Authorities have reported death toll in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province has climbed to 52 due to flash floods and mudslides, while more than 3,000 individuals have been displaced. These severe weather conditions are set to continue, with heavy rainfall predicted till the next week.
The heavy showers on Saturday resulted in flash floods, landslides, and cold lava flow—a viscous mixture of volcanic ash, rock fragments, and water—in three local districts. The death count stood at 43 on Monday. The cold lava flow, or lahar as is known locally, originated from Mount Marapi, Sumatra’s highly active volcano. The volcano caused the death of over 20 people when it erupted last December, and subsequent eruptions have since followed.
Out of the reported 52 fatalities, the identity of more than 45 has been confirmed, said Spokesperson for the West Sumatra disaster agency, Ilham Wahab. He added that 17 individuals are still unaccounted for, and searches conducted by local rescuers, military personnel, and the police are ongoing.
Wahab further noted a significant amount of destruction, with 249 houses and 225 hectares (roughly 556 acres) of land, comprising rice fields and major roads, affected across the three districts. The impact of the floods has been reducing since Sunday.
Wahab explained, “On top of the search for missing individuals, the emphasis is on clearing main roads of mud, logs and large rocks deposited by the floods in residential areas.”
On Tuesday, 3,396 individuals were reported as having been evacuated to surrounding structures, according to Suharyanto, the chief of Indonesia’s national disaster and management agency, BNPB.
The agency has made efforts to provide provisions including tents, blankets, food, hygiene kits, portable lavatories, and water purifiers. However, delivery issues have arisen due to most roads being obstructed by mud and debris, added Suharyanto.
The head of Indonesia’s meteorology agency, BMKG, Dwikorita Karnawati, has predicted continuous heavy rainfall in West Sumatra province till next week. She alerted people to possible risks of flash floods and landslides extending at least until the dates between May 17th and 22nd.
The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has issued a warning to the public to steer clear of slopes susceptible to landslides.
Roza Yolanda, a 23-year-old woman, was unwinding in her residence during a heavy downpour over the weekend. A blackout occurred moments before her dwelling was inundated with water.
“I was swept out onto the streets from my domicile by the deluge, approximately 200 metres away,” recounted Yolanda. “I was battered by timbers before colliding with walls and windows.”
Yolanda was tossed around in the water for roughly a quarter of an hour prior to her rescue. Having sustained bruises all over her body, she reported her mother to be safe, while her father’s whereabouts remained unknown. – Reuters
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