At least 19 dead and 7 missing as landslide and flash floods hit Indonesia’s Sumatra island
PADANG, Indonesia (AP) — Torrential rains have triggered flash floods and a landslide on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing at the least 19 individuals and leaving seven others lacking, officers stated Sunday.
Tons of mud, rocks and uprooted timber rolled down a mountain late Friday, reaching a river that burst its banks and tore by mountainside villages in Pesisir Selatan district of West Sumatra province, stated Doni Yusrizal, who heads the native catastrophe administration company.
Rescuers by Saturday pulled out seven our bodies within the worst-hit village of Koto XI Tarusan, and recovered three others in two neighboring villages, Yusrizal stated.
Rescuers retrieved six our bodies in Pesisir Selatan and three extra within the neighboring district of Padang Pariaman, bringing the loss of life toll to 19, the Nationwide Catastrophe Administration Company stated on Sunday.
The company in a press release stated at the least two villagers have been injured by the flash flood and rescuers are trying to find seven people who find themselves reportedly nonetheless lacking.
It stated greater than 80,000 individuals had fled to short-term authorities shelters after the flood and landslide buried 14 homes, whereas 20,000 homes have been flooded as much as the roof in 9 districts and cities in West Sumatra province.
“Reduction efforts for the lifeless and lacking have been hampered by energy outages, blocked roads coated in thick mud and particles,” Yusrizal stated.
Heavy rains trigger frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, the place hundreds of thousands of individuals stay in mountainous areas or close to floodplains.