Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported on the 28th that as of that afternoon, floods and landslides in multiple areas of Sumatra Island have caused 164 deaths, 12 injuries, and 79 people missing.
Sumatra Island has a population of over 58 million. Recently, the three provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have been hit by heavy rainfall, resulting in floods and landslides.
BNPB head Suharyanto said at a press conference that the disaster is most severe in North Sumatra Province, with 116 deaths and 42 people missing reported; Aceh Province reported 25 dead, 8 injured, and 25 missing; West Sumatra Province reported 23 dead, 4 injured, and 12 missing.
The agency earlier reported that more than 174 had died in the three Sumatran provinces, but later corrected the number to 164.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency stated that this round of extreme weather has been mainly affected by a regional tropical system, the tropical storm "Samang." To reduce further risks from heavy rains and related hazards, relevant regions have already started artificial weather modification operations.
In Indonesia’s West Sumatra Province, 53-year-old Misniyadi recalled a terrifying experience battling the rising floodwaters: "When I tried to rush back home, the water was already up to my waist. By the time I got home, it was up to my chest. My husband and I didn’t sleep the whole night, constantly watching the water level."