Extreme weather is wreaking havoc across Southeast Asia, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. But here’s where it gets even more alarming: Indonesia, a country rarely affected by cyclones, is now grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Senyar, which has triggered catastrophic floods and landslides, claiming at least 90 lives. This is the part most people miss—cyclones almost never form near the equator, yet here we are. Erma Yulihastin, a researcher at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), emphasizes the rarity of such events, highlighting the unprecedented nature of this disaster. For instance, rainfall in North Sumatra’s Central Tapanuli and Sibolga regions reached a staggering 800 mm over four days—far exceeding the country’s average monthly rainfall of 150 mm. Is this a sign of climate change pushing weather patterns to extremes?
Meanwhile, Thailand is facing its own crisis, with floods overwhelming even the most essential services. And this is the part that’s truly heartbreaking: a morgue in southern Thailand has been pushed beyond capacity, forcing authorities to bring in refrigerated trucks to handle the rising death toll, which now stands at 55. The city of Hat Yai recorded its heaviest rainfall ever—335 mm in a single day—underscoring the severity of the situation. Are we prepared for more frequent and intense weather events like these?
In Sri Lanka, the situation is equally dire, with at least 56 people killed and 21 missing after floods and landslides ravaged the country. A video from the Sri Lanka Air Force captures the harrowing scene of residents stranded on rooftops, awaiting rescue by helicopter. But here’s the controversial question: as Cyclone Ditwah looms over the eastern coast, are we doing enough to mitigate the impact of such disasters, or are we simply reacting to them?
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered additional aid to the affected provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, including tents, inflatable boats, and communication devices. However, power outages and blocked roads continue to hinder rescue efforts. Is our infrastructure resilient enough to withstand these increasingly frequent disasters?
One survivor’s story from West Sumatra is particularly chilling. Meri Osman recounted being jolted awake by a loud bang in the middle of the night, only to find his home rapidly flooding. He and his family sought refuge on a cupboard, but the water rose so quickly that he was swept away, clinging to a clothesline for survival until rescuers arrived. How many more stories like this will it take before we take climate change seriously?
As Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka struggle to recover, the question remains: Are these extreme weather events the new normal? And if so, what does that mean for the millions of people living in vulnerable regions? Let’s discuss—what do you think? Are we doing enough to address the root causes of these disasters, or are we simply reacting to the symptoms?