GENEVA

Rising temperatures are increasing the likelihood of extreme rainfall amid ongoing floods across Asia, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Tuesday, as devastating storms have killed hundreds, displaced communities, and caused widespread economic disruption.

Speaking at a UN briefing in Geneva, WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis said "devastating rainfall has triggered catastrophic flooding" in several countries, forcing entire communities to flee.

National Meteorological and Hydrological Services "are working around the clock to provide forecasts and early warnings," while the WMO Coordination Mechanism is "supplying expert hazard and climate guidance to humanitarian responders," she added.

Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam are among the worst affected, facing a combination of monsoon-driven rainfall and tropical cyclone activity.

According to WMO's State of the Climate in Asia reports, the region is "highly vulnerable to floods," and warming temperatures are amplifying extreme rainfall risks because "a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture."

Nullis said the latest disasters highlight the need for stronger cooperation through WMO's regional mechanisms and reinforce the global push to ensure everyone is protected by early warning systems.

In a video address to the Typhoon Committee, a body jointly run by WMO and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the spokesperson noted that WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said "the Asia-Pacific region faces the most intense and frequent tropical cyclone activity in the world."

She said that "record-breaking rainfall, storm surges and floods displace millions and cause billions of dollars in economic losses," stressing that "no single institution or country can tackle the challenges of typhoons and climate extremes alone."

In Indonesia, torrential rains linked to Tropical Cyclone Senyar have triggered deadly landslides and flooding in Sumatra. Vietnam has recorded weeks of exceptional rainfall, pushing rivers to historic levels. The Philippines has been recovering from back-to-back typhoons, while Sri Lanka and southern Thailand continue to contend with widespread flood impacts.

WMO said these events reflect a growing climate threat, underlining the urgency of strengthening preparedness before future extremes hit.