JAKARTA: At least 10 people were killed and 10 others were missing after flash floods and a landslide on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a local official said Saturday, AFP reported.
The catastrophic event, triggered by torrential rains, wreaked havoc in the Pesisir Selatan regency of West Sumatra province, compelling approximately 46,000 residents to evacuate to temporary shelters.
Doni Yusrizal, acting head of the Pesisir Selatan disaster mitigation agency, disclosed that search and rescue operations have been impeded by adverse weather conditions. “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,” Doni remarked, noting the utilization of boats to reach affected individuals stranded by the floods.
Floods and Landslide Devastation in Indonesia
The devastation wrought by the disaster is profound, with at least 14 houses buried under debris from the landslide, over 20,000 residences inundated, and eight bridges collapsed, according to official reports. The adjacent Padang Pariaman regency also bore the brunt of heavy downpours, resulting in rivers overflowing, floods, and another fatal landslide that claimed the lives of at least three people.
Indonesia, grappling with its vulnerability to landslides during the rainy season, faces compounded challenges exacerbated by deforestation. Prolonged torrential rains often trigger flooding, exacerbating the risk in various regions across the archipelago nation.
