The bodies of 16 people have been recovered from landslides and flash floods in the Indonesian island of Sumatra. In addition, 6 people are still missing, the local authorities said. The US news agency AP reported the news.
After heavy rains in the hilly areas of North Sumatra province, the two banks of the river overflowed. Houses and agricultural land were heavily damaged.
Authorities are making all-out efforts to conduct rescue operations in Semanggat Gunung area of ​​'Karo' district. The head of the local disaster management agency, Juspri M Nadiak, said six people died after the landslide buried two houses and a hut on Sunday night. Nine people managed to escape while injured. Four people, including two children, are still missing.
Two bodies were recovered from a river in South Tapanuli district on Sunday. At least 10 houses were swept away by the flash flood, 150 houses and buildings were damaged. Puput Mashuri, head of the disaster management agency in the area, said that the flood destroyed more than 130 hectares of agricultural land and injured many people.
Four people died in flash floods in Deli Serdang district. Attempts are being made to trace the two missing people there on Monday.
A landslide damaged several houses in Harang Zulu village in Padang Lawas district. Mustari, the head of the local rescue organization, said that four bodies including two children of the same family were recovered on Saturday night.
Indonesia's monsoon rains from October to March often cause floods and landslides. Many of the country's 17,000 islands live in mountainous areas or near fertile floodplains.
Last December, 12 people were swept into Lake Toba by landslides and floods caused by heavy rains in mountain villages in North Sumatra. One of them has been recovered but 11 are still missing.
Lake Toba is formed from an ancient volcano. It is a popular tourist destination in Sumatra Island. This area is of special importance in the development plan of the Indonesian government to attract international tourists.
