Satellites Capture Rare Three-Cyclone Cluster: Deadly Floods Hit Southeast Asia

Satellites Capture Rare Three-Cyclone Cluster: Deadly Floods Hit Southeast Asia

A rare and devastating weather event involving a "three-cyclone storm cluster" has struck Southeast Asia, leaving over 600 people dead and affecting more than 4 million residents across Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia as of late November 2025.

 * Rare Phenomenon: Meteorologists have identified a highly unusual cluster of storms, including Cyclone Senyar, which formed in the Malacca Strait—a rare occurrence near the equator where the Coriolis force is typically too weak for such formations. This system interacted with Typhoon Koto near the Philippines and a third system in the region, creating a "supercharged" storm complex.

 * Devastation: The cluster unleashed record-breaking rainfall, triggering massive flash floods and landslides. Indonesia's Sumatra island was hardest hit, with over 435 confirmed deaths due to landslides burying villages. Southern Thailand reported over 170 casualties, while Malaysia faced significant displacement in northern states like Kelantan and Perlis.

 * Current Status: Rescue operations are ongoing, though hampered by damaged infrastructure and blocked roads. Authorities describe the event as one of the most severe climate-driven disasters in the region's history, with experts linking the intensity and unusual formation patterns to escalating climate change risks.