Death toll in Indonesia floods passes 600, millions stranded

Death toll in Indonesia floods passes 600, millions stranded 

The death toll from devastating floods in Indonesia has risen to 631, with rescue teams still struggling to reach isolated areas, according to the country’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency. The floods, caused by a rare cyclone over the Malacca Strait, have affected three provinces—Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra—impacting around 1.5 million people. Nearly 500 people remain missing, while thousands have sustained injuries.

About one million people have been evacuated, but many communities remain cut off, facing shortages of food, clean water, and basic supplies. Residents describe the floodwaters as “like a tsunami,” with roads impassable and bridges washed away. Aid workers have had to navigate affected areas on foot or by motorcycle, as heavy mud and debris block larger vehicles.

In Aceh and North Sumatra, residents like Arini Amalia and Maysanti spoke of dire conditions, with some going days without food and forced to walk long distances for internet access and essentials. Thousands queued outside government offices where Starlink devices had been provided to contact loved ones.

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The disaster has drawn criticism toward authorities over slow disaster response and bureaucratic delays in distributing food aid. Activists also cite environmental mismanagement, including deforestation for agriculture and mining, as exacerbating the flooding.

President Prabowo Subianto, visiting North Sumatra, acknowledged challenges but stressed that the government is doing everything possible. “We face this disaster with resilience and solidarity. Our nation is strong right now, able to overcome this,” he said.

The floods in Indonesia are part of a broader South and Southeast Asia flood crisis, which has claimed over 1,200 lives in the past week, including 390 in Sri Lanka and 176 in Thailand. Extreme rainfall in the region has been driven by the north-east monsoon, enhanced by Cyclonic Storms Senyar and Ditwah, and the remnants of ex-Typhoon Koto, bringing unusually heavy rainfall.

Experts warn that climate change may be intensifying the impact, producing heavier rainfall that worsens flooding, though it does not necessarily increase the frequency of tropical storms. The combination of rare cyclones and seasonal monsoon rains has created one of the worst flood crises in recent memory across the region.

Death toll in Indonesia floods passes 600, millions stranded

BBC