At least 400 killed in Indonesian floods, landslides; hundreds still missing

Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Rescue workers in Indonesia are searching for at least 400 people who are believed to have been buried alive following landslides caused by torrential rains and flooding from cyclones nearly a week ago.

The death toll on the island of Sumatra is at least 440 people, the government has reported. Workers are attempting to deliver aid into the affected areas by land and sea, but have been unable to reach some locations, which has prompted some people to steal food and water, local officials reported.

This month, torrential storms have devastated parts of Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, leaving more than 900 people dead and affecting millions more.

Senyar, a rare tropical storm, caused major landslides and catastrophic flooding in Indonesia, which swept away homes and left thousands of buildings under water, officials said.

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People are reportedly missing in Aceh, North Sumatra and in West Sumatra, the National Disaster Management Agency said.

"There are two cities that require full attention due to being isolated, namely Central Tapanuli and Sibolga," Suharyanto, the head of the agency said, according to the BBC.

He said aid ships are scheduled to arrive in Sibolga on Monday. Malaysia is sending aid to Aceh, which is among the hardest hit provinces.

Floodwaters had mostly receded by Sunday in Sungai Nyalo village, about 60 miles from West Sumatra's capital Padang, leaving homes, vehicles and crops covered in thick mud.

Officials had not yet started to clear the debris Sunday, and said outside aid had not arrived.

In addition to the 440 people reportedly killed in the flooding and landslides, officials said at least another 400 remain missing.