Floods and Cyclone Devastate Indonesia and Sri Lanka: Hundreds Dead, Thousands Displaced

Officials in flood- and cyclone-hit areas of Indonesia and Sri Lanka warned of severe shortages of food, shelter and medicine as the confirmed death tolls rose sharply this week.

Widespread Destruction in Indonesia

Indonesia's national disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) reported 950 people killed across Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, with 274 still missing. Torrential monsoon rains and landslides have injured at least 5,000 people and wiped out large areas of infrastructure. Hospitals, schools and government offices lie in ruins in many towns, and numerous bridges have been destroyed, isolating communities.

"Everything is lacking, especially medical personnel. We are short on doctors," Muzakir Manaf, governor of Aceh province, told reporters. "Basic necessities are also important. It's not just one or two items."

The BNPB estimated reconstruction costs at up to 51.82 trillion rupiah (about $3.1 billion). In Banda Aceh, long queues formed for drinking water and fuel, while prices of basic staples such as eggs surged, an AFP correspondent reported.

Sri Lanka: Cyclone Ditwah and Continuing Risks

Sri Lanka announced 627 deaths after Cyclone Ditwah carved a path of destruction across the island. More than two million people — nearly 10% of the population — have been affected. The Disaster Management Centre warned of further heavy monsoon rains and renewed landslide risk.

"Since the disaster, security forces have been able to rescue 31,116 people who were in distress," Army Chief Lasantha Rodrigo said, as authorities increased deployments to 38,500 security personnel to support recovery and clean-up operations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake unveiled a recovery package offering 10 million rupees (about $33,000) per family to buy land in safer areas and rebuild, along with livelihood support and cash grants for essential household items. The president has appealed for international assistance, including from the IMF, saying the government cannot shoulder all reconstruction costs while recovering from the 2022 economic crisis.

Climate Context and Ongoing Challenges

Seasonal monsoon rains are a normal part of life in South and Southeast Asia, but scientists warn climate change is making these patterns more erratic and intense, increasing the frequency of deadly floods and landslides. Relief efforts face urgent needs for medical teams, clean water, shelter and fuel as authorities race to reach isolated communities and stabilize conditions.