Cyclone Devastation

Three powerful cyclones (think: hurricanes of the South Pacific) collided with monsoon rains across South and Southeast Asia this week, killing more than 1,350 people and displacing millions. 

Entire Sri Lankan towns were submerged, prompting President Dissanayake to call it the “largest and most challenging natural disaster” in the country’s history. But it was Indonesia that was hit hardest, with tsunami-like flooding killing 700+ people and leaving thousands of people without food, water, and communication, and millions more displaced. 

As rescue teams struggle to reach remote areas, critics say the governments were unprepared and have been too slow in distributing food aid.

Meteorologists note that while monsoons happen every year, this season was intensified by La Niña (El Niño’s colder temperature cousin) and a rare equatorial cyclone, which warmer oceans can make more severe.

PRAY WITH US
All-powerful God, we lament the loss of life and unfathomable destruction these storms have caused. King Jesus, bring your Kingdom! Comfort the grieving, give food to the hungry, give rest to the exhausted, bring peace to the horrified, give safety to the vulnerable, and give discernment and wisdom to all leaders and authorities. Amen.

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