Mumbai: The death toll continued to climb on Monday, with official and media reports confirming 836 deaths in Indonesia, 479 in Sri Lanka, 185 in Thailand and three in Malaysia. Many of the worst-hit communities in Indonesia and Sri Lanka remain buried under thick layers of mud and debris, leaving 859 people unaccounted for across both countries.

Meteorologists have issued renewed warnings for heavy rainfall over North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh in the coming days, a forecast that has heightened fears of further devastation in regions already ravaged by flooding and landslides.

Experts say the scale of destruction may have been intensified by decades of unchecked deforestation driven by mining activities, palm oil plantations and rapid development, which have weakened natural barriers and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Rescue teams are struggling to reach isolated survivors as damaged infrastructure, washed-out roads and unstable terrain slow operations. Authorities across the region say the next 48 hours will be crucial as they battle worsening conditions and brace for more rain.