The death toll from recent flooding across two Indonesian islands, including the popular tourist destination of Bali, has risen to 23, with five other people still missing, officials confirmed on Friday.
Torrential rain on Tuesday triggered widespread floods and landslides across Bali, leading to the discovery of four more bodies and leaving two others unaccounted for. These latest fatalities are in addition to the 14 previously reported on Bali and five on the island of Flores.
According to Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the agency has provided aid to affected communities, including food, clothing, and bedding. The estimated financial loss from the disaster is approximately 25 billion rupiah ($1.52 million).
Flash flooding that hit the Nagekeo district of Flores island on Monday has also hampered search efforts for three missing victims due to debris.
Indonesia’s annual monsoon season, which typically runs from November to April, often brings a high risk of landslides and flash floods. Climate change has been noted to impact storm patterns, contributing to heavier rainfall and stronger wind gusts.
Source: Al Jazeera