JAKARTA, Nov 29 (NNN-ANTARA) – The number of fatalities from floods and landslides that struck Indonesia’s Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, has risen to 174, with 79 people still missing and 12 others injured, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), said, yesterday.
BNPB Chief, Suharyanto, said, during a press briefing that, North Sumatra has recorded the highest number of victims, with 116 deaths and 42 people missing. Several affected areas remain inaccessible, due to damaged roads and ongoing landslides, slowing rescue operations.
“It is possible more victims are located in landslide sites that remain inaccessible,” Suharyanto, said.
In Aceh Province, 35 people have been confirmed dead, 25 remain missing, and eight others were injured.
West Sumatra reported 23 deaths, with 12 missing and four others injured. Flooding and landslides damaged roads and bridges across several districts, with around 3,900 households displaced to temporary shelters.
To reduce further risks, the BNPB has launched simultaneous Weather Modification Operations in the three affected provinces, to divert rain clouds away from high-risk zones.– NNN-ANTARA
