Asia is experiencing a severe climate crisis, with scorching heatwaves hitting northern regions like Japan and South Korea, while torrential rains and devastating floods sweep through southern areas including China, India, and Pakistan.
Japan recently recorded its highest-ever temperature of 41.8°C in Isesaki city, following its hottest June and July on record. Over 50 people have died from heatstroke in recent weeks, and authorities have even suspended train services due to the risk of tracks warping under extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, South Korea has endured 22 consecutive “tropical nights,” with temperatures refusing to dip below 25°C, prompting a spike in heat-related illnesses. In Vietnam, Hanoi surpassed 40°C in August for the first time, with residents describing the heat as unbearable.
While the north bakes, southern Asia is grappling with extreme rainfall and deadly floods. Southern China has seen widespread flooding, causing mass flight cancellations, landslides, and a growing public health risk due to stagnant floodwaters. The capital Beijing witnessed deadly floods last month, killing dozens, including residents in a care home.
In northern India’s Uttarakhand, over 100 people are missing after a cloudburst triggered flash floods. Pakistan has reported nearly 300 deaths since June due to rain-related incidents, with widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure. In Hong Kong, over 350mm of rain fell in a single day—marking its wettest August day since 1884.
These disasters highlight the intensifying impact of climate change on Asia, with scientists warning of increasingly frequent and extreme weather events. The continent, warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, has suffered $2 trillion in climate-related damages over the past 30 years.