Indonesia Races To Find Survivors After Massive Flooding; Death Toll Rises To 442, At Least 400 Still Missing | World News

Rescue teams in Indonesia are searching for at least 400 missing people, many of whom are feared to be buried under landslides after nearly a week of devastating flooding triggered by hurricane rains. The government says the death toll in Sumatra has risen above 442. Relief supplies have been transported by plane and sea to affected areas, but some villages have yet to receive any aid. Reports have emerged that residents have resorted to stealing food and water to survive.

Severe storms and torrential rains devastated parts of Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka; It has affected millions in the region this month and killed more than 900 people.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said in a statement on Sunday that 402 people were unaccounted for in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh, and rescue teams were trying to reach the most affected areas. Much of the devastation is concentrated on the island of Sumatra, where thousands of people remained isolated for days. The central cities of Tapanuli and Sibolga remain completely disconnected.

Two warships carrying emergency aid have been dispatched from Jakarta and are expected to arrive in Sibolga on Monday.

BNPB says hazardous weather conditions and a lack of heavy machinery continue to hamper rescue efforts. Aid is slowly arriving and conditions in the most isolated areas are worsening.

Videos shared on social media show desperate crowds trying to overcome barricades and wade through deep flood waters to reach damaged stores for basic needs.

The destruction in Southeast Asia was enormous. Monsoon rains have flooded large areas of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, killing at least 600 people across the region. Landslides, destroyed roads and widespread communications outages left emergency crews scrambling to reconnect communities.

Indonesia’s annual monsoon season brings heavy rain each year, usually from June to September; but this season has been much busier. A tropical storm system has increased flooding, and officials say the death toll in Indonesia and Thailand is among the highest in recent years. (With agency input)