The death toll from floods and landslides in West Sumatra province, Indonesia, has risen to 19 people, with 7 others still missing, according to a senior official in the disaster management agency on Saturday.
Moharrindo Edwan, the senior official at the Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, stated that the province has been grappling with the aftermath of the natural disaster since Thursday, as rivers failed to contain the excess water from heavy rains.
He noted, "Victims were not only swept away by strong currents but also buried under the soil during the landslides."
The strong currents caused the collapse and submersion of 16 bridges, leading to road closures and the washing away of homes, hindering the distribution of aid to the affected.
Edwan further stated that aid delivery requires alternative routes, which will take more time.
Meanwhile, the head of the emergency unit at the Regional Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, Fajri Sukma, stated early Saturday that the floods had receded, but tens of thousands of homes are still submerged.
Sukma mentioned that the search and rescue operation for the missing is ongoing, involving personnel from the disaster agency, soldiers, police officers, and volunteers.
He added that the agency and other government institutions are working to provide emergency relief efforts.
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