The death toll in the floods which struck Indonesia last week has now climbed to more than 500, with rescue workers still battling to reach affected areas.
The floods, which were caused by a rare cyclone that had formed over the Malacca Strait, have hit three provinces and impacted some 1.4 million people, according to the government’s disaster agency.
Another 500 people remain missing, while thousands more have been injured.
Indonesia is just one part of Asia which has been hit with torrential rain and storms in recent days, with Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka all also reporting deaths.The death toll in the floods which struck Indonesia last week has now climbed to more than 500, with rescue workers still battling to reach affected areas.
The floods, which were caused by a rare cyclone that had formed over the Malacca Strait, have hit three provinces and impacted some 1.4 million people, according to the government’s disaster agency.
Another 500 people remain missing, while thousands more have been injured.
Indonesia is just one part of Asia which has been hit with torrential rain and storms in recent days, with Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka all also reporting deaths.Many are still waiting for food aid, with some saying they have not eaten for two to three days.
Maysanti, who lives in Central Tapanuli which is one of the worst-hit areas in North Sumatra, told the BBC that aid workers were having trouble reaching her district.
“Everything is gone; our food supplies are running out. We can’t eat,” she said. “Even instant noodles are being fought over now. Our food is gone; we need food and rice. Access to us is completely cut off.”
She said she has to walk kilometres away from her house to get an internet connection and basic necessities, like clean water.
In Central Aceh where local authorities have provided Starlink devices, thousands were seen queuing outside the regency’s office on Sunday night hoping to contact their loved ones or charge their mobile phones.
“It’s been five days with no signal. We’ve been waiting since yesterday in case the network comes back. I’m planning to call my mother in Banda Aceh, but until now I still can’t reach her,” said one resident called Mar.
