Jakarta/Colombo (TDI): Governments and relief organizations in Indonesia and Sri Lanka are racing to provide assistance to hundreds of thousands left stranded by devastating floods that have claimed nearly 1,200 lives across the region.
A combination of a heavy monsoon season and two tropical cyclones last week brought intense rainfall to all of Sri Lanka, parts of Indonesia’s Sumatra, southern Thailand, and northern Malaysia. Experts say climate change is intensifying such storms, as warmer air holds more moisture and warmer seas fuel stronger weather systems.
While floodwaters have mostly receded, the destruction has left hundreds of thousands in shelters, struggling to access clean water and food.
In Indonesia’s Aceh province, one of the hardest-hit areas, residents reported panic buying as road access remained limited. The Indonesian government said Monday it is sending 34,000 tons of rice and 6.8 million litres of cooking oil to Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
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Aid groups warned that food shortages could become critical if supply lines are not restored within a week. Islamic Relief reported that a 12-ton shipment of food was en route to Aceh aboard an Indonesian navy vessel.
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The floods have killed at least 631 people in Sumatra, with 472 still missing. Around one million residents have evacuated their homes.
Neighboring Thailand saw at least 176 deaths, and Malaysia reported two fatalities. In Sri Lanka, a separate storm caused flash floods and landslides, killing at least 390 people, with 352 still missing. The scale of the disaster led President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to declare a state of emergency and request international aid. The Sri Lankan Air Force, assisted by India and Pakistan, has been evacuating residents and delivering essential supplies.
