Authorities in Indonesia and Thailand are racing against time to rescue hundreds of people missing after catastrophic floods and landslides across Southeast Asia, which have claimed at least 480 lives.
In Indonesia, the hardest-hit areas are on Sumatra island, where heavy monsoon rains have left thousands stranded without shelter or essential supplies. Two cities, Central Tapanuli and Sibolga, remain isolated. Indonesian authorities have dispatched two warships from Jakarta to deliver critical aid, with one expected to reach Sibolga on Monday.
The death toll in Indonesia has climbed to 316, with 289 people still reported missing. In Sungai Nyalo village near Padang, floodwaters have mostly receded, but homes, vehicles, and farmland remain buried under thick mud. Many residents have chosen to stay in their damaged homes despite the danger. Disturbingly, an endangered Sumatran elephant was found buried in mud and debris near Meureudu town.
In Thailand, at least 162 people have died in one of the worst floods in a decade. The government continues to provide aid, including compensation of up to two million baht ($62,000) for families who lost loved ones. However, public criticism of the flood response has led to the suspension of two local officials.
Malaysia has also reported fatalities, with two deaths in the northern Perlis state as floodwaters submerged vast areas.
Experts attribute the severity of this year’s floods to intense monsoon rains worsened by a tropical storm. Climate change is believed to be altering storm patterns, increasing rainfall, flash floods, and wind speeds, making such disasters more frequent and severe.
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