Destructive landslide hits Indonesia’s South Sulawesi
A large landslide caused by heavy rainfall hit Tana Toraja Regency in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi Province at 22:30 LT on April 13, 2024, leaving at least 18 people dead and 1 missing.
According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) the landslide occurred at two points — in Lembang Randan Batu Village, South Makale District, and Manggau Village in Makale District.
Abdul Muhari, the Head of BNPB Disaster Data, said their rapid assessment showed 6 homes in Manggau Village were destroyed and 1 in Lembang Randan Batu Village. The villages are located in a remote and hilly area.
At least 18 people have been killed — 14 in Makale and 4 in South Makale — while one person remains missing, officials said early Monday morning, April 15, adding that a family gathering was held in one of the affected homes. Two injured people were found on April 14, including an 8-year-old girl.
Muhari added the landslide had also caused the road to be difficult for vehicles to pass, so the emergency handling team had to walk to reach the location. In addition, the slide destroyed communication lines while bad weather and unstable soil hampered the rescue efforts.
The local police chief said dozens of soldiers, police, and volunteers joined the search and rescue operations. SAR operations were temporarily suspended late Monday afternoon (LT), April 15 due to lack of lighting and cloudy weather accompanied by drizzle. Additionally, evacuation teams said there is a potential for aftermath landslides in the affected region.
At least 77 residents have been temporarily evacuated to a temporary emergency checkpoint at a local church building.
This entire region was under continuous heavy rainfall over the past week, eroding the soil on mountain slopes and leading to landslides.
References:
1 Official update by BNPB at 04:23 UTC on April 15, 2024
2 BNPB Reports 14 People Died Due To Landslides In Tana Toraja – VOI – April 15, 2024
3 At least 19 dead, two missing after torrential rain triggers landslide in Indonesia – ABC – April 15, 2024
Featured image credit: BNPB
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