Hours of heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and cold lava flows from Mount Marapi, the most active volcano on Sumatra Island in Indonesia.
News About Nigeria gathered that this led to the loss of lives and destruction in two districts of West Sumatra province on Saturday evening.
According to Ilham Wahab, a spokesman for the West Sumatra disaster agency, the flooding claimed the lives of 34 people, with 16 deaths reported in the Agam district and 18 in the Tanah Datar district.
Additionally, at least 18 people sustained injuries, while 16 others are still missing.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, involving local rescuers, police, soldiers, and volunteers.
The disaster struck Agam and Tanah Datar districts around 10:30 pm local time on Saturday, with the Basarnas search and rescue agency reporting flash floods and cold lava flow in the affected areas.
Cold lava, also known as lahar, comprises volcanic materials such as ash, sand, and pebbles washed down a volcano’s slopes by rain.
Numerous homes and public facilities were damaged in Agam, with reports of casualties, including young children.
In Tanah Datar, infrastructure such as roads, mosques, and a public pool were damaged.
The destruction extended to Lembah Anai, a popular tourist spot known for its waterfall, where a vital road connecting Padang and Bukittinggi was severely affected, cutting off vehicular access.
Rescue operations are focusing on locating missing victims and providing aid to affected communities.
Evacuation centres and emergency posts have been set up by local authorities in various areas of the affected districts to provide shelter and assistance to displaced residents.
Environmental campaigners have linked the severity of these disasters to deforestation resulting from logging activities
