Southeast Asia Hit Hard by Floods and Landslides, Death Toll Crosses 600

Southeast Asia is grappling with one of the worst natural disasters in years, as relentless monsoon rains and successive cyclones have triggered devastating floods and landslides across vast regions. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka have been battered by what may be the most severe deluge in decades, claiming at least 600 lives and leaving hundreds more missing.

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency chief Suharyanto told reporters on Saturday (29 November) that the death toll in the archipelago alone has surged to 303, with around 300 still unaccounted for.

Suharyanto said the figure rose from 174 in the morning to 303 by evening. Over 80,000 people have been evacuated to safer grounds.

The past week has seen torrential downpours exacerbated by cyclones sweeping the region, submerging huge swathes of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. A rare polar cyclone has also formed over the Malacca Strait.

The impact has been catastrophic in Thailand too. Government spokesman Siripong Angkasa Kullakijk warned on Saturday that the death toll from flooding has climbed to 162 from 145, with vast northern areas still underwater.

In neighbouring Sri Lanka, the worst floods and landslides in living memory have killed over 130 people and left around 170 missing, prompting a state of emergency. Malaysia's northern Perlis province and other areas remain inundated, with two deaths reported.

Millions have been affected by the crisis, and the number of fatalities could rise further as search efforts continue for the missing. Rescue operations are ongoing amid fears of more landslides and flash floods.