Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA News)- The death toll of floods and landslides that hit Mandailing Natal (Madina) District in North Sumatra Province, rose to 17 on Sunday.

A joint search and rescue (SAR) team comprising military, police personnel and volunteers, evacuated 17 bodies, Muhammad Yasir, head of the Madina disaster mitigation office, said, here, Sunday.

Of the 17 casualties, 12 were elementary school students in Ulu Pungkut sub-district, three workers repairing a road culvert in Mura Batang Gadis district, and two people whose car plunged into Aek Batang Gadis river during flooding.

The 12 students were among 29 elementary school students who were stricken by the flood in Muara Saladi village. Twelve students were rescued and seven of them were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Rescuers also managed to evacuate two teachers who survived the flooding.

In Madina, flooding and landslides affected 11 sub-districts, including Natal, Lingga Bayu, Muara Batang Gadis, Naga Juang, North Panyabungan, Bukit Malintang, Ulu Pungkut, Nopan and Batang Natal.

In Muara Saladi village, Ulu Pungkut sub-district, floods swept away 12 houses and damaged nine others. A medical clinic, an elementary school building, and a government office, were also damaged.

Reporting by Munawar Mandailing

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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