Asia’s Deadly Floods Expose Climate and Planning Failures

• Jul 29, 2025

In recent months, unusually heavy rainfall across Asia has triggered deadly floods, landslides, and widespread destruction, leaving hundreds dead and millions affected. From South Asia to the Himalayas, China, and Southeast Asia, countries are grappling with increasingly severe weather, worsened by rising temperatures and erratic monsoon patterns.

In northern Pakistan, torrential pre-monsoon rains in June and July caused flash floods across several provinces, killing over 200 people and injuring hundreds more. Tourists in Swat Valley were swept away, and public anger has grown over the lack of early warnings and unregulated construction along riverbeds.

In India, northeastern states like Manipur, Assam, and Sikkim were hit hard by heavy monsoon rains in early June. At least 34 people died, and landslides cut off roads and flooded thousands of homes. The disruption affected large areas and stranded many communities.

China faced historic rainfall, especially in Beijing, where 195mm of rain fell in just 13 hours—close to a full season’s worth. More than 30 people died, 80,000 were evacuated, and major infrastructure was damaged. Authorities linked the storm to a typhoon system from the Philippines, which also brought heavy rain to Taiwan.

In South Korea, floods starting mid-July killed around 20 people and forced over 13,000 to evacuate. Landslides and flooding destroyed campsites and farms, prompting the government to label the disaster a “once-in-a-century” event.

Southern China provinces like Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong were also placed under flood warnings as early as May. With more than 150mm of rain in some places, the military had to help rescue trapped residents.

Indonesia, too, faced widespread flooding in early 2025. Central Java recorded at least 17 deaths, with similar damage in Bali, Sumatra, and Sulawesi. In Nepal, glacial lake floods in May and July destroyed bridges and killed at least eight people, despite no rainfall, highlighting the dangers of melting glaciers.

Malaysia and broader Southeast Asia saw unusually heavy rains well outside the usual monsoon season, driven by warmer sea temperatures and La Niña conditions. States like Sabah, Sarawak, and Johor experienced damaging floods and landslides.

Experts warn that Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average. This increases the risk of both droughts and floods, with glaciers melting rapidly and rainfall becoming harder to predict. Central India, for example, has seen a threefold rise in extreme rain events since 1950.

Poor urban planning, unregulated development, and limited disaster readiness have made these events deadlier. In Pakistan and India’s Himalayan regions, lack of proper infrastructure and weak warning systems worsened the impact.

Most flood losses in South and Southeast Asia remain uninsured—up to 95%—leaving communities without financial support. While parametric insurance, which pays out based on rainfall levels, is gaining attention, it’s not widely used.

Some governments are taking action. AI-based flood warning systems are being used in parts of Southeast Asia, and India is deploying expert teams to investigate disasters and recommend changes. The World Bank has urged countries to invest more in climate resilience and urban planning, noting that over 60% of households in South Asia have faced extreme weather recently.

But experts stress that more must be done. Investments in forecasting, planning, insurance, and regional cooperation are essential to avoid making disaster the new normal.