More than 1,000 people were killed last week in catastrophic floods and landslides that swept across Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, with authorities still searching for hundreds of missing residents. As rescue operations continue, Indonesia’s president is calling for stronger action to confront the rapidly changing climate.
Indonesia was hit the hardest, with at least 604 fatalities confirmed and entire communities cut off after heavy flooding triggered widespread landslides. In Sri Lanka, 366 people were killed, while Thailand reported 176 deaths.
During a visit to the affected areas, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto promised to rebuild damaged infrastructure and support the hardest-hit communities. Many regions remain inaccessible, with destroyed roads and disrupted communication lines forcing residents to rely on aircraft to deliver urgent supplies. The country’s National Disaster Management Agency reported that at least 464 people in Indonesia are still missing, while nearly 290,700 residents in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh have been displaced.
“We need to confront climate change effectively,” Prabowo told reporters. “Local governments must play a significant role in protecting the environment and preparing for the extreme weather conditions that future climate change will bring.”
In Sri Lanka, authorities are searching for 367 missing people, while about 218,000 residents remain in temporary shelters after relentless rainfall triggered deadly landslides, particularly in the tea-growing central highlands.
Thailand has begun distributing its first round of compensation payments—239 million baht (about $10.9 million CAD) for 26,000 affected individuals—according to government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat. Officials say their priority is restoring essential infrastructure, including water and electricity, in the flood-stricken southern regions, where 3.9 million people were affected.
Prabowo, who visited North Sumatra on Monday and is expected to travel to West Sumatra and Aceh, emphasized that government support is reaching even the most devastated communities.
“We need to confront climate change effectively,” he repeated after meeting survivors. “Local governments must take a significant role in safeguarding the environment and preparing for the extreme weather conditions that will arise from future climate change.”
