Indonesia, Sri Lanka scramble as flood death toll rises

Emergency teams have been coordinating rescue efforts and military aid as the death toll from the floods approaches 1,000. Some areas remain unreachable even now, deepening fears that the death toll will rise furth

Severe flooding and landslides across Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka left at least 960 people dead on Monday, with hundreds more missing.

Authorities across the region continued clearing blocked roads, removing debris and searching for the missing after days of intense rainfall, flash floods and landslides.

Which countries have been worst hit by the floods?

Indonesia has been the hardest hit, recording at least 442 deaths and 402 missing, according to the national disaster management agency.

Two cities on Sumatra — the most severely affected island — remain inaccessible. Authorities said two naval vessels were dispatched from Jakarta to help provide assistance.

"Two cities require special attention due to their isolation, namely Tapanuli Central and Sibolga," said Suharyanto, the head of the national disaster management agency, noting that the warships were expected to reach Sibolga on Monday.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who arrived in North Sumatra on Monday, said "the worst has passed, hopefully." He said the priority was now on how to immediately send the necessary aid, with a particular focus on several isolated villages.

In Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said 340 people were confirmed dead after a week of heavy rains driven by Cyclone Ditwah, with around 400 still missing. As the cyclone moved toward India on Saturday, entire areas north of the capital, Colombo, were flooded, affecting more than one million people.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency, granting broad powers to coordinate relief. The military was also mobilized.

Anger over response in Thailand

Thailand has recorded at least 176 deaths in what officials describe as one of the worst flood events in a decade. Authorities continued delivering aid to tens of thousands left homeless on Monday and began repairing large-scale damage. Criticism of the national response has grown, with two local officials suspended.

Malaysia reported two deaths in the floods that submerged large parts of the state of Perlis in the country's north.

Scientists say climate change is altering storm patterns across the region, increasing rainfall intensity, extending storm duration and heightening the risk of sudden flooding and stronger wind gusts.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher