Name: Southeast Asia floods: rescue teams push on as death toll climbs
Uploaded: 2025-11-28T10:31:01.104Z
Duration: 2 min 51 s
Description: The death toll from floods across large swathes of Southeast Asia rose to at least 230 on Friday (28 November), with authorities in the region working to rescue stranded citizens, restore power and communications and coordinate recovery efforts as the waters began to recede.

The death toll from floods across large swathes of Southeast Asia rose to at least 230 on Friday (28 November), with authorities in the region working to rescue stranded citizens, restore power and communications and coordinate recovery efforts as the waters began to recede.

Sumatra

Severe flooding caused by cyclone-fueled rains and a rare tropical storm has affected large parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The disaster has claimed at least 94 lives in Indonesia, two in Malaysia, and 145 in Thailand, with thousands displaced and many still missing. 

Rescue operations are ongoing, but efforts are hampered by power outages, damaged infrastructure, and continued adverse weather. Authorities in all three countries are providing aid to affected communities, with military and civil defense units deployed to assist in relief and evacuation.

Southeast Asia floods: rescue teams push on as death toll climbs

Severe flooding across Southeast Asia has claimed multiple lives, destroyed livelihoods and stranded thousands. Large parts of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have been stricken by cyclone-fuelled torrential rain for a week, with a rare tropical storm forming in the Malacca Strait. In Indonesia, state agencies confirmed the deaths of at least 94 people on Friday on the archipelago's badly-hit Sumatra Island. Officials say airlift operations to bring aid and personnel into the affected areas will continue. Many people remain missing, as power outages and damaged infrastructure hamper rescue efforts. This time, it's been very difficult for us because the phone signals were cut off, and there was no electricity, which deeply hampered our search and rescue work. In Malaysia, at least two people have been confirmed dead. Tropical storm Sanya made landfall at around midnight, and has since weakened. Meteorological authorities are still bracing themselves for heavy rain and winds, and warn that rough seas could pose risks for small boats. A total of 30,000 evacuees remain in shelters, down from more than 34,000 on Thursday. Bodhi Sombun, a rice farmer in Perlis, had to witness the gradual rising of floodwaters, which eventually ruined his 1.4 acres of farmland. Seeing the paddy field being destroyed, the sadness is beyond words. Even if we cry, there's nothing we can do. All we can do is start over, just start all over again. In southern Thailand, nine provinces were devastated by a week of relentless rain, affecting nearly three million people. A government spokesperson said on Friday that the death toll had risen to at least 145. Hat Yai, Thailand's fifth-largest city, has been among the worst hit. Waters there have begun to recede, but many remain without access to electricity. Cut off from her brother for days, this resident seized her chance as water levels waned, wading through floodwaters to deliver supplies to her sibling. Referring to herself as A, she recalls how uneasy she felt before making the journey. I couldn't sleep. I was so worried. When I called for help for my brother, the rescue team said the current was too strong and they couldn't reach him. I was extremely anxious. But today, seeing smiles and knowing he is safe makes me feel relieved. The city recorded 13 inches of rain in a single day, the heaviest in 15 years and the highest in 300 years. Army engineering units and 2,000 civil defence members have joined relief efforts as helicopters deliver food to hospitals and victims still stuck on rooftops.

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