Nearly a thousand people have died, and around a million have been forced to leave their homes due to weeks of flooding and landslides in northern Sumatra, the National Agency for Disaster Management of Indonesia reported on Monday, according to LETA citing DPA.
According to the latest data from the agency, 961 people have died in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, with another 234 considered missing, and about 5000 people injured.
The agency also recorded the destruction of more than 156,000 homes, and in three regions, 975,075 people have been placed in temporary shelters.
The most destruction occurred in Aceh province, where over 900,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
In some coastal areas, water levels have begun to recede; however, extensive areas in the central highlands remain inaccessible.
The rainy season in Indonesia, which typically peaks from November to April, often leads to severe flooding.
Environmental groups and disaster specialists have warned for years that rapid deforestation, uncontrolled development, and degradation of river basins have increased risks for communities in Sumatra.
In the coming days, heavy rains are expected again in certain areas of the island.
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