NewKerala.com

Indonesia Flash Floods Kill 16, Displace Hundreds in North Sulawesi

The death toll from flash floods and landslides in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province has risen to 16, with three people still missing. The disaster, triggered by torrential rain, damaged 148 houses and displaced hundreds of residents into temporary shelters. Emergency response efforts involving multiple agencies are ongoing, with a 14-day emergency period declared. Road access was cut and utilities remain disrupted in the affected Sitaro Islands Regency.

Key Points: Indonesia Floods Death Toll Rises to 16 in North Sulawesi

  • Death toll climbs to 16
  • Three people still missing
  • 148 houses damaged or destroyed
  • Emergency response period declared until Jan 18
2 min read

Death toll from Indonesia's flash floods climbs to 16

Flash floods and landslides in Indonesia's Sitaro Islands have killed 16, injured 22, and displaced hundreds. Emergency response is underway.

"About 682 residents are currently staying in temporary shelters - Abdul Muhari"

Jakarta, Jan 6

The death toll from flash floods and landslides that struck Indonesia's eastern province of North Sulawesi has risen to 16, while three others remain missing, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said.

The disaster hit Sitaro Islands Regency at around 2:30 a.m. on Monday (local time) after hours of torrential rain triggered river overflows, BNPB said on Tuesday.

According to the agency, at least 148 houses across four districts were affected, with seven destroyed, 29 severely damaged, and 112 lightly damaged.

Floodwaters had receded by Monday afternoon, but electricity and telecommunications networks remained disrupted in the affected areas.

In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB's Data and Information Center, said 22 people were injured in the disaster and had been taken to nearby health facilities for treatment, reports Xinhua news agency.

"About 682 residents are currently staying in temporary shelters," he said, adding that emergency response efforts are being carried out jointly by disaster management agencies, search and rescue teams, the military, police, and volunteers.

Residents from affected neighbourhoods have been temporarily evacuated to safer locations. Preliminary data showed that 35 families, totalling 108 people, have been displaced.

The disaster also washed away five houses and cut road access between the East Siau and South East Siau sub-districts.

Indonesia frequently experiences flash floods and landslides during the rainy season.

Local authorities have declared a 14-day emergency response period from January 5 to January 18, and have urged residents to remain vigilant amid continued risks of extreme weather.

Indonesia frequently experiences flash floods and landslides during the rainy season.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Very sad. Indonesia and parts of India face similar monsoon challenges. Our disaster management agencies should maybe collaborate and share best practices. The speed of the response is crucial in saving lives after such flash floods.
D
David E
Reading about 682 people in temporary shelters is devastating. The disruption to power and telecoms makes everything so much harder for rescue and for families trying to connect. Wishing strength to all the volunteers and emergency workers on the ground.
A
Aditya G
It says this happens frequently during the rainy season. While immediate relief is priority, there needs to be a stronger long-term focus on infrastructure, early warning systems, and maybe even relocating the most vulnerable settlements. It's a tough but necessary conversation.
S
Sarah B
The article mentions the military, police, and volunteers working together. That coordination is so important. Hope the 14-day emergency period is enough to restore basic services and help people start rebuilding their lives.
K
Karthik V
A respectful criticism: The article repeats the line "Indonesia frequently experiences flash floods..." twice. Editing should catch that. On the issue itself, climate change is making these "frequent" events more intense. Global south nations like Indonesia and India need more support.
N
Nisha Z
Terrible.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50