Indonesia, Timor-Leste: Emergency response ongoing as of April 8 following recent passage of TC Seroja

Event

Emergency operations are continuing in East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste as of April 8, following the recent passage of Tropical Cyclone Seroja. Severe weather has damaged multiple structures, including houses, roads, and bridges in both East Nusa Tenggara and Timor-Leste, displacing thousands of residents as of April 8. The storm has killed at least 138 locals in East Nusa Tenggara, including 67 in East Flores Regency and 32 in Lembata Regency, and left 61 people missing as of April 8; on Lembata island, an eruption at Ile Lewotolok volcano and accompanying lava flows in heavy rains killed at least 85 people. Officials in Timor-Leste reported at least 42 fatalities, including 22 in Dili, with around 36 people missing. Official casualty figures are likely to rise in the coming days as recovery operations continue.

Transport and Utilities
Transport disruptions are ongoing in the affected areas as of April 8. Storm impacts have damaged roads in major cities, such as Dili and Kupang, and bridges connecting districts, including on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara. The most affected sites in Kupang include Jalan Ahmad Yani, Jalan Cak Doko, and Jalan El Tari in Oebobo District, while impacted locations in Dili include Tasitolu and Vera Cruz, particularly the area around Presidential Palace Nicolau Lobato. In Adonara in East Flores, transport and utilities disruptions are hampering aid distribution and rescue efforts. Floodwaters and debris flows may render additional bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Areal flooding in urban locations could also result in severe traffic congestion. Transport disruptions, including delays and cancelations, may occur at damaged transport hubs like seaports. If there is severe damage to infrastructure, repair or reconstruction efforts may exacerbate residual disruptions.

Officials in East Nusa Tenggara have reported damaged power facilities and outages in Kupang and other parts of the region, including Flores, Lembata, and Sumba islands. Power disruptions would reportedly persist in the area through at least early May. Telecommunication disruptions and reduced connectivity are also affecting parts of the impact areas.

Health
Although a secondary concern, the threat of disease outbreaks cannot be discounted in the coming days and weeks. Backflow from drains mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. Stagnant pools often become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing insect and waterborne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat.

Increased security measures, including additional personnel deployed, will probably remain in place in the coming days to facilitate emergency operations. Localized business, transport, utility, and telecommunication disruptions will likely continue.

Advice

Heed all evacuation orders, if issued. Stockpile water, batteries, and other essentials in advance. Charge battery-powered devices when electricity is available; restrict the use of cellular phones to emergencies only. Power down mobile devices when not in use. Keep important documents in waterproof containers. Observe strict food and water precautions. Take precautions against insect- and waterborne diseases in the coming weeks. Keep any necessary medications in a waterproof container.

Plan accordingly for commercial, transport, and logistics disruptions in areas in the path of the storm, especially if vital infrastructure is damaged. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where flooding has occurred.