Manila: The death toll from severe floods and landslides across Asia climbed past 1,700 as of Sunday, with hundreds still missing. Unprecedented floods, landslides, storms, and cyclones have wreaked havoc across Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, with Indonesia being the worst-hit country.

According to Philippines News Agency, Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency reported that floods and landslides in Sumatra island alone have killed 916 people, with 274 still missing and around 4,200 injured. Rescue operations are underway as emergency services continue to search for survivors.

The catastrophic events have affected more than 3.2 million people, displacing over 1 million residents who have been moved to safe areas in the flood-hit provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced plans to purchase up to 200 helicopters in 2026, aimed at improving both defense and natural disaster preparedness.

President Subianto reaffirmed the government's commitment to mobilizing all available resources, including military transport aircraft, to ensure a rapid disaster response across the nation. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to enhance Indonesia's readiness to handle such calamities in the future.

In Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Center confirmed that the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has risen to 618, with 209 people still missing since the storm struck on November 17. The United Nations reported that at least 185 people have died in southern Thailand, with 367 others missing. Additionally, severe weather conditions have led to four deaths in India and three in Malaysia.