Powerful floods and landslides have hit Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, leading to hundreds of casualties. Approximately 600 people have already lost their lives due to the natural disasters, with local authorities noting that this number may increase. We discuss what is known about the aftermath of the floods.
Southeast Asia’s Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand have been experiencing heavy rains for a week, with a rare tropical storm forming in the Malacca Strait. According to Reuters, Indonesia has reported 303 fatalities and 279 missing individuals. Rescuers have managed to evacuate 80,000 people, but many are still stranded in flooded areas.
In Thailand, the floods have claimed 162 lives and affected over 3.8 million residents. ‘We were stuck in water for seven days, and no rescue service came to help,’ said Hat Yai resident Tanita Hiakhom to BBC Thai.
As the water recedes and the danger diminishes, recovery efforts and damage assessments are gradually underway. The government has pledged to aid the affected individuals, including offering up to $62,000 in compensation to families of the deceased. Several fatalities have also been reported in Malaysia.
Significant destruction has also impacted Sri Lanka, where Cyclone Dytwah struck. At least 153 people have died due to landslides and floods, with 191 still missing. Over half a million locals have been affected across the country. Police and military personnel are distributing food, clearing roads, and evacuating trapped families to safe areas, as reported by Reuters.
Rescuers have evacuated around 78,000 individuals to special centers. However, some residents have chosen to stay on the upper floors of partially flooded houses to protect their belongings.
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