Devastating floods and landslides in Indonesia have claimed at least 1,003 lives, rescue authorities said on Saturday, as the country struggles to manage large-scale relief efforts. The disaster, which has battered the northwestern island of Sumatra over the past two weeks, has also left more than 5,400 people injured, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Officials warned that the death toll is likely to rise, with 218 people still reported missing.
Torrential rains triggered widespread flooding and landslides across the region, marking one of the deadliest disasters to hit Sumatra in recent years. Aceh province, located at the island’s northern tip, was among the worst affected areas. More than 1.2 million residents have been displaced, forcing them to seek shelter in temporary camps. Survivors have voiced frustration over the slow pace of aid delivery, citing difficulties in accessing remote and heavily damaged
President Prabowo Subianto said the situation was gradually improving, noting that several previously cut-off areas are now reachable. After visiting Langkat in North Sumatra, he acknowledged minor delays due to challenging terrain but said conditions at evacuation centres were satisfactory, with adequate services and food supplies available. Reconstruction costs are estimated at 51.82 trillion rupiah ($3.1 billion), while the Indonesian government has so far dismissed calls to seek international assistance.
