
Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesian authorities said that heavy rains causedfloods and landslides in West Sumatra, Indonesia, leaving 19 people dead, 7missing, and forcing the evacuation of more than 70,000.
Torrential rains in the provincial capital of Padang and eightother areas has damaged nearly 700 homes, scores of bridges and schools and113ha of farmland.
Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for the National Disaster ManagementAgency (BNPB) said about 150 personnel from various disaster response agencies have been mobilised to search for missing people, however, rescue work hasencountered many difficulties due to blocked roads after landslides. Evacueesgathered at the nearest mosques and were provided with necessities such asfood, water, and medicine.
According to Abdul, most areas in Padang are still flooded withroads blocked by a landslide extending 50 metres in the area of PadangPariaman.
With more rain expected in the next few days, the agency warnedof further damage from floods and landslides.
As it is at the peak of therainy season, water flow in rivers is often high, particularly on the islandsof Java and Sumatra, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG)./.