Jakarta: Devastating floods and landslides have claimed at least 1,003 lives across Indonesia northwestern island of Sumatra, rescue officials confirmed on Saturday, as authorities continue large-scale relief and recovery operations.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, the disaster has unfolded over the past two weeks, leaving more than 5,400 people injured and 218 still missing.
Officials warned that the death toll is expected to rise as search teams reach remote and previously inaccessible areas.
The relentless torrential rains triggered widespread flooding and landslides, making this one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit Sumatra in recent years.
The island last witnessed comparable devastation during the 2004 Aceh tsunami, which struck its northernmost province.
The disaster has displaced around 1.2 million residents, many of whom are now sheltering in temporary evacuation camps.
Entire villages inundated and infrastructure damaged, frustration has grown among survivors over what they describe as slow relief delivery in some areas.
Victims have voiced concerns over access to food, medical care, and clean water, particularly in hard-hit rural regions.
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President Prabowo Subianto, after visiting Langkat district in North Sumatra, said conditions on the ground were gradually stabilising.
“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.
Authorities confirmed that several areas previously cut off by floodwaters and landslides are now reachable, allowing aid to be delivered more efficiently.
Preliminary estimates suggest reconstruction costs could reach 51.82 trillion rupiah ($3.1 billion). The Indonesian government has so far ruled out seeking international assistance, stating that national resources remain sufficient to manage the crisis.
Emergency teams continue rescue operations as weather conditions remain unstable, raising concerns over further flooding and landslides in the coming days.