The death toll from devastating floods and landslides triggered by a week of cyclone-fuelled torrential rain in Indonesia’s Sumatra island has climbed to 303, the country’s disaster mitigation agency confirmed on Saturday. The previous figure stood at 174.
Large swathes of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have been inundated after a rare tropical storm formed in the Malacca Strait, unleashing continuous heavy rainfall across the region.
According to Suharyanto, chief of Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), at least 279 people remain missing, while around 80,000 residents have been evacuated. Hundreds of others are stranded in three severely affected provinces in western Sumatra.
Helicopters deployed as roads, communication lines collapse
Rescue operations are being hampered due to massive infrastructure damage. Helicopters are now being used to deliver emergency aid and essential supplies to the worst-hit northern regions, where roads have been cut off and communications systems destroyed by landslides.
“We are trying to open the route from North Tapanuli to Sibolga, which has been completely cut off for three days,” Suharyanto said. Rescue teams are attempting to clear a major road blocked by landslide debris, with several people reportedly trapped along the route and in urgent need of supplies.
Military support will be increased from Sunday to bolster relief and recovery efforts, he added.
Authorities also reported attempts by desperate residents to ransack aid supplies in the hard-hit Central Tapanuli area.
Deaths rise in Thailand as floods worsen
Across the Malacca Strait, Thailand is also battling deadly flooding. Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said that 162 people have died in the country’s southern provinces, up from a previous count of 145.
Malaysia, too, continues to face widespread waterlogging and disruption as the storm system persists.