MAKASSAR, Indonesia, Jan 24, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The death toll from flash
floods and landslides in Indonesia jumped to 26, a disaster agency official
said Thursday, as rescuers race to find still-missing victims.
Thousands have been evacuated from their homes as heavy rain and strong
winds pounded the southern part of Sulawesi island, swelling rivers that
burst their banks and inundating dozens of communities in nine southern
districts.
Parts of the provincial capital Makassar have also been affected.
“As of this morning, 26 people are confirmed to have died and 24 others are
missing,” said Syamsibar, the head of the local disaster mitigation agency,
who like many Indonesians goes by one name.
The death toll had stood at eight on Wednesday.
More than 3,000 people have been evacuated and at least 46 are being
treated at local hospitals and health clinics.
The floods also damaged houses, government buildings, schools and bridges.
“The search and rescue teams are still looking for missing victims and
evacuating people whose homes were inundated by the flooding,” Syamsibar
said.
Landslides and flooding are common in Indonesia, especially during the
monsoon season between October and April, when rain lashes the vast tropical
archipelago.
In October, flash floods and landslides killed at least 22 people in
several districts across Sumatra island.