Devastating floods and landslides have claimed the lives of 1,006 people in Indonesia, rescuers reported on Saturday, as the Southeast Asian nation faces the immense challenge of coordinating relief efforts.
The disaster, which has battered the northwestern island of Sumatra over the past two weeks, has also left more than 5,400 people injured, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
The torrential rains mark one of the deadliest recent disasters to hit Sumatra, which was also severely affected by the 2004 tsunami in the island’s northern tip.
Authorities expect the death toll to rise. Spokesman Abdul Muhari said 217 people are still missing and that aid efforts are being intensified in the hardest-hit areas.
With vast tracts of territory destroyed by rain, mud and felled trees, 1.2 million residents have been forced to take refuge in temporary shelters.
“Most of the houses here are gone, destroyed to the ground,” said 50-year-old Sri Lestari, who is living in a tent with her three children in Aceh Tamiang district.
Their home was on the brink of collapse, after being pummelled by tree trunks carried by floodwater.
“Look at our house… how can we fix it?” her 55-year-old husband Tarmiji said.
Frustration grows
Frustration has been growing among flood victims, who have complained about the pace of relief efforts.
President Prabowo Subianto said Saturday the situation has improved, with several areas which had been cut off now accessible.
“Here and there, due to natural and physical conditions, there have been slight delays, but I checked all the evacuation sites: their conditions are good, services for them are adequate, and food supplies are sufficient,” Prabowo said after visiting Langkat in North Sumatra province.
On the main road that passes through Aceh Tamiang, AFP journalists saw a long line of trucks and private cars distributing food, water and other supplies.
Many of the residents in nearby towns were camping outside in temporary structures, their homes filled with mud.
The disaster management agency’s spokesman said more than 11.7 tonnes of aid had been delivered to Sumatra by sea, land and air on Saturday and that authorities were starting construction on temporary shelters for displaced residents.
Costs to rebuild after the disaster could reach 51.82 trillion rupiah ($3.1 billion) and the Indonesian government has so far shrugged off suggestions that it call for international assistance.
Indonesia’s meteorological agency warned that severe weather is expected to continue, particularly heavy rainfall on Sumatra.
Source: The News
