Jakarta, Dec 02: The death toll from catastrophic floods and landslides in Indonesia has climbed to over 600, while more than 500 people remain missing, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Torrential rains triggered by Cyclone Senyar have battered Sumatra Island, leaving villages submerged and roads blocked.
The provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have been hardest hit, with thousands of residents cut off from critical supplies. Rescue teams, supported by helicopters and naval ships, are struggling to reach isolated communities where communication lines have collapsed.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the government has deployed aircraft and military units to assist in relief efforts. “We are doing everything possible to save lives and deliver aid to those stranded,” he stated during a briefing in Jakarta.
Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Agency, confirmed that Central Tapanuli and Sibolga city require urgent attention as they remain isolated. He added that warships carrying food and medical supplies have been dispatched to the region.
Local residents such as Ahmad Fauzi from Padang described the situation as “unprecedented,” noting that entire neighborhoods have been swept away. “We have lost our homes and families. The water came suddenly and destroyed everything,” he said.
International aid agencies, including the Red Cross and UNICEF, have begun coordinating with Indonesian authorities to provide emergency relief. Neighboring countries Thailand and Malaysia have also reported severe flooding linked to the same storm system, raising regional concerns.
Officials warned that the death toll could rise further as search operations continue in remote areas. Thousands of displaced families are now sheltering in temporary camps, awaiting food, clean water, and medical assistance.
