Floods and Landslides Devastate Indonesia; Severe Rain Hampers Search Efforts

Rescuers in Indonesia faced significant challenges in their efforts to locate victims of flash floods and landslides on Sumatra island. Damage to bridges and roads, as well as a lack of heavy equipment, hindered their progress following the devastating natural disasters that claimed the lives of 79 people and left dozens missing. The country’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency warned that a tropical cyclone was responsible for the ongoing severe weather affecting Indonesia, with the situation expected to persist for several days.