Jakarta (VNA) – At least 14 people have died and four remain missing after flash floods struck North Sulawesi province in Indonesia, as prolonged heavy rain continues to cause serious damage to lives and property across many parts of the Southeast Asian nation.
Nuriadin Gumeleng, a spokesperson for the local rescue agency, said the heavy rain, which began in the early morning of January 5, triggered flash floods on Siau island in the Siau Tagulandang Biaro region, catching many residents off guard.
Sixteen rescue workers have been deployed to search for the four missing. As of January 6, at least 18 others had been reported injured. Authorities are continuing to gather information from local residents to determine whether there are any additional unaccounted-for victims.
The Indonesian disaster mitigation agency said at least 444 people have been evacuated to local schools and churches following the floods. Local authorities have mobilised excavators to clear roads blocked by mud and debris.
The governor of North Sulawesi province, Yulius Selvanus, confirmed that the flash floods destroyed hundreds of homes as well as many public buildings and government offices, causing significant infrastructure damage.
According to Indonesia's meteorological agency, the floods occurred during the peak of the rainy season on Sulawesi island. Forecasts indicate that in January and February, many areas across Indonesia – including Java, Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua – will continue to face a high risk of flooding and landslides due to prolonged heavy rain.
Meanwhile, the islands of Sumatra and Borneo experienced peak rainfall in November and December last year. In November, cyclone-induced floods and landslides killed more than 1,000 people in Sumatra, with hundreds still missing./.
Indonesia: Severe flooding strikes West Sumatra again
Rainfall recorded at the Teluk Bayur Maritime Meteorological Station in Padang city on January 2 exceeded 159 mm, a level classified as extreme. Meanwhile, the Minangkabau Meteorological Station and the West Sumatra Climatology Station, both located in Padang Pariaman district, also recorded very heavy rainfall, approaching the extreme threshold of 150 mm in a single day.
