This is a disaster report. Two storms—Senyar and Ditwah—have carved a path of devastation across Southeast Asia, with the death toll surging past 1,000 and thousands displaced. The sheer scale of the floods and landslides is being described as “the worst in our lifetime” in places.
Here are the key takeaways from the region:
Senyar & Ditwah: Over 1,000 Dead in Southeast Asia Storms
The crisis was caused by two sequential, powerful cyclonic systems hitting major population centers, leading to extensive loss of life, destroyed infrastructure, and massive economic damage.
Cyclone Senyar: The Rare Storm
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The Damage: Senyar hit Indonesia and Thailand hard.
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Indonesia (Sumatra): The death toll from floods and landslides stands at least at 502 dead with another 508 missing. The flooding was so severe, residents reported residences submerged up to their rooftops. Rescue efforts are hampered by cut-off roads and downed communication networks, forcing authorities to use naval ships and helicopters for supplies. The government even resorted to cloud seeding to try and reduce rainfall.
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Thailand: Torrential rains triggered by Senyar claimed at least 176 lives and affected over 20 lakh households. Economic losses are estimated at $734 million (approx. ₹6,560 crore), hitting tourism, rubber, and palm oil production.
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The Kicker (Rarity): Senyar was extremely rare. It was the first tropical cyclone to form in the Strait of Malacca since Typhoon Vamei in 2001. Tropical cyclones rarely form so close to the equator because of the weak Coriolis effect, but warm water temperatures allowed Senyar to build.
Cyclone Ditwah: The Sri Lanka Disaster
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The Impact: Ditwah slammed Sri Lanka and grazed India’s southern coast.
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Sri Lanka: Fatalities from heavy flooding nearly doubled in a single day, rising sharply to 334 dead and about 370 missing. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called it the nation’s “largest and most challenging natural disaster.”
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India: The storm stopped short of landfall but brought extremely heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, leading to at least three rain-related deaths in Tamil Nadu.
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The Ongoing Threat
A third storm, Typhoon Koto, is expected to remain offshore east of Vietnam but will still bring additional rainfall to regions already suffering from historic flooding and billions in damages. Forecasters anticipate rainfall to finally return to typical seasonal levels by midweek.
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