Severe flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia have claimed nearly 1,000 lives, triggering urgent rescue operations and putting pressure on governments to escalate disaster responses amid growing climate change concerns.
Indonesia accounts for at least 442 fatalities and hundreds missing, making it the worst natural disaster since the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami that killed over 2,000 people. President Prabowo Subianto visited North Sumatra on December 1, stressing immediate aid delivery.
The Indonesian government has deployed three warships carrying assistance and two hospital ships to the hardest-hit regions, where many roads remain impassable. Despite mounting pressure, President Subianto has not declared a national emergency or openly requested foreign aid.
In Sri Lanka, Cyclone Ditwah has led to at least 334 deaths, with many still missing, according to a November 30 report from the disaster agency. The government has requested international assistance and is utilizing military helicopters to rescue stranded individuals.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency, describing the situation as “the biggest and most challenging natural disaster in our history.” He pledged to rebuild the nation better, noting the losses are the worst since the 2004 Asian Tsunami.
Thailand’s southern regions have experienced some of the deadliest floods in a decade, with at least 176 people killed. Public criticism is rising over the government’s response, leading to the suspension of two local officials for alleged dereliction of duty.
Neighboring Malaysia has reported two deaths due to heavy rainfall and widespread flooding in Perlis state.
Scientists suggest that a rare tropical storm, which brought intense rainfall to Sumatra, exacerbated the flooding in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Climate change is also intensifying storms and increasing the frequency of heavy rainfall events, as a warmer atmosphere retains more moisture.