South and Southeast Asia are going through one of their deadliest weeks of natural disasters in many years. Heavy monsoon rains and a tropical storm have caused massive floods and landslides, killing more than 900 people across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand. Many areas are still cut off, and rescue teams are struggling to reach people because bridges have collapsed, roads are blocked, and water levels keep rising.

Sri Lanka: Worst disaster in nearly 20 years

In Sri Lanka, at least 334 people have died after Cyclone Ditwah hit the island. Low-lying areas in Colombo and nearby regions have been badly flooded. Nearly 150,000 people have been forced to leave their homes, making this the country’s worst natural disaster in almost two decades.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency and asked for international help. He told the nation that the country is facing its biggest disaster ever and promised that the government will rebuild. “We will build a better nation than what existed before,” he said.

Indonesia: Hundreds dead and missing

In Indonesia, the destruction is equally severe. Authorities say more than 442 people are confirmed dead, while 402 people are still missing. Many parts of Sumatra island cannot be reached because the roads and infrastructure are completely damaged.

Survivors said that the water flooded their homes within minutes. A woman named Afrianti told Reuters that her family ran for safety in fear as water rushed inside. When they returned later, their home had been completely destroyed.

Because many places are still unreachable, the government has sent two warships from Jakarta to deliver emergency aid. Videos circulating online show people walking through deep, dark floodwater to collect essentials from damaged shops. Police spokesperson Ferry Walintukan told AP that some residents broke into stores before relief supplies arrived because they were afraid they would starve.

Thailand

Thailand has reported 162 deaths so far. The government has offered financial support to families who lost loved ones. But there is rising criticism about how the floods were handled, and two officials have been suspended for negligence.