As of December 2, 2025, deadly floods across Southeast Asia have claimed over 1,200 lives and left hundreds of thousands seeking shelter. Torrential rains and two tropical cyclones hit parts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, southern Thailand and northern Malaysia, turning streets into rivers and homes into disaster zones 🌧️.
In Indonesia's Sumatra island, at least 659 people have died, with 475 still missing and more than one million forced to flee their homes. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman vowed "There can be no delays" as the government dispatched 34,000 tonnes of rice and 6.8 million liters of cooking oil to Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra. Local markets are running dry, and prices have tripled 😔.
Over in Sri Lanka, a separate storm triggered flash floods and landslides, killing at least 410 people and leaving 336 unaccounted for. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency—the country's toughest-ever natural disaster—and has appealed for international support. The Sri Lanka air force, joined by India and Pakistan, is airlifting stranded residents and delivering essential supplies ✈️.
Southern Thailand reported 176 fatalities, while Malaysia saw two more deaths. Although floodwaters are starting to recede, survivors are still in shelters, struggling to access clean water and food. Landslide alerts remain in central Sri Lanka, and aid groups warn that the humanitarian need is far from over.
Climate scientists point out that warmer oceans and a moisture-rich atmosphere are supercharging storms, making extreme rain events more frequent. As relief teams work around the clock, communities across Asia are counting on swift action to rebuild and recover 🤝.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
