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Devastating monsoon floods and landslides have left at least 669 people dead across Southeast Asia, with rescue and recovery efforts intensifying in the affected regions of Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Hundreds more remain missing, and thousands are stranded without access to shelter or essential supplies.
The annual monsoon season in Southeast Asia, typically occurring between June and September, frequently brings torrential rainfall and associated hazards such as landslides and flash flooding. In 2025, conditions were worsened by a tropical storm that intensified rainfall and wind speeds.
Indonesia has reported the highest toll, with 442 confirmed deaths and 402 people still unaccounted for, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
The worst-affected areas are located on Sumatra Island, where heavy rains have left cities like Central Tapanuli and Sibolga unreachable.
Jakarta has dispatched two navy warships to deliver emergency aid to these cities, with arrival expected in Sibolga on Monday. In Sungai Nyalo, a remote village around 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the West Sumatran capital Padang, floodwaters began to recede on Sunday, exposing homes, vehicles, and crops covered in layers of thick grey mud.
Local residents reported the absence of any external assistance and said many villagers chose to remain in their homes despite the risks.
Thailand has recorded 162 fatalities in what officials describe as one of the country’s worst floods in the past 10 years. Relief efforts are ongoing, including the provision of financial compensation of up to two million baht (approximately $62,000) for families who lost loved ones.
Despite these measures, mounting public criticism has led to the suspension of two local officials over alleged mismanagement of flood response. Emergency workers continue to deliver aid and remove debris across several regions.
In neighboring Malaysia, two people were killed after widespread flooding submerged parts of the northern state of Perlis. Though the impact was relatively limited compared to Indonesia and Thailand, local authorities remain on alert as adverse weather continues.
In the western part of South Asia, at least 212 people have died in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah triggered days of heavy rain, flooding, and mudslides. The country’s Disaster Management Centre said 218 people remain missing as of Sunday.
The worst-hit areas are in central Sri Lanka, where blocked roads and landslides have slowed down relief efforts. In the capital Colombo, low-lying neighborhoods were flooded after water levels in the Kelani River rose sharply, prompting mandatory evacuations.
Rescue teams from India, Pakistan, and Japan joined the operation, airlifting stranded residents, including infants, hospital patients, and people with disabilities. Authorities said floodwaters in Colombo could take another day to recede, though dry weather is expected.
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