Scientists Uncover Drivers of Extreme Weather Patterns in Southeast Asia

A recent study by researchers from National Taiwan University has identified key mechanisms contributing to the "wet-get-wetter, dry-get-drier" phenomenon affecting Southeast Asia, particularly the islands of Indonesia, the Philippines, and parts of Papua New Guinea. The study, published on February 13, 2025, highlights how deforestation and land use changes amplify surface warming, leading to increased atmospheric instability and more frequent heavy rainfall events.

According to the researchers, the warming atmosphere reaches a higher moisture capacity, intensifying extreme precipitation. "Dynamic processes control wet extremes, while evapotranspiration influences dry extremes," the authors stated. The implications of climate change were underscored by the occurrence of consecutive typhoons in the Philippines last November, which claimed 126 lives and displaced over 160,000 people.

The study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted land management and climate mitigation strategies to cope with these escalating weather events. "Understanding the hydro-climate dynamics in this vulnerable region is crucial for addressing future extreme weather occurrences," the researchers concluded.