SRINAGAR: A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra in western Indonesia on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported, with no immediate signs of major damage or casualties.
According to USGS data, the quake hit Simeulue island at 11:56am (0456 GMT) at a depth of 25 kilometres. Authorities said assessments were under way but initial reports indicated limited impact.
Meanwhile, the death toll from floods and landslides across Sumatra continued to rise. A rescue official said on Thursday that 19 people had been confirmed dead, with dozens still missing as search and rescue efforts intensified.
North Sumatra has been battered by extreme weather for several days, inundating multiple districts and triggering widespread landslides. Indonesia’s monsoon season, typically running from June to September, regularly brings heavy rainfall, heightening the risk of flash floods, landslides and waterborne diseases.
Officials have warned that climate change is altering rainfall patterns, increasing the intensity and duration of seasonal storms and contributing to heavier downpours, more severe flooding and stronger winds.
Earlier this month, at least 38 people were killed in Central Java after landslides triggered by persistent rainfall, while around 13 others remain missing.
