Floods in Southeast Asia

Hundreds dead after heavy rains in Southeast Asia

The death toll from heavy rains in Southeast Asia continues to rise. On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, 248 deaths have been confirmed. More are expected, reports the AP news agency.

In several villages in Sumatra, the floods have led to landslides. Rescue work is being hampered by the difficulty of getting machinery and equipment to the villages. Police and emergency workers are having to dig with shovels and hands.

In Sri Lanka, 123 deaths have been confirmed after the torrential rains caused rivers and dams to overflow.

It is not unusual for the monsoon season in Asia to lead to floods and landslides. Scientists warn that the storms will become worse and longer due to climate change. 

Thailand's Prime Minister after the floods: "It's all my fault"

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul apologized to the country for the destruction caused by torrential rains and floods, AFP reports.

- When damage, losses and deaths occur, it is always the prime minister's fault [...] I will use all my expertise and dedication to improve the situation, he says.

Authorities have begun the work of cleaning up after this week's catastrophic storm, which took the lives of 162 Thais. In the southern province of Songkhla, water levels reached up to three meters, and more than 40,000 people were forced to go to evacuation centers.

The government has promised compensation of more than half a million kronor to households that lost family members.