UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025

1. What is the News?

The United Nations ESCAP released the Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025, titled “Rising Heat, Rising Risk”, warning that extreme heat is becoming the fastest-growing and most dangerous climate hazard in the Asia-Pacific region.

2. About the Report

• Published by UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).

• Biennial flagship publication assessing disaster risks, climate trends, economic losses, and resilience gaps.

• Focus of 2025 report: Heat-related hazards and cascading systems risks.

3. Key Findings

a) Extreme Heat Is the Fastest-Growing Disaster Risk

• Heatwaves rising faster than floods, cyclones, and droughts.

• Megacities (Delhi, Dhaka, Karachi, Bangkok) may face 2–7°C higher temperatures due to Urban Heat Island effect.

b) South & Southwest Asia Most Vulnerable

• 300+ days per year may fall in dangerous heat index.

• Outdoor workers, urban poor, elderly, and children at highest risk.

c) Cascading Impacts

• Health systems under pressure — more heat stroke & heat-related deaths.

• Agriculture losses, reduced labour productivity.

• Water scarcity and energy demand spikes.

• Increased poverty and inequality.

d) Economic Losses

• Climate-induced disasters may cause up to 6% GDP loss annually in several Asia-Pacific economies if action is delayed.

4. India-Specific Relevance

• India identified as a severe high-risk zone for rising heat.

• Megacities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai flagged for long heatwave seasons.

• Risks to:

  • Urban slum populations,

  • Agriculture (reduced yields),

  • Water systems (depletion),

  • Energy infrastructure.

5. Recommendations by the Report

a) Transformative Adaptation

• Increase green cover, reflective roofs, climate-resilient city planning.

b) Strengthen Early Warning Systems

• Heatwave forecasting, real-time alerts, localised risk mapping.

c) Reduce Vulnerability

• Social protection for outdoor workers, low-income households.

• Access to cooling centres, water availability, healthcare strengthening.

d) Regional Cooperation

• Shared climate data, funding mobilization, cross-border risk management.