Summary
Heavy rains in Southeast Asia, particularly on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, have led to deadly floods and landslides, killing nearly 850 people. The severe weather, worsened by deforestation and a cyclone, has displaced tens of thousands and caused significant damage to infrastructure.
Key Facts
- Sumatra in Indonesia has been severely affected by floods and landslides due to heavy rains and a cyclone.
- Nearly 850 people have died, and hundreds are missing as a result of these natural disasters.
- Deforestation in Sumatra is a major issue, contributing to the severity of the floods and landslides.
- The European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites captured images showing the extent of the devastation.
- Roughly 80,000 people have been displaced and are now in temporary shelters.
- Indonesian authorities are investigating companies that may have illegally cleared forests in affected areas.
- Since 2001, Sumatra has lost 4.4 million hectares of forest, significantly impacting the environment.
- Other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka have also faced extreme weather recently.
