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The ASEAN region is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. It sits on multiple tectonic plates and is part of the “Ring of Fire,” an area prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. It’s also located between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, making it a frequent target for Tropical Cyclones, especially typhoons, which are the most powerful kind.
These storms bring strong winds, heavy rain, high waves, and rising sea levels. That can lead to flash floods, landslides, and damage to infrastructure. Countries most at risk include the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar.
One recent example is Typhoon Kalmaegi, which formed in the Pacific Ocean and hit the eastern Philippines on November 4, 2025. It then moved into Vietnam, causing heavy rain and floods in many areas. There was serious damage to lives and property. By the time it reached Thailand, it had weakened into a tropical depression but still brought heavy rain in some areas, causing flash floods and river overflows.
The damage from typhoons isn’t just physical but it affects the economy, too. According to the Asian Development Bank (2019), powerful storms in the Philippines can reduce local economic activity by up to 23%. In Vietnam, FiinGroup (2024) reported that Typhoon Yagi hit the north in September 2024 and badly affected logistics, manufacturing, farming, trade, and tourism. The country’s GDP dropped by 0.15% that year, and major economic sectors fell into recession.
In recent years, ASEAN has faced stronger and more frequent typhoons. One major reason is climate change. Warmer ocean temperatures, caused by global warming, help fuel these storms. A study led by Prof. TAM Chi Yung Francis from The Chinese University of Hong Kong found that the destructive power of typhoons in East and Southeast Asia keeps rising and could double by the end of this century if global warming continues.
Because typhoons are getting stronger every year, ASEAN must improve how it manages disasters. Member countries need to work together to tackle climate change, which is a root cause of these intense storms. This includes cooperating on policies to cut greenhouse gas emissions, developing clean technologies, and sharing climate data. ASEAN also needs to set up financial and technical support systems and create regional development plans that help reduce climate impacts.
These efforts will take time and strong cooperation among member countries. But they’re key to dealing with the climate crisis in a serious way, especially efforts to control global temperature rise, which is a core goal of the COP21 agreement. ASEAN can play a major role in pushing regional policies that align with global climate commitments and support member countries with limited resources.
Fighting climate change isn’t just about protecting the environment. It’s a basic step to reduce the damage from typhoons and other disasters that threaten lives and economies in this region. A well-organized, united response across ASEAN is the best way to protect the region in this era of more extreme and unpredictable weather.
Author:
Ms. Natjaree Petruang
Researcher
International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD)
www.itd.or.th
Publication: Bangkok BIZ Newspaper
Section: First Section/World Beat
Volume: 39 Issue: 13031
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
Page: 8 (bottom-left)
Column: “Asean Insight”
