At least 94 people have died in devastating floods and landslides triggered by cyclone-driven rains on Indonesia's Sumatra island, authorities confirmed Saturday. The disaster, which struck South Tapanuli and surrounding areas, prompted mass burials of victims on November 28 as overwhelmed communities struggled with infrastructure damage and communication blackouts.
Rescue teams continue combing through mud-choked landscapes while families identify loved ones at temporary morgues. Persistent downpours from an unnamed tropical cyclone have hampered recovery efforts, leaving critical roads impassable and delaying aid delivery to remote villages. Local officials report emergency crews are using boats and heavy machinery to reach isolated neighborhoods.
The catastrophe highlights growing climate challenges in Southeast Asia's archipelagic nations, with meteorologists noting increased frequency of extreme weather events this year. Regional governments are coordinating relief shipments while monitoring forecasts predicting more rainfall through early December.
