The Business Times
business-time-50

Natural disasters

Banking & Finance

Iran conflict, disaster risks could drive inflation pressures in Singapore, Asia: Swiss Re global CEO

Driven by recent uncertainties, Swiss Re has established a task force to monitor geopolitical hotspots

The policies and rules that govern finance affect how capital moves, what risks are taken and which priorities are funded.
Opinion & Features
THE BROAD VIEW

Fortifying the role of finance after Indonesia’s floods

When well governed, it can absorb shocks, speed reconstruction and strengthen resilience

Nongovernmental organisations and scientists have long argued that defending nature and biodiversity is a way for companies to protect themselves from risks like extreme heat and flooding.
ESG

More than 150 countries agree that focus on GDP harms nature

Nature is in decline worldwide, and levels of natural capital have fallen by nearly 40%

The year 2025 ended with three tropical cyclones, unleashing a wave of destruction from Sri Lanka (above) to Indonesia, which caused at least US$20 billion in losses.
ESG

Flood losses set to soar 1,000% in South-east Asia: insurance firm study

Scientists and analysts warn that deforestation, weak flood defences and lack of funding for disaster resilience heighten damages

Rescuers were hampered on Saturday as unstable terrain and rains hindered them from deploying heavy machinery, Kompas TV reports, citing authorities.
International

Indonesia resumes search for 80 after landslide kills 10 in West Java

The landslide early on Saturday was triggered by heavy rains starting the day before

Cyclone Ditwah, which hit Sri Lanka and India late last year, has caused total losses of around US$4 billion.
ESG

Only 12.3% of natural disaster losses in Asia-Pacific for 2025 were insured: Munich Re

This makes it one of the least insured regions against natural disasters

The epicentre of the first earthquake was in eastern Shimane prefecture.
International

Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes Japan’s Chugoku region

[TOKYO] An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 hit the western Chugoku region of Japan on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, followed by a series of sizeable aftershocks.

The annual monsoon season, typically between June and September, often brings heavy rains, triggering landslides and flash floods.
Asean Business

Death toll in South-east Asia floods tops 300

Climate change has affected storm patterns, including the duration and intensity of the season, leading to heavier rainfall, flash flooding and stronger wind gusts

With 14 major storms already hitting Vietnam this year and another on its way, the challenges are only going to become more acute for the South-east Asian nation.
Asean Business

Deadly storms, US$3 billion in losses test Vietnam’s climate defences

Storm damage alone has caused an estimated 85 trillion dong of economic losses this year so far

Flooding in the Hat Yai district has caused water to overflow into some operation areas as well as prevented employees from commuting to work, Sri Trang Gloves said.
Companies & Markets

Sri Trang Gloves’ production facilities in flood-hit areas in Thailand temporarily suspended

The dual-listed group says it is working to ensure that operations continue with minimal business impact

Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
View More