The death toll from flash floods and landslides on Indonesia's Sumatra island has reached 164, with an additional 79 individuals reported missing. The disaster has impacted multiple provinces, primarily North Sumatra, Aceh, and West Sumatra.
Rescue operations are facing significant challenges due to damaged infrastructure, including bridges and roads, and a shortage of heavy equipment. Power outages and disruptions to telecommunications are also impeding search efforts.
Impacted Regions and Casualties:
- North Sumatra: 116 fatalities reported.
- Aceh: 25 fatalities reported.
- West Sumatra: 23 fatalities reported.
The National Disaster Management Agency reported that over 3,200 houses and buildings were submerged in North Sumatra, leading to approximately 3,000 displaced families seeking refuge in government shelters. In West Sumatra, more than 17,000 homes were submerged, displacing around 23,000 residents to temporary shelters. Rice fields, livestock, and public facilities have sustained damage, and numerous bridges and roads have been rendered impassable.
Meteorological Context:
The extreme weather event was attributed to monsoon rains and the influence of Tropical Cyclone Senyar, which originated in the Strait of Malacca. The cyclone intensified rainfall, strong winds, and high waves across Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Riau before dissipating.
Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency has warned that unstable atmospheric conditions, driven by a strong water vapor supply and shifting atmospheric dynamics, suggest that extreme weather conditions may persist for several more days. The prolonged rainfall has left the region's steep, saturated terrains highly susceptible to further natural disasters.
Seasonal rains frequently contribute to flooding and landslides across Indonesia, an archipelago where significant populations reside in mountainous areas or near flood plains.