ASIATODAY.ID, GENEVA — Asia is once again on the frontline of the global climate emergency. A relentless wave of extreme rainfall, catastrophic flooding, and back-to-back tropical cyclones has devastated large parts of the region, killing hundreds and displacing millions.
The United Nations has declared its full readiness to support countries overwhelmed by this escalating climate onslaught.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines and Viet Nam are among the hardest hit — facing a dangerous combination of monsoon anomalies and increasingly unpredictable tropical cyclone activity driven by global warming.
“Asia is extremely vulnerable to flooding, and this year we are seeing levels of extremity that are truly alarming,” WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis told reporters in Geneva on December 2, 2025.
UN: Emergency Support Ready for Deployment
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep sorrow over the rising death toll and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting all affected nations.
“The United Nations is in close contact with national authorities and stands ready to strengthen all emergency response efforts,” the Secretary-General said through his Spokesperson.
UN Country Teams have been placed on standby to scale up logistics, medical aid, humanitarian supplies, and long-term recovery efforts as needed.
Indonesia Hit Hardest: 604 Dead, 1.5 Million Affected
Indonesia has suffered the most severe impact. According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB):
604 people have died
464 remain missing
2,600 injured
1.5 million affected
More than 570,000 displaced
The rare near-equatorial tropical cyclone Senyar unleashed “torrential rainfall, massive flooding, and widespread landslides” across northern Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia, and southern Thailand.
“Cyclones forming this close to the Equator are extremely unusual — communities have no experience dealing with such events, which magnifies the impacts,” Nullis explained.
Viet Nam Records One of the Highest 24-Hour Rainfall Totals in World History
Viet Nam has endured weeks of intense rainfall. A meteorological station in central Viet Nam recorded 1,739 mm of rain in just 24 hours — the second-highest known total ever recorded globally.
If confirmed, the figure would set a new rainfall record for Asia and the Northern Hemisphere, according to the WMO’s weather extremes evaluation committee.
The deluge has inundated historic landmarks, tourist areas, and critical infrastructure across the country.
Sri Lanka Faces Fast-Moving Humanitarian Crisis: 275,000 Children at Risk
In Sri Lanka, Cyclone Ditwah has triggered what UNICEF describes as a “fast-moving humanitarian emergency,” affecting 1.4 million people, including 275,000 children.
UNICEF warns that:
Roads are blocked and communication lines are down
Homes have been swept away
Schools and health facilities severely damaged
Overcrowded shelters heighten disease risks
Water shortages increase the threat of outbreaks
“The needs far exceed available resources right now,” said UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires, calling for urgent international support.
Global Warming Driving More Extreme Rainfall
WMO stresses that this cascade of disasters aligns with scientific expectations in a warming climate.
“A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture. It’s physics — and it means extreme rainfall events will continue to increase,” Nullis said.
The UN has urged governments across Asia to strengthen early-warning systems, accelerate climate adaptation strategies, and invest in risk-reduction measures as extreme weather events intensify. (AT Network)
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