Asia Sees Devastating Floods and Landslides: Death Toll Crosses 900 in Sumatra
On Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, Cyclone Senyar combined with intense monsoon rains has triggered severe flooding and landslides, pushing the death toll to 908 as of 6 December 2025, while 410 people remain missing. The provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra are the hardest hit, where soldiers and rescue teams continue searching for bodies and survivors through thick mud and debris. Persistent rainfall is severely hampering their efforts. The disaster is not only causing massive loss of life and property but also deepening the humanitarian crisis across the region.
Growing Threat of Displacement and Hunger
More than 800,000 people have been displaced in Sumatra, and over 1.5 million have been affected overall — particularly in the Aceh Tamiang region, where survivors are climbing over mud, overturned vehicles and scattered logs to reach volunteer shelters. According to Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, bodies are being recovered from waist-deep mud, and hunger has become a worsening threat as roads and bridges have collapsed. The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall warning for these provinces through Saturday, posing further challenges to relief operations.
Over 1,750 Dead, Millions Displaced Across Asia
Across Asia, floods and landslides have claimed more than 1,750 lives. This includes 607 deaths in Sri Lanka (with 214 people missing), over 200 in Thailand, and several more in Malaysia and Vietnam. More than two million people have been affected in Sri Lanka, where 71,000 homes have been damaged and 5,000 completely destroyed. In Thailand, 12 provinces have been hit, impacting 3.8 million people. Environmental experts say deforestation has played a major role in intensifying the disaster.
Relief Efforts Accelerate
The Indonesian military has stepped up rescue efforts, deploying heavy machinery to remote regions, though access remains limited. Local authorities are calling for a national emergency declaration to unlock additional funds, but President Prab Subianto maintains that current measures are sufficient. Investigations are underway into the mining and logging industries, while the United Nations has pledged support for affected countries.
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