The death toll due to the recent floods in Indonesia, which mainly affect the north of the island of Sumatra, has exceeded the barrier of 600, as confirmed by the authorities, who have also stated that there are also some 2,600 injured and more than 460 missing.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has indicated in its latest report that to date 604 deaths and 464 missing have been confirmed, while it has estimated the total number of victims of torrential rains, landslides and floods at 1.5 million.
Thus, it has stated in its count, published through its website, that at least 570,700 people have been displaced from their homes and has stressed that at least 3,500 homes have suffered “serious damage”, to which are added 4,100 with “moderate damage” and 20,500 with “slight damage.”
The President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, announced during the day the sending of several ships to North Sumatra to deliver humanitarian aid to the displaced, given that part of the road traffic continues to be cut off by floods and landslides, as reported by the Indonesian state news agency, Antara.
“I think that large ships can now dock in Sibolga. We are also going to deploy a Hercules plane, with possible landings at several points each day,” he explained, while the head of the BNPB, Suharyanto, highlighted that the priority areas are Sibolga and Tapanuli Centre.
For his part, the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, has reported that the authorities have prepared 34,000 tons of rice and 6.8 million tons of cooking oil to support those affected by these natural disasters. “In an emergency situation like this, there can be no delays,” he concluded.