Recently, several countries in Southeast Asia have been hit by severe floods due to continuous heavy rainfall, with the situation escalating. As of Sunday night (November 30th), nearly a thousand people have lost their lives and over 4 million have been affected. Among the hardest-hit countries are Indonesia and Sri Lanka, where strong rains, floods, and landslides have caused significant damage.
Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency reported on Sunday night that the past week has seen heavy rainfall triggering floods and landslides in provinces like North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh on the island of Sumatra, resulting in 442 deaths and 402 people missing. In the severely affected province of North Sumatra, some areas remain impassable and communications have been disrupted, leading to isolation from the outside world. Rescue teams are utilizing helicopters to deliver aid to areas inaccessible by land. Authorities are working to reopen roads within the next three to four days.
Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Center reported on Sunday night that due to the impact of the tropical cyclone “Ditwah”, the country has been facing extreme weather with heavy rain and strong winds, causing floods, landslides, and other disasters. The nationwide toll stands at 334 dead, nearly 400 missing, and over 1.1 million affected.
Sri Lankan President stated that this is the country’s most challenging natural disaster in history, with significant destruction. Emergency measures have been implemented to restore basic services like water, electricity, and communication in the affected regions. The President declared a national state of emergency on Saturday and requested international assistance.
In Thailand, the southern floods have claimed 170 lives, with a high concentration in the hard-hit province of Songkhla, leaving nearly 3 million people affected. Authorities are continuing aid efforts and clearing mud and debris from disaster areas, with operations expected to last at least a week.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in northwestern Malaysia has also led to flooding, resulting in 3 reported fatalities. As of Sunday, close to 25,000 people are still sheltered in evacuation centers.
Additionally, the Vietnamese government announced on Sunday that the tropical storm “Koto” is approaching the country, bringing strong winds and large waves to the central coastal regions already grappling with flooding, leading to 3 deaths and 1 missing person.