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living in IndonesiaThe Aceh Tamiang region is suffering from desperate conditions, with many people forced to trek for up to an hour across treacherous terrain to reach vital aid, as number of dead from devastating floods and landslide There has been an increase of more than 900 this month across Sumatra.
Government figures released on Saturday confirmed that 908 people died and 410 were still missing in three Indonesian provinces of Sumatra, including Aceh, after cyclone-induced deluge.
The same storm systems also killed about 200 people in southern Thailand and Malaysia.
survivors In Aceh Tamiang, on the northeastern coast of Sumatra, arduous journeys to reach aid centers run by volunteers have been described.
They discovered scattered logs and overturned vehicles, evidence of widespread destruction. Volunteers distributed clean clothes and provided fresh water from tanker trucks, providing a lifeline to the affected people.
Dimas Firmansyah, a 14-year-old student at an Islamic boarding school, recalled a harrowing week stuck at his school after access to Aceh Tamiang was cut off.
The students took turns searching for food and resorting to boiling flood water for consumption. “We stayed there for almost a week,” Dimas said, appealing to government officials to witness the disaster firsthand.
Local government officials in Sumatra have urged Jakarta to declare a national emergency, which is expected to provide additional funding for rescue and relief efforts.
However, earlier this week President Prabowo Subianto suggested that the situation was improving and that existing arrangements were adequate.
Environmental groups are blaming the increased flood damage on extensive deforestation linked to mining and logging activities.
In response, Indonesia’s Environment Ministry has launched an investigation into companies suspected of clearing forests in flood-affected areas.
The ministry has temporarily suspended the operations of these dubious firms, and made it mandatory for them to undergo environmental audits. The companies identified include North Sumatra Hydro Energy, which operates a China-funded 510 MW hydropower plant in the Batang Toru region of North Sumatra, and Agincourt.
Resources attributed to the Martabay Gold Mine are also in Batang Toru. Aerial surveys indicate land-clearing in Batang Toru could worsen the situation floodNeither North Sumatra Hydro Energy nor Agincourt Resources immediately responded to requests for comment,