The toll from devastating floods and landslides following recent cyclones in Indonesia has tragically risen to 631, as reported by the nation’s disaster agency on Tuesday. This grim update comes amid ongoing efforts by rescue teams and aid organizations striving to deliver much-needed assistance to those affected, with 472 individuals still unaccounted for.
In a staggering humanitarian response, authorities have evacuated one million residents from their homes in a country of 283 million. Just one day earlier, the government had reported a death count of at least 502, marking a sobering increase of over 100 fatalities in a matter of hours.
The collective loss across the region has now reached almost 1,200, spanning Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. The catastrophic floods are attributed to the onslaught of three cyclones that have simultaneously battered South and Southeast Asia.
Sri Lanka’s disaster agency has confirmed that at least 390 lives have been lost during the floods, while Thai officials report 176 fatalities in the country’s southern regions. Malaysia has reported two deaths thus far.
### Exacerbating Monsoon Rains
These cyclones have intensified the annual monsoon rains, resulting in some of the worst flooding the region has seen in years. On Monday, the World Health Organization announced that it was mobilizing rescue personnel and vital supplies to assist affected communities.
President Prabowo Subanto visited the northern part of Sumatra—the area among the hardest hit—on Monday, expressing cautious optimism: “The worst is over, hopefully.”
Reports from AFP on Tuesday indicate that floodwaters have largely receded. However, the aftermath remains dire, with hundreds of thousands taking refuge in temporary shelters and struggling to secure clean drinking water and food.