Efforts to deliver assistance to survivors of floods in Asia intensify as death toll approaches 1,200

Authorities and humanitarian organizations in Indonesia and Sri Lanka raced to provide emergency assistance on Tuesday to hundreds of thousands affected by severe flooding that has claimed approximately 1,200 lives across four nations. Intense monsoon rains, combined with two separate tropical cyclones last week, inundated Sri Lanka entirely and parts of Indonesia's Sumatra, southern Thailand, and northern Malaysia.

Experts note that climate change is increasing the intensity of rainfall events, as warmer air retains more moisture and heated ocean surfaces can strengthen storms. Although floodwaters are receding, hundreds of thousands remain in temporary shelters, struggling to access safe water and food.

Indonesia: Crisis in Aceh

In Aceh, one of the hardest-hit areas, locals reported stockpiling essential supplies when possible. "Road access is mostly cut off in flood-affected areas," said 29-year-old Erna Mardhiah, who waited in a two-hour line at a petrol station in Banda Aceh. Rising demand has driven up prices dramatically. "Chillies alone cost 300,000 rupiah per kilo ($18), which is why people are panic-buying," she added.

Indonesia's government announced sending 34,000 tons of rice and 6.8 million liters of cooking oil to Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized, "There can be no delays." Aid organizations warned that local markets were running out of essential goods and prices had already tripled. Islamic Relief stated, "Communities across Aceh are at severe risk of food shortages and hunger if supply lines are not reestablished in the next seven days." A 12-ton shipment of food via Indonesian navy vessel was expected in Aceh on Tuesday.

At least 631 people have died in Sumatra, with 472 missing. Around one million residents have evacuated. Survivors described waves of water that arrived suddenly. Zamzami from East Aceh said, "The floodwaters were unstoppable, like a tsunami wave." Villagers sheltered on a two-story fish market and are now contending with mud, debris, and ongoing power and telecommunications outages. "Clean water is difficult to obtain, and children are developing fevers without access to medicine," he explained.

Regional Impact

The same weather system caused heavy rainfall in southern Thailand, resulting in at least 176 deaths. Across the border, Malaysia reported two fatalities.

Sri Lanka: State of Emergency Declared

Meanwhile, a separate storm system triggered flash floods and landslides across Sri Lanka, killing at least 390 people, with 352 still missing. Some central areas remain inaccessible. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and requested international assistance. The Sri Lankan air force, supported by India and Pakistan, has been evacuating residents and delivering essential supplies. In Welimada, security forces recovered 11 victims buried by mudslides.

In Colombo, floodwaters are slowly retreating. Residents expressed shock at how quickly the water levels rose. "Every year we experience minor floods, but this was different," said delivery driver Dinusha Sanjaya. "Its not just the volume of water, but how rapidly it submerged everything." Although rains have eased, landslide warnings remain in central regions.

Author: Sophia Brooks