Jakarta

Indonesia Sumatra flash floods disaster: The tragedy due to a cold lava flow and flash floods in western Indonesia continues to take a toll on lives and lifelines in Sumatra. Since the disaster first unfolded over the weekend, the death toll has risen to 50 with 27 more still missing, the country's national disaster mitigating agency said in an official statement on Tuesday (May 14). 

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"Based on reports, Suharyanto (BNPB chief) said victims who died due to the disaster was recorded to 50 people, 27 missing, 37 injured, while 3,396 people evacuated," agency spokesman Abdul Muhari said in a statement.

Also read | Landslide strikes Indonesia, at least 15 killed, 50 feared missing  

Suharyanto, who goes by his first name according to reports in the Indonesian media, said in the statement that the death toll could rise further. He called for heavy equipment to be deployed to aid the search and rescue effort.

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Suharyanto said aid deliveries were being carried out using air and land routes as well as emergency bridges as the flooding and cold lava flow cut off some vital access routes to the worst-hit areas. 

Indonesia flash floods and lava outburst: What happened?

Several hours of heavy rain caused flooding in two districts of Sumatra island on Saturday (May 11). The downpour threatened thousands of inhabitants after ash and large rocks swept in the waters down Mount Merapi, the most active volcano on Sumatra island. 

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Cold lava, colloquially known as lahar, is volcanic material such as ash, sand and pebbles carried down a volcano’s slopes by rain.

Also watch | Indonesia floods: Heavy rains pound Indonesia, roads, bridges, homes damaged

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Indonesia is prone to such landslides and flooding during the rainy season.

Earlier in 2022, about 24,000 people were evacuated and two children were killed in floods on the Sumatra island. Environment activists had blamed deforestation caused by logging for worsening the disaster.

(With inputs from agencies)