PADANG, Indonesia: The aftermath of the devastating flash floods and landslides triggered by relentless monsoon rains in Indonesia’s western Sumatra island has left a trail of destruction, claiming the lives of at least 26 individuals with 11 still missing, according to officials on Monday.
The cascading effects of the monsoon rains have submerged nine districts and cities in West Sumatra province since Thursday. The situation took a catastrophic turn on Friday night when a massive mudslide ruptured a river’s banks, unleashing its fury on mountainside villages in the Pesisir Selatan district.
Rescue operations have faced significant challenges due to power outages, bridges in disrepair, and roads obstructed by thick mud and debris, as reported by the National Disaster Management Agency.
Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari revealed that more bodies have been retrieved, predominantly from the hardest-hit villages in Pesisir Selatan and the neighboring Padang Pariaman district, pushing the death toll to 26. Landslides have engulfed at least 14 houses, with two villagers sustaining injuries and 11 individuals still unaccounted for.
In the wake of the disaster, over 37,000 houses and structures have been submerged by the monsoon rains in West Sumatra. Flash floods have swept away three houses and damaged 666 others. Additionally, 26 bridges, 45 mosques, and 25 schools have been impacted, while 13 roads and two irrigation systems have been destroyed. This has led to the submersion of 113 hectares (279 acres) of rice fields and 300 square meters (3,220 square feet) of plantations, as outlined by the agency.
The recurring issue of heavy rains triggering landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, a nation comprised of over 17,000 islands, has been exacerbated by factors such as deforestation. Prolonged torrential downpours have resulted in flooding in various regions, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable environmental practices.
This recent calamity echoes a similar tragedy in December, where a landslide and floods decimated numerous houses and a hotel near Lake Toba in Sumatra, claiming the lives of at least two individuals.