Floods in Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka kill more than 800 people

The death toll from the catastrophic floods that struck Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka rose on Sunday to 818 people, while hundreds are still missing.

The authorities of these countries located in South and Southeast Asia are working to open roads and remove rubble to find the missing people, after this natural disaster of heavy rains, floods and landslides.

In Indonesia, the most affected country, the National Disaster Management Authority announced on Sunday that the death toll from floods and landslides had risen to 442, while 402 were still missing.
In Thailand, where at least 162 people died in the worst floods in a decade, the authorities continue to distribute aid to tens of thousands of those who were evacuated from their homes, and to repair whatever damage they can.

In Malaysia, where two people died as a result of the floods, the scene was less tragic than in the rest of the affected countries in Southeast Asia.

As for South Asia, and in Sri Lanka specifically, the Disaster Management Center announced on Sunday that at least 212 people died after a week of heavy rains resulting from Cyclone Ditwah, while 218 people are still missing.

The center said that the northern parts of Colombo witnessed floods as the water levels of the Kelani River rose rapidly.

An official at the Disaster Management Center said, “Although the cyclone has passed, heavy rains upstream are now inundating low-lying areas along the banks of the Kelani River.”
Cyclone Ditwa receded towards India on Saturday.

Rescue warships
In Indonesia, at least two cities on the island of Sumatra are still completely isolated due to floods: Tapanuli and Sibolga. The authorities announced the dispatch of two warships to supply the besieged residents there with aid.

In the city of Sungai Nyalu, located 100 kilometers from Padang in Sumatra, floodwaters have largely receded, leaving homes, cars and fields covered in a layer of gray mud.

In Thailand, the authorities continue to search for missing persons, and the government has taken measures to help those affected, including compensation amounting to two million baht (53 thousand euros).

The army is on alert
In Sri Lanka, entire areas of the capital, Colombo, were submerged in water on Sunday, as the cyclone receded and headed towards India.

An official at the Disaster Management Center said, “Although the cyclone has receded, heavy rains are now flooding low-lying areas on both banks of the Kelani River.”

The authorities declared a state of emergency and mobilized the army to participate in rescue operations.