'Calling From Humanity': Indonesia Rescuers Search For Flood Missing

Tanah Datar, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2024) Along debris-filled rivers and mud-caked roads, rescuers dig with tools and their bare hands through the wreckage after frightening flash floods and volcanic debris deluged areas near one of Indonesia's most active volcanos.

In Sumatra island's Tanah Datar district, hundreds of workers raced to find 35 people still unaccounted for after houses were swept away at the foot of Mount Marapi in the dark of night as the clock ticked on the complex rescue mission.

Deli Marlina watched on as they searched for her brother-in-law Rusdi after the bodies of her mother and sister were found in the days before.

"If he is found like my mother and sister, we will feel a little relief at least," the 47-year-old, who travelled to the site from Sumatran city Medan, told AFP.

"Please pray for us."

Not only professional search teams were getting involved in the rescue effort, but also soldiers, marines, police and volunteers armed with rubber boats.

"We have been scouring the areas that cannot be reached with cars. The currents in the river are extreme, so the search is quite dangerous," said Ritno Kurniawan, a 38-year-old member of the local rafting community.

"We usually found the bodies along the riverbanks, buried under volcanic material or rocks."

The search -- now in its fourth day -- has been made more difficult by the prospect of further heavy rains and transport access being cut on several key roads by collapsed bridges or mud that had solidified.

The floods killed at least 58 people across six districts in West Sumatra province, injuring dozens and forcing more than 3,300 people to evacuate to temporary shelters.

Authorities have turned to heavy machinery and technology to aid the rescue effort -- using cloud seeding to ease rainfall, as well as calling on K-9 dogs and thermal drones to find bodies.

Provincial search and rescue official Hendri, who goes by one name, told AFP rain, stacks of logs and large volcanic rocks in rivers were hindering the search.

Rescuers were also worried about another flash flood or cold lava flow known as a lahar, where volcanic material is swept down from a volcano's slopes by heavy rains.

- 'This is fate' -

Survivors were still in shock from the disaster, including some who lost their relatives and friends when large volcanic rocks and muddy waves suddenly crashed into their neighbourhoods.

Some tried to clear their houses of mud and collect their belongings, while others appeared stunned at what had happened to their properties and were enduring the agonising wait for any news about their loved ones.

Martias, 64, lost his 101-year-old mother and three children of his nieces -- two who were teenagers and one five years old, he said.

"The rescuers have sent dogs bloodhounds and drones but they still have not been found," he said.

"I still have hope, but if they are no longer alive, I will accept it. I will let God handle it. This is fate, I can't deny it."

At his mother's home, most of the windows and doors were blown out while large logs piled up against the house, which had been flooded by mud.

The lack of visibility was stopping the multi-pronged search effort during the night.

That was lowering survival hopes for those missing before a "golden period" of seven days runs out by the weekend.

But volunteer rescuers like Ritno remained unfazed despite the challenges.

"I am exhausted, but it is our responsibility," he said.

"It's a calling from humanity to help."