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, according to government sources.
Despite aid being sent by air and sea, some villages remain unreachable, with reports of desperate residents resorting to theft for essential supplies.
International assistance has begun to flow, with Malaysia providing medical supplies to Aceh, one of the areas hardest hit by the disaster.
The flooding follows an unprecedented tropical storm, Cyclone Senyar, which devastated communities, inundating homes and displacing thousands.
The National Disaster Management Agency reported that the missing individuals are primarily located in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Agency head Suharyanto pointed to the need for urgent attention in Central Tapanuli and Sibolga, where isolation due to flooding has hindered rescue efforts as ships were expected to arrive in Sibolga on Monday.
In regions such as Sungai Nyalo, floodwaters are receding, uncovering thick mud that has left homes, crops, and vehicles buried and inaccessible. Local residents expressed frustration over the lack of aid, with some reporting store break-ins driven by hunger and despair.
In a bid to improve communication, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk announced plans to offer free Starlink services in the affected areas.
This flooding crisis is part of a larger pattern, with devastating weather events impacting neighboring countries, including Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia, contributing to a tragic toll in the region.
