Aid Fails to Reach Many After Deadly Sumatra Cyclone

Five days after a powerful cyclone struck Indonesia's Sumatra island, officials and residents report that help has not arrived in many isolated areas. Cyclone Seroja caused severe floods and landslides last weekend. The disaster has killed at least 30 people and displaced over 13,000 across West Sumatra province. The hardest-hit area is Pesisir Selatan, a coastal district. Local officials there say aid distribution faces major obstacles. Damaged roads and bridges have cut off remote villages, while a lack of heavy equipment slows the clearing of debris. Survivors in these isolated communities report running low on food, clean water, and medicine. They are urging the government to accelerate the relief effort. National disaster agencies are coordinating the response. They state that delivering aid is their top priority but acknowledge the severe challenges posed by the widespread infrastructure damage.