The year 2025 was marked by a series of devastating natural disasters that left thousands dead, displaced millions and destroyed critical infrastructure across the world.
Countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean were hit by earthquakes, cyclones, floods, wildfires, heatwaves and snowstorms, stretching emergency response systems and humanitarian agencies to the limit.
Myanmar earthquake
In August 2025, Myanmar was struck by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 3,085 people and injured at least 4,715 others, according to the ruling junta.
The quake affected regions home to more than 28 million people, flattening entire communities and destroying homes, hospitals and transport networks. Aid agencies warned of a looming public health crisis, particularly in Mandalay, Sagaing and the capital Naypyitaw, where thousands of survivors were forced to sleep outdoors amid fears of aftershocks and collapsing buildings.
Cyclones and typhoons
Sri Lanka continued to reel from the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on the island’s eastern coast on November 28. Nearly a month later, more than one million people — including over half a million children — remained in urgent need of humanitarian assistance as floods, landslides and renewed rainfall compounded one of the country’s worst disasters in decades.
UN assessments showed that about 1.8 million people, roughly eight per cent of the population, were affected, with at least 1.2 million requiring aid.
In September 2025, Super Typhoon Ragasa battered Taiwan, Hong Kong and parts of China before moving into Vietnam.
At its peak, the storm recorded sustained wind speeds of up to 165 miles per hour. In southern Taiwan, heavy rainfall caused flooding and triggered the collapse of a barrier lake, leaving at least 17 people dead.
Caribbean tragedy: Hurricane Melissa
One of the deadliest disasters of 2025 unfolded in the Caribbean, where Hurricane Melissa tore through several islands, including Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba.
At least 88 deaths were confirmed across the region, with the toll expected to rise as assessments continued. More than 54,000 people were displaced and forced into emergency shelters, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
UNICEF reported that over 700,000 children experienced major disruptions to schooling, health services, clean water and sanitation due to flooding and damaged infrastructure.
Flooding events
Severe flooding struck northern and north-central Vietnam in October 2025 after days of intense rainfall and the remnants of tropical storms, causing widespread destruction, loss of life and major economic damage.
In the United States, deadly floods hit central Texas on July 4, 2025, after water levels along the Guadalupe River rose rapidly. At least 135 people were killed, including 117 in Kerr County alone, making it one of the deadliest flooding events in the state’s history.
Across Africa, widespread flooding affected countries including Nigeria, Botswana and South Africa, killing hundreds and displacing thousands.
In Kenya, at least 37 people died in early November after a massive mudslide swept through parts of Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Chesongoch village was among the worst hit, with homes washed away and hundreds of families left homeless.
The Kenya Meteorological Department maintained heavy rain alerts as rescue teams battled steep and unstable terrain.
Wildfires and heatwaves
Southern California experienced severe wildfires in early 2025 that burned vast tracts of land, claimed lives and caused billions of dollars in economic losses.
Meanwhile, extreme summer heatwaves across Spain, France and Italy led to tens of thousands of heat-related deaths, overwhelming hospitals and public health systems.
Snowstorms and avalanches
In early November, powerful snowstorms and avalanches in Nepal’s Himalayan region killed climbers and trekkers, once again highlighting the growing risks linked to extreme and unpredictable weather patterns.
