In some parts of the world climatic disasters occur so frequently that they may even be considered part of the norm. It is possible that greenhouse gas-induced climate change will alter the frequency, magnitude, and character of both climate extremes and climatic disasters. Every region of the world experiences record-breaking climate extremes from time to time. The same year also saw an extreme typhoon season in Southeast Asia. More than 1,000 people drowned a month later when southern Thailand was struck by the most powerful storm in fifty years.
Droughts are another devastating type of climate extreme.
Frequent reports of record-breaking events suggest that climate extremes are becoming more common. There is no scientific evidence, however, that this is the case at the global level. This is because people in many parts of the world are being forced to live in more exposed and marginal areas. Finally, because the communications revolution has made news and information more widely available than ever before, people are much more aware of the occurrence of extreme events and of their impact. Global climate change could well affect the frequency, magnitude and location of extreme events.