As the government prepares to move survivors to safer regions, the number of people killed by the weekend’s flash floods and mud slides in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province has increased to 67, and 20 are still missing, according to authorities on Thursday.
The national disaster management organization BNPB announced in a statement that five of the 25 people who had been reported missing had been discovered dead, bringing the total number of fatalities to 62 as of Wednesday. Over 4,000 individuals have been relocated to neighboring structures and makeshift shelters.
31,985 hectares (79,037 acres) of property, including rice fields, at least 521 dwellings, 19 bridges, and the majority of major roadways sustained damage.
According to BNPB head Suharyanto’s statement, the government intends to move survivors whose houses are unlivable and those who reside in locations vulnerable to disasters.
In addition to looking for secure places to construct new homes, BNPB and the West Sumatra provincial government are currently compiling statistics on the number of survivors who require relocation.
Suharyanto declared, “The government will provide the land and build the houses,” adding that the new residences would be completed in six months.
The commencement date of the move is still unknown.
Heavy rains on Saturday night caused flash floods, landslides, and a cold lava flow—a mud-like mixture of water, rock fragments, and volcanic ash—to occur in the region. One town and three districts are impacted.
One of the most active volcanoes in Sumatra, Mount Marapi, was the source of the icy lava flow, known as a lahar in Indonesia. other than 20 people were killed in its December eruption, and since then, there have been other outbursts.
Over the next seven days, BNPB will continue looking for the 20 missing people and clean the key highways with assistance from the police and military, according to a representative for the organization.
In Tanah Datar, one of the three districts in West Sumatra affected by the floods, houses, collapsed bridges, and roads covered in logs, boulders, and mud were all visible in a video released by BNPB.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.