Death toll of Indonesia’s lava floods reaches 52 with 17 missing
Up to 52 people were found dead and 17 went missing after cold lava floods destroyed houses, buildings and public facilities in Indonesia's West Sumatra province, a senior official of local disaster agency said on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.
Search for the missing persons resumed on Tuesday as several heavy machinery equipment had been added to the scene to help with the operation, said Ilham Wahab, head of the rehabilitation and reconstruction unit of the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency.
"The number of bodies found is 52 now, and the missing number is 17. These figures will keep changing as people keep reporting about their missing family members," he told Xinhua via phone.
Wahab noted that the ongoing emergency relief efforts would be followed by a reconstruction and rehabilitation program.
Experts would be involved to consider whether it would be necessary to relocate the residents living in dangerous areas, such as on the sides of rivers whose upstream is at the slopes of the Marapi volcano and Singgalang volcano, which keep erupting and exiting volcanic materials, he added.
According to Lieutenant General Suharyanto, head of National Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, the natural disaster has forced over 3,000 people to flee home and take shelters at safer grounds.
"Repair of the damaged roads is among the priorities during the relief efforts," he said in a text message, adding that the fulfillment of the basic needs of the flood-affected residents would be met.
Heavy rains on Saturday night triggered the waters of the rivers to overflow their banks, striking the regencies of Agam, Tanah Datar and Pariaman, and Padang Panjang town.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
It is truly heartbreaking to hear about the devastating impact of the cold lava floods in Indonesia. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and the missing persons. It’s crucial to prioritize both emergency relief efforts and long-term reconstruction plans to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected residents.
It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about the devastating impact of the lava floods in Indonesia. My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. Let’s hope for a swift and effective response from the authorities to provide support and aid to those affected.
How long is the reconstruction and rehabilitation program expected to last for the affected areas?
The reconstruction and rehabilitation program for the affected areas is expected to last for at least one year, considering the extent of the devastation caused by the cold lava floods in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province.