Since mid-November 2025, South and Southeast Asia have been severely affected by overlapping tropical storms and intensified monsoon systems, causing widespread floods and landslides across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Viet Nam. The United Nations has been actively supporting government-led emergency operations with food, health, water, sanitation aid, medical teams, and early recovery assessments as heavy rains continue, raising concerns that the humanitarian crisis may worsen. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted that the UN remains closely engaged with national authorities and stands ready to support ongoing response efforts.
The disasters were driven by the unusual convergence of Cyclones Ditwah and Senyar, coupled with a strengthened northeast monsoon. Warm ocean temperatures and shifting storm tracks led to extreme rainfall even in regions historically considered low-risk for cyclones. Across the affected countries, nearly 11 million people have been impacted, with around 1.2 million displaced, and substantial damage reported to roads, utilities, and farmlands.
Sri Lanka was among the hardest hit, especially after Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on 28 November. Landslides and floods affected much of the island, with hill districts such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla recording the highest death tolls. Severe flooding in western and north-western districts disrupted markets, transportation, and water supplies, with children particularly vulnerable.
In Indonesia, relentless rains between 22 and 25 November triggered deadly floods and landslides across Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra. Official reports indicate over 830 deaths, at least 500 missing, more than 880,000 displaced, and over three million affected in total. Entire villages were submerged, bridges washed away, and roads cut off, necessitating aid delivery by helicopters and boats.
Southern Thailand and northern Malaysia also faced severe flooding from intensified monsoon rains. In Thailand, 12 provinces were affected, with at least 185 deaths, 367 missing, and over four million people impacted, including more than 219,000 displaced. In Malaysia, floods in eight northern and central states displaced around 37,000 people, while authorities continued issuing evacuation orders and weather warnings as rains persisted.
Viet Nam experienced one of its harshest typhoon seasons in years. Since October, a series of storms, including Tropical Cyclone Koto, caused flooding, landslides, and prolonged displacement, particularly in northern and central provinces. The government has activated a national joint response plan, and the UN has allocated $2.6 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund to support food security, health services, and infrastructure recovery.
UN agencies warn that climate change is intensifying and making these disasters increasingly unpredictable. Cyclones are forming and moving along unusual tracks, while warmer ocean waters drive extreme rainfall. Rapid urbanization, deforestation, and wetland loss are worsening flood impacts, often overwhelming evacuation routes even where early warning systems exist. The events of late 2025 underscore the urgent need for coordinated climate adaptation strategies and robust disaster preparedness across the Asia-Pacific region.
