Authorities in Indonesia raised the death toll from floods and landslides in the easternmost province of Papua to nearly 80 on March 18 as President Joko Widodo called for the urgent evacuation of victims from devastated communities.
People stand as they
look at damaged houses after a fresh flood in Setani, Papua. (Photo: Reuters)
The
deadly floods and landslide struck at the weekend after torrential rain fell
across the Cyclops mountain range, much of which has been stripped of tree
cover by villagers chopping fire wood and farmers cultivating plantations.
The
death toll shot up to nearly 80 from 58 on March 17 as rescuers found more
victims as they struggled to clear mud, rocks and shattered trees from the area
near the provincial capital of Jayapura, including a 70 km stretch of road.
With 43
people missing, Widodo urged rescuers to step up their efforts. "What
is most important is handling the evacuation," he said in a statement
posted on Instagram.
More
than 4,000 people have been displaced and are sheltering in tents, schools, and
public buildings. Disaster
authorities have warned provincial officials of the danger of flash floods due
to deforestation, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the national disaster
mitigation agency.
The central government sent
supplies of seedlings last year, hoping to help restore some forest cover, he
said.
Source: NDO
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