Death toll from Sumatra floods and landslides rises to 19, with 24 missing, road access cut, and a cyclone threatening more extreme weather
JAKARTA: The death toll from floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island has increased to 19 people.
A national search and rescue agency official confirmed the updated figure on Thursday.
Extreme weather has battered North Sumatra province for several days, triggering the disasters across multiple districts.
“There is no update so far this morning, in total, for all the affected locations, 19 people died,” national search and rescue agency official Emy Freezer told AFP.
He added that at least 24 people remain missing across six different locations.
Road access to affected areas has been completely cut off along with telecommunication and electricity services.
Rescue authorities are focusing on clearing debris to reach isolated locations and provide assistance.
Heavy rain in neighbouring Aceh province has also triggered floods and landslides in recent days.
The local disaster agency reported nearly 1,500 people have been evacuated in Aceh.
Electricity services in parts of the province have been knocked out completely.
State-owned electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara deployed personnel to gradually restore power after a flash flood caused a transmission tower collapse.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics agency warned that Cyclone Senyar formed on Wednesday.
This cyclone could bring more extreme weather to the region in the coming days.
Indonesia’s annual monsoon season typically occurs between June and September.
The season often brings heavy rains that trigger landslides, flash floods and waterborne diseases.
Climate change has impacted storm patterns, increasing the duration and intensity of the monsoon season.
These changes lead to heavier rainfall, more frequent flash flooding, and stronger wind gusts.
At least 38 people died this month in landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in Central Java.
Approximately 13 people remain missing from those Central Java landslides. – AFP
