In brief
Indonesia's recent floods, spawned by a rare cyclone, have resulted in over 600 fatalities and left a further 1.5 million people affected across several provinces. The disaster has raised significant concerns about governmental preparedness, leading to criticism regarding inadequate food aid distribution during an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Activists suggest that environmental neglect has exacerbated the catastrophic impact of the floods.
The death toll in the floods which struck Indonesia last week has now climbed to 631 on Tuesday, with rescue workers still battling to reach affected areas.
The floods, which were caused by a rare cyclone that had formed over the Malacca Strait, have hit three provinces and impacted some 1.5 million people, according to the government's disaster agency.
Nearly 500 people remain missing, while thousands more have been injured.
Indonesia is just one part of Asia which has been hit with torrential rain and storms in recent days, with Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka all also reporting deaths.
In Indonesia, the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra have been hardest hit, with thousands still cut off and without critical supplies.
About one million people have been evacuated, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said.
Arini Amalia, a resident from Aceh's Pidie Jaya Regency, told the BBC the flood waters had been 'like a tsunami'.
“According to my grandmother, this is the worst, the worst in her life,” Amalia said.
Many are still waiting for food aid, with some saying they have not eaten for two to three days. Maysanti, living in Central Tapanuli, commented, 'Everything is gone; our food supplies are running out. We can't eat.'
As rescue efforts continue, anger has started to grow towards the government's disaster response, with critics stating that bureaucratic red tape has slowed down the distribution of food aid. Activist groups claim that environmental mismanagement has worsened the impact of the floods.
In response to the disaster, President Prabowo Subianto stated the government is doing everything possible to overcome the difficulties faced by affected communities.
Climate change exacerbates these challenges, with events like last week's cyclone becoming more intense, leading to devastating natural disasters.
