Over 179 deaths in Indonesia from cyclone Seroja, 45 still missing

Jakarta: The floods and landslides triggered by tropical cyclone Seroja in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province has caused death of over 179 people with 45 still missing, the National Disaster Management Agency said.

Holding a virtual press conference with the National Disaster Management Agency, Deputy Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Josef Nae Soi expressed confidence in the relief measures and suggested temporary solutions including using army ships and state-owned ferries to evacuate affected people.

"We have been able to reach all the affected areas and there are no more isolated villages," he said.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency reported that extreme weather events such as heavy rains, strong winds, and high sea waves of up to six metres occurred after Seroja swirled in the Savu Sea, south of East Nusa Tenggara province.

Though Seroja is the 10th tropical cyclone hitting Indonesia since 2008 ,it had made the worst impact as it made landfall.