Asia Hit by Record Heat, Floods and Drought in 2025

The report highlights the growing human and economic costs of climate change while stressing the importance of early warning systems and disaster preparedness in reducing loss of life and damage.

Asia experienced a year of extreme weather in 2025, with record-breaking heat, destructive floods, severe drought and accelerating glacier loss affecting millions of people across the region, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The report highlights the growing human and economic costs of climate change while stressing the importance of early warning systems and disaster preparedness in reducing loss of life and damage.

Record Temperatures and Extreme Weather Grip the Region

Asia continued to warm at a pace faster than the global average, with the region's warming trend between 1991 and 2025 nearly twice as strong as the rate recorded between 1961 and 1990. The year ranked between the second and fourth warmest on record, depending on the dataset used. Extreme heat dominated much of the year. Japan, China and South Korea recorded their hottest summers ever, while prolonged heatwaves swept across Central Asia, parts of West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula.

In Kazakhstan, temperatures reached as much as 14 degrees Celsius above normal during several months. Bahrain recorded ten consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. The intense heat also contributed to devastating wildfires, including the largest wildfire event ever recorded in South Korea.

Floods, Drought and Glacier Loss Cause Widespread Damage

Heavy rainfall linked to monsoons and tropical cyclones triggered major flooding across several countries. Pakistan suffered some of the worst impacts, with monsoon flooding linked to more than 1,000 deaths and leaving over three million people in need of assistance. In Viet Nam, prolonged flooding caused by multiple weather systems resulted in at least 200 deaths and economic losses estimated at $1.9 billion.

At the same time, drought conditions intensified across parts of West and Central Asia. Iran experienced ongoing water shortages as dry conditions persisted, while severe dust storms disrupted transport, public health and economic activity in several countries. The report also highlights continuing glacier retreat across High Mountain Asia. All 23 monitored glaciers lost mass during the 2025 glaciological year, increasing concerns about long-term water security for one of the world's most densely populated regions.

Oceans Reach New Climate Extremes

Ocean temperatures across Asia reached record levels in 2025, continuing a warming trend that has accelerated since the 1990s. Marine heatwaves affected nearly the entire ocean area surrounding Asia, with more than 10 million square kilometres impacted between July and September alone. Sea levels also reached their highest point since satellite monitoring began in 1999. Some coastal regions experienced rates of sea-level rise significantly above the global average. The report further notes continuing ocean acidification, with record-low pH levels recorded in parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the tropical Indian Ocean.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the findings demonstrate the urgent need for stronger observation networks, early warning systems and impact-based forecasting. Examples from China showed that timely warnings and coordinated evacuations helped save lives during severe rainfall events, reinforcing the value of preparedness as climate-related risks continue to intensify across Asia.