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From floods to earthquakes, 2021 brings slew of crises to Indonesia
The country has seen hundreds of natural disasters in the first month of the year.
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Rescuers search for survivors trapped in a collapsed building in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, on Jan. 15, after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake shook the province. (handout/NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE AGENCY / AFP)
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t is still the first month of 2021, but Indonesia has already seen hundreds of natural disasters that have collectively claimed more than 100 lives as the peak of the rainy season and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic complicate disaster mitigation efforts.
As of Thursday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) had recorded 185 natural disasters this year. Hydrometeorological hazards, including floods, landslides and whirlwinds, dominated the tally.
In addition to these hydrometeorological disasters, the country also saw two earthquakes that caused vastly more casualties than the other events; at least 91 people died and 1,172 others were injured.
Rescuers are still searching for victims and evacuating survivors of a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that shook West Sulawesi on Jan. 15. The regencies of Mamuju and Majene were the most affected by the disaster.
Nearly 10,000 people have been moved to shelters, while at least three remain missing. West Sulawesi Governor Andi Ali Baal Masdar has declared a two-week state of emergency.
During a visit to West Sulawesi on Tuesday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said he would seek to ensure that the evacuation and aid distribution went well. He also promised financial assistance to residents whose houses had been damaged.
