Flood in Sumatra, Indonesia

Heavy rains triggered flash floods and caused torrents of cold lava and mud to flow down a volcano's slopes on Indonesia's Sumatra island, killing at least 41 people and leaving more than a dozen others missing.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) deployed around 400 personnel, including rescuers, police, and military to search for the missing people and organise evacuations of the worst affected areas. Several emergency management measures were put in place, including restoring road access, removing landslide material, and coordinating with regional organizations.

The cold lava flow, known in Indonesia as a lahar, came from Mount Marapi, one of Sumatra's most active volcanoes. More than 20 people were killed when Marapi erupted in December. A series of eruptions have followed since.

Nearby Sulawesi has also been badly affected

Related resources

Sentinel Asia activation for flood in Sumatra, Indonesia
Type of event
Flood, Landslide
Location of event
Sumatra
Date of Charter Activation
2024-05-14
Time of Charter Activation
00:49
Time zone of Charter Activation
UTC+09:00
Charter Requestor
ADRC on behalf of National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
Activation ID
879
Project Management
Anjar Ilham Pambudi (National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN))
Value Adding
  • National Research and Innovation Agency,
  • Indonesia (BRIN),
  • Jakrapong Tawala (UNITAR)

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