Images of logs swept out into flood-hit areas have circulated online, and experts have said deforestation and environmental degradation contributed to the floods and landslides, which have killed over 600 people in the country.

MEDAN, Indonesia -- Some residents of the flood-hit island of Sumatra resorted to looting, seeking food and water to survive, authorities said Sunday.

An aid scheme for farmers and livestock breeders in the three hardest-hit provinces is also being prepared by the National Food Agency.

Indonesian man describes how his neighbourhood has been ravaged by floods

Improved weather on Saturday helped rescuers on Indonesia's Sumatra island recover more bodies as they struggled to reach several areas that were hit by landslides and flash floods that left more than 300 dead and scores missing.

Torrential rains and a rare cyclone triggered deadly floods and landslides in North Sumatra, killing 28, isolating towns and forcing thousands to evacuate.