The number of fatalities resulting from floods and landslides in Indonesia increases.
In the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the number of fatalities due to flooding and debris avalanches from the Marapi volcano climbs to at least 41. Officials from the disaster control department stated that 17 people remain unaccounted for. With heavy rainfall, rocks from the volcano started to break free and rolled down the slopes in massive landslides.
The civil protection agency urged those affected by the disaster to stay with their relatives. Disaster control chief Ilham Wahab cautioned that tents would not withstand the persistent heavy rainfall.
Several roads across the province of West Sumatra are immersed in floodwaters, mosques and homes have been submerged. Over 2000 people were forced to leave their homes.
Marapi is known as the most active volcano in Indonesia. In December, ash from the volcano rose up to 3 kilometers high, causing the fatalities of more than 20 climbers. Indonesia has a total of 130 active volcanoes.
The rainy season in Indonesia frequently brings about natural disasters like floods and landslides. In March, over 20 people lost their lives due to heavy rainfall in West Sumatra. Environmentalists point the finger at deforestation for the landslides, caused by loggers.
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The number of fatalities from rock avalanches triggered by the Marapi volcano's debris has added to the overall toll, contributing to the rising death count due to natural disasters in Indonesia. The civil protection agency in Indonesia has advised those affected by the floods and landslides to seek shelter with their relatives, expressing concerns that temporary structures may not withstand the continuous heavy rainfall. Despite the ongoing disaster relief efforts, the number of individuals still unaccounted for remains at 17.
Source: www.ntv.de
