Indonesia is facing one of its deadliest natural disasters of the year as recent floods and landslides across three provinces on Sumatra Island have claimed 604 lives, with 464 people still missing, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported on Monday.

Rescue operations are ongoing at full capacity, but damaged roads, collapsed bridges, and disrupted communication networks continue to hinder access to affected communities. BNPB stated that approximately 570,000 people have been displaced, with many seeking shelter in crowded public buildings with limited access to clean water and electricity.

The provinces hardest hit include North Sumatra, where 283 deaths have been confirmed, West Sumatra with 165 fatalities, and Aceh, at the northern tip of Sumatra, where 156 people have lost their lives. In total, more than 1.5 million residents have been affected by the disaster.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the government is pushing its rescue and relief efforts forward with full force. He also underlined the need for effective climate change responses, urging local governments to play a stronger role in environmental protection and preparation for future extreme weather events.

Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, is among the world’s most disaster-prone nations. Seasonal rains regularly trigger floods and landslides, but experts say that deforestation, rapid urban expansion, and increasingly extreme weather have intensified the impacts.

Emergency teams deployed by the central government, the military, and local disaster agencies are working around the clock, yet many areas remain inaccessible. Authorities continue to prioritize airlifting relief supplies to the hardest-hit regions while attempting to restore essential services and infrastructure.

BNPB has called on both national and international aid organizations to provide urgent support, stressing that immediate action is critical to prevent further loss of life and to address the humanitarian needs of those displaced.(ILKHA)