Tropical Storm in Southeast Asia Displaces Millions

December 2, 2025
Rosa Qin

What seemed like typical monsoons have been exacerbated by tropical storms, having now taken the lives of 600 individuals and displaced 4 million civilians from their communities. The Southeast Asia region typically receives heavy rain during the monsoon season (typically from October to March). However, monsoon experiences this year were magnitudes larger due to a multitude of tropical storms forming around the region. Cyclone Senyar, a tropical storm in Indonesia, generated destructive landslides and floods that demolished thousands of homes. Typhoon Koto has also recently crossed over the Philippines and is heading towards Vietnam. The interaction between the two storms has only exacerbated the devastating impacts on families.

The nations of Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia bear the brunt of the impact. The city of Hat Yai received 335mm of rain in a single day, the largest amount in three centuries in Thailand. Furthermore, in many regions, receiving aid has become increasingly difficult. Many telecommunications infrastructures in Indonesia have been wrecked by extreme weather, making it harder to communicate with relief teams. Instead, rescue operations are forced to rely on helicopters to deliver necessities such as food and water. Similarly, in Thailand, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation recently announced relief payments of 9,000 baht ($280 USD) for each citizen. Nearly 1.3 million citizens have already applied, demonstrating the extensive need for aid.

However, not all aid has been delivered smoothly. Shopowners and buissnessowners across Southeast Asia have lamented over the thousands of dollars in losses. Criticism over the misallocation of relief funds and the lack of preparedness for the floods has already resulted in two local officials in Thailand being suspended. The delay in aid caused by debris and desperation among individuals has caused a rise in lootings, as worried residents broke into stores, thinking they would starve otherwise.

Recent floods have become part of a larger trend of increasingly intense storms exacerbated by climate change. This often results in unpredictable winds, rapid flash floods, and a rising frequency of heavy rain. As ocean temperatures warm, the temperature of the air above them also rises, causing water to be carried to higher altitudes, eventually becoming clouds. In fact, for every extra degree Celsius of warming, air can hold 7% more moisture.