A total of 18 people have been found dead due to landslides on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, with two individuals still missing, officials reported on Monday. The search and rescue team discovered approximately 14 bodies in Makale village and four in South Makale, but two more victims are still being sought. The difficult terrain, combined with fog and drizzle, has made the search efforts challenging for officers on the ground, according to Sulaiman Malia, chief of the Tana Toraja district Disaster Management Agency. The landslides were triggered by heavy rainfall, causing mud to flow from surrounding hills onto four houses in the Tana Toraja district of South Sulawesi province just before midnight on Saturday.
Dozens of soldiers, police, and volunteers have joined the search operation in the remote hillside villages of Makale and South Makale, with the initial efforts resulting in the rescue of two injured individuals, including an 8-year-old girl. They were swiftly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, challenges such as downed communication lines, adverse weather conditions, and unstable soil have been impeding the rescue mission, as stated by local authorities. Tana Toraja is renowned for its attractive tourist sites, which include traditional houses and wooden statues known as tau-tau, depicting bodies buried in caves. Due to seasonal downpours, landslides and floods are common occurrences in Indonesia, a country composed of thousands of islands with a significant population residing in mountainous regions or fertile flood plains.
Being a chain of islands, Indonesia is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as landslides and floods, particularly during the rainy season. With millions of residents situated in mountainous areas or flood-prone regions, safety measures and disaster response efforts are crucial to minimize the impact of such calamities. The recent landslides in the Tana Toraja district of Sulawesi have resulted in a significant loss of life, emphasizing the need for enhanced preparedness and swift response to such events. The search and rescue team’s valiant efforts in recovering the victims and aiding the injured demonstrate the dedication of emergency responders in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges posed by harsh weather conditions and difficult terrain, the rescue operation continues in order to locate the remaining missing individuals and provide assistance to those affected by the landslides.
The tragic incident in Makale village underscores the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of communities in vulnerable areas. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and increase the frequency of extreme events, the risk of landslides and floods in Indonesia remains a persistent concern. Government authorities, along with local disaster management agencies, play a crucial role in implementing proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with these hazards. By enhancing early warning systems, conducting risk assessments, and promoting community preparedness, the impact of such disasters can be reduced, ultimately saving lives and safeguarding livelihoods. As the search for the missing individuals continues in Tana Toraja, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and strengthening resilience in the face of future challenges.
