JAKARTA, 14th May, 2024 (WAM) -- The number of people killed by flash floods and mudslides in Indonesia's West Sumatra province has risen to 52 and more than 3,000 people were evacuated, Reuters said on Tuesday.
Torrential rain on Saturday evening triggered flash floods, landslides, and cold lava flow, a mud-like mixture of volcanic ash, rock debris and water, in three districts in West Sumatra province.
The cold lava flow, known in Indonesia as a lahar, came from Mount Marapi, one of Sumatra's most active volcanoes. More than 20 people were killed when Marapi erupted in December. A series of eruptions have followed since.
Of the 52 dead, more than 45 have been identified, West Sumatra disaster agency spokesman Ilham Wahab said. Local rescuers, police and military will continue searching for 17 people who are still missing, he added.
Ilham said 249 houses, 225 hectares (556 acres) of land, including rice fields, and most of the main roads in the three districts were damaged. The floods have receded since Sunday.
As of Tuesday, 3,396 people have been evacuated to nearby buildings, the head of national disaster and management agency BNPB, Suharyanto, said in a statement.