Why South Asia Is Warming at Twice the Global Rate

South Asia is experiencing climate change at nearly twice the global average rate, a trend that is intensifying extreme weather events such as floods, cyclones, droughts, and heatwaves across the region. Experts warn that climate change is no longer a distant environmental issue for South Asia but has become an immediate humanitarian and economic crisis.

 

Weather patterns that were once predictable have changed significantly. Rainfall has become irregular—sometimes arriving in excess, sometimes absent for long periods. According to meteorological assessments, climate change has begun to redefine monsoon behaviour, particularly across South Asia. In the most recent monsoon season, rainfall arrived later than usual and was highly uneven, triggering floods in several regions.

 

Cyclonic activity in the Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas has increased in frequency and intensity. Countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Bangladesh have faced repeated storms and flooding, while interior regions have struggled with water scarcity. Official disaster data shows that across parts of South Asia, more than 7,000 villages were affected, impacting an estimated 2.3 million people.

 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that rainfall patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable. While some regions are receiving intense rainfall within short periods, others are experiencing prolonged dry spells. This volatility has increased the risk of flash floods, landslides, and prolonged droughts.

 

According to data cited from international climate assessments, between 1995 and 2024, more than 9,700 extreme weather events were recorded globally, resulting in approximately 8.32 million deaths and economic losses exceeding USD 4.5 trillion. South Asia accounted for a significant portion of these losses due to floods, cyclones, heatwaves, and drought-related disasters.

 

The article highlights that countries including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are among the most vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. In South Asia, nearly 40 million people have been affected by extreme weather events. Previously, nations such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh regularly faced flooding during monsoon seasons, but the scale and severity of damage have increased dramatically.

 

Climate scientists attribute this rapid warming to rising global temperatures and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Research by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, indicates that India’s average temperature has risen by approximately 0.9 degrees Celsius between 2015 and 2024. Northern and eastern India have recorded some of the highest temperature increases, with average temperatures rising by 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius compared to the 1950s.

 

States such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Bihar have experienced a significant decline in rainfall—up to 20 percent in certain areas—while other regions have faced destructive excess precipitation. Globally, around 40 percent of people living in extreme poverty now reside in countries most affected by climate disasters.

 

Experts also note that developing countries bear the brunt of climate impacts despite contributing less to historical carbon emissions. Among the countries most affected are India (6th), Pakistan (11th), and Bangladesh (12th) in global climate risk rankings.

 

Climate researchers emphasize that the increasing frequency of extreme weather in South Asia is directly linked to the rapid warming of the region. As temperatures continue to rise, disasters that once occurred occasionally are now becoming routine. Scientists warn that if current trends persist, climate change will accelerate further, leading to more intense floods, stronger cyclones, longer droughts, and rising humanitarian risks.

The evidence makes it clear that South Asia is no longer merely facing the effects of climate change—it is becoming one of its most vulnerable epicenters, with environmental, economic, and human costs escalating each year.