Southeast Asia disaster | Flood death toll rises to 500, thousands stranded

Latest reports from Southeast Asia indicate that the death toll from devastating floods and landslides has risen to nearly 500, amid urgent rescue efforts to evacuate those stranded and restore basic services.

Heavy rains caused widespread destruction

Large areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand have experienced heavy rainfall throughout the week, flooding villages and streets and leaving thousands of people stranded, some on rooftops awaiting rescue.

Urgent rescue and relief efforts

Authorities are working to rescue those stranded and restore electricity and communications, coordinating relief efforts as the floodwaters begin to recede. In Indonesia, aid and supplies are being transported to the worst-affected areas, such as Tapanole in North Sumatra province.

Indonesia and Sri Lanka were the most affected.

• Indonesia: 248 confirmed dead and the death toll expected to rise after an earthquake and tsunami struck multiple regions.
• Central Java Island: 38 dead and 13 missing due to landslides.
• Sri Lanka: 123 dead and more than 44,000 displaced from their homes, with 130 people missing.