Indonesia and Thailand flooding death toll tops 350 as rescuers struggle to reach worst-hit areas

"The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in south-east Asia climbed past 350 on Saturday as clean-up and search and rescue operations got under way in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Heavy monsoon rain overwhelmed swathes of the three countries this week, killing hundreds and leaving thousands stranded, many on rooftops awaiting rescue. Rescuers in Indonesia were struggling to reach the worst-affected areas of Sumatra island, where more than 100 people were still missing."

"Flooding and landslides in Indonesia have killed more than 200 people, according to figures from the disaster authorities. As of tonight, 61 fatalities have been recorded, and 90 are still being searched for, a spokesperson for West Sumatra's regional disaster mitigation agency, Ilham Wahab, said late on Friday, updating an earlier toll of 23 for the province. In North Sumatra, another 116 people had died, while in Aceh province the death toll was at least 35 people, according to figures released by the agency."

"In southern Thailand, water levels reached three metres in Songkhla province and killed at least 145 people in one of the worst floods in a decade. The country's death toll was 162, the government said. Workers at one hospital in hard-hit Hat Yai moved bodies into refrigerated trucks after the morgue exceeded capacity. The prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, visited a shelter for evacuees in the district on Friday."

Heavy monsoon rain caused floods and landslides across Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, killing over 350 people and leaving thousands stranded, many on rooftops awaiting rescue. Rescuers in Sumatra struggled to reach worst-affected areas where more than 100 people remained missing. Flooding and landslides in Indonesia killed more than 200 people, with hundreds dead across West Sumatra, North Sumatra and Aceh. A cloud seeding operation was planned in West Sumatra to reduce rainfall. In southern Thailand, water levels reached three metres in Songkhla province, causing at least 145 deaths and a national toll of 162. Hospital morgues overflowed and bodies were moved into refrigerated trucks.

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