Death Toll Rises To 67 In West Sumatra Flash Floods And Cold Lava Flow

JAKARTA, May 16 (Bernama) -- The death toll from heavy rain last Saturday night, triggering flash floods and cold lava flow from active Mount Marapi volcano, has risen to 67 in multiple districts of West Sumatra.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that the disaster has affected 989 families, with 20 individuals missing and 44 injured as of Wednesday at 12.10 pm local time.

BNPB head Lieutenant General Suharyanto, who visited several temporary shelters in Tanah Datar and Agam districts, stated that residents in danger zones may be relocated to safer areas.

He pointed out that that agencies like BNPB, geological, and meteorological agencies are assessing affected areas and determining relocation needs.

"The provincial government will provide land, and the central government, specifically the Ministry of Public Works and BNPB, will oversee house construction," he said in a statement Thursday.

Suharyanto also stated that both central and local authorities are putting maximum efforts into continuing search operations, alongside implementing other emergency response measures.

-- BERNAMA