Torrents of cold lava flowing from an active volcano have triggered flash floods in the western Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing at least 37 people, reported CNN.
Cold lava is a type of volcanic hazard that is formed from volcanic ash and rock spewed out of the mountain mixed with rainwater.
Sumatra has witnessed hours of heavy rain on Saturday night loaded with volcanic rock and ash down Mount Marapi, an active volcano on Sumatra.
Consequently, the rain has triggered cold lava and caused a nearby river to overflow.
Indonesia’s Disaster Response Agency stated that more than a dozen had been injured and 84 housing units and 16 bridges had been affected by the volcanic mudslides.
Furthermore, the flash floods have badly affected four districts, including the Agam Regency, where more than 100 houses and buildings have been submerged and cars have been stuck on flooded roads.
The agency also declared that 18 people were missing and 159 were evacuated.
A Continuous Series of Disasters
This calamity is not the first one in the Island; the area surrounded Mount Marapi has experienced numerous similar catastrophes over the years.
Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire with 127 active volcanos, Mount Marapi or “Mountain of Fire” is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia.
The deadliest eruption took place in 1979 and killed 60 people. During the early 21st century, it has erupted 11 times.
Last 5 December, 23 hikers were killed due to a sudden eruption in the area.
In February 2024, heavy floods destroyed dozens of homes in the Tanah Datar.
A devastated eruption in April 2024, triggered huge clouds of ash, up to a height of 2 km, disrupting flights, closing roads, and evacuating more than 11,000 people in the region.
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