The death toll from devastating floods and landslides across Southeast Asia has climbed beyond 500, officials confirmed on Sunday, November 30, 2025. Three nations—Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia—experienced unprecedented destruction triggered by a rare tropical storm that formed in the Malacca Strait and persisted for nearly a week.
Nation by Nation: Counting the Cost
Indonesia reported the highest number of fatalities at 336, with the western island of Sumatra bearing the brunt of the catastrophe. Three provinces on the island have been decimated by simultaneous landslides and flooding. Relief teams are relying heavily on helicopters to deliver essential supplies to communities cut off by blocked roads and destroyed infrastructure.
In West Sumatra, dramatic scenes unfolded as large tracts of land and homes were completely swept away by powerful floodwaters. A Reuters report described desperate residents gathering as a navy helicopter landed on a nearby field, hoping for food and aid. The desperation has escalated to the point where officials reported incidents of looting along supply lines on Saturday. The official figures also confirm that 289 people remain missing, with a staggering 213,000 displaced across the Indonesian region.
Thailand's Record Rainfall and Malaysia's Evacuations
In Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health announced the death toll from southern flooding had reached 170, marking an increase of eight from the previous day. The disaster has also caused 102 reported injuries. Songkhla Province emerged as the worst-hit area, recording 131 fatalities.
The provincial capital, Hat Yai, which is the largest city in the region, witnessed a meteorological catastrophe. On Friday, the city was deluged with a remarkable 335 mm (13 inches) of rainfall, its highest single-day tally in 300 years.
Neighbouring Malaysia, while reporting a lower death toll of two, is still grappling with the aftermath. The national disaster management agency stated that approximately 24,500 people are still sheltering in evacuation centres. Meteorological authorities did provide a glimmer of hope by lifting tropical storm and continuous rain warnings on Saturday, forecasting clearer skies ahead.
Regional Impact and Separate Cyclone
The scale of the disaster is immense. According to official statistics, over four million people have been affected across the three countries. This includes nearly three million in southern Thailand and 1.1 million in western Indonesia. Rescue officials continue to face significant challenges in reaching numerous flood-hit areas, even as waters have started to recede in some locations.
In a separate disaster across the Bay of Bengal, the island nation of Sri Lanka has been struck by a deadly cyclone. Authorities there confirmed that 153 people were killed, with 191 others reported missing. This cyclone has affected more than half a million people nationwide, adding to the region's woes.
