Rescuers across South and Southeast Asia continued to battle treacherous conditions on Wednesday as catastrophic floods and landslides left more than 1,400 people dead and close to 1,000 missing.

One week after the deadly monsoon systems and storm-triggered deluges swept through the region, vast communities remain cut off and entire districts are still underwater or buried under mud.

Updated figures from regional authorities confirm at least 780 deaths in Indonesia, 465 in Sri Lanka, 185 in Thailand, and three in Malaysia, with officials warning that numbers are likely to rise as access improves to isolated disaster zones. Fresh rainfall this week, driven by lingering storm systems in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea, has slowed rescue operations and raised the risk of new landslides.

Indonesia Bears the Heaviest Impact

Indonesia remains the worst hit, with the National Disaster Management Agency reporting that washed-out roads, collapsed bridges, and unstable slopes have made rescue access “nearly impossible” in parts of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. Emergency teams are relying on helicopters, small boats, and improvised rafts to reach remote villages where survivors have had little food or clean water for days.

Officials added that at least 230,000 people have been displaced nationwide, and temporary shelters are overwhelmed.

Environmental concerns are mounting after residents in Padang discovered large quantities of cut timber swept into residential areas. Investigators are probing whether illegal logging contributed to the severity of the disaster by destabilising hillsides. Cabinet secretary minister Teddy Indra Wijaya said a multi-agency inquiry was underway, adding: “Extreme weather alone cannot explain the devastation. Environmental degradation clearly amplified the impact.”

Sri Lanka Struggles Amid Economic Hardship

In Sri Lanka, where the government is still recovering from a deep economic crisis, shortages of fuel, relief supplies and machinery have hampered emergency efforts. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya appealed again this week for international assistance, requesting helicopters, earth-moving equipment, medical supplies, and emergency shelter material.

India has deployed an additional naval vessel with medical staff and relief supplies, while Pakistan and the UAE have increased their aid consignments. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed it was preparing a regional emergency appeal to support Sri Lanka’s response.

Entire settlements in the central highlands remain unreachable as rain-soaked mountains face continuing landslide threats. Officials warn the number of missing is expected to rise sharply once teams can access the region.

Thailand Reports Progress but Repairs Continue

Thailand’s government said most affected southern regions have restored electricity and water services. Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek confirmed that over 1 billion baht (£22m) in relief payments had been issued to more than 120,000 affected households.

The transport ministry reported partial reopening of the southern railway, though engineers are still repairing several washed-out sections. Thai meteorological officials warned that additional rainfall was expected in southern provinces through the weekend.

Forecasts Signal More Danger

Meteorological bodies across the region warned that persistent rains may continue until early next week, particularly in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, where saturated ground could trigger further landslides. Aid groups say delayed access to remote communities raises concerns about rising hunger, disease outbreaks, and the long-term displacement of hundreds of thousands.

Humanitarian agencies, including the Red Cross and local disaster authorities, have appealed for more international support as the full extent of the devastation becomes clearer. (ILKHA)