More than 600 people in East Timor have been made homeless by severe monsoonal flooding.

Anne Barker reports one person has died and two more are missing. The United Nations says unseasonal rains in East Timor's south have caused widespread damage to crops, livestock, houses and roads.

Some villages have lost their entire crop, compounding the nation's already critical food shortage that threatens 150,000 people. One of those missing is a UN staff worker.

Most of the homeless are in the Suai area where UN peacekeeping forces are sheltering them. The UN has begun supplying food and water, which it hopes, will last for at least a month. Many flooded areas are still cut off by road and air. Some roads could remain cut for at least two weeks.