Storms ravage Thailand and Sri Lanka, nearly 1,000 dead
Illustrative photo: storms sweep across Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka (Getty Images)
Heavy rains, tropical cyclones and landslides have battered several Asian countries, leaving nearly a thousand people dead. Indonesia and Sri Lanka have suffered the worst impact, according to Bloomberg.
Three tropical cyclones coinciding with the northeast monsoon have caused extensive destruction across Southeast Asia. Malaysia and southern Thailand recorded rainfall far above normal levels, according to the US Climate Prediction Center.
Indonesia
At least 442 people have been killed on the island of Sumatra, with 402 more still missing. Storm Senyar swept through the Strait of Malacca last week before dissipating over the South China Sea.
Destroyed roads and damaged communications are hampering rescue operations, said Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Authorities are conducting cloud-seeding operations to reduce rainfall intensity.
Thailand
The country has confirmed 169 deaths, with severe weather continuing to complicate rescue efforts in flood-affected regions.
Sri Lanka
The death toll from devastating floods has nearly doubled, reaching 334, while 370 people remain missing.
Cyclone Ditva, which struck the island on Friday, is now moving toward southern India, where heavy rains are expected. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called the crisis "the biggest and most complex natural disaster" in the country’s history.
Infrastructure & economic impact
In Malaysia, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd halted operations at its refinery due to storm-related damage.
In Vietnam, Storm Koto remains over the waters east of the country and could bring further rainfall to areas already hit with more than $3 billion in damages.
Forecast
Meteorologists expect rainfall to ease in the most affected regions from mid-week. Drier weather is likely in Malaysia and Sumatra by mid-December.
Recently, a storm also hit the Carpathian highlands, bringing dangerous wind gusts, while severe storms and tornadoes tore through the Southern and Midwestern US, killing at least seven people.
