PADANG, Indonesia — The death toll from catastrophic floods and landslides across Southeast Asia has risen to more than 350, as large-scale clean-up and search-and-rescue efforts continue in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Days of torrential monsoon rains submerged vast areas in the three countries, stranding thousands of residents — many of whom waited on rooftops for rescue teams.
Indonesia Hit Hardest
Rescuers in Indonesia are facing severe challenges reaching the worst-affected regions on Sumatra island, where more than 100 people remain missing.
According to disaster authorities:
- Over 200 people have died across Indonesia
- 61 deaths were confirmed in West Sumatra, with 90 still missing, officials said Friday night
- 116 people died in North Sumatra
- At least 35 fatalities were reported in Aceh province
BNPB chief Suharyanto announced that cloud-seeding operations would begin in West Sumatra to help suppress rainfall, much of which had eased by Saturday.
Thailand Battles Worst Floods in a Decade
In southern Thailand, floodwaters reached three metres in Songkhla province, killing at least 145 people in what officials described as one of the worst floods in ten years.
In the hard-hit city of Hat Yai, hospitals ran out of morgue space, forcing staff to move bodies to refrigerated trucks.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited evacuees on Friday, expressing regret:
“I really have to apologise to them for letting this happen during the time I am in government.”
He pledged a two-week clean-up operation and announced compensation of up to two million baht (US$62,000) for families who lost loved ones.
However, the government has faced growing public anger, and two local officials have already been suspended for alleged mismanagement.
Malaysia Also Affected
In Malaysia, at least two people died after heavy rains triggered flooding across parts of Perlis state, leaving wide areas underwater.
Storm Intensified by Climate Change
Experts say the monsoon season — which typically runs from June to September — has become more unpredictable and more intense due to climate change. Warmer air holds more moisture, producing heavier rainfall, while rising ocean temperatures strengthen tropical storm systems.
The combined effects of the monsoon and a tropical storm this week have produced one of the deadliest flood disasters in recent years for both Indonesia and Thailand.