Climate risks in Southeast Asian cities continue to escalate
Lalo 19 Aug 2025 11:26ENCopy link & title
Recently, Tropical Storm Wipha made landfall in the Philippines, causing severe flooding. It subsequently impacted southern China and central Vietnam, bringing widespread torrential rain disasters.
Although Vietnam and the Philippines experience heavy rainfall year-round, climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
A recent model from Zurich Resilience Solutions shows that by the 2040s, six major Southeast Asian cities—Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila—will face a "high risk" of extreme precipitation, heat waves, and sea level rise.
Critical infrastructure in Manila, Bangkok, Singapore, and Jakarta is particularly vulnerable. This projection is based on the IPCC's SSP2-4.5 scenario, which projects global warming of approximately 2°C between 2041 and 2060. Without mitigation measures, Southeast Asia could lose up to 25% of its GDP by 2050.
Although Vietnam and the Philippines experience heavy rainfall year-round, climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
A recent model from Zurich Resilience Solutions shows that by the 2040s, six major Southeast Asian cities—Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila—will face a "high risk" of extreme precipitation, heat waves, and sea level rise.
Critical infrastructure in Manila, Bangkok, Singapore, and Jakarta is particularly vulnerable. This projection is based on the IPCC's SSP2-4.5 scenario, which projects global warming of approximately 2°C between 2041 and 2060. Without mitigation measures, Southeast Asia could lose up to 25% of its GDP by 2050.
