Flood-induced death toll passes 1,140 in Southeast Asia, South Asia

An area flooded following heavy rains in Aceh province of Indonesia (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Heavy rainfall and storms across Southeast and South Asia have led to devastating floods and landslides in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, southern Thailand, and northern Malaysia.

The death toll has surpassed 1,140, with many still missing, reported the Thai English-language daily online newspaper The Nation.

Southern Thailand has seen confirmed flood-related deaths rise to at least 176, with Songkhla province experiencing the highest toll at 131 fatalities. Save the Children estimates that around 76,000 children in the region are unable to return to school due to the ongoing flooding.

In nearby Malaysia, the state of Perlis has been severely affected by heavy rainfall and widespread flooding, resulting in at least three deaths.

The death toll in Indonesia has risen to at least 604, with 464 people still missing after devastating flooding and landslides affected several regions. Areas such as Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have been particularly hard-hit, where the disaster unfolded with little warning.

In Sri Lanka, flooding and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah have resulted in at least 366 fatalities, with 367 people still missing. In response, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency, describing the event as the largest and most challenging natural disaster in the country’s history."

Alexandre Mathieu, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said that these flooding events are a stark reminder that climate change-induced disasters are becoming the "new normal."

He stressed the urgent need for countries to invest in better early warning systems, shelters for citizens, and nature-based solutions for disaster management./.

VNA