Torrential floods claim hundreds of lives across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand

The death toll from recent flooding in Indonesia has risen to 604, The Guardian reports, citing the country’s National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB).

Across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, more than 1,100 people have now died as a result of the severe floods.

A further 468 people are reported missing. More than 578,000 residents across three provinces on the Indonesian island of Sumatra have been evacuated.

Public anger is growing over what many perceive as an inadequate government response to the deadly floods, with delays in delivering vital food aid blamed on bureaucratic obstacles.

Indonesian authorities are under pressure to declare a national emergency. President Prabowo Subianto said earlier that “the worst has passed, hopefully.”

In Sri Lanka, the government has requested international assistance and deployed military helicopters to reach those stranded by flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. At least 355 people have died, with 366 still missing.

Thailand has reported over 170 fatalities, with the southern province of Songkhla worst affected, as flooding leaves thousands stranded and submerges buildings and vehicles. Malaysia has confirmed three deaths.

By Aghakazim Guliyev