April 1 (Reuters) - Following are impacts of global warming for Asia outlined in a draft U.N. climate report due to be released in Brussels on April 6. The draft, to be discussed by scientists and government experts in the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is looking at the regional effects of warming: ASIA -- Projected increases in temperatures and changes in precipitation "will increase the risk of hunger in Asia, especially in developing countries". -- If current warming rates are maintained, Himalayan glaciers could shrink to 100,000 square kilometres (38,610 sq mile) by the 2030s from 500,000 square kilometres (193,100 sq mile) now. That would disrupt river flows and bring more rock avalanches. -- Around 30 percent of Asian coral reefs are expected to be lost in the next 30 years due to climate change and other factors. -- Between 120 million and 1.2 billion people are likely to experience more water shortages by the 2020s. -- A 1 metre (40 inch) rise in sea level -- far above the 18-59 centimetre gain projected for 2100 -- would lead to widespread flooding in deltas such as the Mekong and Red Rivers. -- Flooding with a 1 metre rise in sea level could affect 3-5.5 million people in the delta, and 4 million in the Red River delta. -- The annual per capita availability of freshwater in India is expected to drop from around 1,900 cubic metres to 1,000 by 2025 due to population growth and climate change. -- Falls in crop yields are suggested for parts of Asia. -- Agriculture irrigation demand in arid and semi-arid regions of East Asia is expected to increase by 10 percent for every 1 Celsius (1.8 F) rise in temperature. -- The frequency and extent of forest fires in north Asia are expected to increase.
