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Death Toll from Weather-Related Natural Disasters in Indonesia and East Timor
Rising

VOA News

   The death toll from the natural disasters spawned by torrential rains
   across eastern Indonesia has risen to 55, according to new figures
   issued Monday by the country's disaster relief agency.

   Landslides wiped out dozens of homes inLamenelevillage on Flores Island
   in East Nusa Tenggara province shortly after midnight Saturday, with
   flash flooding striking other parts of the province, including
   nearbyLembataisland. A spokesperson for the Natural Disaster Mitigation
   Agency said at least 42 people are missing, with hundreds of people
   forced to evacuate their homes.
   People carry a man injured during a flood in Ile Ape, on Lembata
   Island, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, April 4, 2021.

   The rains, landslides and floods have washed away bridges, downed trees
   and left roads thick with mud, complicating search and rescue efforts.

   In neighboringEast Timor, 21 people have died aftertheheavy rains
   triggered flash flooding and landslides on the outskirts of the
   capital, Dili, according to officials who spoke to news agencies.

   Seasonal flash floods and landslides kill dozens annually in
   Indonesia.40people died in two landslides in West Javaprovince in
   January.

   About half of the country's population,nearly 25million people, live in
   areas wherelandslides are high-risk, according to thecountry'sdisaster
   relief agency.

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