Flooding across Southeast Asia has reached a crisis point, with southern Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam all grappling with the aftermath of relentless rains and rising waters. Over the past week, these nations have faced a deluge that has upended lives, destroyed property, and tested the resilience of communities and governments alike.
In southern Thailand, the situation turned dire after days of intense rainfall led to floodwaters rising to waist height in some areas, impacting ten provinces across the region. The southern trading hub of Hat Yai bore the brunt of the onslaught on November 21, 2025, suffering its heaviest single-day rainfall in more than 300 years, according to the country’s irrigation department. The images that emerged were striking: people wading through brown, swirling water in bustling commercial districts, shops and parked motorcycles submerged, and families improvising by pulling children in plastic boxes turned into makeshift boats. On the outskirts, lines of parked trucks and buses snaked along the few remaining dry roads, while other vehicles inched forward, half-submerged in the rising flood.
The human toll in Thailand has been sobering. As of November 24, 2025, at least eight people had lost their lives, mainly due to electrocution and other flood-related accidents, according to Thai authorities. The disaster agency reported that at least 700,000 households have been affected since the flooding began around November 17, a staggering figure that underscores the scale of the crisis. In response, Thailand has mobilized hundreds of boats and high-clearance vehicles to deliver aid and supplies to stranded residents. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered more water pumping machines to be deployed and emphasized that "assistance must be adequate, comprehensive, and timely," as stated in a government release.
Across the border in Malaysia, the situation has grown increasingly urgent. As of 6 a.m. on November 25, 2025, the number of evacuees nationwide had soared to 19,422, according to the National Disaster Command Centre. A total of 112 temporary relief centers have been established across 22 districts in eight states, currently sheltering 6,554 families. The demographic breakdown of those displaced paints a vivid picture of the crisis: 5,727 adult men, 6,030 adult women, 3,193 boys, 2,992 girls, 258 male infants, and 265 female infants are among those seeking refuge from the rising waters.
Kelantan has emerged as the hardest-hit state in Malaysia, with nearly 10,000 people housed in 40 relief centers, particularly in Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Bachok, and Pasir Puteh, where water levels have continued to climb. Perlis and Perak have also seen significant numbers of evacuees, with 2,644 and 2,604 people displaced, respectively. In Perak, the districts of Manjung, Perak Tengah, and Bagan Datuk have been most affected. Meanwhile, in Selangor, 2,119 individuals remain displaced, though authorities report that flood levels in Kuala Selangor, Petaling, and Klang have stabilized.
Despite the widespread disruption, Malaysia has thus far been spared fatalities, a fact that officials attribute to swift action and robust disaster preparedness. The Social Welfare Department confirmed that more than 15,000 people were in shelters as of November 24, with civil defense teams on standby and over 90 land and water assets—including lorries, four-wheel-drive vehicles, and water-rescue equipment—mobilized to assist in rescue and relief efforts. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concern and solidarity, stating, "I pray and hope that this incident will not cause extensive damage and that all victims remain strong and patient."
The flooding has not been confined to Thailand and Malaysia. In central Vietnam, the situation has been even more devastating. Over the past week, flooding and landslides have claimed the lives of 91 people and caused infrastructure damage that left 1.1 million households and businesses without power, according to the Vietnamese government. The initial estimate of property damage stands at a staggering 13 trillion dong (approximately $493 million), highlighting the economic blow dealt to the region. The government has responded by disbursing cash aid and 4,000 tons of rice to flood victims in an effort to provide immediate relief.
The scale of the inundation in Vietnam is immense. More than 200,000 houses have been affected, alongside 200,000 hectares of crops and 1,157 hectares of fish farms. The central highlands, a region already highly prone to storms and flooding, saw several coffee farms submerged, hampering the harvest and threatening the livelihoods of countless families. As water levels have started to recede, the focus is shifting from immediate rescue to the daunting task of recovery and rebuilding.
These recent floods are not isolated incidents but part of a troubling pattern in Southeast Asia, where seasonal monsoons and extreme weather events have become increasingly frequent and severe. Just a year ago, the same regions were battered by floods that killed at least 12 people, underscoring the persistent vulnerability of these communities. The vast geographical scope of the current disaster—spanning hundreds of kilometers and affecting millions—has put immense pressure on local and national agencies to coordinate their responses and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.
In Thailand, the government has ramped up efforts to provide shelter and assistance, but the sheer number of affected households means that resources are stretched thin. The deployment of boats and high-clearance vehicles has been crucial in reaching isolated communities, but many residents remain stranded or face significant challenges in accessing food, clean water, and medical care. The government’s commitment to timely and comprehensive assistance is being put to the test as the crisis unfolds.
Malaysia’s disaster response has been notable for its organization and speed, with temporary relief centers quickly established and a coordinated mobilization of both land and water assets. The absence of fatalities so far is a testament to these efforts, though the rising number of evacuees and the prolonged nature of the flooding mean that the situation remains precarious. Local authorities continue to monitor water levels, particularly in the worst-hit states, and have urged residents to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation orders.
Vietnam, meanwhile, faces the dual challenge of dealing with the immediate aftermath of the floods and addressing the longer-term impacts on agriculture and infrastructure. The government’s distribution of cash aid and rice is a lifeline for many, but the road to recovery will be long, especially for those who have lost homes, crops, and livelihoods. The damage to coffee farms in the central highlands is particularly concerning, as it threatens a key economic sector and the well-being of countless farming families.
As Southeast Asia confronts this latest bout of devastating floods, the resilience of its people is once again on display. Communities have come together to support one another, and governments have acted swiftly to provide aid and shelter. Yet, the recurring nature of these disasters raises pressing questions about climate adaptation, infrastructure investment, and the need for regional cooperation in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. For now, the focus remains on saving lives, delivering relief, and beginning the long process of recovery in the wake of nature’s relentless force.
