Severe flooding triggered by an unusually intense monsoon season—exacerbated by a rare alignment of La Niña and the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO)—has gripped much of Southeast Asia, causing over 150 deaths, displacing millions, and inflicting billions in damages.
The crisis began intensifying in late October and peaked this week, with record-breaking rainfall in areas like Thailand’s Hat Yai (13.2 inches in a single day, the heaviest in 300 years). Heavy rains are forecast to continue into early December, particularly in the Malay Peninsula, Maritime Continent (including Indonesia and the Philippines), and southeastern mainland regions.
This year’s event surpasses typical annual monsoons due to climate change amplifying moisture in the atmosphere, warming Asia nearly twice the global average.
Key Impacts by Country
Thailand
Casualties and Displacement: At least 33 deaths reported, with over 2 million people affected and 800,000 households flooded across nine southern provinces (e.g., Songkhla, Narathiwat). About 150,000 remain stranded in Hat Yai alone, many clinging to rooftops or power lines.
Economic Toll: Hundreds of factories inundated, 17 power plants offline; key rubber and palm oil plantations submerged, threatening exports. Crop damage estimated in the hundreds of millions.
Response: Military deployed an aircraft carrier as a floating hospital, C-130 planes for aid, helicopters, and boats for rescues. Over 13,000 evacuated to shelters, but officials urge immediate evacuations.
Vietnam
Casualties and Displacement: 90+ deaths from floods and landslides in central and southern provinces (e.g., Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Da Nang); 62,000+ evacuated, 52,000 homes flooded, and 1 million without power.
Economic Toll: $500 million+ in damages; 80,000+ hectares of rice and crops ruined, 3.3 million livestock lost, coffee harvests delayed in Dak Lak province.
Response: Rescue operations ongoing; weather agency warns of more rain this week. Nearly half of Vietnam’s 100 million people live in flood-prone areas.
Philippines
Casualties and Displacement: Over 200 deaths from two back-to-back typhoons (e.g., Typhoon Uwan) in November, with widespread flooding in Manila and surrounding areas.
Economic Toll: Catastrophic infrastructure damage; ongoing evacuations amid endless flood reports.
Response: Local authorities managing relief; social media highlights community aid efforts.
Malaysia
Casualties and Displacement: 11,000+ evacuated in northern states like Kelantan and Terengganu; 1,500+ in relief centers from continuous rains. Knee-deep waters cut off roads.
Economic Toll: Potential to exceed 2014–15 floods (250,000 displaced, 21 deaths); 5–7 major rain events projected through March.
Response: Rescue teams wading through waters; meteorological department monitoring.
Indonesia
Casualties and Displacement: 38 deaths from landslides on November 24; 17 more from flash floods, 58 injured, 6 missing as of November 26.
Economic Toll: Widespread disruption in archipelagic areas.
Response: Emergency services active amid saturated ground.
These floods highlight Southeast Asia’s vulnerability, with saturated soils from prior rains amplifying risks. Adaptation funding lags behind needs, leaving gaps in infrastructure and early warning systems.
On X (formerly Twitter), users are sharing prayers, awareness posts, and videos of rescues—e.g., calls to “Pray for Southeast Asia” amid Thailand’s extremes and Philippines’ typhoons.
International aid from groups like the Center for Disaster Philanthropy is mobilising, but experts urge scaled-up climate finance.