Padang. The death toll from the cold lava flood of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra (Sumbar) continues to rise. As of Sunday, the total death toll has reached 37 people, while 17 people are still missing.

According to Abdul Malik, the Head of Search and Rescue in Padang, the victims are spread across two regencies, Agam and Tanah Datar. "Data collection is ongoing, and the majority of the fatalities are in the Agam Regency," he said on Monday.

On Sunday night, the joint SAR team temporarily halted the search for the missing victims due to rainfall in the area. The search will resume on Monday morning.

The cold lava flood struck residential areas in the Agam region at the foot of Mount Marapi on Friday afternoon.

Videos circulated in the Marapi Information group showed swift-flowing water carrying wooden materials entering residential areas and roads.

Ilham Wahap, spokesperson for the West Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), attributed the cold lava flood to heavy rain over the past few days, as previously predicted.

Katik, a resident of Bukik Batabuah, Canduang District, Agam Regency, said the flash flood occurred around 4:00 p.m. on Friday.

He was at home with his family when he heard a loud roar. He immediately went outside and saw the cold lava flood engulfing his house.

"I heard a loud roar and I saw the cold lava flood coming. I immediately rescued my grandchildren and family to flee from the house," he said on Saturday.

The Agam Regional Disaster Management Agency urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid approaching the mountain within a radius of 4.5 kilometers, especially since Mount Marapi's status is currently at level III or alert.

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