Rescuers search for victims in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, November 25, 2024. BINSAR BAKKARA / AP At least 16 people have died and seven others are still missing after floods and landslides during the weekend on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported on Monday, November 25. Flash floods and landslides hit four districts in North Sumatra province. Karo district recorded the highest number of casualties, with five people found dead and five others still missing after a river flash flooded on Saturday. The other victims are spread across three other districts in the province: Deli Serdang, South Tapanuli and Padang Lawas. Severe weather destroyed houses, mosques and public facilities. BNPB deployed staff as well as rescuers and soldiers on site. Landslides worsened by deforestation According to the spokesperson for this national agency, Abdul Muhari, the districts of Karo and Deli Serdang have already been hit several times this year by flash floods and landslides. “This year alone, these two districts have been hit by disasters three and two times respectively,” he reported. Landslides occur regularly across the vast archipelago during the rainy season, between November and April, and the problem has been made worse in some areas by deforestation. In July, a landslide on the island of Sulawesi (Celebes), near an illegal gold mine, left 27 dead and 15 missing. In May, 67 people died after a mixture of ash, sand and stones from the eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra spread into residential areas, causing flash floods. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In ten years, 220 million people forcibly displaced by climate disasters Read later Le Monde with AFP Reuse this content
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