Sri Lanka and Indonesia have mobilized their militaries to combat the devastating floods that have ravaged four countries in Asia, claiming over 1,100 lives.
Millions of people are affected by a combination of tropical cyclones and heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka, parts of Indonesia's Sumatra, Thailand, and Malaysia. The situation is dire, with widespread destruction, homes submerged, and agricultural fields inundated. In some areas, people clung to trees or stood on rooftops as they awaited rescue.
Indonesia has reported 604 deaths, with 464 still missing, while Sri Lanka has suffered 355 fatalities, with 366 missing. Thailand has seen 170 dead and Malaysia three. The government of Indonesia has vowed to deliver aid to affected areas, promising that the worst is over.
The Indonesian president, Prabowo Subianto, acknowledged the severity of the disaster, stating "the worst has passed, hopefully." A combination of military helicopters and hospital ships have been deployed to carry aid and assistance to the worst-affected areas. Despite these efforts, rescue teams are hampered by blocked roads, collapsed bridges, and communication disruptions.
The flooding in Indonesia is one of the deadliest events since a 2018 earthquake and tsunami that killed over 2,000 people in Sulawesi. The impact on Sri Lanka has been equally devastating, with widespread destruction and displacement reported.
Military aid has arrived in Sri Lanka, including helicopters to airlift stranded people and deliver food. However, one helicopter crashed north of Colombo, highlighting the risks associated with relief efforts. Civilians are struggling to cope, as seen by Selvi, 46, who was forced to leave her flooded home carrying four bags of clothes and valuables.
In Thailand, authorities have issued compensation packages to those affected, while local media reported that 80% of people in Hat Yai had returned home from evacuation centers to survey the damage. Recovery efforts are underway, but concerns remain about the region's vulnerability to monsoon rains and tropical cyclones.
Climate change experts warn that human-caused climate breakdown has increased the occurrence of intense and destructive tropical cyclones, exacerbated by warmer oceans that provide more energy for storms.
Millions of people are affected by a combination of tropical cyclones and heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka, parts of Indonesia's Sumatra, Thailand, and Malaysia. The situation is dire, with widespread destruction, homes submerged, and agricultural fields inundated. In some areas, people clung to trees or stood on rooftops as they awaited rescue.
Indonesia has reported 604 deaths, with 464 still missing, while Sri Lanka has suffered 355 fatalities, with 366 missing. Thailand has seen 170 dead and Malaysia three. The government of Indonesia has vowed to deliver aid to affected areas, promising that the worst is over.
The Indonesian president, Prabowo Subianto, acknowledged the severity of the disaster, stating "the worst has passed, hopefully." A combination of military helicopters and hospital ships have been deployed to carry aid and assistance to the worst-affected areas. Despite these efforts, rescue teams are hampered by blocked roads, collapsed bridges, and communication disruptions.
The flooding in Indonesia is one of the deadliest events since a 2018 earthquake and tsunami that killed over 2,000 people in Sulawesi. The impact on Sri Lanka has been equally devastating, with widespread destruction and displacement reported.
Military aid has arrived in Sri Lanka, including helicopters to airlift stranded people and deliver food. However, one helicopter crashed north of Colombo, highlighting the risks associated with relief efforts. Civilians are struggling to cope, as seen by Selvi, 46, who was forced to leave her flooded home carrying four bags of clothes and valuables.
In Thailand, authorities have issued compensation packages to those affected, while local media reported that 80% of people in Hat Yai had returned home from evacuation centers to survey the damage. Recovery efforts are underway, but concerns remain about the region's vulnerability to monsoon rains and tropical cyclones.
Climate change experts warn that human-caused climate breakdown has increased the occurrence of intense and destructive tropical cyclones, exacerbated by warmer oceans that provide more energy for storms.
... 1100 lives lost already? And it's not even over yet 
. I'm thinking of Selvi, she's got to be going through the worst 
. The government saying 'worst is over' doesn't make me feel any better 
. How are people supposed to trust that when you see helicopters crashing? And yeah, climate change is a huge part of this... it's like we're just delaying the inevitable 
. I mean, 80% of Hat Yai back home already? That's just not enough 
. Can't we do better than 'recovery efforts' when it comes to tackling our impact on the planet? 
the scale of this disaster is just mindblowing ... 1100+ lives lost in these four countries already and it's still not over 
... the worst part is that we're just starting to see the effects of climate change on our planet 
... it's devastating to think that these natural disasters are becoming more frequent and destructive 
I'm literally shaking thinking about all those people affected by these floods... it's like, can't we learn from our mistakes and do something to stop this?! 
Climate change is no joke! It's heartbreaking to see whole families losing their homes and livelihoods... 4 bags of clothes and valuables is not much to carry when you're forced to leave everything behind. 
My heart goes out to Selvi and all those who have lost so much. We need more support and care for each other during times like these... it's a huge emotional burden to carry on your shoulders. 
. And don't even get me started on the infrastructure... blocked roads and collapsed bridges? How's that supposed to help anyone? 
.