Over 800 individuals are currently unaccounted for following catastrophic floods that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 individuals in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand last week. The casualties included at least 604 in Indonesia, 366 in Sri Lanka, and 176 in Thailand.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto vowed to reconstruct infrastructure in the affected regions as he emphasized the need for increased efforts to combat the effects of climate change. Some areas remained isolated due to damaged roads and disrupted communication lines, prompting residents to rely on air deliveries for essential supplies.
In Indonesia, 464 people were reported missing, and flooding forced the displacement of 290,700 individuals across North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh provinces. President Prabowo stressed the importance of proactive measures by local governments to protect the environment and prepare for future extreme weather events resulting from climate change.
Authorities in Sri Lanka disclosed that 367 individuals were still missing, with approximately 218,000 people seeking refuge in temporary shelters following severe downpours that triggered landslides, particularly in the central hill country known for tea cultivation.
In Thailand, initial compensation payments totaling 239 million baht ($10.9 million Cdn.) were scheduled for distribution to 26,000 individuals on Monday. Efforts were underway to restore essential services such as water and electricity in the southern regions, where 3.9 million people were affected by extensive flooding.
President Prabowo, who toured North Sumatra and planned visits to West Sumatra and Aceh, reassured that the government’s response was effectively reaching those in need. Stressing the urgency of addressing climate change, he emphasized the crucial role of local authorities in environmental protection and readiness for the escalating impact of climate change-induced extreme weather conditions.
