The death toll from flash floods and landslides on Indonesia's Sumatra island increased to 174 as of Friday, with an additional 79 individuals reported missing. Relief operations have been impeded by compromised infrastructure, including damaged bridges and roads, alongside a shortage of heavy equipment.
Casualties by Province:
- North Sumatra province: 116 fatalities.
- Aceh province: 35 fatalities.
- West Sumatra province: 23 fatalities.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency's Chief, Suharyanto, confirmed these figures.
Weather Conditions and Impact
A tropical cyclone is projected to continue affecting the Southeast Asian nation for several days, according to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency.
Monsoon rains initiated rivers to overflow in North Sumatra province on Tuesday. This resulted in the inundation of mountainside villages, displacing residents and submerging over 3,200 houses and structures. Approximately 3,000 displaced families have sought refuge in government shelters.
In Aceh and West Sumatra provinces, thousands of homes were flooded, with some reported to be submerged up to roof level.
Challenges to Search and Rescue
Search and rescue operations face obstacles including extensive mudslides, power outages, and disruptions to telecommunications services, as stated by Ferry Wulantukan, spokesperson for North Sumatra regional police.
West Sumatra's disaster mitigation agency reported over 17,000 homes submerged, leading to the displacement of approximately 23,000 residents to temporary shelters. Agricultural land, livestock, and public facilities sustained damage, while flood and landslide-induced damage to bridges and roads have isolated communities.
In Aceh province, efforts to deploy excavators and other heavy equipment were hindered by washed-out roads. Torrential rains caused mud and rocks to impact hilly hamlets, resulting in at least six deaths and 11 missing persons across three villages in Central Aceh district.
Cause of Extreme Weather
The severe weather conditions were attributed to Tropical Cyclone Senyar, which originated in the Strait of Malacca, according to Achadi Subarkah Raharjo of Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency. Raharjo indicated that unstable atmospheric conditions might lead to the persistence of extreme weather as long as the cyclone system remains active.
"The extreme weather warning has been extended due to robust water vapor supply and evolving atmospheric dynamics," Raharjo stated.
Cyclone Senyar intensified rainfall, strong winds, and high waves in Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, and surrounding areas before its dissipation. The prolonged heavy rainfall saturated steep terrains, increasing their vulnerability to natural disasters.
Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands, frequently experiences flooding and landslides during seasonal rains, particularly affecting millions residing in mountainous regions or near fertile floodplains.