The weekend brought devastating flash floods and mudslides to Indonesia's West Sumatra province, resulting in a tragic death toll of 67. Authorities also report that 20 individuals remain missing as rescue efforts continue.
Five of the 25 previously missing persons have been found deceased, raising the total fatalities from 62 reported the previous day, according to the national disaster management agency BNPB. In response to the ongoing crisis, more than 4,000 residents have been evacuated to nearby buildings and temporary shelters to ensure their safety.
The floods have caused extensive damage, destroying at least 521 houses and impacting 31,985 hectares of land, including vital rice fields. Infrastructure has also suffered, with 19 bridges and most main roads being damaged, further complicating rescue and relief operations.
In light of the destruction, the Indonesian government is planning to relocate survivors from unlivable and disaster-prone areas to safer locations. BNPB head Suharyanto emphasized that efforts are underway to gather comprehensive data on the number of survivors requiring relocation and to identify secure areas for constructing new homes.
Both BNPB and the West Sumatra provincial government are collaborating closely to ensure a coordinated and efficient response, aiming to provide lasting solutions for those affected by the floods.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
