In Indonesia's West Sumatra province, a devastating natural disaster struck over the weekend.
As per Al Jazeera, flash floods and cold lava flow from Mount Marapi have claimed the lives of at least 28 people, including children.
The Basarnas search and rescue agency reported that the disaster struck Agam and Tanah Datar districts in West Sumatra province around 10:30 pm on Saturday after hours of heavy rain.
While, Abdul Malik, head of the provincial rescue team, confirmed the grim toll, stating, "There are 28 people killed, and we are still searching for four others who are missing."
In response to the catastrophe, the local government has established evacuation centers and emergency posts across the affected regions.
Meanwhile, this disaster comes on the heels of recent tragedies in Indonesia. Just last week, 15 lives were lost in South Sulawesi due to landslides and flooding.
While in March, West Sumatra faced similar devastation, claiming the lives of at least 26 individuals.
What is cold lava?
Cold lava, also referred to as lahar, is a mixture of volcanic materials such as ash, sand, and pebbles.
It's mobilized by rainwater, cascading down the volcano's slopes, posing immense danger to nearby communities.
