Flash floods kill 9 in Sitaro Islands, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Flash floods and landslides struck parts of Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, at about 02:30 LT on January 5, after heavy overnight rainfall.

According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), nine people were confirmed dead, five were still missing, and 17 were left injured, state owned news agency Antara reported.

The floods triggered multiple landslides, displacing 102 people who had to take shelter in a nearby church and other temporary shelters. Five homes were destroyed, with multiple others being damaged as floodwaters and debris swept through hillside settlements.

Rescue operations continued through the day, with BNPB reporting challenges in reaching isolated areas due to damaged roads and limited ferry schedules connecting the islands.

Power supply and telecommunications in affected areas were disrupted, complicating emergency communication and logistics.

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

• Rishav Kothari

  Noctilucent cloud season begins: How glowing night clouds form near the edge of space
• Rishav Kothari

  11 miners die after a landslide in Vatomadry, Madagascar
• Rishav Kothari

  Spain records deadliest May for heat-related deaths since monitoring began in 2015
• Rishav Kothari

  Tropical Storm Amanda forms as the first named storm of the 2026 eastern Pacific hurricane season