In December 2025, a rapid study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) linked the extreme rainfall and devastating floods caused by cyclones Senyar and Ditwah to climate change–driven warming of the North Indian Ocean. The sea surface temperatures were found to be 0.2°C higher than the average over the past 30 years, with global warming estimated to have increased these temperatures by about 1°C relative to a world without climate change. This warmed ocean provided additional heat and moisture that energized the cyclones, leading to extraordinarily heavy rainfall across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka starting in late November 2025. These floods and the resulting landslides have killed more than 1,600 people and left hundreds missing, marking the latest in a series of increasingly severe weather disasters attributed to global warming. Southeast Asia is facing heightened risk due to rapid urbanization, densely populated regions, and infrastructure located in vulnerable flood plains. The study also emphasized that the most vulnerable populations have suffered the worst impacts and will face prolonged recovery challenges. While WWA uses rigorous, peer-reviewed methods for rapid analysis of climate links to extreme weather, they noted an inability to precisely quantify climate change’s exact contribution to the specific events because of limitations in current climate models for these island regions. Experts underscore that ongoing global warming, already 1.3°C above pre-industrial levels globally, acts as a "powerful amplifier" for such deadly storms and floods. The findings stress the urgent need to address climate stability alongside development priorities to mitigate further risks.