UNITED NATIONS, Apr 6 (NNN-ANTARA) – Tropical Cyclone Seroja claimed the lives of at least 96 people, with another 70 reported missing, in East Timor, Indonesia, UN humanitarians said, yesterday.
At least 75 people died because of the storm, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. The highest toll from heavy rains, flash floods and winds was in Indonesia’s southernmost province of East Nusa Tenggara.
According to local government sources, in the province of West Nusa Tenggara, more than 25,750 people are reported directly affected by the flood, OCHA said. Waves of up to six metres reportedly hit the southern coast of Timor Island. Landslides cut many roads and bridges, electricity is interrupted in many areas.
Local, provincial, national governments and non-governmental partners are supplying food, blankets and COVID-19 testing kits. The Indonesian Red Cross mobilised personnel to assist with evacuations and provide first aid services.
The UN humanitarian office said, there had been no official request for international assistance from Indonesia.
In East Timor, on the eastern end of Timor Island, at least 21 people died from Mar 29 to Apr 4, OCHA said. UN humanitarian agencies, supporting government efforts at evacuation sites in the capital city of Dili, are assisting in the life-saving needs of affected people, particularly women and children. Dili is the worst affected city.
Preliminary official figures show more than 10,000 people have been affected across eight municipalities. More than 76 percent of the affected people are in Dili municipality.
The UN Population Fund said, it delivered 125 dignity kits. That is enough for 125 households or 625 people. The UN Children’s Agency distributed sanitary kits, tarps, plastic mats and blankets.
The Ministry of Health is providing medical services in all evacuation facilities.– NNN-ANTARA
