Death toll tops 900 after catastrophic floods, landslides in Indonesia

Catastrophic floods and landslides in Indonesia’s Sumatra and Aceh provinces have killed at least 916 people, with 274 still missing.

The disaster was triggered by powerful cyclones and days of heavy rainfall, reports Reuters.

Remote areas remain cut off, causing severe shortages of food and clean water. Survivors say many have been stranded for a week, with some forced to drink floodwater.

Local authorities have called for an immediate state of emergency, contradicting President Prabowo Subianto’s claim that conditions are improving.

Environmental groups blame extensive deforestation and illegal mining for worsening the devastation. The flooding began in late November following Cyclone Sania, with landslides further increasing the death toll.