Death Toll Rises to 303 in Sumatra Floods as Hundreds Remain Missing

Death Toll Rises to 303 in Sumatra Floods as Hundreds Remain Missing
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The latest official count indicates that at least 303 people have died so far in floods and landslides triggered by cyclonic rains on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, up from an earlier toll of 174, Reuters reported. The disaster mitigation agency head confirmed that around 279 people remain missing, reflecting the scale of the calamity.

Heavy rains over the past week — fueled by a rare tropical storm in the Malacca Strait — have battered large areas of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. On Sumatra, some 80,000 residents have been evacuated, while hundreds remain stranded across three severely affected provinces.

In the hardest-hit northern region, where landslides destroyed roads and communication lines, helicopters are being used for delivering aid and moving supplies. Officials said rescue teams are working to clear a blocked road between North Tapanuli and Sibolga, which has been cut off for three days. Military resources are set to increase starting Sunday to support relief operations.

Despite organized relief efforts, tensions spiked in Central Tapanuli when some residents attempted to loot supply convoys, highlighting the growing desperation on the ground. Meanwhile, across the Malacca Strait in southern Thailand, flood-related deaths have risen to 162, up from 145 previously, as authorities struggle with widespread inundation and ongoing rainfall.