Death toll from floods and landslides on Indonesia's Sumatra rises to 164

"The death toll from flash floods and landslides on Indonesia's Sumatra island Friday rose to 164 on Friday with 79 people missing, authorities said. Rescuers were hampered by damaged bridges and roads and a lack of heavy equipment. The death toll in North Sumatra province rose to 116, while 25 people died in Aceh. Rescuers also retrieved 23 bodies in West Sumatra, National Disaster Mitigation Agency's Chief Suharyanto said."

"A tropical cyclone is expected to continue hitting the Southeast Asian nation for days, Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency reported. Monsoon rains caused rivers to burst their banks in North Sumatra province Tuesday. The deluge tore through mountainside villages, swept away people and submerged more than 3,200 houses and buildings, the National Disaster Management Agency said. About 3,000 displaced families fled to government shelters."

"Mudslides that covered much of the area, power blackouts and lack of telecommunications were hampering the search efforts, said Ferry Wulantukan, spokesperson for North Sumatra regional police. West Sumatra's disaster mitigation agency reported the flooding submerged more than 17,000 homes, forcing about 23,000 residents to flee to temporary shelters. Rice fields, livestock and public facilities were also destroyed and bridges and roads cut off by floods and landslides isolated residents."

Tropical Cyclone Senyar and monsoon rains triggered flash floods and landslides across Sumatra, killing 164 people and leaving 79 missing. North Sumatra reported 116 deaths, Aceh 25, and West Sumatra rescuers retrieved 23 bodies. Rivers burst banks, deluges swept through mountainside villages, and over 3,200 houses were submerged. More than 17,000 homes were flooded in West Sumatra, forcing about 23,000 residents into shelters and displacing around 3,000 families into government shelters. Mudslides, washed-out roads, damaged bridges, power blackouts, and lack of telecommunications have hampered search and recovery. Authorities warned extreme weather could persist for days.

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