The 2025 southwest monsoon battered India and Pakistan with eight per cent above-normal rainfall, triggering the year’s deadliest climate disaster and claiming 1,860 lives. Ranked fifth costliest globally at $3 billion, this event submerged farmlands, overflowed rivers, and displaced millions, as revealed in Christian Aid’s report — Counting the Cost 2025 A year of climate breakdown.
Warmer atmospheres fueled the fury, linking human-driven climate change directly to intensified downpours.
Monsoon Devastation Across South Asia
Heavy rains from May through September unleashed 2,277 flood events in India, marking the wettest May on record. Rivers swelled, glacial melts accelerated, and towns vanished underwater, forcing mass evacuations. In Pakistan, over 7 million people suffered, with 1,000+ deaths from floods, glacial bursts, and river overflows—destroying 12,500 homes, 240 bridges, and 6,500 livestock.
Infrastructure crumbled too: Pakistan lost 600km of roads, while India’s agriculture—backbone for 18% of its economy and 1.4 billion livelihoods—faced severe yield drops. Consequently, 1.3 million acres of Pakistani crops drowned, costing $1.4 billion alone. These impacts highlight how excess moisture from a supercharged atmosphere amplified every hazard.
Climate Change’s Direct Role
Scientists attribute the extremity to global warming: for each degree of heating, monsoons intensify by about 5%. A recent study shows climate change made Pakistan’s rains 12% heavier than in a pre-industrial world. Warmer oceans boost evaporation, packing air with moisture for deluges, while melting glaciers and permafrost spur landslides.
No longer “natural,” these events stem from emissions, per experts. Thus, South Asia’s vulnerability surges, demanding faster global action on fossil fuels and adaptation.
Why Did This Monsoon Rank So High?
Financially fifth among 2025’s top 10 disasters (over $120 billion total), it trails California wildfires but leads in fatalities. Insured losses understate true costs in developing nations, yet human tolls dominate: Pakistan’s 1,000 deaths and India’s widespread agony. How does this compare to past years? 2025’s 8% rain surplus eclipses norms, worsening cycles of flood and famine.
Q&A: Monsoon Crisis Facts
Q: What made 2025 the deadliest monsoon?
A: 8% excess rainfall, glacial floods, and 2,277 extreme events caused 1,860 deaths across India-Pakistan.
Q: How much did Pakistan’s agriculture lose?
A: $1.4 billion from 1.3 million submerged acres, plus infrastructure hits like 600km roads.
Q: Did climate change intensify the rains?
A: Yes, by 12% in Pakistan per attribution studies; warming adds 5% per degree Celsius.
Q: What infrastructure suffered most?
A: 12,500 homes, 240 bridges in Pakistan; India’s farms saw broad yield reductions.
Q: How does it rank globally?
A: Fifth costliest at $3B, but tops fatalities in Christian Aid’s 2025 report.
FAQ
What total cost hit India-Pakistan?
Combined $3 billion, with Pakistan’s ag losses at $1.4B and widespread displacement.
Why wettest May in India?
Record early rains set the tone for 8% seasonal excess, fueling floods.
How many affected in Pakistan?
Nearly 7 million, including 1,000+ deaths and massive livestock losses.
Can monsoons worsen further?
Absolutely—emissions must drop to curb 5% intensity rise per degree of warming.
What steps for future resilience?
Enhance early warnings, restore wetlands, and push global emissions cuts.
This 2025 monsoon exemplifies climate breakdown’s toll on South Asia, where communities pay dearly for delayed action. Leaders must prioritize emissions reductions and aid now to avert repeats. Stay vigilant with weather alerts for safer seasons ahead.
