The Indonesian disaster agency announced today that the number of victims of floods and landslides on the island of Sumatra has reached 883, and about 520 people are missing, DPA reported.
The agency indicated that these data reflect the situation in three provinces - Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, which have been affected by the intense rainfall that has been ongoing for days.
The injured in the landslides are at least 4,200, with 3,500 of them residents of villages located on steep terrain.
The highest number of victims is in the province of Aceh – 345 dead, 174 missing.
Authorities in North Sumatra confirmed 312 deaths and 133 missing. West Sumatra reported 226 dead and 213 missing.
A disaster management agency warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams had yet to reach some isolated areas. Rescuers were hampered by collapsed bridges and blocked roads. Some villages have been without electricity, clean water and access to telecommunications services for days.
Environmental groups have linked the scale of the destruction to rapid deforestation and development of hillsides in parts of Sumatra. Indonesia is often hit by floods and landslides during the monsoon season. However, experts say climate change is contributing to more extreme weather events across the region.