In just 23 days of 2021 Indonesia has suffered 185 disasters including two major earthquakes, seven volcano eruptions with a further 3 showing activity, tornadoes, landslides and floods killing hundreds along with thousands displaced

Powerful Semeru Volcano Erupts In Indonesia January 16

Authorities in Indonesia say the country has seen 185 disasters since the start of the year, including earthquakes, tornadoes, landslides and floods. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB, hydrometeorological disasters dominate the list, with 127 flood events and 30 landslides recorded in several regions of the country during the period 01 to 21 January 2021.

At least 166 people have died in the disasters, including 91 in earthquakes, 41 in landslides and 34 as a result of floods. The worst of the recent flooding occurred in South Kalimantan, where at least 15 people died. Flooding in Banjarmasin City, capital of the province, has affected over 100,000 people.

The worst of the landslides occurred in Cimanggung District, Sumedang Regency, West Java Province on 09 January 2021. As of 15 January, BNPB confirmed 24 fatalities.

More recently, severe flooding has affected parts of Central Java Province. BNPB reported that 12,065 houses were submerged and 191 people were displaced by flooding in Pekalongan City, Central Java, on 19 January 2021. Over 60,000 people are thought to have been affected. As of 21 January, flooding was slowly receding, BNPB said. Flood List

RSOE Alertmap showing current disasters in Indonesia

Last week Mount Semeru, the highest volcano on Indonesia's most densely populated island of Java, spewed hot clouds as far away as 4.5 kilometres (nearly 3 miles) on Saturday. There were no immediate evacuations, but the National Disaster Mitigation Agency warned people who live in the villages on the slopes of the 3,676-meter (12,060-foot)-high mountain to be vigilant in looking for signs of danger. Agency spokesperson Raditya Jati said that people around the river basin on the slopes of the mountain should beware of high rainfall intensity that can trigger lava floods.

Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center did not raise Semeru's alert status, which already had been at the third-highest level since it began erupting in May. The volcano spewed hot ash for 3,000 metres (9,800 feet) in early December, triggering panic among villagers. Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 250 million people, sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Government seismologists monitor more than 120 active volcanoes. Along with the eruption of Mount Semeru, Indonesia's Mount Sinabung, Merapi, Lewatolo, Mount Ibu and Mount Dukono is also erupting with a further 3 showing activity.

Meanwhile, at least 56 people have been killed after an earthquake struck Indonesia’s West Sulawesi province on Friday, their 2nd major quake, mag 6 or higher, of 2021, the disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) said on Sunday, the latest in a string of disasters to hit the Southeast Asian country. More than 820 people were injured and about 15,000 left their homes after the 6.2 magnitude quake, the BNPB said. Some sought refuge in the mountains, while others went to cramped evacuation centres, witnesses said.

Dwikorita Karnawati, the head of Indonesia’s meteorological, climatology and geophysical agency (BMKG), has said that another quake in the region could potentially trigger a tsunami. Straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is regularly hit by earthquakes. In 2018, a devastating 6.2-magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami struck the city of Palu, in Sulawesi, killing thousands.

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