Rain forecasts deepen fears in flood-stricken Indonesia, Sri Lanka

Indonesia braces for more heavy rain

The Indonesian meteorological agency warned that the three worst-affected provinces in Sumatra are expected to face moderate to heavy rainfall from Thursday to Friday.

Although rain began overnight, it has not yet reached the destructive levels that triggered the deadly flash floods and landslides last week.

High casualty numbers and ongoing challenges

The death toll in Indonesia on Thursday stood at 776, slightly revised downward as updates arrive from remote areas.

More than 560 people remain missing, with disrupted communication and power supplies hampering verification efforts.

Survivors still traumatised

At a shelter in Pandan, North Sumatra, 54-year-old Sabandi described the fear gripping survivors as forecasts warn of more rain.

“We feel scared,” she said. “We are afraid that if it rains suddenly, the flood will come again.”

She spent two days stranded on her roof without food or water before being rescued.

“My house was filled with mud—so high we couldn’t even enter,” she said.

Climate change intensifies monsoon extremes

Across Asia, seasonal monsoons are crucial for agriculture, yet climate change is making rainfall patterns increasingly erratic, unpredictable, and more deadly.

Last week, two different weather systems dumped massive rainfall on Sri Lanka, Sumatra, southern Thailand, and northern Malaysia.

Relief efforts hampered by scale of destruction

In Banda Aceh, fuel lines stretched four kilometres, while survivors in other areas reported food shortages, price hikes, and looting.

Sri Lanka prepares for monsoon arrival

In Sri Lanka, the northeast monsoon was expected to start Thursday afternoon.

Landslide warnings were reissued, especially for the central highlands, with authorities urging residents not to return home as saturated slopes risk collapsing.

Transport routes severely disrupted

The main Colombo–Kandy highway reopened for only 15 hours per day as crews worked to clear heavy debris.

On alternative routes, traffic slowed to a crawl as vehicles navigated damaged roads.

Landslides left deep scars on the mountainsides, exposing raw soil against the surrounding greenery.

Heavy death toll and massive recovery costs

Sri Lanka has recorded at least 479 deaths, with hundreds still missing.

The president has appealed for international aid, as rebuilding homes, industries, and infrastructure is expected to cost up to $7 billion—a staggering amount for a country still recovering from its most severe economic crisis.

Returning to homes still underwater

Outside Colombo, residents waded into homes still filled with a foot of water.

Soma Wanniarachchi, 69, said she stayed as long as possible.

“When the water level reached eight feet, I decided to leave,” she said.

Back home in Kotuwila, she was devastated to see her catering equipment destroyed.

“My stainless steel utensils are now probably in the Indian Ocean,” she said.