Map illustrating the vicinity around Mount Marapi on Sumatra, Indonesia, where the number of casualties from flash floods over the weekend has surged, according to officials.
Indonesian rescuers are in a race against time to locate numerous individuals who are still missing following heavy rainfall that triggered flash floods and carried volcanic debris into residential areas, resulting in the loss of 67 lives.
The incessant rain on Saturday led to the flow of mud and rocks into regions near one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, causing the destruction of numerous homes, roads, and mosques.
“Some of the missing individuals have been discovered. As per police reports, 67 individuals have lost their lives,” stated Suharyanto, the head of the national disaster agency, during a press briefing on Wednesday, raising the death toll from 58.
He further mentioned that 20 people are still unaccounted for, with rescue teams finding many of the deceased in or near rivers after being swept away by the volcanic material, mud, and rain.
The combination of ash, sand, and pebbles carried down the slopes of a volcano by rain is referred to as lahar, or cold lava, in Indonesia.
Heavy machinery has been mobilized to clear the affected areas of debris caused by flooding and cold lava flows, impacting transportation access in six districts, as stated by Suharyanto.
2024-05-15 04:51:03
Post sourced from phys.org