From 28 November 2025, when Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka, relentless monsoon rains have triggered catastrophic floods and landslides across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand. By 1 December 2025, authorities reported that over 1,200 people had died, with hundreds more missing and thousands displaced as water levels continued to rise. Entire villages were swept away, and major roads and bridges were destroyed.
Sri Lanka has suffered some of its worst landslides in decades, particularly in the central highlands, with hundreds reported missing as of 30 November 2025. Indonesia’s Sumatra region saw massive flooding and landslides starting 29 November 2025, leaving hundreds unaccounted for and many communities stranded. In southern Thailand, widespread flooding began around 30 November 2025, submerging towns, damaging farmland, and forcing large-scale evacuations.
Rescue operations continue as of 2 December 2025, but challenges remain due to inaccessible terrain and ongoing heavy rainfall. Authorities across all three countries have deployed military and emergency personnel, while humanitarian agencies warn of potential disease outbreaks, food shortages, and long-term recovery struggles.
Credit: Al Jazeera