Rescuers in Indonesia are searching for at least 400 people who have been reported missing, many believed to be buried under landslides caused by cyclonic rains that resulted in disastrous flooding a week ago.
The death toll on the island of Sumatra has risen to more than 440, according to government reports.
Although aid has been dispatched via air and sea, many villages remain without assistance, leading to reports of residents stealing food and water for survival.
International help has begun arriving, with Malaysia sending medical supplies to Aceh, one of the provinces most affected.
Millions across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, have faced heavy rains and severe weather conditions.
An exceptionally rare tropical storm, Cyclone Senyar, triggered catastrophic landslides and flooding, sweeping away homes and submerging thousands of buildings in its wake.
Missing persons are primarily from Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
Two cities require urgent attention due to being isolated, namely Central Tapanuli and Sibolga, stated agency head Suharyanto, citing anticipated ship deliveries to the latter region.
In Sungai Nyalo village, about 100km from West Sumatra's capital Padang, floodwaters have receded, revealing homes, vehicles, and crops covered in thick gray mud. However, authorities have not begun clearing roads, and no external help had yet arrived, according to locals.
Reports of looting have surfaced, prompting police presence to restore order, as residents expressed concern over food shortages.
In a separate initiative, tech billionaire Elon Musk announced that he would provide free Starlink services to aid communications during the ongoing emergency.
The devastation extends beyond Indonesia, with at least 170 reported deaths in Thailand, several fatalities in Malaysia, and more than 200 dead in the Philippines due to widespread flooding and governmental protests related to corruption.
Sri Lanka also grapples with one of its worst weather disasters in years, reporting 193 deaths from floods and mudslides.
