Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA) – Search and rescue efforts continued on Tuesday to find ten people who remained missing after the December 1 flash flood and landslide in Simangulampe village, sub-district of Baktiraja, Humbang Husundutan District, North Sumatra Province.
A joint team of 535 rescue workers was deployed for the search mission, which entered its fourth day on Tuesday, said National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas)-Medan Office chief Budiono.
They were divided into three groups to expand the search area, he reported, adding that they were equipped with drones, mountaineering equipment, diving equipment, a backhoe and a landing craft.
Ten other people in the disaster zone of Simangulampe village in Baktiraja sub-district remained missing, while two others were found dead and evacuated, he said.
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Tiamin Boru Sinambela (78) was found dead on Monday (December 4), while the body of Boru Lubis was located on Saturday (December 2), he added.
The disaster also damaged 41 houses in the affected village.
ANTARA has reported that some regions in North Sumatra are vulnerable to natural disasters, such as floods and landslides.
In November 2020, for example, landslides triggered by torrential rains affected 42 houses in Nagori Bayu Muslimin village in Simalungun district.
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