The number of deaths recorded in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand after floods caused by heavy rains in recent days exceeded 800 this Sunday. Rescuers are still searching for hundreds of missing people, while emergency teams continue trying to reach isolated communities and assess the true scale of the disaster. Local authorities are updating the figures as rainfall subsides in some areas, although large areas across Southeast Asia remain isolated and submerged, with roads collapsing and basic services cut off.
Indonesia, a country with a population of more than 283 million, accounts for most of the casualties, with at least 435 people killed and 406 others missing in several provinces of Sumatra, where floods and landslides have destroyed villages, cut off national roads and destroyed essential bridges connecting rural areas.
More than 213,000 people have been displaced and access to land remains blocked in large areas, forcing the use of helicopters and light aircraft to deliver food, water, generators and communications equipment, including government-provided satellite systems.
Many residents recounted how rising rivers swept away homes and businesses, sending entire families sheltering in makeshift buildings. The disaster management agency deployed military personnel, volunteers and heavy equipment, but realized that rescue efforts were still limited due to the lack of safe roads and persistent landslides in mountainous areas.
Southern Thailand is flooded
In Thailand, torrential rains that struck the south of the country during the week left at least 162 people dead, most of them in Songkhla, one of the areas most affected by floods and landslides. Millions of people were affected by interruptions to basic services and damage to homes and infrastructure, including electrical networks and drinking water supply systems.
The authorities of this country, with a population of 71.6 million people, declared a state of emergency in several provinces, while the government mobilized army units, boats, helicopters and rescue teams to speed up evacuation operations, remove rubble and re-establish communication routes.
In Sri Lanka, one million people were affected
In Sri Lanka, a country with a population of 23 million people, the death toll from Cyclone Ditoa rose to 212 people, in addition to 218 missing people, Reuters reported, citing government sources. The overflowing water caused a dam to collapse, and rescue operations continued for the fourth day in a row.
Nearly one million people were affected by torrential rains and floods. Nearly 200,000 people were forced to take refuge in 1,275 shelters, according to a statement issued by the Disaster Management Center.
Record rains have fallen on the country since last Thursday, causing multiple landslides in the central mountainous region, while overflowing rivers have submerged entire cities across the country. The authorities said that more than 24,000 police, army and air force personnel were still trying to reach families trapped by the floods.
More than 120 people were evacuated by helicopter by the air force after the water broke the dam of the Mavil Aro Reservoir in the eastern part of the island. The army said another 2,000 people were moved to higher areas in search of safety.
Dozens of families are still trapped in their homes due to flood waters in Colombo, the commercial capital, and one of the most affected areas. In the capital’s Kelaniya neighbourhood, as in other parts of the country, state agencies and donors are distributing prepared food, but many report that they have not yet received adequate assistance. More than 17,000 people are living in shelters waiting for the water to recede from their homes.
Sunithra Priyadarshani, 37, said: “My sister and I were stuck on the top floor of our house with our four children for two days. We ran out of food little by little. Last night we only gave them biscuits and water.” The family was rescued by a boat that brought them lunch. He added: “We only have the clothes on our backs. We will go to our aunt’s house for now. But we really need help.”
Irrigation department officials said the water is expected to gradually recede over the next three days as the cyclone moves towards southern India.
The authorities stated that electricity, water and communications supplies will be gradually restored over the next three days, after the floods destroyed transmission lines and transformers.