US Edition'Mischievous hands': Indonesians blame deforestation for devastating floods
Deforestation removed natural buffers upstream, increasing runoff and soil destabilization, worsening Sumatra floods that killed over 700 and left hundreds missing, officials reported.
- On Friday, official data showed the death toll from floods and landslides on Sumatra island, western Indonesia, rose to 442 from 303, devastating three provinces.
- Cyclonic rains on Sumatra triggered floods and landslides that swept away land and homes, while heavy monsoon rains intensified by a tropical storm battered the region.
- Blocked roads and damaged telecommunications left isolated areas unreachable, so relief and rescue helicopters delivered aid to soccer fields where dozens waited, while two warships from Jakarta headed to Central Tapanuli and Sibolga, Suharyanto said.
- According to official figures, 406 people remained missing and 213,000 were displaced after the floods and landslides, with residents resorting to looting of supply lines before aid arrived.
- Survivors said Afrianti, 41, returned Friday to find her house gone, and Idris, 55, stated `Most villagers chose to stay; they didn't want to leave their houses behind`.
128 Articles
128 Articles
Indonesia’s cyclone tragedy exposes lethal cost of forest destruction
Indonesia is facing renewed calls to curb deforestation and tighten oversight of forest concessions after a rare tropical cyclone tore across Sumatra, unleashing floods and landslides that have killed more than 700 people and left hundreds missing. The disaster has prompted a nationwide debate over whether the tragedy was driven primarily by climate change-fuelled extreme weather or by decades of ecological destruction in a region that has been …
Indonesia is among the countries with the largest annual forest losses.
'Is she alive?': Indonesian man's hopes of finding missing wife fade after flood disaster
In the days since cyclone-induced floods and landslides battered Indonesia's Sumatra island, Abdul Ghani has been carrying around a picture of his missing wife, showing it to everyone he meets.
The Indonesian government has recognised the need to "absolutely prevent the destruction of forests", essential to contain the exceptional rains brought by global warming.
Indonesia flooding disaster leaves over 600 dead, hundreds missing
The death toll from widespread flooding and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra has risen to at least 604, according to the country’s National Disaster Management Agency. Thousands remain missing or displaced as emergency teams struggle to reach isolated communities. #IndonesiaFloods #DeathToll #Sumatra #SriLanka #CycloneSenyar #Thailand
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 36% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
