What is the Latest Update on Indonesia's Flood Death Toll?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 303 fatalities reported in Indonesia due to floods.
- 279 individuals are still missing.
- North Sumatra faced the highest casualties.
- Rescue operations are being prioritized.
- Southern Thailand's flooding has resulted in nearly 150 deaths.
Jakarta, Nov 29 (NationPress) The tragic aftermath of flash floods and landslides in three provinces of Indonesia's Sumatra region has resulted in 303 fatalities and 279 individuals reported missing, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on Saturday.
BNPB Chief Suharyanto revealed during a press conference that North Sumatra experienced the highest casualties, registering 166 deaths and 143 people still unaccounted for. In West Sumatra, 90 lives were lost, with 85 missing, while Aceh recorded 47 fatalities and 51 individuals unlocated.
He chaired a coordination meeting with BNPB units dispatched to the three most affected provinces, stressing the necessity for intensified operations as conditions in the areas start to improve, reported Xinhua news agency.
The agency is focusing on three critical tasks: executing search and rescue missions for those still unaccounted for, restoring disrupted communication channels, and ensuring rapid logistics delivery to impacted residents.
In a related incident, severe flooding in southern Thailand has led to nearly 150 deaths, according to local authorities, as water levels begin to decrease and rescue efforts persist.
Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat stated that fatalities have been recorded across eight southern provinces, with Songkhla facing the highest toll at 110 fatalities.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that the extensive flooding in the southern region has affected around 3.54 million people, even as water levels recede in various areas.
Hat Yai, the most severely impacted city, recorded the heaviest rainfall in years amid an intense monsoon earlier this week, prompting the government to announce a state of emergency in Songkhla province to facilitate evacuation and rescue operations.