Indonesia searches for hundreds missing in deadly floods

Rescue workers in Indonesia are searching for at least 400 people reported missing, many believed to be buried under landslides about a week after tropical cyclone rains triggered catastrophic flooding.

The death toll in Sumatra has risen to more than 440, the government said.

Aid has been delivered to affected areas by air and sea, but some villages have yet to receive anything, with reports of people stealing food and water to survive.

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

Millions of people in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, have been affected by heavy rains.

A rare tropical storm, Cyclone Senyal, has caused catastrophic landslides and flooding in Indonesia, washing away homes and inundating thousands of buildings.

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

“There are two cities that require full attention because of their isolation, namely Central Tapanuri and Siborga,” AFP quoted the agency’s head Suharjanto as saying, adding that ships were expected to arrive in Siborga on Monday.

In Sungai Nyalo village, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province, floodwaters had largely receded on Sunday, leaving houses, vehicles and crops covered in thick gray mud, AFP reported.

Residents said authorities had not yet started clearing the roads and no outside aid had arrived.

“Most villagers choose to stay; they don’t want to leave their houses,” Idris, 55, told the news agency.

Police spokesman Ferry Walintukan said there were reports of people breaking into stores in Sumatra and officers were sent to restore order, the Associated Press reported.

“The looting occurred before logistical aid arrived,” Valintukan added. “(Residents) didn’t know the aid was coming and were worried they would starve.”

In another development, tech billionaire Elon Musk said he would provide free Starlink service to support communications in emergencies.

The area suffered widespread damage.

At least 170 people died in floods in Thailand, and several people died in Malaysia.

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

At least 193 people have died in Sri Lanka from floods and landslides as the country grapples with one of its worst weather disasters in years.