Asia Floods Reveal Escalating Climate Risk 

In late November and early December 2025, severe flooding and cyclones affected large parts of Asia, causing widespread damage and significant loss of life. Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand experienced intense rainfall, overflowing rivers, and landslides that displaced communities and disrupted essential services. These events demonstrate how climate-related hazards are increasing in both frequency and severity across the region. 

Key Developments 

• Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka on 30 November 2025, causing severe flooding and landslides, with more than 330 confirmed deaths and many people still missing. 

• Nearly 200,000 people were displaced in Sri Lanka, with emergency shelters opened across hardest-hit districts. 

• On 1 December 2025, India successfully evacuated the last group of stranded citizens from Sri Lanka and continued delivering relief supplies. 

• Across late November 2025, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand reported widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and transport disruptions due to continuous heavy rainfall. 

• Many affected areas remain without electricity, safe drinking water, and healthcare services, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. 

Climate and Polar change link 

Climate change is making Asia’s rainfall and cyclones stronger because warmer oceans add energy to storms and a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture. At the same time, the rapidly warming Arctic and shrinking sea ice are changing jet-stream and monsoon patterns. Studies show that low Arctic sea-ice years are linked to stronger South Asian monsoon extremes and shifts in rainfall across Asia. These polar changes, combined with ocean warming, increase the risk of severe storms and floods across Asia, showing that what happens in the Arctic directly affects Asian weather. 

Urgent response needed 

• Strengthen early-warning systems and invest in flood-resilient infrastructure. 

• Ensure reliable access to emergency shelters, clean water, and healthcare during crises. 

• Reduce global emissions and prevent further expansion of new fossil-fuel development to slow the climate drivers of extreme weather. 

Read more about extreme weather here. 

Subscribe to our Climate Alert Bulletin for biweekly updates on how global climate risks impact you.