Warmer Oceans Helped Fuel Deadly Floods in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, Scientists Say

Warmer seas and heavier rainfall linked to climate change helped supercharge the deadly floods that devastated Indonesia and Sri Lanka last month, according to a new analysis released Thursday.

Two tropical storms dumped staggering amounts of rain across both countries, triggering landslides and flash floods that killed more than 600 people in Sri Lanka and nearly 1,000 in Indonesia.

An international team of scientists found that a combination of factors drove the catastrophe. Along with climate change–driven warming, natural climate patterns — including La Niña and the Indian Ocean Dipole — intensified the storms and increased the likelihood of extreme rainfall.

Researchers say unusually warm ocean temperatures provided more energy and moisture to the storms, while the region’s geographic vulnerabilities amplified the destruction.

The report warns that without stronger climate resilience and disaster preparedness, similar events could become even more frequent as global temperatures continue to rise.