Death toll rises as heavy monsoon rain overwhelms parts of Asia

Hundreds of people have died across Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand as the Asian nations suffer the worst floods in years, authorities said on Saturday.

Heavy monsoon rains overwhelmed areas of the Asian countries this week, killing more than 500 people and leaving thousands stranded, many on rooftops awaiting rescue.

At least 123 people died in Sri Lanka in floods and torrential rain triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, with another 130 still missing, the Disaster Management Centre announced.

The centre's director general, Sampath Kotuwegoda, said on Saturday that relief operations were under way, with 43,995 people moved to state-run welfare centres after their homes were destroyed in the week-long heavy rains.

Residents evacuate from an area flooded by heavy rain in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra province, Indonesia. Reuters An elderly woman is evacuated in Deli Serdang. Reuters Buildings swept by flash floods in Malalak, West Sumatra province, Indonesia. Reuters A collapsed road in the Meureudu area of Aceh, Indonesia. EPA Residents clean up their house in Meureudu, Aceh. EPA A bridge swept by a flooded river on a main road connecting Aceh and North Sumatra, in Meureudu. AFP Military personnel deliver relief supplies to flood survivors in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand. EPA Submerged cars and homes in Hat Yai, southern Thailand. EPA An umpire's seat and tennis courts are covered in mud in Hat Yai, Thailand. Reuters Flood-displaced people take shelter in a gymnasium in Hat Yai, Thailand. Getty Images Corpses in body bags are taken away on a lorry after being retrieved by emergency workers Hat Yai, Thailand. Getty Images A damaged car in Hat Yai , Thailand. Reuters A home surrounded by floodwater in Kangar, in Malaysia's Perlis state. AFP A flooded mosque in Kangar, Malaysia.