What's happened
In November 2025, Cyclone Ditwah and related monsoon storms caused catastrophic flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Over 2,500 deaths have been reported, with millions displaced and widespread infrastructure damage. Scientists link the severity to climate change, with warmer Indian Ocean waters intensifying storms and rainfall.
What's behind the headline?
Climate Change Amplifies Disaster Severity
The recent floods and landslides across South and Southeast Asia are a stark example of how climate change is intensifying natural disasters. Warmer ocean temperatures, about 1°C higher than pre-industrial levels, have fueled stronger cyclones like Ditwah and Senyar, increasing rainfall and flood risks. This is compounded by rapid urbanization and deforestation, which reduce natural water absorption and increase runoff, turning heavy rains into catastrophic floods.
Regional Vulnerabilities and Infrastructure Challenges
The affected countries face systemic challenges: underinvestment in water infrastructure, ecosystem degradation, and insufficient disaster preparedness. The Asian Development Bank warns that billions remain at risk due to ecosystem decline and funding shortfalls. The floods have exposed these vulnerabilities, with millions displaced and critical infrastructure damaged, including roads, bridges, and power lines.
Economic and Social Impacts
The disasters have caused at least $20 billion in losses, disrupted factory output, and strained emergency services. The human toll is severe, with thousands dead and millions displaced. Recovery costs are high, with Sri Lanka alone estimating up to $7 billion needed for reconstruction. The economic drag will likely slow growth and exacerbate poverty in already vulnerable communities.
Forecast and Urgency
Extreme weather events like these will become more frequent and severe as climate change progresses. Without urgent investment in resilient infrastructure, improved urban planning, and ecosystem restoration, the region will face escalating humanitarian and economic crises. International aid and coordinated regional responses are critical to mitigate future disasters and protect vulnerable populations.
What the papers say
The Japan Times highlights the scientific analysis linking warmer Indian Ocean waters to the intensity of Cyclones Ditwah and Senyar, noting that "without human-driven warming, ocean temperatures would have been roughly 1°C cooler" and that climate change likely intensified extreme rainfall periods. Al Jazeera provides detailed casualty figures and ongoing challenges, reporting "at least 961 people have been killed in floods across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra," and describing the massive displacement and infrastructure damage.
The New York Times emphasizes the human impact and governmental responses, quoting Sri Lanka's president calling Ditwah "the largest and most challenging natural disaster in our history," and Indonesia's president linking the storms to global warming, urging preparedness for future floods. The Guardian offers vivid survivor accounts and highlights the logistical difficulties faced by aid workers, with one survivor describing the floodwaters arriving "rapidly and submerged villages."
Together, these sources paint a comprehensive picture of a climate-driven disaster with profound human, economic, and environmental consequences, underscoring the urgent need for climate adaptation and disaster resilience in the region.
How we got here
The region experienced intense monsoon rains and tropical cyclones, including Ditwah and Senyar, fueled by Indian Ocean temperatures about 0.2°C above seasonal averages. Rapid urbanization, deforestation, and climate change amplified flooding and landslides, overwhelming emergency responses in vulnerable areas.
Go deeper
- What caused the severity of the floods in Sri Lanka and Indonesia?
- How is climate change linked to these recent cyclones?
- What are the recovery efforts and challenges in the affected countries?
Common question
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What caused Cyclone Ditwah and how bad is the flooding in Sri Lanka?
Cyclone Ditwah has brought devastating floods and landslides to Sri Lanka and southern India, causing significant loss of life and property. Many are wondering what triggered this powerful storm and how severe the damage really is. Below, we explore the causes of Cyclone Ditwah, the current situation on the ground, and what it means for the affected communities. If you're concerned about future storms or want to understand the ongoing rescue efforts, keep reading for detailed answers.
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How Do Recent Storms Like Cyclone Ditwah Compare to Past Weather Events?
Recent storms such as Cyclone Ditwah have caused unprecedented damage, raising questions about how they stack up against historical weather events. With increasing reports of severe flooding, landslides, and fatalities, many wonder if these storms are becoming more intense and frequent. Understanding the comparison helps us grasp the changing climate patterns and prepare better for future disasters. Below, we explore how Cyclone Ditwah compares to past storms and what this means for affected regions.
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Why Are Floods So Devastating in Sri Lanka & Southeast Asia?
Recent severe floods in Sri Lanka and neighboring countries have caused widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacement. These events are linked to intense weather patterns and climate change, raising questions about their causes and future risks. Below, we explore what triggered these floods, how they impact the region, and what is being done to respond and adapt to these disasters.
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Why Are Floods Worsening in Asia?
Recent severe flooding across Asia, driven by Cyclone Ditwah and climate change, has caused widespread devastation. Many wonder why these floods are becoming more intense and frequent. In this page, we explore the reasons behind the worsening floods, the regions most affected, and what is being done to help those impacted. Keep reading to understand the factors fueling these disasters and how they relate to global climate patterns.
More on these topics
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Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea.
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Dissanayaka Mudiyanselage Anura Kumara Dissanayaka is a Sri Lankan politician, current Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
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Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of more than seventeen thousand islands, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea. Indonesia i
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
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Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the sixth-largest island in the world at 473,481 km², not including adjacent islands such as the Mentawai Islands, En
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Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo is an Indonesian politician, businessman and former Army lieutenant General who is the currently-appointed Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia.
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Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo metropolitan area has a population of 5.6 million, and 752,993 in the city proper.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
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Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and formerly known as Siam, is a country in Southeast Asia. Located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, it is composed of 76 provinces, and covers an area of 513,120 square kilometres, and a population
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Aceh ( AH-chay, Indonesian: [ˈatʃɛh] ; Acehnese: Acèh, Acehnese pronunciation: [atʃɛh]; Jawoë: اچيه; Old Spelling: Atjeh) is the westernmost province of Indonesia. It is located on the northern end of Sumatra island, with Banda Aceh being its c
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Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia and the easternmost country on the Indochinese Peninsula. With an estimated 96.2 million inhabitants as of 2019, it is the 15th most populous country in the world. Vietn