SITARO ISLANDS FLOOD: 11 DEATHS, FIVE STILL MISSING

JAKARTA, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- The flash floods that hit Sitaro Islands in North Sulawesi, Indonesia on Monday claimed 11 lives, while five others were still feared missing as of Tuesday morning.

National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Head of Disaster Data, Information and Communication Abdul Muhari said that of the total number of deaths, six bodies had been identified, while data on the remaining five were still being collected.

“As of last night, five people were still reported missing or unaccounted for. Search and rescue (SAR) operations had not been continued due to adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain that posed a risk of flooding and further landslides at the disaster site.

“SAR operations will be resumed today,” he said in a statement.

The flash floods, triggered by prolonged heavy rainfall, left roads covered with rocks and mud and inundated nearby residential areas.

BNPB said four districts were affected – namely East Siau, South East Siau, West Siau and South West Siau.

As of Tuesday morning, the flood had affected 143 families, involving 444 residents who were forced to evacuate to temporary shelters.

Abdul Muhari said in response to the emergency, the local government had also declared a disaster emergency status for 14 days, effective from Monday.

He also informed that floodwaters had receded by Monday noon, but electricity supply and telecommunications networks in the affected areas remained disrupted.

-- BERNAMA