New global climate research shows that extreme weather events driven by climate change in 2025 intensified rapidly and disproportionately affected vulnerable populations — with India among the worst impacted countries. Heatwaves, floods, storms and other severe events underscored growing inequality in climate risks, pushing millions closer to their limits of adaptation and exposing gaps in preparedness and infrastructure.
India’s experience in 2025 reflected these global trends, with record-high temperatures, erratic monsoon behaviour and widened geographic spread of extreme events. Scientists warn that the increasing frequency and intensity of such events is linked to human-induced warming, which continues to raise baseline temperatures even with short-term natural cooling influences like La Nina.
Nearly every day saw extremes across India
According to independent climate assessments, India experienced extreme weather on nearly 99 per cent of days from January to November 2025, spanning heatwaves, storms, lightning, heavy rain, floods and landslides — far higher than in recent years. During this period, the country recorded thousands of deaths, widespread crop damage and destruction of infrastructure across multiple states.
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth annual assessment reported that these extreme weather events claimed at least 4,419 lives and affected more than 17 million hectares of cropped land. In many regions, the cumulative toll on agriculture and property far exceeded what local systems were designed to handle.
Heatwaves were recorded across 19 states and Union Territories, including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, highlighting warming even in high-altitude regions. Monsoon and post-monsoon seasons showed unprecedented patterns, with continuous rainfall and flood events occurring alongside heat extremes.
Floods, monsoon disruptions and human costs
The 2025 monsoon, amplified by climate change factors, brought heavy rainfall and major floods across northern and central India, leading to significant loss of life and property. In India and neighbouring Pakistan together, extreme monsoon events were among the most deadly worldwide, claiming nearly 1,860 lives and causing billions of dollars in losses.
Specific states reported severe impacts — Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir recorded high numbers of casualties and infrastructure damage. Crop losses rose significantly, with millions of hectares affected, threatening food security and rural livelihoods in heavily agricultural regions.
Extreme weather events also translated into economic damage. Scientists and economists warn that continued climate stress on India’s agricultural and infrastructure systems could undermine growth, particularly if adaptive capacity remains unequal across regions.
Adaptation limits and inequality concerns
Climate researchers have noted that while some regions can adapt to incremental changes, the sheer frequency and scale of 2025 events pushed many Indian communities past their adaptive capacity. Limited access to early warning systems, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and social safety nets in rural and low-income areas exacerbated risks.
India’s long history of exposure to extreme weather, including ranking among the top countries in the Climate Risk Index, further emphasises the need for enhanced adaptation planning. Historical data indicate India consistently ranks among nations most affected by weather-related deaths and economic losses over decades.
Experts call for stronger climate action and resilience
In response to these escalating risks, climate scientists and policy experts are urging comprehensive action. Emissions reductions remain essential to limit warming and slow the intensification of extreme events. However, adaptation strategies — including investment in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, disaster response capacity and community education — are equally crucial to protect vulnerable populations.
Urban planners and disaster management authorities are also calling for integration of climate risk data into infrastructure design and land-use planning. Strengthening local meteorological networks and expanding climate-smart agriculture practices can help reduce vulnerability to future extremes.
