TOKYO/BANGKOK, JAPAN/THAILAND – The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that 2025 was the stormiest year in the western Pacific since 2019, with severe impacts reported across Asia including Thailand.
Record storm count across the Western Pacific
Meteorologists registered 27 named tropical cyclones in 2025, of which 8 intensified into dangerous typhoons. Four were classified as “very strong,” and one system, Ragasa, reached the top category of “Violent Typhoon.”
Ragasa was the most powerful storm of the year, with wind speeds of 205 km/h, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The official assessment by the Japan Meteorological Agency described the overall season as deeply alarming for the region.
New “monster storm” names enter the record
The 2025 season also introduced a series of names that appeared on storm lists for the first time. Co-May, Nongfa, Ragasa and Koto entered the weather history of the western Pacific.
They replaced “retired” names such as Lekima and Hagibis, which had caused severe damage in 2019. This retirement practice underlined that storm intensity had increased to a level where names were withdrawn out of respect for the victims.
Unusual timing and tracks mark a rogue year
It was not only the number but also the behaviour of systems that drew attention in 2025. The first storm, Wutip, formed unusually late in the season compared with past years.
Typhoon Danas became the first since 1986 to make landfall on Taiwan’s west-central coast, while Hong Kong had to issue its highest warning signal for the first time since 1964. In November, Fung-wong made history by striking Taiwan’s southwest coast, an exceptionally late landfall that had no precedent.
Billions in losses and hundreds of deaths
Economic and humanitarian consequences were described as catastrophic. Typhoon Matmo caused the highest financial damage, with losses estimated at 3.86 billion US dollars.
The deadliest system was Kalmaegi, which claimed more than 288 lives and also hit Thailand hard. Cyclone Senyar reached as far as Malaysia’s west coast, an event not observed since 2001.
Mounting pressure on disaster preparedness
Experts viewed the 2025 season as an alarming warning signal for Asia. The data showed clear trends toward more storms, greater intensity and increasingly unpredictable tracks.
For Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia, analysts concluded that disaster preparedness had to be massively strengthened. According to the assessment, storms no longer respected national borders and required coordinated regional responses.
Political wake-up call in the “year of monster storms”
The findings of the Japan Meteorological Agency were framed as a wake-up call for policymakers. Investment in early warning systems and storm-resilient infrastructure was described as vital for survival in the face of escalating risks.
The 2025 “year of monster storms” was portrayed as a possible preview of what climate change could bring in the future. Late landfalls, new storm tracks and unprecedented intensity no longer fitted long-standing weather rules and raised urgent questions for disaster management.
Is this fluctuation or structural change?
Observers in the region questioned whether these developments were still within the bounds of natural variability. Spiking storm counts, shifting paths and stronger landfalls challenged assumptions used in planning and protection.
“Is this still natural fluctuation, or already a structural change for which politics and disaster management are not prepared?”
said The Nation, media report.
“And what does this mean for countries that are operating closer to the limit of what is manageable every year?”
said The Nation, media report.