ANKARA: The death toll from flash floods and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra has risen to 21, with tens of thousands of people fleeing to temporary government shelters, officials said on Sunday.
The river overflowed its banks and tore through mountain villages in West Sumatra’s Pesisir Selatan district late Friday, Doni Yusrizal, a spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency, told reporters.
According to Yusrizal, seven bodies were found in Koto XI Tarusan village, while three more were found in two neighboring villages, bringing the total number of dead to 21.
However, seven people are still missing.
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“Efforts to help the dead and missing have been hampered by power outages, blocked roads covered in thick mud and debris,” Yusrizal said.
The agency said at least two villagers were injured, while more than 80,000 people fled to temporary government shelters.
Flash floods and landslides are common in Indonesia, where millions of people live near floodplains, especially during the rainy season.
