In brief
Severe flooding in Indonesia has led to a tragic death toll surpassing 600 as rescue efforts continue amidst the chaos. With nearly 500 individuals still unaccounted for and thousands injured, the situation remains dire, highlighting significant demands for emergency aid and criticisms regarding the government's preparedness and response to natural disasters.
The death toll in the floods which struck Indonesia last week has now climbed to 631 on Tuesday, with rescue workers still battling to reach affected areas.
The floods, caused by a rare cyclone over the Malacca Strait, have hit three provinces and affected around 1.5 million people, according to the government's disaster agency.
Nearly 500 people remain missing, while thousands more have been injured.
Indonesia is just one part of Asia that has faced torrential rain and storms in recent days, with Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka also reporting fatalities.
In Indonesia, Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have been hardest hit, with thousands still cut off from critical supplies.
About one million people have been evacuated, as aid workers struggle on foot and by motorcycle to reach isolated areas.
Residents describe the floodwaters as devastating, with some fearing for the lives of missing family members.
Amid these challenges, criticism is growing over the government's disaster response and its preparedness for such extreme weather events.
The floods are part of a wider trend in Southeast Asia, where approximately 1,200 people have died from flooding and landslides in recent weeks. Experts suggest climate change may intensify such weather occurrences, making effective preparedness crucial.
