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.

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. Warming rate exceeds global average, particularly in northern and central highlands.

Rising Trend

Precipitation

-12%

Overall decrease in annual precipitation. Increased variability with more intense rainfall events and longer dry periods.

Decreasing

Wind Pressure

1013 hPa

Average atmospheric pressure. Seasonal variations intensifying, affecting monsoon patterns and dust storm frequency.

Variable

Atmospheric Gases

415 ppm

CO₂ concentration levels. Methane emissions from agriculture and livestock contributing to greenhouse effect.

Increasing

Cryosphere

-25%

Glacier mass loss in Hindu Kush mountains. Snow cover duration reduced by 2-3 weeks over past 40 years.

Rapid Melt

Soil Moisture

-18%

Decline in soil moisture content. Increased desertification and land degradation affecting 75% of agricultural land.

Drying

Water Resources

-30%

Reduction in water availability per capita. Groundwater depletion and reduced river flows from glacier melt.

Critical

El Niño / La Niña

Impact

Strong correlation with drought cycles. El Niño events cause severe droughts; La Niña brings flooding.

Intensifying

Heatwaves

+45°C

Maximum temperatures during heatwaves. Frequency increased 3x since 1980, particularly in southern regions.

More Frequent

Wildfires

+180%

Increase in wildfire occurrences. Drier conditions and higher temperatures extending fire season by 2 months.

Rising Risk

Pakistan

Climate Data and Environmental Indicators | 1960-2024

Temperature

+1.5°C

Average temperature rise since 1960. Urban heat islands in Karachi and Lahore showing +2.5°C increases.

Rising

Precipitation

+8%

Overall increase but highly erratic. Monsoon intensity up 25%, causing severe flooding events.

Variable

Wind Pressure

1010 hPa

Average pressure with seasonal monsoon variations. Wind patterns shifting, affecting agricultural cycles.

Shifting

Atmospheric Gases

418 ppm

CO₂ levels rising. Industrial emissions and vehicle pollution contributing to urban air quality crisis.

Increasing

Cryosphere

-35%

Glacier retreat in Karakoram and Himalayas. Over 7,000 glaciers at risk, threatening Indus River system.

Critical

Soil Quality

-22%

Soil degradation from salinity and erosion. 11 million hectares affected by waterlogging and salinity.

Degrading

Water Stress

1000m³

Water availability per capita dropped to critical levels. Among top 10 most water-stressed countries.

Critical

El Niño / La Niña

Severe

2022 floods linked to La Niña. 33 million affected, $30 billion in damages. Monsoon disruption intensifying.

Extreme Events

Heatwaves

+52°C

Record temperatures in Sindh and Punjab. Heatwave duration extended by 3-4 weeks annually.

Deadly

Wildfires

+150%

Forest fires in northern mountains increasing. Agricultural burning contributing to air pollution crisis.

Rising

India

Climate Data and Environmental Indicators | 1960-2024

Temperature

+1.3°C

Average temperature increase. Himalayan region warming 2x faster than global average.

Rising

Precipitation

+10%

Monsoon rainfall increased but more erratic. Extreme rainfall events up 75% since 1950.

Erratic

Wind Patterns

Variable

Monsoon wind strength fluctuating. Cyclone intensity in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea increasing.

Intensifying

Atmospheric Gases

420 ppm

CO₂ concentration. India is 3rd largest emitter globally. Air quality crisis in major cities.

High

Cryosphere

-40%

Himalayan glaciers retreating rapidly. Gangotri glacier retreating 20-30m/year. Water security threat.

Alarmingly

Soil Health

-28%

Soil degradation affecting 147 million hectares. Loss of organic carbon and nutrient depletion.

Degrading

Water Resources

-45%

Groundwater depletion in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan. 21 cities to run out of groundwater by 2030.

Crisis

El Niño / La Niña

Strong

Monsoon failures linked to El Niño. 2023 El Niño caused 6% rainfall deficit, affecting agriculture.

Impact Growing

Heatwaves

+50°C

Heatwave frequency up 8x since 1960. 2022 saw earliest and longest heatwave on record.

Extreme

Wildfires

+200%

Forest fires in Himalayas and Western Ghats increasing. Agricultural stubble burning causing air crisis.

Severe
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

Interactive Climate Maps

Climate indicators across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India

Climate Data Layers:

Temperature Rise
Afghanistan: +1.8°C
Precipitation
Pakistan: +8% (erratic)
Glacier Loss
India: -40%
Water Stress
Regional crisis
Data Sources

International Climate Agencies

Leading organizations providing climate data and research

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.

NOAA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

U.S. agency monitoring Earth's atmosphere and oceans. Provides critical climate data, weather forecasting, and ocean observations globally.

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Space agency monitoring Earth's climate from satellites. Tracks temperature, sea level, ice sheets, and atmospheric composition with precision.

ISRO

Indian Space Research Organisation

India's space agency. Operates earth observation satellites monitoring monsoon, agriculture, water resources, and disaster management.

CNSA

China National Space Administration

Chinese space agency. Operates Fengyun meteorological satellites providing regional climate monitoring for Asia.

ESA

European Space Agency

European space agency. Climate Change Initiative providing long-term satellite data records for essential climate variables.

Data and Research

Climate Data Resources

Open access platforms and databases for climate research

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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