58 Killed in Flash Floods in Indonesia, Over 35 Missing

At least 58 persons lost their lives in flash floods and mudslides in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province during the weekend. Search operations are still continuing to locate over 35 people who are still missing.

Heavy rain on Saturday evening led to flash floods, landslides, and cold lava flow – a mud-like mixture of volcanic ash, rock debris and water – in West Sumatra province.

The cold lava flow came from Mount Marapi, one of Sumatra’s most active volcanoes.

At least 249 houses, 225 hectares of agricultural land, 19 bridges were damaged.

Indonesian authorities are thinking of “cloud seeding” to prevent rains in the worst affected areas. Cloud seeding involves shooting salt flares into clouds to trigger rainfall in dry areas.