Deadly floods kill over 1,400 across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia

Batang Toru: Parts of Asia are reeling after torrential rains triggered catastrophic floods and landslides last week, killing more than 1,400 people across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia. The disaster has also highlighted stark economic disparities in the region.

Indonesia has suffered the heaviest losses, recording at least 753 deaths, followed by Sri Lanka with 465. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said it is too early to determine the exact number of fatalities in his country. At least 185 people in Thailand and three in Malaysia have also been confirmed dead.

Rescue teams on Wednesday raced against time to reach isolated communities, as more than 1,000 people remain missing. Villages lie buried under mud and debris amid ongoing power and telecommunications outages.

How are leaders responding to the crisis?

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto visited a disaster zone on Monday, promising aid and support for rebuilding, though he has yet to declare a national emergency or seek international assistance like his counterpart in Sri Lanka.

Hard-hit Indonesia and Thailand, both middle-income economies with comparatively stronger fiscal capacity, are able to mobilise extensive rescue operations, deploy military assets and channel emergency funds. Sri Lanka, still recovering from a severe economic crisis, faces limited resources, foreign exchange shortages and weakened public services, making a large-scale disaster response far more difficult and increasing its reliance on outside assistance.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya met with diplomats in Sri Lanka last week to urge them to support the government's efforts on relief and reconstruction.

How severe is the damage in indonesia?

Authorities said the destruction from days of relentless downpours and a rare tropical storm that pounded Sumatra was the deadliest disaster since the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 4,300 people.

Washed-out roads, collapsed bridges and continuing landslides have left rescuers struggling to reach some of the hardest-hit areas. The National Disaster Management Agency said about 650 people remain unaccounted for in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh provinces, where thousands were forced to cling to rooftops and treetops awaiting rescue in previous days.

The agency reported that more than 1.5 million residents have been displaced, and tens of thousands of homes and public facilities have been damaged. With some 2,600 people injured and local hospitals overwhelmed, the government has deployed three hospital ships to the devastated provinces.

What are the economic impacts on Sri Lanka?

In Sri Lanka, the flooding is expected to have significant repercussions on an economy that has only recently stabilised after an unprecedented crisis. The island nation is currently under an International Monetary Fund bailout programme that requires it to conserve foreign currency to repay defaulted external debt starting in 2028.

Although the full extent of economic damage is still being assessed, rebuilding infrastructure, restoring livelihoods and reviving economic activity are likely to put severe pressure on the treasury. With vast rice-growing regions and the hill country devastated, the country may be forced to deplete its scarce foreign currency reserves.

Countries including India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have already launched relief efforts, while other foreign diplomats who met the Sri Lankan prime minister have pledged additional support.

How is Thailand coping with the floods?

In Thailand, government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said recovery efforts in southern Thailand are progressing well, with water and electricity restored in nearly all affected areas. She added that the government has disbursed over 1 billion baht ($31.3 million) in compensation to more than 120,000 households impacted by the floods.

(agency inputs)