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Natural disasters

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A commuter wades through floodwaters from Cyclone Ditwah in Chennai on December 2. Flooding in India and Pakistan has killed over 1,860 people and caused up to US$6 billion in damages in 2025, according to a new report. Photo: AFP

Extreme weather

Asia’s year of costly climate disasters spurs calls for ‘decisive action’

With Asia accounting for four of the world’s six costliest weather disasters in 2025, experts urge investment in climate resilience.

30 Dec 2025 - 5:09PM

The Philippines

‘Master of Disaster’: Can a board game help Philippines face next catastrophe?

29 Dec 2025 - 5:46PMvideocam

‘Built on tofu’: safety fears as Japan prepares to restart nuclear plant

27 Dec 2025 - 3:03PMvideocam

Power, protests and policy shake-ups shape Indonesia’s 2025

President Prabowo Subianto asserts his authority as he navigates the global stage and domestic challenges in his first full year in office.

26 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto closed the year on firm footing despite challenges in his first full year in office. Photo: Reuters

Southern California drenched by powerful Christmas storm, flash flooding

Governor declares state of emergency amid deaths, rescues, evacuations, floods and potential mudslides.

25 Dec 2025 - 9:57PMvideocam

‘Worse than the tsunami’ – Indonesia’s Aceh residents traumatised by flooding

A month after the disaster, residents are still struggling to recover as anger against Jakarta’s slow rescue response mounts.

24 Dec 2025 - 11:00AMvideocam

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Extreme weather

Asia’s year in extreme weather and natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods

From the deadly earthquake in Myanmar to tropical cyclones in the Philippines, Asia went through its share of natural disasters in 2025.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM

Residents inspect the collapsed Maha Myat Muni Pagoda in the city of Mandalay, Myanmar, following a devastating earthquake. Photo: EPA-EFE

Southeast Asian floods set to threaten more wildlife due to climate change

Environmental crimes and poor oversight are also worsening the risks faced by animals and trees.

23 Dec 2025 - 7:39PMvideocam

Japan clears way for Tepco to restart world’s largest nuclear plant

Tepco, operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant, has been allowed to restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 15 years after the disaster.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:32PMvideocam

Indonesian elephants tasked to help in flood recovery spur conservation debate

The four elephants deployed to lift debris in Aceh last week after flooding were also involved in the 2004 post-tsunami recovery efforts.

19 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM

Sumatran elephants deployed to help clear tree debris last week following flash floods in Meureudu, Pidie Jaya district, Aceh province, Indonesia. Photo: AFP

Don’t build on ‘active zones’, experts warn Indonesia as Sumatra recovery begins

Jakarta has pledged US$3.6 billion and a special agency to help restore homes and public facilities destroyed in last month’s cyclone.

18 Dec 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

A fallen tree spray painted with “Help” lies among debris in Aceh Tamiang, northern Sumatra, on Tuesday in the aftermath of last month’s flash floods. Photo: AFP

Video | Indonesian minister dismisses Malaysian flood aid, sparking outrage

Tito Karnavian dismissed a US$60,000 aid package as ‘not much’ compared with Jakarta’s own disaster response, sparking online criticism.

17 Dec 2025 - 5:54PM

‘Just say thank you’: Malaysians fume as Indonesian minister belittles flood aid

Tito Karnavian dismissed the US$60,000 aid package as ‘not much’ compared to Jakarta’s own disaster response, touching a raw nerve online.

17 Dec 2025 - 5:59PMvideocam

Japan tremors raise fears of overdue megaquake killing 199,000

Authorities are urging residents to review evacuation plans as simulations suggest a ‘maximum-class’ winter night quake could trap thousands.

15 Dec 2025 - 3:17PMvideocam

A house burns after a powerful earthquake hit Aomori, northeastern Japan, early on Tuesday last week. Photo: Jiji Press/EPA

‘Didn’t know where to go’: tourists struggle in Japan quake evacuation

Foreign visitors were left scrambling for multilingual information after Monday’s magnitude 7.5 earthquake.

13 Dec 2025 - 10:21AMvideocam

A worker cleans up inside a shopping centre in Hachinohe in Aomori prefecture on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters

Japan lifts tsunami warning after magnitude 6.7 earthquake

The weather office said waves of up to 20cm were recorded on the main northern island of Hokkaido and in the Aomori region.

12 Dec 2025 - 2:13PMvideocam

‘Could go extinct here’: orangutans at risk as Indonesia floods devastate habitat

Orangutans have disappeared since landslides struck Sipirok in North Sumatra province.

9 Dec 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

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Japan issues megaquake advisory after magnitude 7.5 tremor

The advisory urges preparedness for a possible large quake and tsunami, recalling the 2011 disaster that destroyed Fukushima’s nuclear plant.

9 Dec 2025 - 8:02PMvideocam

A vehicle rests on the edge of a collapsed road in Tohoku town in Aomori Prefecture on Tuesday following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Photo: AFP

Is Indonesian disaster response failing Sumatra’s flood victims?

Prabowo’s government is ‘busy bragging about its quick reaction’ while deaths mount and people suffer from lack of aid, critics say.

9 Dec 2025 - 6:31PMvideocam

Video | Magnitude 7.5 quake strikes Japan

Some 2,700 homes in northeastern Japan were without power, with reports of fires after the ground shook violently for more than 30 seconds.

9 Dec 2025 - 3:09PM

Video | At least 30 injured after magnitude 7.5 quake in Japan

Authorities issued tsunami warnings following the powerful earthquake in northeastern Japan’s Aomori prefecture.

9 Dec 2025 - 10:53AM

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30 injured after massive quake in Japan, warning of more stronger tremors

Officials removed all tsunami warnings following the powerful earthquake in northeastern Japan’s Aomori prefecture.

9 Dec 2025 - 3:58PMvideocam

A vehicle sits on a damaged road in Tohoku town, Japan’s Aomori prefecture, on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo News via AP

Video | Force of Kilauea eruption knocks out remote camera

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has been erupting intermittently since December 2024.

9 Dec 2025 - 6:27PM

Australian bushfires destroy homes in 2 states as firefighter killed

More than 50 bushfires are burning across New South Wales as a massive blaze is contained in Tasmania.

8 Dec 2025 - 12:18PM

627 dead in Sri Lanka landslides as rains batter South, Southeast Asia

At least 1,812 people have been killed in the natural disasters rolling across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

7 Dec 2025 - 7:45PM

An aerial view of flooded Niyamgamdora, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Thai woman stays on rooftop with pets during floods, refusing rescue without them

In her online plea for rescue, she shares location, urges authorities to cut power in her neighbourhood to prevent electrocution.

6 Dec 2025 - 9:00AM

A Thai woman received online praise for staying on a rooftop with her dog and cat for three days during floods, refusing rescue unless her pets could join her. Photo: AP/FB@NewJazz Looknew

The Philippines

6 cyclones, 5 weeks: Philippines can’t escape its endless cycle of disaster

Corruption, complacency and climate chaos conspire to turn the Philippines’ natural hazards into man-made tragedies.

6 Dec 2025 - 8:17AMvideocam

Video | ‘Please help us’ appeal from Indonesia flood survivor

Death toll has risen to more than 830 with hundreds still missing in Sumatra.

9 Dec 2025 - 6:28PM

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