Days of torrential rainfall have led to flash floods and a landslide on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing 19 people with seven others missing.
Mud, rocks and uprooted trees came down a mountain and reached a river that burst its banks, tearing through villages in the West Sumatran province.
Seven bodies were pulled from the rubble in the village of Koto XI Tarusa by Saturday, said Doni Yusrizal, who leads the local disaster management agency.
Image: Damaged houses in Langgai. Pic: AP
Three others were recovered in two other neighbouring villages, while rescuers retrieved another six bodies in Pesisir Selatan on Sunday.
Indonesia’s national disaster management agency also said three further bodies were found in Padang Pariaman.
The flash floods injured at least two villagers.
More than 80,000 people are believed to have fled to temporary government shelters after the floods.
More on Indonesia
Related Topics:
Fourteen houses were buried and 20,000 homes flooded up to their roofs in nine districts and cities across West Sumatra.
“Relief efforts for the dead and missing were hampered by power outages, blocked roads covered in thick mud and debris,” Mr Yusrizal said.
Advertisement
Image: Soldiers ride motorbikes in a village affected by flash floods in West Sumatra. Pic: AP
Image: A man attempts to remove logs that block a street. Pic: AP
Read more:Volcano eruption in Indonesia leaves 23 deadFifteen children kidnapped from school in Nigeria days after 300 others taken hostage
The extreme weather began on Thursday and the agency has warned of further damage from floods and landslides as more rain is expected over the next few days.
Heavy rainfall causes frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near floodplains.
Source : Sky News
