Asian Flood Disaster: Death Toll Passes 1,400, Food Crisis Looms Reporter Ditya Rasyadiputra December 4, 2025 | 12:36 pm TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Relief operations in South and Southeast Asia have slowed down due to the burden of damaged infrastructure and shrinking humanitarian funds. This comes as hundreds of thousands of flood survivors struggle against shortages of food, fuel, and clean water in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia.According to a CNA report, humanitarian groups warn that needs far exceed local capacity. They urge governments to strengthen early warning systems after many survivors reported sudden, devastating floods without warning. The region was hit by an extraordinary combination of heavy monsoon rains and two tropical cyclones last week, flooding Sri Lanka, three provinces on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, the southern part of Thailand, and the northern part of Malaysia. Anadolu reported that more than 1,400 people have died, with over 1,000 still missing and millions evacuated. Climate experts say the events reflect a regional hot spot where warming seas and a moisture-rich atmosphere trigger more devastating rainstorms.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) stated that responders are struggling to reach isolated families as main roads and infrastructure have been destroyed.Ships and air transportation are being deployed, but progress is slow.At the same time, the IFRC warns of a decline in funding from major donors, which will weaken its ability to carry out large-scale emergency responses.The organization has launched an emergency appeal for 5 million Swiss francs for Sri Lanka and has disbursed 1 million Swiss francs from its relief fund.Sri Lanka and Indonesia Hit HardestSri Lanka, where Cyclone Ditwah triggered landslides and massive floods, has recorded at least 474 deaths with 356 still missing, according to the latest report from Akashvani News. The Sri Lankan government has declared a state of emergency.President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described it as “the most challenging natural disaster in our history” and has formally requested international aid.Meanwhile, Indonesia has the highest casualty count in Asia.Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that floods and landslides in Sumatra alone have claimed 770 lives, with 463 still missing.The massive floods and landslides have also affected over 3.2 million people, while more than a million have sought refuge in safe places.According to the agency, around 2,600 people have been injured in flood-affected areas of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. Search and rescue teams are continuing to search for missing individuals in various areas.Aid agencies reported overcrowded shelters, limited access to clean water, and an increased risk of disease. Over a thousand schools have been damaged, closed, or turned into shelters, impacting tens of thousands of children.Save the Children Indonesia has warned of an increased risk of child labor, early marriage, and severe learning loss, and has set up temporary classrooms along with psychological support services.Victims Face Shortages and Soaring PricesIn Aceh, survivors reported dwindling food, fuel, and clean water due to disrupted road access. Panic buying has caused prices to skyrocket. The current price of chili is Rp300,000 per kilogram.As reported by France 24, long lines are seen at gas stations, with people waiting for hours to buy dwindling supplies. “People are worried about running out of fuel,” said Erna Mardhiah, a resident.The Indonesian government has sent 34,000 tons of rice and 6.8 million liters of cooking oil to the three worst-affected provinces. “There can be no delays,” said Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman.Islamic Relief warned that the community in Aceh faces a severe risk of famine within a week if supply lines are not restored. The delivery of 12 tons of food by the Indonesian Navy ship is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday.Victims also described the floods as sudden and severe. “The floodwaters had been unstoppable, like a tsunami wave,” said Zamzami from East Aceh.Many people still lack electricity, telecommunications, clean water, and medicines.Call for Better Early Warning SystemsSurvivors across the region reported floods that came without warning, prompting experts to call for urgent investment in early warning systems that can save lives.Environmental geography experts say that ocean warming in Asia is “accelerating the global water cycle”, leading to higher rainfall, cyclones, and flash floods that now occur with worrying frequency.Although the floods have started to recede in Colombo and some Indonesian regions, access to the central part of Sri Lanka is still limited, and landslide warnings continue.Throughout the region, long-term resilience efforts such as strengthening housing, training local emergency responders, and planting mangroves have been underway. Still, aid groups warn that these efforts are not commensurate with the scale of the disaster exacerbated by recent climate changes.Read: ‘We Wash with Flood Water’: Clean Water Scarcity Hits Aceh Flood SurvivorsClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News Asian Flood Disaster: Death Toll Passes 1,400, Food Crisis Looms Reporter Ditya Rasyadiputra December 4, 2025 | 12:36 pm TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Relief operations in South and Southeast Asia have slowed down due to the burden of damaged infrastructure and shrinking humanitarian funds. This comes as hundreds of thousands of flood survivors struggle against shortages of food, fuel, and clean water in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia.According to a CNA report, humanitarian groups warn that needs far exceed local capacity. They urge governments to strengthen early warning systems after many survivors reported sudden, devastating floods without warning. The region was hit by an extraordinary combination of heavy monsoon rains and two tropical cyclones last week, flooding Sri Lanka, three provinces on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, the southern part of Thailand, and the northern part of Malaysia. Anadolu reported that more than 1,400 people have died, with over 1,000 still missing and millions evacuated.
Source: en.tempo.co
