Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia on May 15 sent an air force plane to shoot salt flares into the clouds to get the clouds to release water and break up before they reach flood-hit areas in West Sumatra province, according to the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
About 15 tonnes of salt was prepared for the seeding operation.
Torrential rains that lasted for several hours on May 11 triggered a landslide of mud and rock into the areas near one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, destroying homes and damaging roads and temples.
According to Indonesian authorities, flash floods at the foot of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra were caused by excessive rainfall in a short period of time and steep terrain. In addition, the volcano's lava from previous eruptions also worsened the flood. Although the lava was no longer hot, prolonged heavy rains turned it into a mud flood, also known as cold lava.
Abdul Muhari, Spokesperson of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, said 67 bodies had been pulled from mud and rivers by May 15, mostly in the worst-hit Agam and Tanah Datar districts, while rescuers are searching for 20 people reported missing. Over 3,300 people had to evacuate from affected areas.
In 2022, about 24,000 people were evacuated and two children died due to floods on the island of Sumatra. According to environmentalists, floods and landslides on the island are becoming worse due to deforestation for timber./.
