Paris Agreement goals.

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Official

UNFCCC GHG Inventory

United Nations greenhouse gas inventory data. National emissions reports and climate action tracking.

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Economic

IMF Climate Data

International Monetary Fund climate macroeconomic data. Carbon pricing, climate finance, and economic impacts.

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Portal

World Bank Climate Portal

Climate Change Knowledge Portal with country-specific data, projections, and vulnerability assessments.

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Government

National Climate Portals

Government climate data portals for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. National communications and adaptation plans.

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