The Standard Arena News | World | 29 November 2025
In Summary
Intense rainfall started on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island on Wednesday.
Entire villages were swept away as floods destroyed homes and infrastructure.
Millions across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka have been affected.
Torrential rains across southern Asia have triggered widespread flooding and landslides, leaving at least 600 people dead and millions more displaced. This year’s monsoon season, intensified by multiple tropical storms, has caused some of the region’s worst devastation in recent years.
In Indonesia, where heavy rainfall began on Sumatra early Wednesday, entire communities were swept away. Homes collapsed under the force of rushing water, leaving residents with little time to escape. Many families fled to higher ground as swollen rivers overflowed and landslides buried large sections of villages.
By Saturday, more than 300 deaths were recorded in Indonesia, with nearly 300 people still missing. Rescue efforts have been slowed by dangerous weather, blocked roads and rising waters. Thousands remain stranded while emergency teams battle heavy currents to reach survivors.
Neighbouring Thailand has also suffered massive destruction. In southern Songkhla province, water levels rose to 3 meters, submerging towns and cutting off transport routes. At least 160 people have been killed across 10 affected provinces, with more than 3.8 million people impacted. The city of Hat Yai recorded its heaviest rainfall in 300 years, overwhelming hospitals and forcing morgue staff to relocate bodies to refrigerated trucks.
Malaysia has reported widespread flooding across its northern regions. Tens of thousands have been moved to temporary shelters, and major roads remain impassable. In Perlis, entire neighbourhoods were submerged, leaving families homeless and dependent on aid.
Sri Lanka is facing yet another severe weather crisis as floodwaters and landslides continue to escalate. At least 132 people are confirmed dead, with hundreds still unaccounted for. More than 15,000 homes have been destroyed and nearly 80,000 people are now living in emergency shelters. Large parts of the country remain without electricity and drinking water.
Meteorologists say this year’s extreme weather may be linked to the rare formation of Cyclone Senyar in the Malacca Strait and the influence of Typhoon Koto in the Philippines. The interactions between these systems intensified rainfall across Southeast Asia, compounding the usual monsoon effects. Experts warn that shifting climate patterns are making storms more intense and unpredictable.
Governments across the region have announced emergency relief packages, including compensation for affected families, food distribution and rapid deployment of rescue teams. However, with hundreds still missing and critical infrastructure destroyed, recovery is expected to take months.
