Mount Sinabung eruption blanketed Sumatra, Indonesia in ash. As of 31 August 2026, Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung erupted, sending a column of black ash and smoke 3,500 metres into the sky over Sumatra Island. The ash covered roads, vehicles, and buildings in several villages across Karo. However, there were no reports of casualties, evacuations, or flight disruptions in the region. Officials raised the volcano’s alert level to the second-highest tier for volcanic activity and advised residents to avoid activities in nearby villages and areas within 6 kilometres of the summit.

Source: AP News. (2026, September 1). Eruption of Sinabung volcano on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island prompts higher alert.

Floods affected over 100 villages across northern Lao PDR. Heavy rain during 28-29 August 2026 triggered widespread flooding in Lao PDR’s Luang Namtha province. The flooding affected 34 villages, damaging roads, power infrastructure, agricultural lands, gardens, offices, and schools. Meanwhile, neighboring Oudomxay province also suffered from severe flooding, landslides, erosion, and fallen trees. A total of 74 villages and at least 3,817 households experienced power outages. Authorities deployed personnel, boats, vehicles, shelters, food, medicine, and other supplies to assist affected residents, while advising them to follow official updates, avoid strong currents, move belongings to higher ground, and prepare to relocate if necessary.

Source: The Laotian Times. (2026, August 31). Flooding Affects 34 Villages in Luang Namtha as Roads, Power Hit Across Northern Laos.

Storms and monsoon rains battered Philippines, affecting 9.1 million people. The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported on 1 September 2026 that tropical storms and prolonged monsoon rains caused severe floods, landslides, and rockslides. The incidents affected at least 178 areas and 9.1 million people across 10 regions, leaving 34 people dead, 19 injured, and three missing. Furthermore, the storms damaged 3,700 houses, infrastructure, and agricultural areas. Local governments declared states of calamity, allowing authorities to mobilise resources and expedite relief. Authorities also established 1,255 evacuation centres, while the government provided 1.79 billion PHP (around 28.68 million USD) worth of assistance to affected communities.

*1 USD = 62.41 PHP

Source: The Manila Times. (2026, September 1). 178 areas under state of calamity, 9.1M people affected by storms, monsoon rains.

Heavy rains continued to wreak havoc in Thailand. On 31 August 2026, Khao Yai National Park and Namtok Chet Sao Noi National Park in Saraburi temporarily closed several waterfall attractions as water levels rose rapidly due to the continuous heavy rain. Meanwhile, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted a monsoon moving across the North and Northeast of the country. The TMD also warned that heavy to very heavy rain could trigger flash floods, overflowing waterways, and landslides across these regions.

Source: The Nation. (2026, August 31). Flash-flood, heavy rain warning issued across upper Thailand. The Nation. (2026, August 31). Heavy rain closes waterfalls at two national parks in Saraburi.

Deadly Typhoon Narra submerged homes and isolated thousands in Viet Nam. As of 27 August 2026, Typhoon Narra triggered severe flooding, resulting in three deaths and injuring three others in northern Viet Nam. The disaster inundated 32,930 hectares of crops, killed over 12,000 livestock and poultry, and damaged more than 1,000 hectares of aquaculture farms across northern and central Viet Nam. Furthermore, more than 1,750 houses were flooded, leaving 2,531 families isolated, and causing power outages affecting over 10,600 users. Local authorities inspected riverside settlements, prepared for resident evacuations, and activated the ‘four-on-site’ emergency response model.

Source: Borneo Bulletin. (2026, August 26). Typhoon Narra triggers floods in northern Vietnam. Xinhua. (2026, August 27). Typhoon Narra kills 3, wreaks havoc across Vietnam.

Thailand Seeks 60,000-MT Rice Sale to China to Boost Exports. According to the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), Thailand has submitted terms and a proposed price to China’s COFCO for a government-to-government sale of 60,000 MT of 5 percent broken white rice. The DFT expects a decision soon, with the deal aimed at helping absorb surplus domestic rice, support farmers’ paddy prices and boost exports toward Thailand’s 7-million-MT annual target. Thailand is also working to amend its existing agreement with China to accommodate an additional 220,000 MT and is continuing negotiations to secure the full targeted 500,000 MT of Thai rice purchases by the Chinese government.

Source: Nation Thailand. (2026, August 28). Thailand awaits COFCO decision on 60,000-tonne rice deal.

Vietnam’s Rice Export Value Forecast at USD 3.94 Billion in 2026. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Viet Nam exported an estimated 6.03 million MT of rice worth about 2.91 billion USD in the first eight months of 2026, a decreased 5 percent in volume and 10.7 percent in value year on year. However, export prices began recovering in July 2025, with the average price reaching 511 USD per MT, increased 5.8 percent compared to 2025 For the first eight months, the average export price stood at 481.5 USD per MT, a decreased 5.9 persent from 2025 . In addition ,2026’s rice export value is forecast at around USD 3.94 billion, about 4 percent below 2025, while improving prices are expected to support export earnings in the final months of the year.

Source: VietnamPlus. (2026, August 30). Vietnam’s rice exports reach 2.91 billion USD in eight months.

Japan to Buy Back 210,000 MT of Rice to Support Farmers and Falling Prices. Japan’s government plans to buy back 210,000 MT of rice from the market after releasing 590,000 MT from emergency reserves in 2025 to address shortages and soaring prices. With rice supplies now recovering and prices falling, the buyback aims to prevent a sharp decline in rice prices and support farmers’ incomes. The purchase would raise government rice reserves to around 740,000 MT, still below the official target of 1 million MT.

Source: Japan Today. (2026, September 1). Japan gov't unveils plan to buy back 210,000 tons of rice.