WEB DESK: A total of 303 people have lost their lives, with 279 still missing, following devastating flash floods and landslides that struck three provinces in Indonesia’s Sumatra region, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
BNPB Chief Suharyanto, addressing a press conference, revealed that North Sumatra witnessed the highest casualties, reporting 166 fatalities and 143 individuals missing. In West Sumatra, 90 deaths were confirmed alongside 85 reported missing, while Aceh recorded 47 deaths and 51 missing persons.
Suharyanto led a coordination meeting with BNPB teams stationed in the most affected provinces, stressing the need to intensify efforts as local weather conditions gradually improve.
The agency highlighted three key priorities: carrying out search and rescue missions for the missing, restoring disrupted communication lines, and expediting the delivery of essential supplies to impacted residents.
In neighboring Thailand, severe flooding has brought the death toll close to 150, as reported by local authorities. While water levels are beginning to recede, rescue efforts continue across the southern regions.
Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat stated during a press briefing that fatalities were recorded in eight southern provinces, with Songkhla suffering the highest toll at 110 deaths.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation noted that around 3.54 million people have been affected by the widespread flooding. Despite some improvement in water levels,
Hat Yai experienced its heaviest rainfall in years during an intense monsoon earlier this week. Consequently, the government declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province to streamline evacuation and rescue operations.
