The number of people killed by floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island has climbed to 708, the country’s disaster agency announced on Tuesday, as authorities worked to reopen isolated areas and restore vital infrastructure.
The updated figure was provided during a late-evening press conference and marked a revision from the 753 deaths listed on the agency’s website earlier in the day. Officials did not explain the discrepancy, but the scale of the devastation remains among the deadliest seen in Indonesia in recent years.
The disaster on Sumatra is part of a wider pattern of destructive weather across Southeast Asia, where close to 900 people have now died in a series of floods and landslides affecting Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The region has endured months of severe weather, including multiple typhoons that hit the Philippines and Vietnam and intensified already widespread flooding.
Environmental specialists and local officials have pointed to deforestation on Sumatra as a major factor behind the high casualty count. Large areas of forest have been cleared in recent decades, weakening natural barriers that help prevent soil erosion and worsening the impact of heavy rainfall. As a result, communities have been left more exposed to sudden landslides and flash floods.
The Indonesian disaster agency said emergency teams are now focused on restoring access to cut-off regions and delivering essential supplies. Many communities remain reachable only by air or sea due to damaged roads and washed-out bridges.
“We do hope that we can speed up the logistics distribution,” agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said, noting that aid is being transported using all available routes as workers attempt to clear debris and reopen main roads.
Authorities are also repairing damaged communication lines and power networks to help coordinate rescue efforts. Clinics and temporary shelters have been set up for survivors, many of whom lost homes and belongings in the fast-moving floods.
Local officials warned that the risk of additional landslides remains high as the rainy season continues. Weather forecasters expect more heavy rainfall in several provinces over the coming days, raising fears of further displacement and damage.
The scale of destruction has prompted renewed calls for stronger environmental protections across Sumatra and tighter oversight of land clearing. Environmental groups say reducing deforestation and improving watershed management are critical to preventing similar tragedies.
As recovery operations continue, government officials have urged the public to remain alert and follow evacuation orders in high-risk areas. The disaster agency said it will issue updated figures as teams gain access to more remote villages and assess the full extent of losses.
