Southeast Asia has been hit by consecutive cyclones and storm systems in recent days, triggering severe floods and landslides across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The disaster continues to worsen, with the death toll surpassing 1,300 and hundreds more residents missing. Rescue operations are still under way.
Indonesia has suffered the most severe impact. A rare equatorial cyclone caused massive flooding across Sumatra. According to updated official figures, the national death toll has been revised from 753 to 712, with more than 500 people still missing. Across three provinces, around 1.2 million residents have been forced to evacuate.
In Langkat, North Sumatra, large numbers of houses have been destroyed, and entire villages were swallowed by mud and water. Many survivors have returned to inspect what is left of their homes, with some saying the villages they had lived in all their lives had completely vanished, and all daily belongings were buried in mud. Many residents are still sheltering in roadside mosques and temporary camps. They accuse local authorities of failing to provide adequate food, medical supplies, or assistance. Some reported residents fighting over small amounts of instant noodles and eggs.
In Sri Lanka, about 218,000 people are staying in temporary shelters, and the death toll has risen to 465. Thailand has reported 176 deaths. Millions of people across the region have been affected, with major damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
As conditions worsen, Indonesian president Prabowo is under increasing pressure to declare a national emergency, though he has not yet done so. During a visit to the disaster zone, Prabowo pledged to rebuild infrastructure and urged local governments to respond more proactively to climate change. However, many disaster victims remain unconvinced, saying government promises do not address their urgent needs. One villager appealed directly to the president: “Our homes have been washed away — we have nowhere to live now.”