In Indonesia heavy rains triggered flash floods and cold lava flows from Mount Marapi on the western island of Sumatra. The catastrophe resulting in the loss of at least 41 lives and leaving 17 individuals still Missing.
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The chain of events began with hours of rain on Saturday night which cascaded volcanic rock and ash down the slopes of Mount Marapi, the most active volcano in Sumatra.
The resulting mudslides known as lahars surged into nearby districts, destroying homes, mosques, and public infrastructure. The torrents of cold lava, a mixture of volcanic material and pebbles, claimed lives.
The term “cold lava,” or lahar, refers to volcanic material flowing down a mountain’s slopes during rain, with temperatures typically below 50°C.
The US Geological Survey describes it as akin to a “roiling slurry of wet concrete,” capable of incorporating debris and increasing in volume as it advances downhill.
By Sunday afternoon rescue efforts had recovered 19 bodies in the worst-hit village of Canduang in Agam district, with nine others found in the neighboring Tanah Datar district.
The disaster left nearly 200 homes submerged with mud deposits reaching adult’s calves in some areas. Severe damage was reported in four western Sumatra regions with Agam witnessing the evacuation of 159 individuals.
Environmental experts attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of flash floods and mudslides to human activities such as excessive exploitation of natural resources and haphazard development.
Mount Marapi’s vicinity has witnessed several similar incidents in recent months including a volcanic eruption in December that claimed 23 lives and flash floods in February that damaged numerous homes.
Authorities have mobilized a search and rescue operation involving over 400 personnel, including police, soldiers, and local rescue squads.
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Excavators and drones have been deployed to scour the affected areas for the 17 individuals still missing. On the night of Saturday rains triggered flash floods across four districts in West Sumatra province.
The deluge unleashed torrents of cold lava and mudslides from Mount Marapi. The cold lava, also known as lahar, is a deadly mixture of volcanic debris including ash, sand, and pebbles, which cascaded down the slopes of the volcano, engulfing villages and infrastructure in its path.
The toll on human life, with at least 43 people confirmed dead and a further 15 reported missing. The disaster has left nearly 200 homes and buildings buried or damaged beyond recognition.
The worst-hit areas including the Agam and Tanah Datar districts have seen scenes of utter devastation, with villages submerged, roads blocked, and homes shattered.
Despite the challenges by damaged infrastructure and weather conditions, rescue teams are scouring the affected areas in search of survivors.
Their efforts are hampered by blocked roads, thick mud, and debris, which impede access and slow down the rescue operations.
Mount Marapi, standing at an imposing 2,891 meters has a history of volcanic activity, making it one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes.
Over the years it has erupted multiple times with its deadliest eruption in 1979 claiming the lives of 60 people.
Recent eruptions in December and January have unleashed ash clouds reaching heights of over 3,000 meters.
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