Over 800 individuals are still unaccounted for following deadly floods that claimed the lives of over 1,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand last week. The casualties included at least 604 in Indonesia, 366 in Sri Lanka, and 176 in Thailand, according to official reports.
During his visit to the affected regions, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto committed to reconstructing damaged infrastructure. Due to impassable roads and disrupted communication lines, some areas remained isolated, prompting residents to rely on air support for essential supplies.
In Indonesia, the National Disaster Management Agency revealed that 464 people were reported missing, with 290,700 individuals displaced across North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh provinces due to flooding.
President Prabowo emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and stressed the crucial role of local governments in environmental protection and preparedness for future extreme weather conditions.
In Sri Lanka, rescue operations continued for 367 missing individuals, with around 218,000 people seeking refuge in temporary shelters after being affected by landslides caused by heavy rainfall, particularly in the central hill country known for tea cultivation.
In Thailand, initial compensation disbursements, totaling 239 million baht ($10.9 million Cdn.), were scheduled to commence for 26,000 people. Efforts were underway to restore infrastructure, including water and electricity, in the southern region where 3.9 million people were severely impacted by flooding.
President Prabowo, after touring North Sumatra and scheduled visits to West Sumatra and Aceh, assured that government aid was reaching those in distress. He reiterated the importance of proactive measures by local authorities to mitigate the impacts of climate change and prepare for future weather challenges.