At least 16 people have died, and another seven remain missing following the floods and landslides that struck the island of Sumatra in Indonesia over the weekend, the Indonesian Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) announced today.
“Overall, 16 people lost their lives, and seven others are missing,” said the agency’s spokesperson, Abdul Muhari.
Floods and landslides affected four regions in North Sumatra province.
Landslide and flash floods leave at least 16 dead in Sumatra, Indonesia https://t.co/IbgjekENyQ
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The Karo district recorded the highest number of casualties, with five people found dead and five still missing after a river overflowed on Saturday.
Other victims of the weather events were found in three other areas of the province: Deli Serdang, South Tapanuli, and Padang Lawas.
According to Muhari, the regions of Karo and Deli Serdang have already been hit several times this year by flash floods and landslides.
“This year alone, these two regions have faced disasters three and two times respectively,” he noted. The severe weather damaged homes, mosques, and public facilities.
The disaster management agency has deployed personnel, rescuers, and soldiers to the affected areas.
Landslides occur regularly throughout the archipelago during the rainy season, from November to April, with the issue exacerbated in some regions by deforestation.
In July, a landslide on Sulawesi Island near an illegal gold mine left at least 27 dead and 15 missing.
In May, at least 67 people died when a mix of ash, sand, and rocks from the volcanic eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra spread into residential areas, triggering flash floods.
