SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - At least 16 people have died and six others remain missing after heavy rains triggered landslides and floods across Indonesia's Sumatra island, according to local media reports, Monday.
In North Sumatra's Karo region, six people died and four others, including two children, went missing after landslides buried several hillside villages, while in Padang Lawas area, a family of four, including two children, died when their house collapsed. Additional casualties were reported in South Tapanuli, where floods damaged 150 buildings and swept away 10 houses, and in Deli Serdang, where four people died and two went missing. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors as authorities evacuate residents to safer locations.
Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands, faces frequent landslides and floods during its rainy season from October to March, with millions living in mountainous regions or near flood plains. In December, 12 people were swept into Lake Toba following similar disasters in North Sumatra, with only one body recovered.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.