Behind Floods 2025 – Climate Change in South Asia

South Asia is acutely vulnerable to flooding due to its geographic, climatic, and socio-economic characteristics. The region experiences frequent floods, primarily driven by intense monsoon rainfall. Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan have witnessed a rising trend in the frequency and intensity of extreme flood events in recent decades. While historical flood patterns fall within the bounds of natural climate variability, emerging data suggests that climate change is exacerbating these events. Projections indicate that flood risk is highly sensitive to global warming levels, with higher temperatures intensifying the hydrological cycle and increasing the likelihood of severe precipitation events.

The 2025 flood event has underscored the economic fragility of South Asian countries in the face of climate-induced disasters. The widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and housing reflects systemic vulnerabilities, particularly in low-lying and densely populated areas. Moreover, the transboundary nature of river systems like the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus further complicates regional flood management, especially in the context of strained diplomatic Relations.

Climate change impacts, including altered rainfall regimes, glacial melt, and increased evaporation amplifies existing stresses on water availability. South Asia’s already contested water resources—due to agricultural demand, population growth, and interstate water sharing disputes—face further degradation under these compounded pressures. Glacial recession in the Himalayas and erratic monsoon behavior are likely to reduce water predictability, increase flood-drought cycles, and strain storage infrastructure. As such, integrated basin-wide water management, climate-resilient infrastructure, and enhanced regional cooperation are essential to mitigating future flood risks and ensuring water security in South Asia.

By Alishba Khan