Indonesia searches for hundreds missing in deadly floods

Rescue workers in Indonesia are searching for at least 400 people reported missing, many believed buried under landslides after devastating floods caused by cyclone rain nearly a week ago.

The government says the death toll on the island of Sumatra has risen to more than 440.

Aid has been sent by air and sea to the affected areas, but some villages have yet to receive anything, and there are reports that people are stealing food and water to survive.

Some foreign aid has arrived, with Malaysia sending medical supplies to Aceh, one of the worst-hit provinces.

Heavy rains have affected millions of people across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.

An exceptionally rare tropical storm named Cyclone Senyar caused devastating landslides and floods in Indonesia, sweeping away homes and inundating thousands of buildings.

The National Disaster Management Agency said people were missing in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.

“There are two towns that require close attention because of their isolation, central Tapanuli and Sibolga,” the AFP news agency quoted agency head Suhariyanto as saying. The ships were expected to reach Sibolga on Monday, he said.

In the village of Sungai Nyalo, about 100 km (62 miles) from Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, floodwaters had largely receded on Sunday, leaving homes, vehicles and crops submerged in thick brown mud, AFP reported.

Residents said authorities have not yet started clearing the roads and no outside assistance has arrived.

“Most of the villagers chose to stay here; they did not want to leave their homes,” Idris, 55, told the news agency.

Police spokesman Ferry Walintukan said there were reports of people vandalizing shops in Sumatra and police were dispatched to restore order, the Associated Press news agency reported.

“Looting took place before logistical support could arrive,” Mr Valintukan said. “(Residents) didn’t know there would be aid and were worried they would starve to death.”

In another development, tech billionaire Elon Musk said he will provide free Starlink services to support communications during the emergency.

There has been massive destruction in the entire area.

At least 170 people died in floods in Thailand and several deaths were also reported in Malaysia.

In the Philippines, thousands of people have protested against government corruption after a series of floods this month that killed more than 200 people.

And in Sri Lanka, at least 193 people died in floods and landslides, as the country grappled with one of the worst weather disasters in years.