The death toll from floods in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand has exceeded 1,000, while hundreds are missing
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More than 800 people remained missing on Monday after devastating floods in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand last week killed more than 1,000 people, as Indonesia’s president urged more action to confront a changing climate.
Floods and landslides killed at least 604 people in Indonesia, 366 in Sri Lanka and 176 in Thailand, officials said.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto promised to rebuild infrastructure while visiting the affected areas. Some areas remained inaccessible, roads were damaged and communication lines were down. Residents depended on planes delivering supplies.
At least 464 people were missing in Indonesia. The National Disaster Management Agency said the floods displaced 290,700 people in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh provinces.
“We need to combat climate change effectively,” Prabowo told reporters. “Local governments must play an important role in protecting the environment and preparing for future extreme weather conditions resulting from climate change.”
Sri Lankan officials said rescue workers were searching for 367 missing people. About 218,000 others, mainly in the tea-growing central hill country, were in temporary shelters after being hit by landslides triggered by heavy rains.
In Thailand, the first compensation payments were to be distributed on Monday, starting with 239 million baht ($10.9 million CDN) for 26,000 people, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said.
More than 1,000 people have been killed and hundreds are missing due to powerful floods and landslides in three Asian countries.
He said authorities were working to restore infrastructure, including water and electricity, in the south, where severe flooding has affected 3.9 million people.
Prabowo, who visited North Sumatra on Monday and was expected to visit West Sumatra and Aceh during the day, said the government’s response was reaching those in need.
“We need to combat climate change effectively,” Prabowo told reporters after meeting survivors. “Local governments must play an important role in protecting the environment and preparing for future extreme weather conditions resulting from climate change.”
