At least 52 people were killed after flash floods and landslides swept parts of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province yesterday, as officials warned of more extreme weather events in the coming days.
Torrential rain and strong winds resulted in flash floods on Sunday, which not only inundated homes but also destroyed bridges and roads. The death toll is expected to rise as disaster-relief officials struggle to access the worst-hit areas.
As of Sunday, East Flores regency reported 41 fatalities while Lembata regency reported 11, according to data provided by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Dozens are still missing and hundreds have been evacuated as houses were submerged under mud and water.
Banjir bandang di Flores menyebabkan rumah warga hancur serta menelan banyak korban jiwa. Sebanyak 21 orang masih dalam pencarian. Evakuasi ini membutuhkan waktu yang cukup lama karena hanya menggunakan alat seadanya. #IndosiarBerita
Berita lainnya: https://t.co/HwHNqXVNw7 pic.twitter.com/fXdddjXViD
— Indosiar (@Indosiar) April 5, 2021
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said tropical cyclone Seroja will intensify in the next 24 hours as it moves away from Indonesia. However, it will still likely cause heavy rain accompanied by lightning or strong winds in eastern parts of the country, including in NTT, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and Maluku.
Halo Sobat BMKG.
Berikut adalah infografis SIKLON TROPIS SEROJA yang terpantau di Laut Sawu sebelah barat daya Pulau Timor
Tetap waspada sobat#prayforNTT#infobmkgpws#05april2021pws pic.twitter.com/2nLIPhDiH6
— BMKG (@infoBMKG) April 5, 2021
Read more news and updates from eastern Indonesia here.
