Flash floods leave 1 500 houses damaged or destroyed, 5 400 affected in Gorontalo, Indonesia

Intense rains since June 12, 2020, have caused severe flash floods in five districts of Bone Bolango Regency in the province of Gorontalo, Indonesia, resulting in about 1 500 houses damaged or destroyed. 5 407 people were affected, 3 injured and 4 still missing, according to the National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB).

The Taludaa River broke its banks, sending floods across the districts of Sawawa, Sawawa Tengah, South Sawawa, and Botu Pingge. In some areas, floodwaters reached 1.5 m (5 feet).

Around 1 500 houses were damaged or destroyed, displacing about 600 families. Three bridges were also affected in the area.

A resident captured the horrifying moment a bridge totally collapsed as floodwaters raged.

BNPB reported that 5 407 people have been affected, three people were injured, and four more remain missing. 

BPBD Bantaeng District has been working with Basarnas (SAR agency), the Department of Social Affairs, Health Department, army, police, and other relevant stakeholders, to respond to the calamity.

Emergency field kitchens are also being operated in the subdistricts of Bantaeng and Bissappu.

BPBD Jeneponto deployed personnel to conduct further evacuation and damage assessment.

The Indonesian Red Cross also sent people to help with the evacuations, in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

Humanitarian organizations said the immediate needs are food items, family kits, relief items, clothes, medicines, field beds, sleeping mats.

Julie Celestial

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