Deadly floods and landslides strike West Sumatra, lahar warnings issued, Indonesia
Two people have died in West Sumatra, Indonesia, due to a landslide in Agam regency, with floods and landslides affecting other areas, including Lima Puluh Kota. Officials are urging residents living near Marapi volcano to be vigilant of potential cold lava flows (lahars).
West Sumatra, Indonesia, has been hit by floods and landslides, resulting in two fatalities, as reported by Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah on Monday, December 18, 2023. The landslide that occurred in Agam regency claimed the lives of two individuals, aged 18 and 33.
In addition to Agam, the Lima Puluh Kota regency experienced floods and a landslide, leading to major road blockages and the inundation of several buildings.
The governor has urged residents near rivers originating from the Marapi volcano to be vigilant of potential cold lava floods (lahars), especially with increasing rainfall intensity. Lahars can be extremely destructive and are more deadly than lava flows.
This concern stems from Mount Marapi’s significant eruption on December 3, 2023, which claimed the lives of 23 climbers. The sudden eruption ejected volcanic ash up to 15 km (50,000 feet) into the air and generated a pyroclastic flow extending 3 km (1.8 miles) on the northern slope. The aftermath left climbers stranded and nearby villages covered in volcanic debris.
Follow-up eruptions, including one on December 4 that emitted hot ash 800 meters (2 620 feet) high, severely impacted rescue operations.
Governor Ansharullah added that 23 rivers stemming from the Marapi volcano are under close observation, and updates will be provided to the public as the situation develops.
Gunung Marapi, distinct from the more well-known Merapi volcano on Java, is Sumatra’s most active volcano. This massive stratovolcano complex towers 2 km (1.2 miles) above the Bukittinggi Plain in the Padang Highlands.
References:
1 Flood, landslide kill 2 in western Indonesia – Xinhua – December 20, 2023
2 Death toll rises to 23 after sudden eruption at Marapi volcano, Indonesia – The Watchers – December 5, 2023
Featured image credit: National Disaster Management Agency of Indonesia
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