Over 700 people dead, 2,600 injured in Indonesia due to flooding and landslides

On December 2, the number of fatalities from catastrophic flooding and landslides in Indonesia reached 702, as more than 1.1 million people were forced to evacuate from the most severely affected northern and western areas of Sumatra, the country's largest island. According to the latest update from the Indonesia National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB), 499 individuals remain missing and 2,600 have been injured, with over 3.3 million people impacted overall.

The agency reported nearly 10,000 homes were damaged, with over 70% suffering moderate to severe destruction. In addition, 323 schools and 299 bridges were affected. The disaster followed a cyclone that made landfall from the strait separating northern Sumatra and Malaysia, submerging large parts of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces, leaving thousands stranded and short of essential supplies.

Government public works teams are using heavy machinery to clear the blocked route connecting Medan City to Kuala Simpang in Aceh. BNPB stated that while authorities aim to fully reopen the road by Wednesday, helicopters are being used to deliver supplies to isolated communities in Aceh Tamiang, including Babo, Perupuk, and Bandar Pusaka districts. Additional aid is being shipped from Banda Aceh to Langsa along the northeastern coast.

President Prabowo Subianto visited Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra on Monday, inspecting areas such as Jorong Kasai, Nagari Kasang, Kecamatan Batang Anai, and Padang Pariaman Regency. He confirmed that the government is prioritizing delivery of relief supplies, restoring electricity and water, and assessing the damage to infrastructure. Support is being pledged to residents whose homes were affected by flooding, flash floods, and landslides.

Many residents in Aceh reported delays in receiving aid, with some experiencing two to three days without food, long distances to access clean water, and a lack of phone service for up to five days. In response, Elon Musk announced that SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet would be provided free to affected communities in Sumatra.

Critics have expressed frustration over the governments response, citing slow action due to inadequate preparedness and bureaucratic hurdles. Environmental concerns, including deforestation for agriculture and mining, are also being linked to the severity of the floods.

Cyclone Senyar, a rare equatorial storm, caused some areas of North Sumatra to experience flooding over nine feet deep. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned of additional light to moderate rainfall across the region in the next 24 hours.

Experts note that Cyclone Senyar, combined with the seasonal northeast monsoon in East and South Asia, has contributed to deadly storms and extensive flooding recently observed in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Author: Sophia Brooks