JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Devastating floods and landslides have killed 1 003 people in Indonesia, rescuers said on Saturday 13 December as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with relief efforts.
The disaster, which has hit the northwestern island of Sumatra over the past fortnight, has
also injured more than 5 400, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said in its latest toll.
The deadly torrential rains are one of the worst recent disasters to strike Sumatra, where a
tsunami wreaked havoc in 2004 in the Aceh province, which lies at the northern tip of the island. The final toll is expected to rise, with the disaster agency reporting 218 people are still
missing.
With vast tracts of territory hit, 1,2 million residents have been forced to take refuge in
temporary shelters.
Frustration has grown among flood victims, who have complained about the pace of relief
efforts.
President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday said the situation has improved, with several areas
that had been cut off again being accessible.
“Here and there, due to natural and physical conditions, there have been slight delays, but I
checked all the evacuation sites: Their conditions are good, services for them are adequate,
and food supplies are sufficient,” Prabowo said after visiting Langkat in the North Sumatra
province.
Costs to rebuild after the disaster could reach 51,82 trillion rupiah ($3,1 billion) and the
Indonesian government has so far shrugged off suggestions that it call for international
assistance.
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