At least 41 killed in horror ‘cold lava’ floods in Indonesia as shock vids show villages swept away by volcanic mudslide
At least 41 people have tragically lost their lives in devastating 'cold lava' floods, with shocking footage depicting entire villages swept away in the aftermath.
Severe weather conditions triggered the horror scenes as torrential rain battered Indonesia, resulting in a massive mudslide descending from Mount Marapi, the country's most active volcano.
Cold lava, scientifically known as lahar, is a hazardous mixture of volcanic material and pebbles that flows down a volcano’s slopes during heavy rain.
The terrifying lava flow caused a river to overflow its banks, leading to catastrophic floods that ravaged mountainside villages in West Sumatra, destroying everything in their path.
Reports indicate that the floods swept people away, submerged over 200 houses and buildings, and caused extensive damage to homes, mosques, rice fields, and infrastructure. Road access in Lima Kaum village has been severed, further complicating rescue efforts.
Chilling video footage showcases the aftermath of the floods, with devastated villages reduced to muddy swamps where homes once stood. Mud-caked vehicles lie abandoned in the sludge, and fast-flowing streams traverse the landscape, leaving only a few trees standing.
As of now, 41 individuals have been confirmed dead, while 17 others remain missing following the tragic downpour on Saturday night.
Ilham Wahab, an official from the West Sumatra disaster mitigation agency, provided updates on the situation, emphasizing the challenges faced by rescue teams due to bad weather, damaged roads, and blocked access points.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences of flooding and rockfalls, with one resident, Rina Devina, describing the sound of thunder and falling rocks during the disaster.
Authorities have mobilized a rescue mission involving teams of rescuers, rubber boats, and heavy equipment to search for missing victims and transport survivors to shelters. Evacuation centers and emergency posts have been established in affected areas, with efforts focused on search and rescue operations as well as ensuring the safety of evacuees.
Mount Marapi's recent eruption history highlights the ongoing risks faced by communities in the region, underlining the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness measures and infrastructure improvements to mitigate such tragedies in the future.
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