Published 12 days ago • loading... • Updated 11 days ago

'Mischievous hands': Indonesians blame deforestation for devastating floods

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`.

Insights by Ground AI

131 Articles

Indonesia’s cyclone tragedy exposes lethal cost of forest destruction

Green groups say plantations and mines have degraded Sumatra’s land, amplifying a disaster that killed more than 700 and displaced thousands.

11 days ago·Hong Kong

Read Full Article

SBS News

Lean Left

More than 1,300 killed in floods across Asia, as deforestation partly blamed for disaster

Rescuers have struggled to access some villages on the Indonesian island of Sumatra after roads were washed out and bridges collapsed.

12 days ago·Sydney, Australia

Read Full Article

Le Devoir

Center

Asia: How Deforestation Has Exacerbated Floods in Asia

Indonesia is among the countries with the largest annual forest losses.

12 days ago·Montreal, Canada

Read Full Article

U.S. News

Lean Left

'Mischievous Hands': Indonesians Blame Deforestation for Devastating Floods

12 days ago·New York, United States

Read Full Article

CBC News

Lean Left

'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.

12 days ago·Canada

Read Full Article

Liberation

Lean Left

Killing Floods in South-East Asia: Deforestation Spotlighted

The Indonesian government has recognised the need to "absolutely prevent the destruction of forests", essential to contain the exceptional rains brought by global warming.

12 days ago·Paris, France

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year