In this article we are going to get info of recent south east Asia floods that has affected 3 countries in the south east Asia. Indonesia, Thailand & Malaysia are affected by floods in November 2025 & we are going to get info regarding how these countries are negatively affected.
Indonesia – Sumatra
In late November 2025, heavy rains and landslides struck multiple provinces on the island of Sumatra, including North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. The flooding was triggered by a rare tropical storm over the Malacca Strait, bringing days of relentless rainfall. Rivers overflowed and landslides swept through villages, destroying homes, roads, and entire communities.
By 29 November 2025, the official death toll in Sumatra had reached 303. More than 40,000 people were displaced, and over 200,000 residents were directly affected by the flooding and infrastructure collapse. Thousands lost their homes, and many remote areas became unreachable as bridges collapsed and main roads were washed away. Hundreds of people remained missing in heavily damaged districts.
Thailand – Southern Provinces
Southern Thailand, especially areas such as Songkhla and Hat Yai, faced some of the worst flooding in the region. Torrential rains caused dams to overflow and rivers to burst their banks, submerging towns and farmlands across several provinces.
By 28–29 November 2025, the death toll had risen from 145 to 162. Southern Thailand was hit hardest in terms of population impact — more than 3.8 million people were affected by the flooding, with thousands evacuated from submerged neighborhoods. Over 20,000 homes were fully or partially destroyed. Schools, hospitals, railway tracks, and major roads were flooded, isolating several districts and slowing rescue operations.
Malaysia
Malaysia experienced moderate but still disruptive flooding, mainly in regions along the Malacca Strait. Heavy rainfall caused flash floods in low-lying areas, damaging houses and agricultural land.
At least 2 people died, and several hundred residents were displaced. While the scale was smaller compared to Indonesia and Thailand, many families lost their homes, and local authorities set up temporary shelters for evacuees.
Overall Impact Across Southeast Asia
Across Southeast Asia, the late-November 2025 floods resulted in over 370 deaths and affected well over 4 million people. Tens of thousands were displaced, thousands of homes destroyed, and key infrastructure — including roads, bridges, power lines, and farmland — suffered massive damage. Many families lost everything, from houses to livestock and crops.
Rescue teams faced extraordinary challenges due to washed-out bridges, collapsed roads, and landslides blocking access to mountain villages. The floods are considered one of the region’s most severe natural disasters in recent years, exposing the increasing vulnerability of Southeast Asian nations to extreme weather events and climate-driven storms.
Extra Reference :
Impact of Cyclones Senyar & Ditwah (Late November 2025)
Overview
- In the last week of November 2025, two cyclones — Cyclone Senyar and Cyclone Ditwah — formed in the region.
- Together, they impacted five countries: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India.
- Both storms triggered severe rainfall, widespread flooding, and landslides across South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Cyclone Senyar (Southeast Asia)
- Formed around 25–26 November 2025 over the Malacca Strait.
- Strong winds and continuous rainfall caused major flooding and landslides in:
- Indonesia (Sumatra)
- Southern Thailand
- Peninsular Malaysia
Confirmed Impact
- Indonesia (Sumatra)
- 303 deaths confirmed.
- Over 80,000 people evacuated.
- Villages, homes, roads, and bridges destroyed or washed away.
- Many people still stranded or missing during the peak of the disaster.
- Southern Thailand
- At least 145 deaths confirmed (some updates later reported slightly higher).
- More than 3 million people affected by flooding.
- Large areas submerged; houses, vehicles, and farmlands heavily damaged.
- Tens of thousands displaced into shelters.
- Malaysia
- Tens of thousands were evacuated in several states.
- Widespread flooding in areas facing the Malacca Strait.
- Damage included homes, roads, and local infrastructure.
Cyclone Ditwah (South Asia)
- Formed around 26 November 2025 in the Bay of Bengal region.
- Impacted Sri Lanka first, then moved toward southern India.
Confirmed Impact
- Sri Lanka
- 46 deaths confirmed.
- 23 people missing.
- Nearly 44,000 people displaced and moved to emergency shelters.
- Heavy rainfall triggered floods and landslides across multiple districts.
- India (Southern regions)
- Heavy rainfall and flooding reported in coastal districts.
- Localized damage to homes, roads, and crops.
- No large-scale confirmed death toll at the time, but significant disruption occurred.
Total Regional Impact (Confirmed Only)
- Total confirmed deaths (all countries combined): At least 321 by late November 2025.
(This includes verified numbers from Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.) - People affected:
- Indonesia: Tens of thousands.
- Thailand: Over 3 million people impacted.
- Malaysia: Tens of thousands affected and evacuated.
- Sri Lanka: Around 44,000 displaced.
- India: Significant rainfall impact, but no confirmed large-scale numbers published.
- Displaced people across the region: Well over 100,000 confirmed, with Thailand and Indonesia reporting the highest displacement.
Economic Damage (Confirmed Information Only)
- Thailand: Early assessments estimated losses ranging from 11.8 to 23.6 billion baht (equivalent to hundreds of millions of USD).
- Other countries: No complete or confirmed national damage totals yet.
- Regional economic impact is expected to be severe but remains under assessment.
Key Takeaways
- Two cyclones hitting in the same week amplified rainfall and intensified flooding across multiple countries.
- Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka reported the highest death tolls.
- Millions were affected, with major damage to homes, transport links, and farmland.
- Final damage figures and complete impact assessments are still being compiled by authorities.
Conclusion : What We Learn From Floods in South Asia
Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, frequently experiences heavy rainfall and cyclones. However, the late-November 2025 floods were exceptional in both scale and human impact. Millions of people were affected, and the confirmed death toll across the region exceeded 300 in Indonesia and 145 in Thailand, with thousands more displaced.
These countries are popular tourist destinations, and the disasters have caused significant humanitarian and financial losses, impacting livelihoods, homes, infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. Southern Thailand and parts of Southeast Asia are particularly vulnerable, with an average of about 2–3 storms per year, making them high-risk, cyclone-prone zones.
The 2025 cyclones underscore the critical need for stronger disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and coordinated response systems to protect populations and reduce the long-term economic and social impact of such extreme weather events.
You can read more about staying safe in floods here.