More deaths reported after torrential rains in Southeast Asia

TT

Updated 13.34 | Published 13.14

 

People view the devastation of the storm from a washed-out bridge in Aceh province on the northern tip of Sumatra. Photo: Reza Saifullah/AP/TT

The death toll is rising in the countries in South and Southeast Asia that have been hit by this week's heavy monsoon rains.

According to Indonesia's disaster agency, the death toll has now reached 442 people. The heavy rains have created major floods and landslides, with tens of thousands of people evacuated as a result.

At the same time, the agency says that 402 people are still missing.

The country's western island of Sumatra has been particularly affected. There, washed-out roads have isolated communities and made it difficult to reach emergency aid.

In Sri Lanka, the death toll has now risen to at least 212, according to the country's authorities. A large and unknown number of people are still missing.

Large amounts of water remain in the country's capital, Colombo, hampering rescue efforts.

Thailand's southern provinces were hit by the worst floods in more than a decade. 162 people have been reported dead there.