Deadly floods claim hundreds of lives in Southeast Asia
Indonesian rescuers search for casualties after flooding from heavy rains.
April 5, 2021. via REUTERS - HANDOUT
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
At least 91 dead and dozens of missing, this is the provisional toll of floods and landslides, caused by torrential rains, which hit this Sunday, April 4 an area between the island of Flores in Indonesia, and East Timor, whose capital Dili has many dead.
But it is in Indonesia that the toll is heaviest.
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On the island of Lembata, in Indonesia, a torrent of mud swept away entire sections of villages along the mountain sides towards the sea. Road access was cut off, the authorities had to deploy construction machinery for them. reopen.
On the neighboring island of Flores, many houses, roads and bridges are covered with mud, and the force of the waves prevents rescue teams from reaching the most affected areas.
Areas already ravaged
Because on Monday, tropical storm Seroja, which was forming on Sunday, hits areas already ravaged by torrential rains which overwhelmed water tanks and flooded homes on Sunday.
Thousands of people have taken refuge in reception centers, but there are also many who have stayed at home, explains the person in charge of disaster management in Flores: all need medicine, food and blankets.
Many people are said to be still buried.
And these extreme weather conditions are expected to continue throughout the week in the region.
"
Deepest condolences
"
Indonesian President
Joko Widodo
offered his "
deepest condolences
".
Several thousand people were evacuated in Indonesia, 2,500 in Timor.
Landslides and flash floods are common in Indonesia, but conservationists point out that deforestation favors these disasters.
► See also:
Indonesia: more than 40 dead after floods in the east of the country
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