Severe Flooding in Indonesia Claims Over 1,000 Lives and Displaces Millions
In a tragic natural disaster, the death toll from the recent floods and landslides in Indonesia has risen to 1,003, with 218 individuals still unaccounted for, according to the national disaster management agency on Saturday.
The agency reported that the floods, which struck the provinces of North and West Sumatra as well as Aceh two weeks ago, have also injured more than 5,400 people, while approximately 1.2 million individuals are currently living in temporary shelters, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis.
Ilham Wahab, a spokesperson for the disaster management agency in West Sumatra, confirmed that the province alone recorded 61 fatalities as of late Friday night, with the fate of 90 individuals still unknown, marking a significant increase from earlier estimates that reported only 23 deaths.
The northern regions of Sumatra have not been spared, with 116 fatalities reported, and Aceh province accounting for at least 35 deaths amid extensive infrastructure damage.
This disaster occurs during a period of severe weather affecting Southeast Asia, with neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka facing similar conditions, including torrential rains that have caused substantial human and material losses.
Weather experts indicate that the monsoon season, typically lasting from June to September, often leads to natural disasters and outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
Earlier this month, Java experienced 38 fatalities due to landslides, with ongoing efforts to locate 13 missing persons in that region.
