Floods in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand leave over 1,100 dead

Severe floods and landslides across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people, with hundreds still reported missing, authorities said Monday.

According to official figures:

Indonesia: 604 dead, 464 missing, and 290,700 displaced in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh provinces.

Sri Lanka: 366 dead, 367 missing, with approximately 218,000 in temporary shelters, particularly in the central hill country.

Thailand: 176 dead, with compensation payments for 26,000 affected residents beginning Monday.

In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto visited the affected areas, pledging to rebuild infrastructure and ensure aid reaches isolated communities. Many regions remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and disrupted communications, with residents relying on airlifts for essential supplies.

“We need to confront climate change effectively,” President Prabowo said. “Local governments must take a significant role in safeguarding the environment and preparing for the extreme weather conditions that will arise from future climate change.”

In Thailand, the government has started distributing compensation, totaling 239 million baht ($10.9 million Cdn.), to affected families. Authorities are also working to restore electricity and water in severely impacted southern regions, where flooding affected nearly 3.9 million people.

Sri Lankan rescue teams continue searching for missing residents after landslides and heavy rains devastated the central hill country, home to many tea plantations.

Thousands have been relocated to temporary shelters as emergency efforts continue.