The death toll from devastating floods, landslides, storms and cyclones across several Asian countries has climbed above 1,700, with hundreds of people still missing, as rescue teams race against time to reach isolated communities.

Unprecedented extreme weather has ravaged wide areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, with Indonesia suffering the heaviest losses.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency reported that floods and landslides on Sumatra island alone have killed 916 people, while 274 people remain missing and around 4,200 have been injured. Search and rescue teams are continuing operations in difficult terrain and worsening weather.

More than 3.2 million people have been affected nationwide, and over one million residents have been relocated to temporary shelters in the flood-hit provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced that the government plans to purchase up to 200 helicopters in 2026 to strengthen both national defense and disaster response capabilities. He said military aircraft and all available state resources are now being mobilized to speed up relief and rescue operations.

In Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Centre confirmed that Cyclone Ditwah has caused at least 618 deaths, with 209 people still missing since the storm hit on November 17. Widespread flooding has damaged thousands of homes and critical infrastructure.

In southern Thailand, the United Nations reported at least 185 fatalities, while 367 people remain unaccounted for. Floodwaters have submerged villages, roads and farmland, leaving many communities cut off from emergency services.

India reported four deaths linked to severe weather, while three fatalities were confirmed in Malaysia as heavy rains and landslides continued to hit vulnerable regions.

Humanitarian agencies warn that the true scale of the disaster may still be underestimated as remote areas remain inaccessible and communication lines are disrupted. Emergency shelters are struggling to cope with the growing number of displaced families, and there are rising concerns over clean water, food shortages and the spread of disease.

Rescue operations are ongoing across the region as governments and international agencies coordinate relief efforts for millions of survivors affected by one of the most destructive weather disasters Asia has faced in years. (ILKHA)