Flood and Landslide Hit Indonesia's Sulawesi Island, Killing 14 People

Published: 04 May 2024 at 06:14

Science

14 people were killed in Indonesia's Sulawesi island due to a flood and landslide triggered by torrential rain in the Luwu district. The floods, reaching up to 3 meters high, affected 13 sub-districts, damaging over 1,000 houses with 42 swept off their foundations. Search and rescue teams evacuated residents using rubber boats, relocating over 100 people to mosques or relatives' houses. Seasonal heavy rainfalls in Indonesia lead to frequent landslides and floods, impacting mountainous regions and floodplains where millions reside across the island chain.

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Torrential Rains Trigger Landslides in Indonesia, Resulting in Loss of Lives

Torrential rains on Indonesia's Sulawesi island caused landslides, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 people and leaving three others missing in the Tana Toraja district of South Sulawesi province. Rescue efforts were hampered by downed communications lines, bad weather, and unstable soil. The region is known for its popular tourist attractions, including traditional houses and wooden statues in caves. Seasonal downpours lead to frequent landslides and floods in Indonesia, a country consisting of 17,000 islands where many people live in mountainous or flood-prone areas.

Search and Rescue Team Recovers Victims of Landslides in Indonesia

A search and rescue team in Indonesia's Sulawesi Island found 20 people killed by landslides, with the last two bodies discovered in South Makale village. Rescuers recovered the bodies of a 3-year-old girl and her mother, the final victims missing after the disaster.

Strong Earthquakes Shake Indonesia's Java Island

Two strong earthquakes, with magnitudes of 6.1 and 6.5, shook Indonesia's Java Island on the same day. The first quake in the southern part of the island did not cause injuries or significant damage, while the second quake in West Java province also did not trigger a tsunami. Indonesia, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent seismic activity, with the 2004 Indian Ocean quake being one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.

Eruptions from Mount Ruang volcano in Indonesia lead to evacuations and flight cancellations

Mount Ruang, a 725-meter volcano on Ruang Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been erupting since mid-April, causing fresh evacuation orders, airport closures, and flight cancellations. The eruptions on Tuesday prompted Indonesia's national volcano agency to issue a tsunami alert. More than 12,000 people have been called to evacuate, with nearby schools closed to protect from volcanic ash. Flights in the area, including those from airlines like Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines, have been canceled due to volcanic ash reaching eastern Malaysian airspace.

Evacuations Expand Near Erupting Volcano in Sulawesi, Indonesia

More people living near an erupting volcano on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island were evacuated on Friday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds, and the possibility of a tsunami.

Indonesia's Mount Ruang Erupts, Forcing Evacuations and Flight Disruptions

Mount Ruang in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province erupted, sending ash over 5km into the sky. Thousands of residents were evacuated, with flights disrupted in the region. The eruption prompted fears of a tsunami, leading to evacuations from nearby islands like Tagulandang to Siau. Indonesian and Malaysian airports were closed due to volcanic ash spreading, with ash reaching as far as Borneo. Mount Anak Krakatoa's 2018 eruption, which caused a tsunami, serves as a reminder of the region's volcanic activity.

Volcano in Indonesia's North Maluku Province Erupts, Throwing Ash 2 Miles High

The Ibu volcano on Halmahera Island in Indonesia's North Maluku province erupted early Sunday, sending ash up to 2.2 miles high. Standing at 1,325 meters above sea level, the volcano is at the second-highest danger level. Officials warned people to stay 2 kilometers away from the crater and to wear protective gear due to the volcanic activity. Indonesia, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent volcanic eruptions and seismic activity. Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi also erupted recently, leading to evacuations and airport closures.

Indonesia Sees 27% Increase in Primary Forest Loss in 2023

In 2023, Indonesia experienced a 27% rise in primary forest loss compared to the previous year, attributed to deforestation for palm oil, paper plantations, and mining, particularly for nickel crucial for the green energy transition. Despite the increase, the deforestation rate is lower than in the past decade, according to the World Resources Institute. Indonesia, home to the world's third-largest rainforest, has lost over 74 million hectares of rainforest since 1950 primarily due to palm oil, paper, rubber plantations, and nickel mining.

2020 North Luwu flash flood (Wikipedia)

The 2020 North Luwu flash flood was a severe flash flood that occurred in the North Luwu Regency due to heavy rainfall (300-400+ mm) on 13 July 2020. Much of the flooding had occurred within the night of 13 July. Following the flooding, the mayor of North Luwu declared a state of emergency in the affected area for 30 days.

Indonesia Plans to Move its Capital City due to Sinking Worries

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