Extreme heat, rainfall, glacier loss impacted Asia in 2025: WMO report

India is experiencing a striking contrast in weather patterns this Sunday, June 14, as three distinct meteorological phenomena converge simultaneously across the nation. While parts of the northwest receive heavy rainfall due to a western disturbance, the southwest monsoon begins its gradual ascent from the southern regions, and central India remains under the grip of a persistent heatwave. This unusual convergence of weather systems creates a stark division in the country, where some areas face torrential downpours while others endure sweltering temperatures.

The western disturbance currently affecting the northwestern states of India originated from the Mediterranean Sea. This low-pressure system travels eastward along the subtropical jet stream before reaching the Himalayan region, where it releases significant amounts of precipitation. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this particular disturbance has formed a cyclonic circulation over north Haryana, generating thunderstorms with gusty winds ranging from 50 to 60 kilometers per hour. These storms are expected to bring relief to regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh.

Simultaneously, the southwest monsoon is making its presence felt in the southern and eastern parts of the country. The monsoon season typically spans from June to September, bringing much-needed rainfall to large portions of India. As of June 13, the Northern Limit of Monsoon—a crucial indicator tracked by the IMD—extended through several key locations, including Solapur, Hyderabad, Kalingapatnam, Paradeep, Purulia, Dhanbad, and Muzaffarpur. This indicates that the monsoon is progressing steadily and is expected to cover additional areas in the coming days, potentially reaching parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, and southern Chhattisgarh.

Despite these developments, central India continues to grapple with intense heat. A heatwave is anticipated in regions such as Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra for the next two days, with similar conditions expected in Vidarbha until June 15. A heatwave is defined as when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius in the plains and remain significantly above the seasonal norm. For instance, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan recorded a high of 44.2 degrees Celsius on June 12, highlighting the severity of the situation in certain parts of the country. Meanwhile, Delhi is expected to experience partly cloudy skies with a possibility of afternoon thunderstorms, though temperatures will still reach between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius.

This divergence in weather conditions reflects broader climatic trends observed across Asia. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2025 witnessed a range of extreme weather events, including severe flooding, prolonged heatwaves, and devastating rainfall. The annual mean temperature in 2025 was recorded at 0.96 degrees Celsius above the 1991–2020 long-term average. Notably, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea experienced their hottest summers on record, while extended heatwaves affected Central Asia, parts of West Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula. These conditions contributed to the loss of mass in all 23 monitored glaciers in high-mountain Asia, influenced by above-average temperatures and reduced winter snowfall.

The WMO report also highlighted an increase in ocean heat content, which indirectly impacts storm tracks and leads to changes in marine ecosystems. Sea levels have been rising rapidly in many coastal regions of the northern Indian Ocean, surpassing the global mean rate of 3.6 millimeters per year. Additionally, record-low pH values were recorded in the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Tropical Indian Ocean during 2025, indicating a concerning trend in ocean acidification.

These findings underscore the growing challenges posed by climate change across Asia. Rising temperatures, warmer ocean waters, and retreating glaciers are contributing to increasingly frequent and severe weather events. The WMO emphasizes the need for improved observational capabilities, early warning systems, and impact-based forecasting to better prepare communities for these evolving climate conditions. As the world continues to monitor these shifts, the interplay of diverse weather systems in India serves as a microcosm of the complex and often unpredictable nature of global climate dynamics.