Indonesia flash floods claim 19 deaths, 7 go missing

Over 80,000 people have sought refuge in temporary government shelters, according to the disaster response agency

A tragic event unfolded in Indonesia’s Sumatra island as flash floods and a landslide claimed the lives of 19 individuals, with seven others going missing, according to officials. 

The catastrophe occurred in the Pesisir Selatan district of West Sumatra province, where torrents of mud, rocks, and uprooted trees cascaded down a mountainside, engulfing nearby villages.

Doni Yusrizal, the head of the local disaster management agency, reported the incident on Sunday, revealing that power outages and impassable roads buried under layers of mud and debris hindered rescue operations. 

Rescuers recovered seven bodies in Koto XI Tarusan village and three others in adjacent communities, while the National Disaster Management Agency confirmed six casualties in Pesisir Selatan and three in the nearby Padang Pariaman district.

Additionally, two villagers sustained injuries, and seven individuals remain missing, prompting over 80,000 people to seek refuge in temporary government shelters. 

Indonesia frequently grapples with flash floods and landslides, posing a significant threat to millions of residents residing in flood-prone areas, particularly during the rainy season.

A similar tragedy occurred in December near Lake Toba in Sumatra, resulting in the loss of two lives and substantial damage to numerous homes and a hotel. 

Source: AP