The death toll from the devastating floods and landslides triggered by a cyclone on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island has risen to 336. The information was confirmed by Suharyanto, the head of the country’s disaster mitigation agency, during a briefing with journalists on Sunday (30 November).
A rare tropical storm in the Malacca Strait has brought intense cyclone-driven rainfall for the past week, severely affecting extensive areas of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Large parts of daily life across the region have been thrown into disarray.
According to the disaster mitigation agency, nearly 80,000 people have been evacuated from three provinces located in the westernmost region of Sumatra. However, hundreds of residents remain trapped, and at least 279 individuals are still listed as missing.
With transport links cut off and communication infrastructure heavily damaged, rescue teams have been using helicopters to deliver relief supplies to isolated areas.
Suharyanto stated that efforts are underway to reopen the route from North Tapanuli to Sibolga in North Sumatra Province. Rescue workers are also attempting to clear and restore roads blocked by landslides.
Meanwhile, Thai government spokesperson Siripong Angkhasakulkiat reported that the death toll from flooding in southern Thailand, across the Malacca Strait region, has climbed to 162.
Khaborwala/SS
