Flash floods and landslides claim 16 lives, leave 6 missing in Sumatra, Indonesia
Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy torrential rains struck Indonesia’s island of Sumatra on Saturday, November 23, leaving at least 16 people dead, 18 injured and 6 missing.
Flash floods and landslides struck the island of Sumatra on Saturday night, resulting in 16 deaths and 18 injuries, with six individuals reported missing.
According to Sri Wahyuni Pancasilawati, head of the agency’s emergency, equipment, and logistics unit, the flash floods in Deli Serdang Regency swept away four homes and one religious building.
Torrential rains over the weekend caused mud, rocks, and trees to tumble down a mountain, while rivers burst their banks, devastating four hilly districts in North Sumatra province by washing away houses and destroying farms.
According to Puput Mashuri, head of the local disaster management agency, at least 10 homes were swept away in the South Tapanuli district, and approximately 150 houses and buildings were damaged.
Police, soldiers, and rescue workers employed excavators, farm equipment, and their bare hands to search for the dead and missing in Semangat Gunung, a resort area in Karo district, according to Juspri M. Nadeak, head of the local disaster management agency.
References:
1 Landslide and flash floods hit Indonesia’s Sumatra island, leaving 16 dead and 6 missing – AP – November 25, 2024
2 13 killed, 18 injured as landslides, flash floods hit Indonesia’s North Sumatra province – Xinhua – November 24, 2024
Thumbnail image credit: AP (stillshot)
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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