Cablegate: Dozens Feared Dead in Massive North Sumatra Floods

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PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJA #1574 2610541
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 180541Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3365
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLL
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 3663
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5982
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RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHJS/AMCONSUL SURABAYA 2518

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001574

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, OES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SENV EAID ID
SUBJECT: Dozens Feared Dead in Massive North Sumatra Floods

1. (U) This message was coordinated with Embassy Jakarta.

2. (U) Widespread flooding caused by heavy rains in the Mandaling
Natal Regency in the interior of the province of North Sumatra on
September 15 resulted in at least 15 deaths with at least 38 more
people missing and feared dead. Flash floods caused mainly by soil
erosion resulting from intensive logging impacted over 2,000 persons
in six villages in the area. Observers in the environmental NGO
community contacted by Consulate Medan on September 16 recounted
years of mismanagement in this area, shared by Taman Gadis National
Park, a logging concession, and production forest. A history of
dumping of timber byproduct upstream contributed to the inability of
the river flow to absorb added water after recent rains, local NGOs
added.

3. (U) Many former logging concessions have closed in recent years,
including one partly owned by fugitive Indonesian timber baron
Adelin Lis. (Lis was previously acquitted on charges of large-scale
illegal logging in 2007 in a controversial decision and remains on
the run charged with money laundering) This has resulted in a
deterioration of logging access roads that further complicates the
relief effort.

4. (U) Local officials have responded by sending disaster relief
teams including the Indonesian Red Cross and local disaster
management and social welfare authorities. They stated to Consulate
Medan on September 17 that the majority of the 2,000 people impacted
remain cut off from assistance and communication due to poor
infrastructure in the area. Small amounts of aid have reached the
area but much more is needed. It is still unclear how many of the
local residents are injured or missing.

5. (U) North Sumatra police admit publicly that their
first-responders have no means to access the area due to the lack of
road network and flooding of the rivers. Heavy equipment needed for
rescue work is also unable to traverse the road network and
helicopter support to drop relief supplies remains an option being
explored by local authorities. The impact of the logging concessions
and years of mismanagement is clear in the disastrous consequences
for local residents. Some local aid was reported on local TV
arriving via the port city of Sibolga by ship and directly by police
helicopter on the afternoon of September 17. The Indonesian
government has not requested international aid as of this time.

OSIUS

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