South Asia Launches Major Recovery Efforts as Deadly Floods Kill Over 1,200
Governments in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand have intensified rescue and recovery operations after catastrophic floods and landslides left more than 1,200 people dead and millions displaced across parts of South Asia.
Heavy rains over the past week triggered widespread devastation, killing at least 604 people in Indonesia, 366 in Sri Lanka and 176 in Thailand, according to official figures. Hundreds more remain missing as emergency workers struggle to reach communities cut off by damaged roads and downed communication lines.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who toured some of the worst-hit areas in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh on Monday, assured survivors that relief efforts were underway. He pledged massive reconstruction support for communities where homes and infrastructure were washed away.
“We must confront climate change effectively,” Prabowo said, urging local governments to strengthen environmental safeguards and prepare for more extreme weather events. The National Disaster Management Agency reported that flooding has displaced more than 290,000 people across the affected provinces, with 464 still missing.
Rescue teams say several areas remain inaccessible, forcing authorities to rely on aircraft to deliver supplies.
Sri Lankan officials said rescue operations were continuing in central regions, especially in the tea-growing hill country, where landslides destroyed entire villages. About 218,000 residents remain in temporary shelters as authorities search for 367 missing people following last week’s historic downpours.
In Thailand, the government has begun distributing compensation to victims, starting with a 239 million baht (USD 7.4 million) initial disbursement to more than 26,000 people. Cleanup and restoration efforts are underway across the southern provinces, where more than 1.5 million households were affected.
Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said workers were restoring electricity, water supply and clearing debris. Public kitchens will also be set up to provide freshly cooked meals for displaced families.
