Asia

Typhoon Dujuan: in a warming climate even well-prepared nations remain vulnerable to worsening climate extremes

Typhoon Dujuan passes south of Japan before weakening into a tropical storm. Image: Himawari imagery: CSU/CIRA & JMA/JAXA

Typhoon Dujuan, the 25th typhoon of the 2026 typhoon season in Japan, developed over the Western Pacific in September 2026, evolving from a tropical depression into a tropical storm before strengthening into a typhoon, with sustained winds exceeding 120 km/h and powerful gusts (RainViewer; WeatherUSA). Rather than making direct landfall, the system tracked along Japan’s … Continue reading “Typhoon Dujuan: in a warming climate even well-prepared nations remain vulnerable to worsening climate extremes”

Rapid warming in the Himalaya exacerbates geohazard cascades beyond adaptation limits

Views of settlements in central northern Nepal covered in mud following the devastating flash floods that swept through the area on 26 August, causing widespread destruction to homes, roads and other infrastructure.

A catastrophic rock-ice avalanche that transitioned into a debris flood in the Himalayas along the Nepal–China border on 26 August 2026 has caused widespread destruction across Nepal and neighbouring regions. In Nepal, at the time of writing (14 September 2026) the disaster has resulted in over 1,300 confirmed deaths, with only a small fraction of … Continue reading “Rapid warming in the Himalaya exacerbates geohazard cascades beyond adaptation limits”

Flood impacts in Assam driven by high exposure and structural vulnerability, amid uncertain rainfall trends

Flooding in Assam State in August 2026. Photo: Facebook/CMO Assam

Between late June and early August 2026, the region of Upper Assam (specifically the primary districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat) and the surrounding hill catchments of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India witnessed multiple spells of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall that triggered repeated waves of flash flooding and widespread inundation across the … Continue reading “Flood impacts in Assam driven by high exposure and structural vulnerability, amid uncertain rainfall trends”

Climate change exposes millions of Hajj pilgrims to deadly heat for increasingly longer parts of the year

The Kaaba during Hajj

The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the five pillars of Islam and a lifelong dream for many Muslims. All Muslims who are physically and financially able are expected to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lives. This year, the Hajj falls in May, traditionally a safer and milder time of year … Continue reading “Climate change exposes millions of Hajj pilgrims to deadly heat for increasingly longer parts of the year”

Increasing heavy rainfall and extreme flood heights in a warming climate threaten densely populated regions across Sri Lanka and the Malacca Strait

Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. UNDP 2025. Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo.

On 27 November, Cyclonic Storm Ditwah struck Sri Lanka with strong winds and very heavy rainfall, causing the worst flooding and landslides since the early 2000s (UN News, 2025). Cyclonic Storm Ditwah became the deadliest weather-related disaster since the 2004 tsunami. Meanwhile Indonesia, Malaysia and southern Thailand were experiencing persistent heavy rainfall, intensified by Cyclonic … Continue reading “Increasing heavy rainfall and extreme flood heights in a warming climate threaten densely populated regions across Sri Lanka and the Malacca Strait”