At least 225 people have died and many others are unaccounted for following devastating floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia’s Sumatra island this week. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported the rising death toll on March 16, 2024, as rescue operations continue in isolated communities affected by days of relentless rainfall.
The BNPB has indicated that the numbers could increase as efforts to reach remote areas progress. BNPB chief Suharyanto stated, “There are still points we have not been able to enter. The data will continue to change.” North Sumatra has experienced the most severe impact, with officials confirming 116 deaths and 42 individuals still missing.
Heavy rainfall on steep terrains triggered numerous landslides, damaging rural roads and disrupting major transportation routes. The central government has responded by deploying additional troops and emergency personnel, along with aircraft and heavy machinery. A presidential aid package containing generators, communication equipment, and inflatable boats has also been mobilized to assist in rescue efforts.
In the northern tip of Sumatra, specifically in Aceh, authorities have confirmed 35 fatalities, with another 25 people reported missing and eight injured. Nearly 4,800 households have been evacuated, leading to the establishment of close to 100 shelters in Lhokseumawe, the second-largest city in Aceh province. Additionally, flooding has severely impacted the main transport corridor along Aceh’s eastern coastline, including the failure of a crucial bridge linking the provincial capital Banda Aceh to southern districts.
In West Sumatra, the disaster agency reported 74 deaths, 12 missing, and four injured, with more than 3,900 households currently residing in temporary shelters. As forecasts indicate the possibility of continued heavy rainfall, the government has initiated cloud-seeding flights aimed at mitigating the risk of further landslides and flash floods. Access to several affected areas remains limited, complicating rescue operations as debris continues to obstruct roadways.
Indonesia is known for experiencing some of the most intense monsoon rains globally. Scientists have cautioned that extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent due to rising global temperatures, highlighting a growing concern about the impacts of climate change on vulnerable regions like Indonesia.
