In this picture taken on April 7, 2021 residents check through debris near damaged homes in Waiwerang village of East Flores following torrential rains from Tropical Cyclone Seroja. (ALFRED IKE WURIN / AFP)
JAKARTA – The death toll of tropical cyclone Seroja in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province has risen to 174, according to the National Disaster Management Agency on Saturday.
"The worst-hit areas are Alor, Lembata, and Adonara," the agency's head Doni Monardo said.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has decided to relocate the affected settlement areas to safer places, with the consent of the local community.
ALSO READ: Indonesia warns of landslide, flood risk from new cyclone
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said such extreme weather as heavy rains, strong winds and high sea waves of up to 6 meters occurred after tropical cyclone Seroja swirled in the Savu Sea, south of East Nusa Tenggara province, with a peak on April 5.
Seroja is the 10th tropical cyclone hitting Indonesia since 2008 and had the worst impact as it made landfall. Currently, Seroja is moving away from Indonesia.
READ MORE: Xi offers condolences over flood fatalities in Indonesia