The death toll from devastating floods in Southeast Asia has reached at least 326, reports Reuters. Authorities continue rescue operations, restore power and communications and assess damage as the waters begin to recede.
The disaster affected large areas of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, which were hit by torrential rains caused by a cyclone. At the same time, a rare tropical storm formed in the Strait of Malacca. In Sri Lanka, authorities reported 46 more deaths.
In Sumatra, Indonesia, the situation remains dire: 174 people have been confirmed dead, 79 are missing and thousands of families have lost their homes. In Padang Pariaman district, water levels reached one meter and rescuers were unable to reach some residents. People complained of food shortages; some were forced to move to the upper floors of their homes to escape the rapidly rising waters. In the town of Batang Toru, residents buried seven unidentified bodies found in the rubble and carried to a makeshift mass grave. Authorities continue to clear roads, restore communications and transport humanitarian aid.
In Thailand, floods have killed 145 people and affected more than 3.5 million. In the city of Hat Yai, the waters are gradually receding, but many areas remain flooded and without power. Residents are returning to their destroyed homes and counting the damage - some have lost all their belongings.
In Malaysia, two people have died as a result of the effects of Tropical Storm Senjar. Despite the storm's weakening, meteorologists are warning of the risk of further rain, winds and dangerous waves. About 30,000 people remain in evacuation centers. The Malaysian Foreign Ministry announced the evacuation of 1,459 Malaysian citizens from more than 25 Thai hotels in the disaster area, with about 300 more awaiting help.
The disaster has become one of the worst in the region in recent years, and authorities believe that recovery efforts will take a long time.
Earlier, it was reported that 37 people were killed, five were missing and 78 were injured in central Vietnam due to continuous heavy rains and massive flooding. The heavy rains have caused widespread flooding in western and southwestern Turkey.