Over 1,500 dead as floods strike four Asian nations

Catastrophic flooding across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia has killed more than 1,500 people, with forecasters warning that persistent heavy rain could worsen the already dire situation. 

Emergency agencies across the region say the scale of destruction is still unfolding as thousands remain missing and entire communities remain cut off.
Indonesia Faces Worsening Conditions-
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to continue across three badly affected provinces in Sumatra until at least Friday. Although rain returned overnight, officials say the intensity has been slightly lower than last week’s lethal cloudbursts.
The death toll has climbed to 776, while more than 560 people are still unaccounted for. Rescue operations are severely constrained by washed-out roads, collapsed bridges and crippled communications, leaving several remote villages unreachable.
Fuel shortages, food scarcity and rising prices have triggered growing reports of looting in desperate communities. Local residents say the fear of repeated flooding is haunting survivors.
“We are terrified,” said Sambani, 54, currently taking refuge in Pandan, North Sumatra. “If it rains again, the floods will return. This fear won’t leave us.”
Sri Lanka on High Alert as Monsoon Approaches-
Sri Lanka is bracing for new dangers as its northeast monsoon is expected to begin Thursday afternoon. Authorities have issued urgent landslide warnings for the central highlands, where unstable, saturated slopes could give way without notice.
The Colombo–Kandy highway has partially reopened, operating for about 15 hours a day, though damaged sections and diversions are significantly slowing travel. Officials continue urging residents not to return to their homes despite the easing of water levels in some regions.
At least 479 deaths have been confirmed, and hundreds more remain missing. The government estimates recovery and reconstruction costs could reach $700 million—a heavy financial blow to a nation already struggling with economic instability.
Thailand Sees Heavy Losses in the South-
In southern Thailand, widespread floods have killed at least 267 people and affected nearly 2.8 million residents. Songkhla province has suffered the worst impact, particularly the commercial city of Hat Yai, where the highest number of fatalities has been reported. Authorities say floodwaters have disrupted essential services, damaged infrastructure and stranded thousands.
Malaysia Evacuates Tens of Thousands-
In Malaysia, flooding has claimed three lives and forced the evacuation of around 34,000 people to temporary relief centers. Several states are experiencing rising river levels and blocked road networks, prompting emergency teams to intensify rescue and relocation operations.
Meteorologists across the region caution that weather patterns remain unstable, raising fears that rainfall in the coming days could trigger new surges of water and hamper already strained rescue efforts.