More than 170 dead as Monsoon fury devastates Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Large parts of South and South East Asia are reeling from a week of catastrophic flooding and landslides that have killed more than 170 people across Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, with millions more facing displacement, destroyed homes and the threat of worsening weather.

According to the BBC, Indonesia has been hit hardest, with at least 80 confirmed dead and dozens still missing after torrential rains triggered widespread flooding across North Sumatra, Aceh and West Sumatra. Drone footage shows entire neighbourhoods submerged, roads washed away and residents wading through chest-deep waters.

Some areas received more than 800mm of rain in four days, levels experts describe as “exceptionally extreme.”

Researchers say the disaster was intensified by Cyclone Senyar, a rare system near the equator that brought rainfall several times higher than Indonesia’s monthly average.

Survivors have described terrifying scenes as floodwaters burst into their homes overnight. In West Sumatra, Meri Osman said he was swept away by the current but managed to cling to a clothesline until rescuers arrived.

Police say recovery teams are working “day and night,” though collapsing roads and power outages have slowed progress.

Across the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is enduring its worst weather-related disaster in years, with at least 56 people killed and 21 missing after days of torrential rains.

Landslides tore through the central district of Badulla, flattening homes as families slept. The military has deployed helicopters, naval boats and armoured carriers to rescue stranded residents.

One man in Aukana survived by sheltering atop a coconut tree overnight before being airlifted to safety by the Sri Lankan Air Force.

Authorities warn the situation may worsen as Cyclone Ditwah moves along the island’s eastern coast, threatening additional flooding.

Thailand is facing a similar crisis, with 10 southern provinces inundated and at least 55 fatalities recorded.

In Hat Yai, a major commercial hub, the city experienced its heaviest daily rainfall on record-335mm in just 24 hours.

Hospitals and morgues are overwhelmed; in Songkhla, authorities were forced to bring in refrigerated trucks after the morgue exceeded capacity.

Flooding has become so severe that Thailand has moved events for 11 sports in next month’s South East Asian Games from the hard-hit south to the capital Bangkok. Organisers said the late-stage relocation was necessary to protect athletes and spectators.

Regional governments are scrambling to respond. Indonesia has deployed more tents, inflatable boats and communications equipment to areas cut off by landslides.

Sri Lankan lawmakers raised urgent concerns in parliament, including reports of a bus stranded for more than an hour near the Kala Wewa reservoir.

A helicopter rescue was later authorised. Thailand continues to evacuate thousands from rising waters as infrastructure and farmland remain submerged.