West Sumatra, Indonesia—The water levels in the local river spiked in less than an hour following intense rain in the upper mountains. A flash flood hit the lowland villages around 3:00 p.m. today.

The wall of water caught many residents by surprise, sweeping away temporary structures and livestock. One individual was pulled into the current and could not be recovered in time.

Search and rescue teams are currently navigating the flooded streets using rubber boats. They are focusing their efforts on the areas where homes were completely destroyed by the force of the flow.

Power lines have been disconnected in the district as a precautionary measure. The main road connecting the regencies is currently inaccessible due to sediment and debris left by the receding water.

Local disaster agencies have set up makeshift camps on higher ground for those who lost everything. Supplies are arriving slowly due to the damaged infrastructure blocking entry routes.

Health workers are monitoring the shelters for signs of illness caused by the contaminated water. They have advised residents to boil all drinking water until the situation stabilizes.

The weather remains unstable, raising fears that a secondary wave of flooding could occur tonight. Authorities are monitoring the rainfall data in the mountains to provide early warnings.

Emergency services will work through the night to clear the main thoroughfares. Recovery efforts will focus on locating any others who may still be trapped in the debris fields.