Indonesia's Sulawesi island recently experienced a tragic event as a flood and landslide claimed the lives of 14 individuals, according to officials. The calamity was brought about by torrential rain that has been relentlessly pounding the area since Thursday, leading to a devastating landslide in the Luwu district of South Sulawesi province.
The impact of the disaster was severe, with floods reaching up to 3 meters (10 feet) and affecting 13 sub-districts as water and mud engulfed the region. More than 1,000 houses bore the brunt of the catastrophe, with 42 of them being swept off their foundations by the force of nature.
In response to the crisis, a dedicated search and rescue team sprang into action to evacuate residents using rubber boats and other vehicles. Over 100 individuals have been relocated to mosques or the homes of relatives outside the affected area, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the National Disaster Management Agency.
Indonesia, with its vast expanse of 17,000 islands, is no stranger to the perils of seasonal downpours that often result in landslides and floods. The country's unique geographical makeup sees millions of people residing in mountainous regions or fertile floodplains, making them particularly vulnerable to such natural disasters.
This recent tragedy adds to a series of unfortunate events triggered by heavy rains in April, which led to landslides claiming the lives of 20 individuals in the Tana Toraja district of South Sulawesi province. The recurring nature of these incidents underscores the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and mitigation measures to safeguard the lives and properties of those residing in high-risk areas.
