A local official disclosed on Saturday that a minimum of 10 individuals lost their lives, with another 10 individuals unaccounted for following flash floods and a landslide on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The deluge of rain sparked both floods and landslides, striking Pesisir Selatan regency in West Sumatra province, compelling approximately 46,000 residents to seek refuge in temporary shelters.
“Ten people were found dead. Two victims were found in Langgai village, Sutera subdistrict, seven victims were found and identified in Koto XI Tarusan subdistrict and one other victim was found in the Lengayang subdistrict,” Pesisir Selatan disaster mitigation agency acting head Doni Yusrizal said in a statement.
Doni further mentioned that adverse weather conditions had impeded search efforts for the 10 individuals who remain unaccounted for.
“The weather as of this morning is still rainy, and then there are some access (points) that were cut off so it is difficult to go through,” said Doni, adding they were using boats to reach people cut off by the floods.
The statement outlined the extent of the devastation, indicating that at least 14 homes were buried under the landslide, with over 20,000 houses submerged in floodwaters, and eight bridges destroyed.
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According to the local disaster mitigation agency’s statement, in Padang Pariaman regency, located within West Sumatra, heavy rainfall occurring between Thursday and Friday caused rivers to inundate their surroundings, leading to floods and a landslide that claimed the lives of at least three people.
Indonesia faces heightened landslide risks during the rainy season, compounded by deforestation in certain areas. Prolonged periods of heavy rainfall exacerbate the situation, causing widespread flooding in various parts of the country.
In December, near Lake Toba on Sumatra, a landslide and floods inflicted widespread destruction, washing away numerous houses and leveling a hotel, with the tragic loss of at least two lives.