Catastrophic floods and landslides that struck parts of Asia last week have killed more than 1,500 people, officials reported Thursday, as emergency teams used boats, helicopters, and heavy equipment to reach survivors trapped in remote areas.
Authorities in Indonesia, India, and other affected countries said large-scale search and rescue operations were ongoing across multiple provinces and districts, where swollen rivers, collapsed roads, and damaged bridges left dozens of villages isolated.
In North Sumatra, Indonesia, officials prepared for additional evacuations and expanded temporary shelters after meteorologists forecast renewed heavy rainfall. Weather agencies in the region issued advisories warning communities near rivers, hillsides, and deforested slopes about the risk of further flooding and landslides in the coming days.
Emergency teams have deployed medical personnel, distributed food, water, and blankets, and set up temporary health posts to assist displaced families and prevent disease outbreaks in crowded evacuation centers. Governments mobilized military units, police, and volunteer groups to clear blocked roads, restore communications, and reestablish access to cut-off communities.
Health officials in evacuation sites are monitoring for waterborne and respiratory diseases, administering vaccinations where possible, and increasing sanitation measures in temporary shelters. Local leaders are identifying communities that may need to be relocated to avoid repeated flood and landslide risks.
