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Indonesia Searches for 400 Missing as Cyclone Death Toll Tops 440
Rescue teams in Indonesia are racing to locate at least 400 people reported missing-many feared buried under landslides-after Cyclone Senyar triggered catastrophic flooding nearly a week ago, officials confirmed Monday. The disaster has claimed over 440 lives on Sumatra island alone, with entire villages cut off and aid deliveries hampered by destroyed infrastructure.
Regional Devastation and Aid Challenges
The rare tropical storm, Cyclone Senyar, unleashed torrential rains that devastated parts of Sumatra, sweeping away homes and submerging thousands of buildings. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) highlighted Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as the hardest-hit provinces, with Central Tapanuli and Sibolga described as "fully isolated." Agency head Suharyanto told AFP that ships carrying supplies were expected to reach Sibolga on Monday, though some remote villages-like Sungai Nyalo, 100 km from Padang-remain without assistance, their roads still blocked by mud and debris.
Residents in Sungai Nyalo reported that floodwaters had receded by Sunday, leaving behind thick layers of grey mud coating homes, vehicles, and crops. "Most villagers chose to stay; they didn't want to abandon their houses," Idris, a 55-year-old local, told AFP. Meanwhile, police confirmed incidents of looting in Sumatra, with desperate residents breaking into shops before aid arrived. "They didn't know help was coming and feared starvation," police spokesperson Ferry Walintukan told the Associated Press.
"There are two cities that require full attention due to being isolated, namely Central Tapanuli and Sibolga."
Suharyanto, Head of Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), via AFP
International Response and Tech Support
Malaysia has dispatched medical supplies to Aceh, one of the worst-affected provinces, while tech billionaire Elon Musk announced plans to provide free Starlink satellite services to restore communications in stranded areas. The move aims to bridge gaps left by collapsed telecom infrastructure, though the extent of coverage remains unclear.
Broader Regional Crisis
The disaster extends beyond Indonesia, with Cyclone Senyar's remnants wreaking havoc across Southeast Asia this month. Official tallies now exceed 900 deaths region-wide, including:
- Thailand: At least 170 fatalities in floods.
- Malaysia: Multiple deaths reported amid severe inundation.
- Sri Lanka: Over 330 dead from floods and mudslides, marking one of the country's worst weather disasters in years. Low-lying areas of Colombo remain underwater, and central regions stay cut off.
- Philippines: More than 200 killed in floods, sparking mass protests against government corruption. Tens of thousands demonstrated in Manila on Sunday-the second major protest this month-accusing officials of embezzling funds earmarked for flood defenses.
Philippines Political Fallout
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. faces mounting pressure after acknowledging that "substantial" flood-control funds were lost to corruption. While he has dismissed several officials, one fugitive politician-now in hiding-alleged Marcos Jr. himself oversaw the graft. The president called the claim "propaganda," but the scandal has fractured his support base: his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, has joined the opposition, and Vice President Sara Duterte, a longtime rival, positioned herself as a potential successor.
"Money designated for flood defenses was diverted into the pockets of corrupt politicians, leaving communities exposed."
Protesters in Manila, via union and activist groups
Next Steps
Indonesian authorities prioritize reaching isolated villages like Central Tapanuli, where food and water shortages have triggered survival thefts. In the Philippines, Marcos Jr.'s administration braces for further protests, with analysts noting historical parallels: two former presidents-including his father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.-were ousted by corruption-fueled uprisings. The coming weeks will test whether the current wave of dissent gains momentum or dissipates.
