169 - Southeast Asia Floods

What you need to know

Author

The Climate Mentor
December 4th, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

The growing threat of water

Recent catastrophic floods have devastated Southeast Asia, with hundreds of fatalities and millions displaced.

Countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka have been hit by torrential rains, severe storms, and overflowing rivers, triggering one of the deadliest flood events in the region in recent years.

As of early December 2025, more than 1,250 people have lost their lives, and hundreds more remain missing, primarily in Indonesia. The Indonesian island of Sumatra has been particularly affected, where 604 people have died and 464 are still missing. In total, over 1.5 million people have been impacted by the floods across Indonesia alone, with at least 28,000 homes damaged or destroyed.

In southern Thailand, 3.6 million people have been affected, with the floods causing widespread damage to both infrastructure and agriculture.

Map showing severe floods across Southeast Asia, with deaths reported in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia. The map highlights storm locations and impacts, including at least 659 fatalities in Indonesia, 410 in Sri Lanka, and 181 in Thailand. Storms Ditwah, Koto, and Senyar are marked, with images of flood victims, including a man carrying an elderly person through floodwaters in Sri Lanka.

Severe Floods in Southeast Asia Claim Over 1,000 Lives

Climate Change: The Key Driver 🌱

These floods are not isolated incidents but part of a growing trend linked to climate change.

Rising global temperatures are increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and tropical storms. Studies show that for every 1°C rise in global temperatures, the atmosphere can hold 7% more moisture, leading to more intense storms and heavier rainfall.

"Infographic showing how climate change increases rainfall intensity. On the left, the natural climate explains how warm, moist air rises to form clouds and falls as rain. On the right, the infographic shows how warmer air due to climate change can hold 7% more water for every 1°C increase, resulting in heavier rain and a higher risk of flash flooding.

How Climate Change Affects Rainfall Intensity Globally

In addition to higher rainfall, the region is experiencing more severe monsoons, which are made worse by rising sea levels and more frequent cyclones. Experts predict that this trend will continue, significantly impacting the region’s ability to cope with natural disasters.

The socioeconomic fallout

In addition to the loss of life, millions have lost their homes, and vital infrastructure has been destroyed, including roads, bridges, and power lines.

Agriculture has been severely affected, with thousands of hectares of crops submerged, threatening food security. Governments and humanitarian organizations are racing to provide relief, but the scale of the crisis demands long-term solutions that focus on resilience and adaptation to climate change.

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