The death toll from the catastrophic floods and landslides that struck parts of Asia last week has risen to over 1,500, with rescue teams working urgently to reach survivors still isolated by the disaster. As of Thursday, Indonesian authorities have confirmed 836 fatalities, while Sri Lanka and Thailand reported 479 and 185 deaths, respectively, in addition to three in Malaysia. The grim tally continues to grow, with hundreds still unaccounted for across the region.
Amid ongoing rescue operations, meteorologists have issued warnings of renewed rainfall in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh, raising concerns of further devastation in areas already grappling with the aftermath of deadly floods. Many villages in Indonesia and Sri Lanka remain buried under mud and debris, leaving thousands facing severe shortages of food and clean water as transportation networks are severed and telecommunications disrupted, isolating communities.
A report by WALHI, a leading Indonesian environmental organization, highlights that decades of deforestation—driven by logging, mining, and palm oil plantations—have exacerbated the devastation caused by the floods and landslides. Rianda Purba, an activist with the organization, pointed out that natural defenses capable of absorbing rainfall and stabilizing soil have been stripped away, warning that the disaster was not merely a natural occurrence but a consequence of human actions. The group noted that over 240,000 hectares of primary forest were lost in 2024 alone, further endangering Sumatra's delicate ecosystem.
Global Forest Watch reports a staggering loss of 19,600 square kilometers of forest since 2000 in the flood-affected provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, an area larger than the state of New Jersey. Activists emphasize that immediate restoration efforts are essential to prevent further loss of life.
In response to the unfolding crisis, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who visited the affected areas, pledged reforms to better manage forest resources. He emphasized the importance of preventing deforestation and stressed that safeguarding forests is critical for both ecological balance and community safety. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq announced an investigation into eight companies suspected of contributing to the disaster through destructive practices, asserting that accountability is necessary moving forward.
In Batang Toru, the most severely impacted area in North Sumatra, extensive gold mining and energy projects have left slopes destabilized and sediment choking riverbeds. As public outcry mounts, lawmakers are calling for the revocation of the permits held by the companies implicated in the environmental degradation. The latest weather forecasts predict heavy showers and thunderstorms in the coming days, leaving communities already on edge due to swollen rivers and saturated soil.
For survivors like 67-year-old Safnida, the forecast brings significant anxiety. She expressed gratitude for her survival even as she grapples with the loss of her home, which was swept away in the deluge. Sitting in an evacuation shelter in Padang city, she voiced concerns about her ability to endure further hardships at her age, reflecting the collective apprehension felt by many in the affected regions as they navigate the ongoing crisis.
