Growing anger is simmering in Indonesia and Sri Lanka as emergency teams struggle to reach survivors stranded in isolated areas swallowed by catastrophic floods. According to AFP, the death toll across the four countries hit by the disasters has climbed to 1,300. Officials say they are racing to find safe routes into regions cut off by floods and landslides, while aid organizations warn that the scale of the crisis is straining even their toughest playbooks.
Last week’s monsoon, super-charged by two unusually rare tropical storms, unleashed unprecedented rainfall across Sri Lanka and parts of Indonesia’s Sumatra region, as well as in Thailand and Malaysia. Indonesia has been hit hardest, with 755 confirmed deaths and more than 650 people still unaccounted for. “The logistical hurdles are enormous,” said Ade Soekadis, executive director of Mercy Corps Indonesia, describing the rescue and relief effort as exceptionally difficult.
