The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Indonesia has risen to 1,006, authorities said on Saturday, as emergency responders continue large-scale relief operations across the country’s northwestern island of Sumatra.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said the disaster, which has unfolded over the past two weeks, has also left more than 5,400 people injured, with hundreds still unaccounted for.
Officials confirmed that at least 217 people remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could climb further as search and recovery operations continue in hard-to-reach areas.
The floods, triggered by prolonged torrential rainfall, are among the deadliest natural disasters to hit Sumatra in recent years. Vast areas have been left submerged or buried under mud and fallen trees, forcing approximately 1.2 million residents to flee their homes and seek refuge in temporary shelters.
Many survivors described scenes of total destruction. Homes were swept away or collapsed under the impact of floodwaters and debris, leaving families stranded with few possessions.
Frustration has grown among displaced residents over the pace of relief distribution, although authorities insist the situation is improving. President Prabowo Subianto said several previously cut-off communities are now accessible and that conditions at evacuation centres are stable, with food and basic services available.
The disaster management agency said more than 11.7 tonnes of aid were delivered to affected areas on Saturday by land, sea, and air, while construction of temporary shelters has begun for displaced families.
Preliminary estimates put the cost of reconstruction at about 51.82 trillion rupiah (approximately $3.1 billion). Despite the scale of destruction, the Indonesian government has so far ruled out requesting international assistance.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s meteorological agency has warned that heavy rainfall is expected to continue across Sumatra, raising concerns about further flooding and landslides in the coming days.
