Landslide Triggers Devastation and Rescue Efforts in North Sumatra

Rescuers in Indonesia are engaged in a frantic search for missing persons following a landslide that resulted in numerous fatalities in Karo, North Sumatra. The disaster struck on Monday, November 25, 2024, leaving tragedy in its wake.

According to local authorities, 16 bodies have been recovered from the affected areas, which were devastated by torrents of mud and rocks. Additionally, six individuals remain unaccounted for. «The torrential rains that fell over the weekend caused rivers to overflow, leading to the catastrophic landslide,» stated Juspri M. Nadeak, head of the local disaster management agency.

The disaster impacted four hilly districts within North Sumatra, leading to widespread destruction. Efforts to locate survivors continue as rescuers employ excavators, farm machinery, and even manual labor to sift through the debris in the Semangat Gunung area of the Karo district. Nadeak confirmed that six bodies were recovered from a site where the landslide demolished two houses and a cottage. Nine people, fortunately, survived these incidents.

Operations are ongoing to locate four missing persons, including two children, believed to be buried among the wreckage. Another report from the South Tapanuli district details the grim discovery of two bodies in a river swollen by flash floods—a phenomenon that also obliterated at least 10 homes and damaged over 150 others in surrounding villages.

In Deli Serdang district, emergency crews confirmed four deaths due to the floods, with a search still active for two missing individuals. The disaster, exacerbated by seasonal rainfall that typically spans from October to March, has caused widespread fear and apprehension among locals accustomed to residing in Indonesia’s rugged mountainous areas or fertile plains.

Mustari, leading the local search and rescue efforts in Padang Lawas district, reported that rescuers retrieved the bodies of a family of four, including two children, from Harang Julu village. Scenes of devastation include images of anguished relatives witnessing the recovery of bodies encrusted in mud.

Floods and landslides are not uncommon in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands. The region frequently falls prey to natural disasters during the rainy season. Last December, similar events left vast areas damaged with casualties, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of these communities.

The government has shown ongoing interest in the development of Lake Toba, a scenic location born from a supervolcano, as a prominent tourist attraction. However, recent events underscore the natural volatility that poses challenges to such initiatives.

Niniek Karmini contributed additional reporting from Jakarta, reflecting on the disaster’s implications and ongoing recovery efforts as relayed by the Associated Press.