UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025

UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025 warns extreme heat is now the deadliest climate risk — Delhi, Karachi, Dhaka face +7°C urban heat; South Asia 300+ lethal days/year.

Table of Contents

Launched on 26 November 2025 in Bangkok, the United Nations ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025 delivers the most alarming climate warning yet for the world’s most populous region: extreme heat has overtaken floods, cyclones and earthquakes as the fastest-growing and most widespread disaster risk. Titled Rising Heat, Rising Risk, the flagship report declares that heatwaves are no longer seasonal events — they are becoming a chronic, year-round reality that will reshape lives, economies and cities across Asia-Pacific.

If you are searching for UN ESCAP Disaster Report 2025 PDF, extreme heat South Asia 2025, urban heat island Delhi Karachi Dhaka, heatwave deaths India Bangladesh, or Asia climate risk 2025, this is the most comprehensive, up-to-date breakdown available.

Core Message of the 2025 Report

Even if the world miraculously limits global warming to 1.5–2 °C, Asian megacities will still experience 2–7 °C of additional localised heating because of the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Combined with deadly humidity, this will push the “felt” heat index (wet-bulb temperature) into the human survivability red zone for months every year.

Key Findings & Statistics (2025–2100)

Indicator	Current / Near-Term (2025–2030)	Worst-Case Projection (2100, high emissions)
Annual economic loss from disasters	Hundreds of billions USD	US$498 billion
Extra urban heating (UHI effect)	+2 to +7 °C on top of global warming	Chronic in all megacities
Days with heat index >35 °C (South Asia)	300+ days/year in many areas	Near year-round
Days with heat index >41 °C (dangerous)	Already 100–200 days in parts of India/Pakistan	200–300 days/year
Working hours lost annually (Asia)	75 million full-time jobs	8.1 million job-equivalents by 2030
Most exposed megacities	Delhi • Karachi • Dhaka • Manila • Shanghai • Seoul • Phnom Penh	Same cities face lethal heat 5–8 months/year

Why South Asia Is Ground Zero

Humid heat – Sweat cannot evaporate → heat index routinely exceeds 35 °C wet-bulb (the threshold beyond which healthy humans die within hours).
Explosive urbanisation – Delhi, Dhaka, Karachi are among the top 10 fastest-growing cities globally, with <5 % tree cover in many zones.
Massive outdoor labour force – Over 400 million workers in agriculture, construction, rickshaw pulling, street vending have zero heat protection.
Weak adaptation – Most Heat Action Plans remain under-funded, poorly funded, or non-existent at district level.
Power & water stress – Frequent blackouts and dry taps during peak summer make cooling impossible for the poor.

Real-World Impacts Already Happening (2024–2025)

Bangladesh Apr–May 2024 heatwave → 33 million affected, schools closed for weeks
India 2024 summer → ~700 confirmed heatstroke deaths (actual toll likely 10× higher)
Pakistan 2022–2024 → Multiple cities recorded wet-bulb temperatures >35 °C — physiologically unsurvivable for more than a few hours
Delhi May 2025 → Recorded 52.9 °C air temperature — highest in Indian history

Sector-wise Devastation

Sector	Projected Impact by 2030–2050
Agriculture	Rice & wheat yields drop 10–30 % → higher food prices & hunger
Labour productivity	South Asia could lose 10–15 % of daytime working hours
Public health	Cardiovascular & kidney deaths surge; vector diseases (dengue) explode
Energy grid	Peak electricity demand during heatwaves → blackouts & higher emissions
Infrastructure	Roads melt, railway tracks buckle, airports shut down

Most Vulnerable Megacities (UHI + Population Exposure)

Delhi (India)
Karachi (Pakistan)
Dhaka (Bangladesh)
Manila (Philippines)
Shanghai (China)
Seoul (South Korea)
Phnom Penh (Cambodia) – projected 138 lethal heat days/year by 2100

Policy Recommendations – Immediate Actions Needed

The report lists concrete, actionable solutions that governments must implement before 2030:

National Heat-Health Early Warning Systems down to district & block level, with alerts in local languages
Heat-resilient urban redesign – cool roofs, white/reflective paint, urban forests, ventilation corridors, permeable pavements
Legal protection for workers – mandatory shade, rest breaks, hydration, and shift bans when heat index >41 °C
Cooling shelters & community centres with guaranteed power backup
Subsidised cooling access – free/subsidised fans, AC units, and water for low-income households
Climate-smart agriculture – heat-tolerant seeds, micro-irrigation, agroforestry, crop insurance
Strengthen healthcare – heatstroke wards, mobile clinics, oral rehydration points
Regional cooperation – ESCAP’s new Cross-Border Green Cooling Corridors initiative

Conclusion

The UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025 is crystal clear: Extreme heat is no longer a “future” risk — it is the dominant climate crisis of the present decade. South Asia and Southeast Asia’s megacities are on the frontline, but every country in the region is exposed.

The solutions are known, affordable, and scalable. What is missing is political urgency and funding. If governments treat heat the same way they treat cyclones — with early warnings, evacuation plans, and emergency funding — millions of lives and trillions of dollars can be saved.

Download the full report from the official ESCAP website (free PDF available) and share it widely. The clock is ticking louder than ever.