Rescuers in Indonesia are searching for at least 400 people who have been reported missing, many believed to be buried under landslides, after cyclonic rains caused disastrous flooding nearly a week ago. The death toll on the island of Sumatra has risen to more than 440, the government says.
Aid has been sent into affected areas by air and by sea, but some villages have yet to receive anything, and there are reports of people stealing food and water to survive.
Torrential rain and storms have devastated parts of Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, affecting millions of people and leaving more than 900 dead across the region this month.
An exceptionally rare tropical storm, named Cyclone Senyar, caused catastrophic landslides and flooding in Indonesia, with homes swept away and thousands of buildings submerged. People are missing in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, the National Disaster Management Agency said.
There are two cities that require full attention due to being isolated, namely Central Tapanuli and Sibolga, agency head Suharyanto was quoted as saying. Ships were expected in Sibolga on Monday, he added. Some foreign aid has arrived, with Malaysia sending medical supplies to Aceh, one of the worst-hit provinces.
In Sungai Nyalo village, about 100km from West Sumatra's capital Padang, floodwaters had mostly receded, leaving homes, vehicles, and crops coated in thick grey mud. The authorities had not yet begun clearing roads, residents said, and no outside assistance had arrived.
Most villagers chose to stay; they didn't want to leave their houses behind, Idris, 55, told the news agency. Police spokesperson Ferry Walintukan stated that reports of people breaking into shops have surfaced on Sumatra, prompting police to restore order. The looting happened before logistical aid arrived, he added, explaining that residents were concerned about starvation.
In a unique move, tech billionaire Elon Musk said he would provide free Starlink services to support communications during the emergency. The region continues to be rocked by the effects of Cyclone Senyar, with widespread devastation noted.
At least 170 people died in floods in Thailand, with several deaths reported in Malaysia. In Sri Lanka, over 330 fatalities were reported due to floods and mudslides as the country faced one of the worst weather disasters in years. Recent reports indicate that while the torrential rains have ceased, many areas remain flooded and cut off.
In the Philippines, protests against government corruption connected to flood disaster management sparked nationwide demonstrations, signaling widespread public dissatisfaction and escalating tensions within the region. While national governments scramble to provide aid and address infrastructure weaknesses, the full scope of Cyclone Senyar's impact continues to unfold.
Aid has been sent into affected areas by air and by sea, but some villages have yet to receive anything, and there are reports of people stealing food and water to survive.
Torrential rain and storms have devastated parts of Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, affecting millions of people and leaving more than 900 dead across the region this month.
An exceptionally rare tropical storm, named Cyclone Senyar, caused catastrophic landslides and flooding in Indonesia, with homes swept away and thousands of buildings submerged. People are missing in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, the National Disaster Management Agency said.
There are two cities that require full attention due to being isolated, namely Central Tapanuli and Sibolga, agency head Suharyanto was quoted as saying. Ships were expected in Sibolga on Monday, he added. Some foreign aid has arrived, with Malaysia sending medical supplies to Aceh, one of the worst-hit provinces.
In Sungai Nyalo village, about 100km from West Sumatra's capital Padang, floodwaters had mostly receded, leaving homes, vehicles, and crops coated in thick grey mud. The authorities had not yet begun clearing roads, residents said, and no outside assistance had arrived.
Most villagers chose to stay; they didn't want to leave their houses behind, Idris, 55, told the news agency. Police spokesperson Ferry Walintukan stated that reports of people breaking into shops have surfaced on Sumatra, prompting police to restore order. The looting happened before logistical aid arrived, he added, explaining that residents were concerned about starvation.
In a unique move, tech billionaire Elon Musk said he would provide free Starlink services to support communications during the emergency. The region continues to be rocked by the effects of Cyclone Senyar, with widespread devastation noted.
At least 170 people died in floods in Thailand, with several deaths reported in Malaysia. In Sri Lanka, over 330 fatalities were reported due to floods and mudslides as the country faced one of the worst weather disasters in years. Recent reports indicate that while the torrential rains have ceased, many areas remain flooded and cut off.
In the Philippines, protests against government corruption connected to flood disaster management sparked nationwide demonstrations, signaling widespread public dissatisfaction and escalating tensions within the region. While national governments scramble to provide aid and address infrastructure weaknesses, the full scope of Cyclone Senyar's impact continues to unfold.
