Over 800 individuals are still unaccounted for following the tragic floods that resulted in the loss of over 1,000 lives across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand last week. The death toll stands at at least 604 in Indonesia, 366 in Sri Lanka, and 176 in Thailand, as reported by authorities.
During a visit to the affected areas, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto promised to reconstruct damaged infrastructure. However, some regions remain isolated due to road damage and disrupted communication lines, forcing residents to rely on air deliveries for essential supplies.
The National Disaster Management Agency disclosed that 464 people are missing in Indonesia, with 290,700 individuals displaced in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh provinces due to the flooding.
Prabowo emphasized the urgent need to effectively address climate change, urging local governments to play a crucial role in protecting the environment and preparing for future extreme weather conditions.
In Sri Lanka, rescue teams are actively searching for 367 missing persons, while approximately 218,000 individuals have sought refuge in temporary shelters following landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, particularly in the central hill country renowned for tea cultivation.
In Thailand, the government started distributing compensation payments on Monday, with the initial funds amounting to 239 million baht ($10.9 million Cdn.) allocated for 26,000 affected individuals. Efforts are underway to rehabilitate infrastructure, including water and electricity services in the southern region, where 3.9 million people have been impacted by severe flooding.
President Prabowo, who visited North Sumatra and is scheduled to tour West Sumatra and Aceh, assured that the government’s relief efforts are effectively assisting those in need. The president reiterated the importance of proactive measures against climate change during his interactions with survivors.
Authorities continue to intensify their rescue and recovery operations in the wake of the catastrophic floods, with a focus on restoring normalcy and aiding affected communities.