Torrents of Cold Lava and Mud Destroy Villages in Indonesia’s Sumatra

The heavy monsoon rains that lashed Indonesia’s Sumatra island last weekend triggered flash floods and a flurry of cold lava and mud that cascaded down Mount Marapi’s slopes. The resulting catastrophe has claimed the lives of at least 41 people, leaving many more missing. The disaster, which unfolded just after midnight on Saturday, swept away entire villages, submerging over 100 houses and buildings in its path.

According to Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the national disaster management agency, the heavy rains combined with a major mudslide from a cold lava flow caused the river to breach its banks, tearing through mountainside villages in four districts in West Sumatra province. The cold lava, also known as lahar, is a mixture of volcanic material and pebbles that flows down a volcano’s slopes during heavy rainfall.

As of Monday morning, rescue teams were still searching for 17 people reported missing, with three missing in Agam district and 14 in Tanah Datar, the worst-hit areas. The villages of Canduang in Agam and Tanah Datar were particularly hard hit, with 20 people found dead in the former and nine in the latter.

The disaster also caused main roads in Tanah Datar district to be blocked by mud, cutting off access to other cities. Videos released by Basarnas showed roads transformed into murky brown rivers, a testament to the sheer force of the floods.

Mount Marapi, which stands at 2,885 meters, has been at the third-highest of four alert levels since 2011, indicating above-normal volcanic activity. The volcano has erupted several times in recent years, including an eruption in January 2023 that caused no casualties. However, Marapi is known for its sudden and unpredictable eruptions, making it difficult to predict when and if it will erupt again.

Indonesia, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location. With over 120 active volcanoes, including Marapi, the country is constantly at risk of volcanic and seismic activity. The recent disaster serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the face of such natural disasters.