Asia experienced one of its most challenging climate years on record in 2025, with extreme heat, devastating floods prolonged droughts, shrinking glaciers and record breaking ocean temperatures affecting millions of people across the continent according to a new report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The report titled State of the Climate in Asia 2025 highlights how climate change is intensifying weather related disasters across the region and underscores the growing importance of early warning systems in reducing loss of life and economic damage.
According to the WMO, Asia is warming faster than the global average. The region’s warming trend between 1991 and 2025 was nearly twice as strong as during the period from 1961 to 1990. The year 2025 ranked between the second and fourth warmest year ever recorded in Asia, depending on the dataset used.
Extreme heat emerged as one of the most significant climate hazards. Japan, China and South Korea all recorded their hottest summers on record. Heatwaves persisted across Central Asia, parts of West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. In Kazakhstan, temperatures soared as much as 14 degrees Celsius above normal during several months, while Bahrain experienced ten consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Hot and dry conditions also contributed to severe wildfires, including the largest wildfire event ever documented in South Korea.
Rainfall patterns were equally alarming. Southern Asia received exceptionally heavy monsoon rainfall, triggering widespread flooding. In Pakistan, monsoon floods were linked to more than 1,000 deaths and left over three million people in need of assistance. Vietnam also suffered severe flooding caused by multiple weather systems, resulting in at least 200 deaths and economic losses estimated at US$1.9 billion.
In Southeast Asia, Cyclone Senyar brought torrential rain and extensive flooding to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, highlighting the growing risks associated with unusual and rapidly changing tropical cyclone activity.
While some regions struggled with excess rainfall, others faced severe drought. Parts of West and Central Asia experienced prolonged dry conditions. Iran continued to battle long-term drought, which contributed to worsening water shortages. The region was also hit by a major dust storm in April that disrupted transportation, affected public health and caused economic losses.
The report also raises concerns about the rapid retreat of glaciers across High Mountain Asia, a region centred around the Tibetan Plateau that contains the largest volume of ice outside the polar regions. All 23 monitored glaciers lost mass during the 2025 glaciological year. Scientists attributed the losses to below-average winter snowfall and persistently high temperatures.
Glacier retreat is increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods and threatens long term water security for billions of people who depend on rivers fed by Himalayan and Central Asian glaciers.
Ocean conditions reached unprecedented levels as well. Ocean heat content across Asia hit a new record in 2025, while marine heatwaves affected more than 10 million square kilometres of ocean between July and September. Sea levels also reached their highest point since satellite observations began in 1999. Along India’s coastline, sea levels rose at a rate significantly higher than the global average.
Ocean acidification continued to worsen, with record-low pH values recorded in parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and tropical Indian Ocean. Scientists warn that these changes pose increasing threats to marine ecosystems, fisheries and coastal communities.
The WMO also highlighted the shrinking of the Caspian Sea. Water levels in the world’s largest inland water body continued to decline in 2025 due to increased evaporation linked to rising temperatures.
Despite the growing climate threats, report points to the success of early warning systems in saving lives. In China’s Sichuan Province, timely warnings and coordinated evacuations helped reduce casualties during severe rainfall events. The WMO says such systems will become increasingly important as climate-related hazards continue to intensify across Asia.
WMO SecretaryGeneral Celeste Saulo said the report demonstrates how rising temperatures, warming oceans, sea level rise and glacier retreat are creating new risks across the continent. She stressed that observations, forecasting and early warning services remain essential tools for helping communities adapt to a rapidly changing climate.