Indonesia's death toll from last week's massive floods and mudslides climbed to 893 as of Friday noon, with 521 people still missing, the country's disaster agency said, as rescue teams raced to reach isolated communities.
Emergency crews from across the country have been deployed to the worst-hit areas, where temporary shelters are filling with displaced families and relief supplies are gradually arriving.
In Palembayan, Agam regency in West Sumatra, around 1,300 evacuees have been placed in several makeshift aid posts. Food distribution began on the second day after the disaster.
"Rice, flour, eggs, sugar, rice and cooking oil - these are what we need most. We don't have any clean water here, which is a tough issue for us," said an aid receiver named Yurnalis.
Road access has been partially restored in parts of North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh, though power and communications remain disrupted. Joint rescue teams continue clearing mud and debris while searching for the missing.
The heavy rain, starting Nov. 23, caused rivers to swell in many parts of the country, and landslides to occur in several areas, blocking transportation, disrupting power and communication, and leaving many remote villages temporarily out of contact.
Death toll nears 900 in Indonesia while aid flows to stranded survivors
