Torrential rains have hit Indonesia’s West Sumatra island, deadly flash floods and landslides that have claimed the lives of at least 21 people, with six others still missing.
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The disaster, which struck the Pesisir Selatan district of West Sumatra province, has forced the evacuation of over 75,000 individuals.
The calamity, triggered by rainfall, led to the cascading of tons of mud, rocks, and uprooted trees down mountainsides.
These torrents inundated villages, particularly in the Pesisir Selatan district, where entire communities were engulfed by floodwaters.
Rescue efforts have been underway since the disaster struck, with rescuers retrieving bodies from the worst-hit areas. As of the latest reports, 21 individuals have lost their lives, while six remain missing.
Authorities have mobilized massive evacuation efforts, with more than 80,000 people seeking refuge in temporary shelters provided by the government.
Nearly 700 homes damaged, scores of bridges and schools destroyed, and vast swathes of farmland destroyed.
The destruction of critical infrastructure shows the challenges faced by both rescuers and displaced communities.
Rescue teams comprising around 150 personnel from various disaster organizations in West Sumatra continue to conduct search and retrieval missions. Their efforts are focused on areas impacted by the floods and landslides.
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The disaster has claimed the lives of at least 21 individuals, while six others remain missing, according to official reports from the West Sumatra disaster mitigation agency.
Among the affected areas, the Pesisir Selatan district bore the brunt of the devastation, with mudslides and flash floods engulfing villages. The death toll includes victims from various villages, with some villages reporting multiple fatalities.
Rescue operations have been underway, albeit hampered by challenging conditions such as power outages, blocked roads, and terrain covered in thick mud and debris.
Search and rescue teams comprising around 150 personnel have been combing through affected areas in a bid to locate the missing individuals. The efforts have been particularly focused on three areas heavily impacted by the floods and landslides.
Over 75,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes, seeking refuge in temporary government shelters.
Mosques have served as gathering points for evacuees, where provisions such as food, water, and medicines have been distributed to alleviate their suffering.
Nearly 700 homes damaged, numerous bridges and schools affected, and extensive farmland destroyed. In some areas, floodwaters have risen to roof level, submerging homes and the plight of residents.
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