Asia: Over 1,500 Dead After Flooding
A Human Toll Exceeding 1,500 Lives
The death toll from the floods and landslides affecting several Asian countries last week has now surpassed 1,500, according to local authorities. Rescue teams continue their searches to find several hundred missing persons.
Indonesia and Sri Lanka Among the Worst Affected Countries
Indonesia reports 836 fatalities, followed by Sri Lanka with 479 victims, Thailand with 185 dead, and Malaysia with 3 casualties. In Indonesia and Sri Lanka, nearly 860 individuals remain missing, with many villages still buried under mud.
New Rains Expected in Affected Areas
Meteorological services have issued alerts for Friday and Saturday in Indonesia’s North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh provinces, which have already been severely impacted. Saturated soils and swollen rivers raise fears of further landslides and flooding.
Thousands of Disaster Victims in Need of Water and Food
The collapse of infrastructure—destroyed roads and bridges—has isolated several regions, complicating the delivery of aid. Thousands of disaster victims are facing shortages of drinking water and food.
Deforestation Blamed
Environmental organizations are criticizing the massive deforestation, which is believed to have weakened watersheds. According to Global Forest Watch, the three most affected Indonesian provinces have lost 19,600 km² of forest since 2000. The NGO WALHI reports that 240,000 hectares of primary forest disappeared in 2024.
An Investigation Targeting Eight Companies
President Prabowo Subianto has committed to strengthening forest protection. The government has also announced the launch of an investigation into eight companies suspected of exacerbating the disaster through their mining or plantation activities.
