When climate and Covid-19 collide: Ten steps to prepare South Asia

As if managing the evolving coronavirus pandemic is not enough, countries in South Asia are now bracing themselves for an onslaught of climate disasters. April is the prime month for cyclones striking India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; central and southern India are forecast to heat up faster than usual this spring, making heatwaves more likely. And normal to above-average monsoon rainfall could bring floods to parts of the country from June. Careful planning is needed to escape major damage to crops, homes and infrastructure, all amidst the marshalling of resources toward limiting the spread of Covid-19.