That weather-related catastrophes cause a lot of destruction is
well known. But the prospect that increasing floods, droughts
and storms will prompt many millions of people to migrate to
safer areas is still poorly understood and anticipated,
according to a forthcoming report from the Asian Development
Bank. “In the past year alone, extreme weather in Malaysia,
Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines and
Sri Lanka has caused temporary or longer-term dislocation of
millions,” the organization, which is based in Manila, said on
Monday, citing the study, which is to be released in early
March. “This process is set to accelerate in coming decades as
climate change leads to more extreme weather.” No international
cooperation mechanism has been set up to manage these migration
flows, the bank warned, and protection and assistance plans
remain “inadequate, poorly coordinated and scattered.” It urged
national governments and the international community to urgently
address this issue. Forecasts of gl