Southeast Asia Cyclone Deaths Hit 1,577; Indonesia, Sri Lanka Seek Aid

• Southeast Asia faces a severe crisis from tropical storms and monsoon rains, with Indonesia reporting 950 deaths and Sri Lanka 627.
• Indonesia's flood-hit regions, including Aceh, face critical shortages of food, shelter, medicine, and medical personnel.
• Sri Lanka deployed 38,500 troops for recovery after Cyclone Ditwah affected over 2 million people, with the President unveiling a recovery package.
• The disaster has devastated infrastructure in Indonesia, with rebuilding costs estimated up to $3.1 billion, and Sri Lanka seeks foreign aid.
• Climate change is making seasonal monsoon rains and related disasters more erratic and deadly across South and Southeast Asia.

Why It Matters: Deadly cyclone in Southeast Asia reveals climate vulnerability and massive recovery needs.