At least 15 dead, 4 000 affected as flash floods sweep through South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Severe flash floods hit Indonesia's South Sulawesi Province on July 13 and 14, leaving at least 15 people dead and a number of people missing, North Luwu district official Indah Putri Indriani reported Tuesday, July 14, 2020. More than 4 000 residents have been affected in six subdistricts of the regency.

"15 are reported dead and we are still looking for more casualties since access to many locations is still blocked by the mud," Indriani stated.

Flooding began Monday evening, July 13, after heavy rains caused three rivers to burst their banks. Mud and other debris carried by floodwaters engulfed roads and thousands of houses.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Raditya Jati added that more than 4 000 people have been affected in six subdistricts in North Luwu.

"The provincial road is covered in mud and that blocks access to the main command post and the affected areas," said Jati. 

Several severe flash flood events and landslides occurred in various parts of the country last month. On June 12, five districts of Bone Bolango Regency in Gorontalo Province were inundated, causing damage to 1 500 houses and affecting 5 407 people.

On June 26, a massive landslide swept away a mountain road in Battang Barat, Wara Barat District in the eastern region. The Trans Sulawesi Road, connecting Palopo and Tana Roraja, was blocked.

Julie Celestial

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