Torrential rains have triggered floods and landslides across parts of southern Asia, resulting in approximately 700 deaths. Countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka are grappling with the consequences of these devastating floods, exacerbated by tropical storms.
The heavy rainfall began on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, leading to significant destruction. Local resident Bireuen described the chaos, stating that 'during the flood, everything was gone.' Tragically, the death toll is expected to rise as the rescue efforts continue to recover the hundreds still missing.
As of now, more than 300 people have died in Indonesia, with an additional 160 in Thailand and at least two in Malaysia. In Sri Lanka, which recently suffered from intense rains and a cyclone, over 130 casualties have been confirmed with many more missing.
Rescue agencies face challenges due to bad weather conditions. In Indonesia, nearly 300 individuals remain unaccounted for. An exceptionally rare tropical cyclone, Cyclone Senyar, has brought unprecedented rains leading to catastrophic landslides, wiping out homes and infrastructure.
In Thailand's southern province of Songkhla, water levels surged to 3 meters, marking one of the most severe floods in a decade. So far, over 3.8 million people have been affected. Reports state that floodwaters in Hat Yai prompted the local hospital to requisition refrigerated trucks for their overwhelmed morgue.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's government has declared a state of emergency as they face increasing casualties and property losses, with about 15,000 homes rendered uninhabitable and vast areas lacking basic utilities.
Meteorologists indicate that changes in climate patterns are contributing to the intensity of these storms, resulting in an increased frequency of extreme weather events in Southeast Asia.
