Catastrophic floods in Indonesia killed 43 people and 15 missing

At least 43 people have died and 15 went missing as a result of catastrophic floods in West Sumatra province, Indonesia. This weather disaster came after heavy rain on May 11, 2024.

Abdul Malik is head of the rescue team of West Sumatra. According to Abdul Malik, the heavy rain caused flash floods, landslides, and cold lava flow in three districts of West Sumatra province. The three affected districts are Agam, Tanah Datar, and Padang Panjang.

Banjir bandang lahar dingin melanda wilayah Sumatra Barat pada Sabtu (11/5) malam. Empat kabupaten terdampak cukup parah akibat kejadian ini antara lain Kabupaten Agam, Kabupaten Tanah Datar, Kabupaten Padang Panjang, dan Kabupaten Padang Pariaman. pic.twitter.com/6M9fOWYw4h
— BNPB Indonesia (@BNPB_Indonesia) May 13, 2024

Abdul Malik said the heavy rain swept things like ash and big rocks from the Marapi volcano. A massive volcanic eruption happened in December 2023. Since then, several explosions have taken place.

However, recent flooding rains have worsened the situation by flowing volcanic material from Marapi to West Sumatra province. Cold lava flow is a mud-like mixture of volcanic ash, rock debris, and water. The cold lava flow is called lahar in Indonesia.

Indonesian officials stated today they were still looking for 15 people who went missing. Abdul said the problem is flash floods and cold lava flows; occurring from late night till daylight. It is making it difficult for them to find missing people.

Click here to read the updates on the Indonesia Ruang volcanic eruption displaced over 11,000 people

The National Disaster and Management Organization of Indonesia, BNPB, published footage of muddy rice fields and roadways. The video footage also showed floods carrying wood and rock debris into villages with destroyed homes and other ruined structures.

According to Abdul, at least eight excavators and drones helped 400 rescuers, police, and military officials search for missing people. The BNPB stated that floods damaged 72 hectares of land, including rice fields.

BNPB also revealed that approximately 200 residences have suffered damage. The catastrophic floods with cold lava and mudslides in the Western Sumatra province of Indonesia have also damaged 159 residential places in the Agam district.

A 43-year-old survivor named Edo Widodo said the flooding was sudden. It blocked the river resulting in water flowing everywhere and becoming out of control.