Padang: Rescue workers recovered more bodies as water began to recede after torrential rains caused flash floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island. At least 26 people have died so far in this disaster, while another 11 people are missing. Officials gave this information on Monday. Nine districts and cities in West Sumatra province have been submerged due to monsoon rains and rising water in rivers. The landslide, which occurred late Friday night, breached the river banks, flooding hilly villages in the Pesisir Selatan district.
difficulties in rescue operations
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency said it faced difficulties in helping disaster-hit people due to power outages, damaged bridges and roads blocked by debris. Agency spokesman Abdul Muhari said rescue workers recovered more bodies from the villages of Pesisir Selatan and neighboring Padang Pariaman district, which were hardest hit by the disaster, raising the death toll to 26.
14 houses razed to the ground due to landslide
Muhari said at least 14 houses were razed to the ground by the landslide and at least two villagers were injured. Meanwhile, rescue workers are searching for 11 people who are still missing. Muhari said more than 37,000 homes and buildings were submerged in monsoon rains in West Sumatra province. At least three houses were washed away and 666 other houses were also damaged in the flash flood.
26 bridges, 45 mosques and 25 schools damaged
The agency said 26 bridges, 45 mosques and 25 schools were damaged while 13 roads were destroyed by the flash floods. Apart from this, two irrigation system units have also been affected, resulting in inundation of rice fields and 300 square meter plantations spread over an area of 113 hectares.